self-recording workbook

a complete manual on how to self-record for audition preparation

TABLE OF CONTENTS
page 2: microphones
page 3: other gear
page 4: setup
page 5: the step-by-step process
page 6: the audition rubric
page 7: the audition cheat sheet
page 8: inner circle

rob’s self-recording workbook

much more at robknopper.com/selfrecording
page 1
 gear: recommended microphones
akg
C414 XLII
pro level: $1,319 each
amazon link
why choose this?
•it has the best audio quality
•includes a range of polar patterns
(pickup shapes) including cardiod,
omnidirectional, etc.
•perfect for self-recording and
recording prescreening-level tapes
•a classic, lifetime mic
downsides?
• you need 2 for proper stereo sound
on prescreening recordings
• very VERY expensive. $1319 per
mic at the time of publication.
• you also need cables, a mic stand,
and an interface.
recommended microphones
audio-technica
4040
mid-level: $299 each
amazon link
why choose this?
•it has great audio quality
•perfect for self-recording and
recording prescreening-level tapes
•much cheaper than the C414s
downsides?
• you need 2 for proper stereo sound
on prescreening recordings
• you also need cables, a mic stand,
and an interface.
rob’s self-recording workbook
much more at robknopper.com/selfrecording
page 2
rode wireless
GO II
portable option: $198
amazon link
why choose this?
•perfect for recording your live audition
•easy to clip onto your clothing and hide
•records internally; no cables necessary
downsides?
• sound quality is worse than other
options
• you can’t change the gain level
alternatives?
• get a pair ($285) if you want to use
this for prescreening
• get the RODE wireless PRO if you have
a loud instrument that is likely to peak/
distort the sound
 gear: everything else
computer headphones recording software note taking software

macbook airpods amadeus evernote

air pro lite
13” M3: $1500 2nd gen: $199 $25 free or $15/month

amazon link amazon link hairersoft website evernote website

audio interface XLR cable microphone stand

focusrite audio technica onstage

scarlett 2i2 AT8314 MS7701B
$199 $38 $30

amazon link amazon link amazon link

rob’s self-recording workbook

much more at robknopper.com/selfrecording
page 3
 setup
station #1: near you
note: the products in this image are
different than the recommendations station #2: at a distance
everything within arm’s reach.
above. i took this in 2014!
place the microphone where
• audio interface the committee will sit. bonus
• computer with points if you put it behind a
recording software screen.
• notetaking materials
(paper or software) • XLR cable
• instrument • mic stand
• headphones • microphone

rob’s self-recording workbook

much more at robknopper.com/selfrecording
page 4
 the step-by-step process
this is the complete step-by-step process that i share with my inner circle students.
see page 8 for more ideas on how to vary and personalize this process.

• goals
◦ explore and experiment with musical options
◦ choose a favorite interpretation
◦ polish that interpretation to a perfectly audition-ready state
• final products:
◦ a first-take “after” recording that I could send in for an audition tape
◦ a list of instructions to read during my next run-throughs
• the process:
◦ step 0: set up self-recording station
◦ step 1: choose a section (either a measure, a line, or the whole excerpt)
▪ make a notecard representing the section
◦ step 2: record an initial “before” version
◦ step 3: listen back to the “before” version and write every problem you hear onto
the notecard on the left column
◦ step 4: 2nd recording
▪ turn the recorder on and play the section as many times and i need to to feel like
i’ve corrected all the problems
◦ step 5: listen back to final take of the previous recording and reanalyze
▪ add new problems to notecard
▪ write solutions
◦ step 6: repeat steps 4 and 5 until i’ve fixed every problem
▪ and written solutions on the notecard
◦ step 7: get an audition-ready, first-take “after” recording
▪ turn on the recorder and play the excerpt once.
▪ if it’s perfect, you’re done!
▪ if it’s not, continue to play over and over until you get the perfect take.
▪ edit problems and solutions on notecard
▪ repeat step 6 until it’s perfect on the first take.
• how do you make your way through the entire excerpt?
◦ start at the beginning and continue to end. connect one section to the other by
recording each section with the previous section.
• how long does it take?
◦ usually around 8 minutes per bar, depending on the density of the music. usually the
whole excerpt will take between 1 and 3 hours, depending on the number of notes.
• what happens next?
◦ it’s ready for mock auditions.

rob’s self-recording workbook

much more at robknopper.com/selfrecording
page 5
 auditionhacker
A C A D E M Y

the audition rubric

this is an incomplete list of musical elements that audition jurors will consider when voting.
considerations vary from excerpt to excerpt and musician to musician.
add to this list as you discover important musical considerations and receive feedback!

AUDITION RUBRIC
The Written Stuff (Objective Elements) The Unwritten Stuff (Subjective Elements)

Rhythm Phrasing

Dynamics Tone

Pitch Character

Accuracy Style

…etc. …etc.

rob’s self-recording workbook

much more at robknopper.com/selfrecording
page 6
 ROB KNOPPER
percussion: met orchestra.

the official rob knopper guide to audition prep:

the audition cheat sheet
the audition cheat sheet.
a 5-step guide to constructing your preparation process and optimizing it for maximum results.
this is the complete 5-step guide to constructing your preparation
for any instrument. process and optimizing it
for maximum results. for any instrument.

1. get organized.
a. make an audition packet (including 2 copies for mock auditions)
b. study the recordings and scores so you know the pieces inside and out
c. make a calendar with a plan for every practice session between now and the audition
d. make notecards for each excerpt so you can track the progress of each excerpt
2. learn the notes
a. practice at-tempo, one note at a time so you don’t miss any details
b. use repetition to ingrain the excerpt into your muscle-memory
c. use a metronome to force each note into the right place
d. find the comfort zone of any passage by noticing the key ‘tipping point’ when your
muscles start remembering and you can turn your brain off.
e. test your work by taking away the metronome and playing with the recording.
3. self-recording
a. eliminate multitasking - separate the activities of playing and listening so you can fully
focus on listening to how you sound
b. establish a workflow that you can repeat and drive your excerpts to their maximum
level of polish
4. mock auditions
1. crowdsource your excerpts by getting feedback from a large number of people
2. optimize your mock auditions by engaging your listener and taking comments
3. record your mock auditions and analyze how they compare to the polished versions
from the self-recording phase
4. recreate a variety of audition situations to get comfortable with the unpredictable
audition experience
5. audition day
a. make this just another day by approaching it the same way you approached every day
of your preparation
b. avoid last minute adjustments. they’re emotional in nature and not based on your
thoughtful workflow
c. record your audition (if possible) for later analysis
d. remember that you can’t control everything, but if you worked correctly then you’ll be
more LIKELY to achieve a high level
e. learn from your experience, and use it to improve your audition process so next time
can be better
f. (alternative to previous tip: win the audition and never do another one again)

rob’s self-recording workbook

much more at robknopper.com/selfrecording
page 7
 rob’s inner circle
hi!

if you’ve made it this far, you’re clearly committed to discovering the most effective audition
preparation process for yourself. this is exactly the information that i share with musicians in rob’s inner
circle, my 9-month intensive audition coaching program.

this is how we start the conversation. after i share these generic self-recording guidelines, we go into
experimentation mode.

see, you’re not going to win an audition by preparing exactly like me. you’re going to succeed by
finding the audition preparation process that is exactly personalized to you. it needs to showcase your
strengths, tackle your weaknesses, and it needs to work with the way your brain is wired.

for instance, here are some ways that you might experiment with varying the self-recording process:
"how many measures do you record at once?"
"how many times do you play it before listening back?"
"how many times do you listen back?"
"what are you listening for as you listen back?"
"how do you document problems that you hear?"
"how do you organize and prioritize those problems?"
"how do you brainstorm and test solutions to those problems?"
"how do you document solutions?"
"how do you ensure those solutions are retained?”

i’ve watched musicians who have gone through years of audition rejections make just one or two
simple tweaks in their process and suddenly advance for the first time. imagine how your next audition
could be different if you found the root causes of your biggest audition struggles and corrected them,
one by one. imagine what you could accomplish with a professional-level audition preparation
process.

learn more about rob’s inner circle →