Studio Fun

At Filthy Rich Studios, we strive to provide a quality recording at an affordable price. I also do my best to make sure that everyone feels like they are special and good and important..even though they sometimes aren’t any of those things. Considering the fact that I have drums, bass and guitar equipment available for you to use; the only variable is the music and the musicians. Once you are finally done recording; we get into the fun part….mixing. What?
“You mean you aren’t going to master it?” You wouldn’t believe how many people ask me how long it’s going to take to master it. Mastering is defined by Answers.com as,
“A form of audio post-production, is the process of preparing and transferring recorded audio from a source containing the final mix to a data storage device (the master); the source from which all copies will be produced (via methods such as pressing, duplication or replication).”
My definition is that the final mix, (a Left/Right “final” stereo mix (usually a .wav file)) created by AFTER mixing is done, is run through a series of processes to make it closer to what the average listener is used to hearing. Mastering is an art in itself. If you have spent your hard-earned cash to record your amazing songs, it is in your best interest to pay someone else to master it. Mastering isn’t something easy that anyone with a computer can do. Granted, there are mastering presets that Joe Average can run your stuff through to make it a little better. This will usually include a volume leveler/expander of some sort and an equalizer. A good mastering job can take an average recording and make it shine. It’s worth it also because introducing a 2nd pair of ears is usually quite helpful.
The bulk of what most people will be doing is MIXING. During mixing, the volumes are leveled out, compression and eq are usually added, editing is done and effects are added. Mixing is, in my opinion, the most important part of any recording. This is what will make the difference between a demo and a professional sounding recording.

I say all of this because I want you to sound smart when you talk to people about recording. So…to sum things up. When you are recording, say something suave like…”how long do you think it will take to MIX these songs?” Also, you can ask..”Are you going for maximum volume during mixing, or are you leaving room for mastering?” The engineer will be impressed by your understanding the difference between Mixing and Mastering.

This lesson is just one of many to come. I will try to make it more interesting to read in the future. Sorry. Many other tidbits will be coming soon. Thank you for reading. Come record with me and help me make Filthy Rich Studios the best home recording studio in Phoenix and beyond.

Sorry if I start to rant,
I think I rock, but truly can’t.
I do my best, try as I might,
But just can’t seem to get it right.
I’m not a rapper; got no ho,
but rhyming takes some time and so.
I’ll stop for now, for I am bored,
maybe I should learn a chord.

So, like I was saying…

Where to start?

Sometime around 2001; I got a 2-channel Audigy Soundblaster and had a friend put together a computer for me. I recorded to Cakewalk 9.0 initially. I quickly realized that 2 channels wasn’t enough if I wanted to be able to put microphones on each drum; and be able to later mix the individual drum tracks.
On a budget, you can mix the drums on a 4+ track mixer itself and then take the stereo Left and Right outs and run them into your 2 channel soundcard. Plenty of people have made great recordings this way. You will have to be sure to get great volume levels on the drums..because you can’t bring up the snare drum volume later if you have already done a 2-track mix from your mixing board.
If you are recording drums for the first time, less is generally more. You can get amazing results by putting 1 microphone on the kick drum, 1 on the snare drum and 2 microphones for the overheads. There is a common misconception that these should be looked on as “cymbal mics.”
While you will be getting your cymbal sounds from the overheads; proper overhead microphones can also give you a large portion of your snare sound. Do a search for overhead mic’ing techniques such as X-Y overheads, and “Recorderman Overheads.” There is a wealth of information available if you are willing to look for it.

My Phoenix-based recording studio has grown from very humble beginnings; because I was willing to spend hundreds of hours doing research and mixing and recording for “fun.” I still have thousands of hours to go before I will ever get a mix that I will be truly happy with. It’s still fun, though. I can say this for sure: If it isn’t any fun when you get started; it won’t be fun when you get better at it. While I may not have the best recording studio in Phoenix; I have the best recording studio located in my house.

Welcome to my blog. I’m going to do anything and everything I can to offer the best home recording studio in Phoenix Arizona and beyond. I’ll be updating regularly about what it is like to run a studio, deal with local bands, purchase the best equipment for the money and so on.