About Music Production: A Detailed Guide

One of the most evident changes in music production is that artists don’t have to go to the studios for music recording. As technology has advanced, there’s a clear shift towards multi-track recording. Multi-track recording allows more than one track to be recorded simultaneously. The tracks may be subsequently mixed and processed. If you’re planning on producing your music, you’re at the right place. Read through our blog to learn more about the basics and techniques of music production.

What Falls Under Music Production?

Let’s first establish that music production is an umbrella term for multiple processes involved in recording music. Music production includes:

• Songwriting
• Recording
• Mixing
• Mastering the song

Music production heavily relies on a skilled musician and an expert music producer. As a musician, you should know your musical instruments well. For performance master classes, reach out to our  music teachers in Abu Dhabi.

Necessary Equipment for Music Recording

Computers and even smartphones are viable options for making music today. A desktop computer offers superior processing power. Music mixing apps for iPhone and Android are the latest addition to music mixing practices. Some of these are:

• GarageBand
• BandLab
• Studio Mobile

Digital Audio Workstation

The software is one of the most popular for editing and recording audio content. It offers two types of configuration, a single software, and an integrated software model. Both single and complex configuration software can be controlled by a single computer.

Modern DAWs use a central interface that allows users to mix and alter multiple recordings and tracks into a unified final piece. You have several music editing software to choose from:

• Apple Logic Pro
• Avid Pro Tools
• Steinberg Cubase
• Ableton Live
• PreSonus Studio One

All DAWs come with the same core capabilities. Some of their premium features may also be paid for. Ensure your DAW serves exactly the purpose it’s installed for. Going through the individual strengths and weaknesses of each DAW software can help. The music production course at our music school in Abu Dhabi covers music production in detail. Check out our music lessons and Trinity-graded exam curriculum today.

High-Quality, Tech-Advanced Speakers

Monitoring speakers are the single most important piece of equipment in your music studio. Music on sub-standard speakers would always fail to create an impact and gives undesirable mixed results. Exposure to quality musical instruments and equipment is the first step toward perfect sound production. Our music production master classes are led by some of the most competent music teachers in Abu Dhabi.

Monitor speakers are not the same as hi-fi bookshelf speakers. Studio monitors are designed for professional audio production. They serve a great purpose in the:

• Recording studios
• Radio studios
• Television studios
• Filmmaking

The speakers produce comparatively flat frequency responses. This way, they offer accurate reproduction of the source audio’s tonal qualities. The loudspeakers don’t facilitate any phase shifts in frequencies. A low-frequency shift ensures no distortion in the sound-stage perspective for stereo recordings.

Expert Equipment You Need for Music Recording

Audio Interface

An audio interface is a go-between your computer and external devices like microphones and studio monitors. It translates audio signals from your instruments & microphones into digital data that your computer can decipher. It also works in reverse. It translates digital information into electrical signals that your speakers can play.

Take Latency For Audio Interfaces into Account

This is a tricky issue that needs a proper workaround. The computer can take for a few milliseconds to translate any analog sound during a music recording. This can sometimes affect the musician’s sense of timing and delivery. Singing notes in the microphone and hearing them back may also suffer from latency issues. A live recording is rather difficult in such situations. So, invest in interfaces that have less than 6 Milliseconds latency, if you plan to record other musicians & singers.

Consider the Number of Audio Inputs and Outputs for an Interface

The number of inputs on interfaces determines the number of musicians that can record together. Audio interfaces for a single songwriter need only one microphone input. Ensemble performances and orchestral singing need more.

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Microphones

A microphone is as essential as an audio interface. Your microphone can vary in size and quality. The most popular types of microphones are dynamic mics and condenser microphones. Dynamic mics are preferred for recording loud audio like electric guitars and drums. Condenser mics are much more sensitive. They can capture sound with a much wider frequency. They use a power source called the phantom power. Condenser mics are the ideal pick for vocal recordings.

Arrange for An XLR Cable Beforehand

The condenser and dynamic microphone need an XLR cable to connect with the audio interface. Invest in a USB mic for a direct connection to the computer. Don’t go for pricey options right away for both music production and music instruments. The Musicians Corner is affiliated with our institute. Check out some affordable musical instruments here.

Music Controllers

Music controllers align computer signals and musical instruments via MIDI. This helps control virtual instruments within your DAW way more effectively. Different controllers are needed for production setups. Keyboards to play notes, drums pads, sliders, and dials are essential in sound studios to control audio levels & effects.

Stages in Music Production

A few stages involved in music production are:

Writing

Writing down notes is a major step in composing music and aligning notes. The written copy also acts as a script for the entire rendition. Keep some fresh ideas on standby if your composition feels monotonous or insipid.

Setting Up a New Session

Start a new session in your DAW software for a new musical composition.

Set Up a Tempo Before the Recording

Setting up the number of beats per minute keeps you super precise on the recording. Try figuring it out before the initial session. The music tempo also determines how slow or fast your track will be. Setting the song’s pace beforehand is ideal for acoustic instruments. Keep the musicians and singers synced in time to avoid awkward timing and misalignments.

Check All Your Devices & Connections Before the Session

This one’s a must for streamlining audio recording processes. Check your audio interface and microphones, cables, instruments, and connections before any recording session. Also, check your audio interface input and output levels for perfect signal strength. We offer one-on-one music lessons for acoustic instruments. Get in touch with us for more details about our acoustic guitar lessons and music diploma courses.

Aspire to become a music producer someday? Our music production course is for you. At The Young Musician Music Institute, we offer music lessons for beginners in Abu Dhabi. Our Trinity certificate exams are an alternative to the graded exams. Certificate exams are ideal for solo performers and musicians. We also lead Trinity-affiliated Diploma courses for people who intend to study music professionally. Reach out to us at +971 2 556 2080 or +971 2 6783550.