How to Use Studio Equipment

Recording studios --- from a fully staffed professional recording facility to a project studio in a spare bedroom --- vary greatly in their software operating systems and in the array of external hardware processors they use. While mastering the learning curve of every piece of recording equipment is nigh on impossible, there are certain processes and pieces of equipment that are common to almost every studio, and knowing what they do and how they can help your recordings is information that will serve you well in any studio environment.

• 1

  Set up appropriate microphones to record voices and acoustic instruments. Condenser microphones are usually the go-to microphones for capturing the detailed nuances of the human voice, but they can also be used for acoustic guitars, pianos and all manner of stringed instruments. Condenser microphones are very accurate, but they're also quite fragile, so for more explosive instruments it's best to use dynamic microphones. These sturdy microphones are designed to stand up to the rigors of live performance and so, although they may not have the high-end clarity of a condenser, they will easily handle extreme sound pressure levels (SPLs) such as those exhibited by drums and electric guitar amplifiers.

• 2

  Create headphone mixes for all musicians in the studio. The simplest way is to have the recording console generate a mix that is a copy of the same stereo mix that the recording engineer sets up in the control room. For more flexibility, use more auxiliary send outputs on the console to send different mixes to musicians depending on their preference. Vocalists will probably like to hear a different mix of instruments than the guitarist or drummer. Taking the time to create custom mixes for each musician will help them feel comfortable and able to generate more exciting performances.

• 3

  Run your instruments and vocals through a compressor before recording them. Whether it is a software plug-in or a stand-alone hardware effects unit, the compressor will help to even out inconsistent sound levels. This is particularly useful when recording vocals because the natural dynamics in a vocal performance can result in quiet sections and peaks that can distort the signal. With a compressor, you're able to set a "threshold" level, which is the level at which the compressor kicks in, and a "ratio" level, which determines the amount of compression used. Any sound over the threshold is squashed, and quieter parts are raised to give an even and consistent signal.

• 4

  Use a reverb processor to add a little spark and polish to your recorded tracks. Use the "send" and "return" controls on each channel to dial in the right amount of the effect. Since it is a simulation of the "echo" effect that walls and objects have on sound, reverb adds an airy, space-like quality to a track that can be flattering when used tastefully. Most reverb units allow you to select settings that simulate rooms varying in size from small clubs to large cathedrals. Although reverb can smooth out a performance and add a little spark, a little goes a long way, and overdoing it can result in an amateurish-sounding track.

• 5

  Experiment with the studio's graphic equalizers (EQ) in order to help your tracks blend in an ear-pleasing way. Cutting and boosting certain frequencies of different sound sources changes their tonal character, which can give them clarity rather than have them fighting with other tracks in a mix. If possible, try cutting problematic frequencies rather than boosting frequencies you want to hear more clearly. Cutting EQ creates more space in the mix while boosting it adds noise and will often muddy a mix.

• 6

  Use the studio monitor speakers to mix your tracks. Headphones may serve you well when you're recording, but when it comes to the critical listening required to craft well-balanced mixes of your music, they're usually inadequate. As is the case with home audio speakers, headphones usually have an exaggerated bass and treble response, which makes it difficult to get an accurate idea of how the music truly sounds. Studio monitors are flat-response, which means that the sound is uncolored by the equipment, making it easier to hear the true tonal quality of the music.