Digital Home Recording: Tips, Techniques and Tools for Home Studio Production / Edition 2

by Jon Chappell

Overview

(Book). 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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780879307325
Publisher:	Backbeat
Publication date:	12/01/2002
Edition description:	2nd Edition Updated
Pages:	248
Product dimensions:	7.40(w) x 10.84(h) x 0.62(d)

Table of Contents

	Introduction	vi
	Acknowledgments	viii
	About the Editor	viii
1	The World of Digital Audio	1
	The Fundamentals of Sound	2
	Analog Audio	4
	Digital Audio	8
	Moving into the High-Resolution Era	11
	Digital Audio Recorder Overview	12
	MIDI	14
	Computers and Music	17
	Plug-In Formats	25
	Synthesizers	30
	General MIDI	37
	The General MIDI Rulebook	38
	General Plus	40
	General MIDI Tone Map	40
	Samplers	42
	Effects Processors	44
	Mixers	46
	Monitors	49
2	Digital Recording: What Do I Need?	53
	Know Before You Go	53
	Five Rules for Music Equipment Success	54
	Digital Audio Recorders	58
	Multitrack Tape Recorders	59
	Stand-Alone Hard Disk Recorders	62
	Digital Audio Workstations	63
	Rackmountable HD Recorders	64
	MiniDisc Recorders	64
	CD Recorders	65
	Media	66
	Recording with Computers	68
	Requirements and Cautions	68
	Choosing Software	71
	Choosing a Sound Card	72
	Sound Card Features Checklist	76
	Other Sound Card Considerations	77
	Interfaces and Control Surfaces	78
	Buying a Used ADAT	81
3	Studio Setup and Maintenance	85
	Studio Setups	85
System 1	Just the Basics	85
System 2	Movin' on Up	88
System 3	Getting Real	90
System 4	Playin' in the Big Leagues	93
	Maintenance	94
	Maintaining Digital Multitrack Tape Recorders	94
	Basic Maintenance Tips	95
	Digital Tape Machine Hidden Features	95
	ADAT Maintenance Schedule	97
	Hard Disk Maintenance	97
	Preventive Maintenance	98
	Studio AC Protection	99
	Connections/Wiring	100
	Where to Get AC Protection Products	101
	Studio Ergonomics	101
	Studio Organization	104
4	Recording	107
	Basic Recording Tips	107
	Recording Electronic Drums	115
	Synchronization	118
	MIDI Sync	119
	SMPTE Time Code	123
	Word Clock	124
	Quantization	127
	Looping--Steinberg ReCycle	129
	Finding REX Files	133
	Compression	134
	Compressor Types: Thumbnail Descriptions	137
	Backing Up Your Data	138
	Digital-to-Digital Transfers	141
5	Digital Mixing	145
	Basics of Digital Audio Mixing	145
	Equalization	150
	Panning	152
	Stereo Imaging	153
	Designing Depth: Localizing Parts from Hither to Yon	154
	Depth Positioning Chart	155
	Surround Sound in the Project Studio	158
	Preplanning Your Mix	166
	Digital Multitrack Automation	169
	Mixing with Effects	175
	Monitoring Tips	179
6	Burning and Mastering	181
	Mastering	187
	Mass Production	191
	Practical FAQs for Burning Your Own CDs	194
	The Afterburn	195
	By the Book	196
	Welcome to the Web	196
	What Format?	199
	Encoding	202
	Post-Process	203
	For Tech-heads Only: HTTP Streaming	204
	Popular Promo Sites	204
7	Troubleshooting	207
	Noise	209
	Digital Audio Dropout Culprits: Disk Caching and Thermal Recalibration	209
	Acoustic Noise	210
	Electromagnetically Induced Noise	212
	Gain-Staging	215
	Noise Prevention and Removal	215
	Digital Clipping	217
	Quantization Noise	218
	Hums and Ground Loops	219
	Phase Problems	223
	For Further Reading	227
	Glossary	228
	Contributors	237
	Index	240