Connections and Setup 

This post is a continuation to my last post  “ Basic Requirements for Recording and Producing Music “ and has been written assuming that all the equipments have been gathered and are ready, so that we can connect everything and start working .

To reassure, these are the list of equipments i mentioned before  -

A Computer

An Audio Recording Interface

A Microphone

A pair of headphones/ studio monitors

A Digital Audio Workstation (D.A.W)

Cables - XLR and 1/4” instrument cables

If you have all the things ready, then we are ready to proceed. But before that we should be familiar with a few connectors .

XLR Connector (Male & Female )

1/4” TRS (Male & Female)

Combination Jack

3.5 mm Jack

Firewire port

USB Port

Male XLR Connector 

Combination Jack

3.5mm Jack

1/4" TRS ( Female )

1/4" TRS (Male)

Firewire Ports

USB Port

Female XLR Connector

Connecting our Audio Interface to our Computer 

Typically Audio Interfaces have 2 types of connections, through which they can be connected to the computer, i.e. USB and Firewire . 

Firewire connections are mostly seen in apple computers and a few older windows machines. But now a days most of the interfaces have a USB connectivity as both mac and windows have this port in common .

I will assume that we are using a interface with a usb connection. And for connecting the same, we need to follow the following steps :

Insert the narrow side of the USB cable to the back of the audio interface .

Now insert the other end (The wider side ) to one of the usb ports of the computer .

Note: Some interfaces require external power and some don’t . If it does require external power and contains some kind of power cable along with the package, don't forget to power the same with some external power source .

Now, the interface should be successfully connected to your system . Don't worry if your interface has a firewire connection . The process is pretty much similar. All you need to verify before connecting your interface, is that your computer has a firewire port build into it . Else, a firewire card is needed to be installed in your system before connecting your interface .

After you connect your interface, its time to install the drivers and softwares that came along with the interface . Some packages include CD’s and some needed to be downloaded from the internet after providing the authentication code given to you along with the interface . 

Once the drivers are installed , we are ready to turn our interface on . Do remember to select the audio interface in computer settings as input and output device .

For Windows user’s 

Start > Control Panel > Sound 

For Mac users

Apple > System Preferences > Sound 

Connecting Headphones / Studio Monitors to the Audio Interface 

Now, that we have successfully connected the interface to the computer, its time to connect the monitors and headphones to the interface and to make sure the interface is working . To do so we need to follow these steps :

Connecting Headphones :

For connecting the headphones to the audio interface, we need to look for a 1/4” TRS female port in the interface. There might be more than one ports of the same type . The ports which are for the headphones will be mentioned as phones/headphones or will have signs made like this . 

The headphones we are trying to connect will most probably have a 3.5 mm jack and needs an adapter, that converts that tiny port to the big 1/4” TRS jacks. Most studio monitoring headphones contains a 1/4” TRS converters with the pair but even if there’s none , they are not hard in any electronic store .

Now we can connect the male 1/4” TRS jack from the headphones to the female 1/4” TRS ports in the interface . 

There will also be volume knobs for independent ports for headphones as they are the level controls for the headphones . Once the headphones are connected, try playing any piece of audio from the computer , you should hear the same in your headphones .

NOTE: If you don't hear anything , check the I/O’s (Inputs and outputs) once again and try restarting your computer. 

Connecting Monitors :

If we choose to work in studio monitors, we will be needing two 1/4” instrument cables to connect the monitors to the audio interface . 

For connecting the monitors, we need to connect one side of the cable to the female 1/4” TRS port built in the monitors and the other end to the 1/4” TRS outputs of the interface . 

NOTE : We need to connect both the monitors individually from two different output ports of the interface to the monitors with two different 1/4” instrument cables . Don't worry about the positioning of the monitors, as it can be controlled from monitors itself . 

Now, as the headphones/monitors are connected and we have everything set up, its time to use the interface for our D.A.W .

Setting Up the Interface in the Workstation’s Preference 

NOTE: It is assumed that the workstation has been pre-installed in the computer before proceeding to this step .

Once we are done connecting all the gear and equipments, its time to choose the interface in its I/O ( Input/Output ) settings in our D.A.W , which will enable us to record audio into the D.A.W and playback the same .

I use Logic pro X as my primary workstation and this is how you can choose the interface in it .

Logic pro X > Preferences > Audio… > Output device & Input device 

We need to select our interface in both of these columns, which will enable us to use the desired interface to record and playback audio to and from the workstation through it 

Different D.A.W’s have different options but the principals remain the same . And if we face any difficulty setting up the I/O device in your workstation, we can always check the manual.

Connecting Microphone and other Instruments 

Microphones have Male XLR ports build into them . To connect them to the interface, we will need XLR cables . We can connect the Female end of the XLR cable to the microphone whereas the other end ( the male XLR end) to the interface. 

There will be female XLR ports or combination jacks built into the interface known as inputs . Both can connect to male XLR jacks . There will also be gain knob along with the inputs. These knobs sets the amount of gain for individual inputs.

Also, there will be some kind of button or switch referred to as +48 volts (Phantom power) for every individual inputs . These are extra 48 volts, that any condenser microphone requires to run . But do remember only condenser microphones require that extra +48 volts .

Do not turn on the phantom power in any other kind of microphone . If done, it might destroy or damage the microphone .

For connecting any other instrument that has a TRS jack built in it, the method is same as connecting microphones, but only instrument cables should be used instead of XLR’s . In some interfaces there are instrument buttons build into it which increases the gain of the input when a direct instrument is plugged into it . No instrument requires phantom power and requires any extra power .

NOTE : Set the gain of every input very carefully , as more of it might lead to clipping whether less might lead to a lot of noise in the recordings . Always make sure the levels of the inputs are healthy and are not clipping .

Well, that was for this post . And if these all steps are followed carefully with precautions, then there should not be any difficulty in recording any kind of audio . No matter its an instrument or a microphone . 

In the next post , we will learn the basics of recording in our D.A.W (Logic Pro X) and will try to record one guitar and one vocal track . 

Basic Requirements for Recording and Producing Music 

Music making has been never more convenient and easy . Today in 2016 , there are many award winning engineers and producers who operate solely from their home studios, rather than getting the recordings done in expensive studios at unreasonable rates. 

It is not just because of the cost or pricing of the studios, but because of the comfort and access to different technologies at your finger tips that was not possible before a few years.

Of course there are pro’s and con’s of everything. But music making in the box has never been more vast then in the recent years which has given many musicians , engineers and producers the opportunity to learn and work from their homes with different instruments and equipments without investing a whole lot of money in it .

Today I am going to discuss a few basic requirements for recording and producing your own music anytime and anywhere you want . 

The list is as follows :

1) Computer 

A computer is the basic requirement today for recording and producing music . By a computer , I mean any computer (Windows/Mac). Now a days it is also possible to record in your phones or i pads, but we will need a little more professional and reliable device to produce music. For which, any computer will do . Only thing to keep in mind, when choosing one is that, if it contains enough memory and processing power to process our recordings . 

2) Audio Interface 

Audio Interface is the second important thing that we will be need to record any piece of music . Basically, Audio Interface is a hardware unit that converts analog signals to digital signals and imports them into our computer . There are lot of different kinds of interfaces, but all of them does the same job. Doesn't necessarily need to be the most expensive one . Any good and reliable interface will do . We should always cross check the preamp quality of the interface before buying any .

For more information about different types of audio interfaces and choosing the best one, link in provided below

http://dreamartrecords.blogspot.in/2015/11/what-is-audio-recording-interface-as-we.html

3) Microphone 

Well, microphone is something that captures sound . They have different types, polar patterns, qualities and built . But for the initial stage, any microphone will work ( Preferably dynamic ). 

To know more about different microphone types and polar patterns, please visit the link below .

http://dreamartrecords.blogspot.in/2015/11/microphones-and-their-types-we-all-are.html

4) Headphones / Studio Monitors 

When recording and producing music , we will need some kind of headphones or speakers to playback what we are working on . Headphones/Monitors, either will work . If we choose to work with headphones, it is best to get a studio quality professional pair rather than any ordinary fancy ones . If not any studio pair then an ordinary ones will work as well until and unless we are aware of what they actually sound like . 

If we choose to work in studio monitors then i suggest visiting the link below before making any purchase or even thinking of doing so .

http://dreamartrecords.blogspot.in/2016/05/loudspeakers-and-studio-monitors-what.html

5) Recording Software (D.A.W)

We will also need some kind of recording software or D.A.W ( Digital Audio Workstation ), where we will record all our materials . There are many of the kind. It doesn't necessarily needs to be the best or the most expensive one . There are even free recording softwares like audacity or garageband to begin with . But to be a little bit more professional we can choose any inexpensive D.A.W as all of them does the same work . Some examples are Pro-tools , Logic pro-X , Cubase etc .

For more information about D.A.W ( Digital Audio Workstation), click the link below .

http://dreamartrecords.blogspot.in/2015/11/what-is-d.html

6) Cables and wires 

Finally we will be needing some cables to patch up everything and get going . To start with , we wont need anything except a few XLR and 1/4” instrument cables .

Well, that’s all we need for now to start recording and producing music . Of course, the list doesn't end. But again these are just the basic elements with what we can start recording or creating something on our own . 

Music making was never this easier before . But with the change in technology and growth in demand, career in music making has also significantly changed. As today, we have more musicians , engineers and producers who can create and share music from their homes with the minimalistic or no costs. And in general, we have a much bigger and vast library of music to listen, choose and share from .

Loudspeakers and Studio Monitors 

What are Studio Monitors ?

Studio Monitors are basically loudspeakers designed for audio production applications, such as recording studios , filmmaking, television studios, radio studios and project and home studios, where accurate audio reproduction is crucial while reference monitors are used to understand what the audio will sound like in consumer level speakers .

Audio Engineers consider studio monitors because of their relative flat response (‘uncoloured’ or ‘transparent’ ) through out the  frequency range as compared to consumer level speakers .

But we should always keep in mind, that all consumer’s do not posses studio monitors and way our mixes sound in studio monitors along with the right environment will never sound the same in consumer level speakers or headphones .

This is the reason why we should check our mixes in different speakers in different environments . 

One of the best places to check our mixes, are the car speakers . Car speakers along with its environment can help us a lot to understand our mixes in a better way .

Having said all this about studio monitors , it is not necessary to have a pair of those to make music . Now a days, we have studio level professional headphones that are very accurate and flat in nature, which sometimes work far better in situations then having a pair of those studio monitors but not having the accurate room for it .

Well, taking about studio monitors there are different types and kinds of the same .

There are Passive , Powered and Active Speakers .

Passive Speakers:

In a passive loudspeaker system the low-level audio signal is first being amplified by an external power amplifier before being sent to the loudspeaker where the signal is split by a passive crossover into the appropriate frequency ranges before being sent to the individual drivers . The design is common in home audio as well as professional concert audio.

Powered Speakers :

A powered loudspeaker works the same way as a passive speaker but the power amplifier is built into the loudspeaker enclosure . The design is common in compact personal speakers such as those used to amplify portable digital music devices .

Active Speakers :

In a fully active loudspeaker system each driver has its own dedicated power amplifier . The low-level audio signal is first sent through an active crossover to split the audio signal into the appropriate frequency ranges before being sent to the power amplifiers and then on to the drivers . This design is commonly seen in studio monitors and professional concert audio .

There are two types of monitors when comparing size and loudness i.e. Far field and Near field .

Far Field:

Far field monitors are intended to be more than -6 feet away from the listener . These are meant for more acoustically treated studio setup . 

Near Field :

Near field monitors are designed to be placed less than 6 feet away from the listener . Since they are positioned close to you , they are relatively unaltered by the room acoustics . In other words , these monitors are used where the rooms are not treated well and can have a lot of unwanted reflections .

Both options accept either 1/4” Instrument cable or a balanced XLR cable input .

THE MONITORS IN THE DESK ARE NEAR-FIELD AND THOSE WHICH ARE IN THE BACK WITH THE WALL ARE FAR-FIELD . 

A BASIC MONITORS PLACEMENT SYMMETRY 

These topics are vast and doesn't have any end to it . There are whole lot of books and articles on just individual types of speakers and their properties . Another thing to keep in mind is the placement of the monitors which is again another huge topic and i will not be covering in the post as we will move to music production after this post .

In the next blog we will talk about the basic requirements and the connectivity of different equipments for recording and producing your own music . We will also discuss a little bit more about our D.A.W which in my case is logic pro x and learn how to get our first recording done . Till then bare with me as I am sure this is going to be fun once we start producing on our own .