How To Record Your First Song
How to Record Your
First Song!
First Song!
Lockdown has been
challenging for all of us at the best of times, but there’s no doubt that it’s
also provided ample opportunities to learn new skills. Some have learnt new
languages, some have written stories, and some have taken up fitness. For me
personally however, there’s no better medicine than music – something that
lives within all of us. So if you’ve had an idea before, why not record your
first song? In this article, I’ll do my best to explain which tools you’ll need
to get started.
challenging for all of us at the best of times, but there’s no doubt that it’s
also provided ample opportunities to learn new skills. Some have learnt new
languages, some have written stories, and some have taken up fitness. For me
personally however, there’s no better medicine than music – something that
lives within all of us. So if you’ve had an idea before, why not record your
first song? In this article, I’ll do my best to explain which tools you’ll need
to get started.
1 Download Garageband
I’m going to go
ahead and presume you already have a laptop, or you might not even be reading
this! So, with that said, the first thing you’ll need to start recording is
what’s known as a Digital Audio Workstation (or DAW, for short). Garageband is
free for Apple Mac users, and actually comes pre-installed when purchased if
I’m not mistaken (perhaps depending on how old your machine is). If you are on
Windows, consider trying Mixcraft, or Music Maker JAM. If you want to use the simplest, easy to
use software out there, go for Audacity.
ahead and presume you already have a laptop, or you might not even be reading
this! So, with that said, the first thing you’ll need to start recording is
what’s known as a Digital Audio Workstation (or DAW, for short). Garageband is
free for Apple Mac users, and actually comes pre-installed when purchased if
I’m not mistaken (perhaps depending on how old your machine is). If you are on
Windows, consider trying Mixcraft, or Music Maker JAM. If you want to use the simplest, easy to
use software out there, go for Audacity.
I’ve handpicked these programs as they’re particularly easy to use. Once you have this installed, you’re going to need to decide whether you want to use a pre-existing instrumental (meaning, a song that has no vocals on it), or create your own backing parts. You can easily find free to use instrumentals on Soundcloud and Mixtrack Pro. If you want to create your own musical parts, consider buying a small USB piano/keyboard to play and record your parts.
2 Hire a Microphone & Recording Interface
In order to actually
record your vocal parts, you’re going to need both a microphone to sing in to,
and an interface. The interface converts the sound from your voice into
something that the computer can process digitally, and record onto your track.
record your vocal parts, you’re going to need both a microphone to sing in to,
and an interface. The interface converts the sound from your voice into
something that the computer can process digitally, and record onto your track.
The most popular
interface to start off with is the Focusrite Scarlett Solo, which will allow
you to connect one microphone, and one other instrument (so if you have an acoustic
guitar for example, you’d be able to connect this). Microphone wise, we would
recommend starting off with a Shure SM58. Whilst these are not going to get you
quite the same level of quality as Adele, they are great starting points and
certainly will not break the bank to hire (usually around £10 each). Both of
these can be rented from Grand Technical.
interface to start off with is the Focusrite Scarlett Solo, which will allow
you to connect one microphone, and one other instrument (so if you have an acoustic
guitar for example, you’d be able to connect this). Microphone wise, we would
recommend starting off with a Shure SM58. Whilst these are not going to get you
quite the same level of quality as Adele, they are great starting points and
certainly will not break the bank to hire (usually around £10 each). Both of
these can be rented from Grand Technical.
Once you have the
equipment in front of you, open up your recording software. Once it’s fully
loaded, plug in your audio interface (the Focusrite unit). Do not do this in
the wrong order, or it might not recognise it. Once loaded, the software should
then recognise that you want to use it as your interface, to which it will ask
you to confirm (click yes). Next, connect the microphone into the input, on the
front of the interface. Say a few test words, and adjust the level until it sounds
just right!
equipment in front of you, open up your recording software. Once it’s fully
loaded, plug in your audio interface (the Focusrite unit). Do not do this in
the wrong order, or it might not recognise it. Once loaded, the software should
then recognise that you want to use it as your interface, to which it will ask
you to confirm (click yes). Next, connect the microphone into the input, on the
front of the interface. Say a few test words, and adjust the level until it sounds
just right!
3 Consider taking a singing lesson, or vocal
“tune-up”
“tune-up”
So now that you’re
ready to record, you will want to consider the most important part of your song
– the vocals. This is where I’d highly recommend taking a singing lesson online. When you book
your lesson, explain to the vocal coach that you are going to be recording a
song, and that you’d like some assistance getting everything in order. Send
them the instrumental of your song, and a lyric sheet if you have one. All of
this can be done remotely of course.
ready to record, you will want to consider the most important part of your song
– the vocals. This is where I’d highly recommend taking a singing lesson online. When you book
your lesson, explain to the vocal coach that you are going to be recording a
song, and that you’d like some assistance getting everything in order. Send
them the instrumental of your song, and a lyric sheet if you have one. All of
this can be done remotely of course.
When you run through
your song, your vocal coach will be able to detect if you’re straining on any
particular parts, and will be able to advise if there’s a better way to sing
that section. For example, sometimes when you are new to singing, you sing
through the throat a lot. This can be pretty painful, and doesn’t make for the
best sound – so it’s key to get this right.
your song, your vocal coach will be able to detect if you’re straining on any
particular parts, and will be able to advise if there’s a better way to sing
that section. For example, sometimes when you are new to singing, you sing
through the throat a lot. This can be pretty painful, and doesn’t make for the
best sound – so it’s key to get this right.
Finally, if you’d
like them to, your vocal coach may be able to suggest some ideas for harmonies
or additional melodies. This is a skill that comes with practice, and will
certainly enhance the sound of your finished production! I hope you find the
tips in this article useful, and can’t wait to hear what you come up with!
like them to, your vocal coach may be able to suggest some ideas for harmonies
or additional melodies. This is a skill that comes with practice, and will
certainly enhance the sound of your finished production! I hope you find the
tips in this article useful, and can’t wait to hear what you come up with!
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