Digital Home Recording Tips, Techniques and Tools for Home Studio Production

by Chappell, Jon

• ISBN13: 9780879307325
• ISBN10: 0879307323
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-12-01
• Publisher: Backbeat

Summary

This how-to guide is ideal for musicians who are new to the complexities of digital recording, as well as for those who want to keep up with the fast-changing technology. Providing detailed guidance on using hard disk and DAT technologies, stand-alone workstations, computer-based DAWs, surround sound 5.1 and more, plus related hardware and software-based tools such as Softsynths, plug-ins and software samplers, this book also surveys two-track audio recorders/editors, host-based audio/MIDI programs and CD mastering. Its analysis of emerging technology helps readers make informed decisions for creating and operating a cost-effective, professional-level digital studio at home.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. vi
Acknowledgments	p. viii
About the Editor	p. viii
The World of Digital Audio	p. 1
The Fundamentals of Sound	p. 2
Analog Audio	p. 4
Digital Audio	p. 8
Moving into the High-Resolution Era	p. 11
Digital Audio Recorder Overview	p. 12
MIDI	p. 14
Computers and Music	p. 17
Plug-In Formats	p. 25
Synthesizers	p. 30
General MIDI	p. 37
The General MIDI Rulebook	p. 38
General Plus	p. 40
General MIDI Tone Map	p. 40
Samplers	p. 42
Effects Processors	p. 44
Mixers	p. 46
Monitors	p. 49
Digital Recording: What Do I Need?	p. 53
Know Before You Go	p. 53
Five Rules for Music Equipment Success	p. 54
Digital Audio Recorders	p. 58
Multitrack Tape Recorders	p. 59
Stand-Alone Hard Disk Recorders	p. 62
Digital Audio Workstations	p. 63
Rackmountable HD Recorders	p. 64
MiniDisc Recorders	p. 64
CD Recorders	p. 65
Media	p. 66
Recording with Computers	p. 68
Requirements and Cautions	p. 68
Choosing Software	p. 71
Choosing a Sound Card	p. 72
Sound Card Features Checklist	p. 76
Other Sound Card Considerations	p. 77
Interfaces and Control Surfaces	p. 78
Buying a Used ADAT	p. 81
Studio Setup and Maintenance	p. 85
Studio Setups	p. 85
Just the Basics	p. 85
Movin' on Up	p. 88
Getting Real	p. 90
Playin' in the Big Leagues	p. 93
Maintenance	p. 94
Maintaining Digital Multitrack Tape Recorders	p. 94
Basic Maintenance Tips	p. 95
Digital Tape Machine Hidden Features	p. 95
ADAT Maintenance Schedule	p. 97
Hard Disk Maintenance	p. 97
Preventive Maintenance	p. 98
Studio AC Protection	p. 99
Connections/Wiring	p. 100
Where to Get AC Protection Products	p. 101
Studio Ergonomics	p. 101
Studio Organization	p. 104
Recording	p. 107
Basic Recording Tips	p. 107
Recording Electronic Drums	p. 115
Synchronization	p. 118
MIDI Sync	p. 119
SMPTE Time Code	p. 123
Word Clock	p. 124
Quantization	p. 127
Looping--Steinberg ReCycle	p. 129
Finding REX Files	p. 133
Compression	p. 134
Compressor Types: Thumbnail Descriptions	p. 137
Backing Up Your Data	p. 138
Digital-to-Digital Transfers	p. 141
Digital Mixing	p. 145
Basics of Digital Audio Mixing	p. 145
Equalization	p. 150
Panning	p. 152
Stereo Imaging	p. 153
Designing Depth: Localizing Parts from Hither to Yon	p. 154
Depth Positioning Chart	p. 155
Surround Sound in the Project Studio	p. 158
Preplanning Your Mix	p. 166
Digital Multitrack Automation	p. 169
Mixing with Effects	p. 175
Monitoring Tips	p. 179
Burning and Mastering	p. 181
Mastering	p. 187
Mass Production	p. 191
Practical FAQs for Burning Your Own CDs	p. 194
The Afterburn	p. 195
By the Book	p. 196
Welcome to the Web	p. 196
What Format?	p. 199
Encoding	p. 202
Post-Process	p. 203
For Tech-heads Only: HTTP Streaming	p. 204
Popular Promo Sites	p. 204
Troubleshooting	p. 207
Noise	p. 209
Digital Audio Dropout Culprits: Disk Caching and Thermal Recalibration	p. 209
Acoustic Noise	p. 210
Electromagnetically Induced Noise	p. 212
Gain-Staging	p. 215
Noise Prevention and Removal	p. 215
Digital Clipping	p. 217
Quantization Noise	p. 218
Hums and Ground Loops	p. 219
Phase Problems	p. 223
For Further Reading	p. 227
Glossary	p. 228
Contributors	p. 237
Index	p. 240
Table of Contents provided by Syndetics. All Rights Reserved.