Tutorial #2
Recording Yourself & Creating a Demo
So you want to record yourself...
If you have a decent computer then you can do this at home! If you have tons of extra money to spend then you can just go into a local recording studio and get professional results. But if you are like most people just starting out, then you will most likely have a budget to work with. If you have atleast $75 or maybe a little more, then you can setup a mini-recording studio on your computer. All you need is a microphone and a small adapter that plugs into your sound card. Your sound card must have a microphone input (usually the red input), see below for a picture demonstration. NOTE* USING THE MICROPHONE INPUT IS ONLY FOR PEOPLE ON A TIGHT BUDGET AS IT IS NOT THE BEST QUALITY RECORDING! For much better results, you can purchase a microphone pre-amp which plugs into the "line-in" instead of the "microphone input" but I will explain that later.
If you aren't very technically inclined, then you are still in luck. Here is what you will need:
1. A computer with a mic input on the sound card (see below)
2. A microphone
3. A small adapter that allows you to plug the larger mic plug into the smaller sound card input. (Most microphones have a 1/4" plug while most sound cards only have a 1/8" input so it won't fit without this adapter!)
4. Recording software. You can either purchase a fancy program or use a free one that can be downloaded off the internet, for example: Audacity
Setup instructions:
Plug your microphone into that adapter and then plug the other end of the adapter into the sound card of your computer. Then open up your recording software and see if it works!
That is the simple setup for those of you on a tight budget. If you have about $100 extra to spend then you can get a microphone pre-amp which will make the sound quality MUCH better! The microphone input on your sound card is meant for cheap $10 computer mics so you can chat through Instant Messenger programs. The signals aren't as great. The line-in input on your sound card supports better signals, but you will need the mic pre-amp in order to "boost up" the signals from your microphone. To find a mic pre-amp, go to GuitarCenter.com and search "mic pre-amp"
If you want to use this setup, then it is pretty much the same deal, but here are the instructions:
1. Plug your microphone into the mic pre-amp
2. Plug your microphone pre-amp into that small adapter mentioned earlier.
3. Plug the other end of the adapter into the "Line-in" input NOT the mic input.
So when plugging into the sound card, if you DO NOT have a pre-amp then you plug into the mic input. If you DO HAVE a pre-amp then plug it into the line-in input.
Then you are all set and ready to record.
Now, recording demos...
Although recording on your computer from home is a very handy and convenient option, I highly suggest going into a studio for professional quality work if you plan on shopping for a record contract with your demo.
Again, if you are on a budget then you might not have the money to record a professional demo. However, if you can play an instrument then you are in luck. If you are singing more of a hip hop/R&B style of music then you can find tons of pre-recorded background tracks (instrumentals) on the internet and a lot of them are free downloads for non-profit use. Otherwise you can lease some tracks for as low as $20. But if you are singing rock or country then don't have as much luck as far as finding pre-recorded original background tracks. If you can't get your hands on background music, and cannot play an instrument, then you can always sing accapella! (vocals only, no background music).
If you are trying to produce your own songs but do not have a band, or original background tracks, then you are still in luck as long as you can somewhat play an instrument. If you can play an instrument, then as long as you can get the basic idea of the song recorded, an experienced producer can get the vibe of your song and create a great piece. If you have a piano then just learn a few chords (very simple to learn) and then you can start writing and singing your own stuff. If your work is good then someone will want to produce it for you with a full band, or just a professional solo instrument (whatever fits best!).
When creating a demo, keep in mind that you are creating an image for yourself. Nobody knows who you are yet, so you have to show them. Write songs that best fit your style. Think of your favorite band or singer. Do you have a pretty basic idea of what kind of music will be on their next album? You should. One of my personal favorites is Rascal Flatts. Anyone that knows who they are can easily determine what is going to be on their next album because their image has already been created. Once your image is created, songwriters will start writing songs specifically for you. Isn't that cool? But as of right now, nobody knows who you are or what your style is. So... YOU must write songs that show who YOU are as an artist. Then once your image is settled, people will start bringing new songs to YOU that they feel fits your image. If a songwriter writes a song telling someone to "get out of my life because I hate your guts" then they might be looking more for an artist such as Avril Lavigne with that adolescent attitude of an image. If a songwriter writes a song about "a broken road of heartbreaks that led me to your loving arms" then they might be looking more for a group like Rascal Flatts. See how it works? Some songs fit better with different artists depending upon their image in the music industry. So keep in mind that you are creating an image for yourself. However, that image may take awhile to settle. Another one of my favorite's, Tim McGraw, took awhile to find and settle with his image. Even when your image does settle, it can still slowly change over time. Keep all of this in mind while creating a demo.
