Studio Recording

And DAWS
Devices & methods 
By: Martín Salazar, Tomás Uribe, Martín Uribe,
Daniel Zitzmann and Gabriel Zucker
Types of studios
• Home studio- Devices,
Instruments, & connections
• Semi professional
• Professional
Home Studio

• A home studio or a bedroom studio is a collection of the absolute

minimum equipment for recording or producing music at home. The
equipment includes:
Computer 
•    Nowadays all recording studios are digital and with modern technology any computer with
a decent hardware will get you started, but should eventually become a much better one
becomes a DAW system is hard on processing resources. But you would take into account:

• 1. Processor speed because is the most significant factor when it comes for processing audio

• 2. Hard drive with or without a running SSD (solid state drive)

• 3. RAM, this should be bigger if you want to have various libraries of music stored
 • The digital audio workstation is the
software you will be using to record,
edit and mix on your computer.
Modern DAW allow you to record

Daw and edit MIDI as well as audio with

the use of an audio interface. There
are various options but among them
Pro Tools is the most famous one by
being super compatible but this can
also depend on the budget you have.
Space
• Even though a home studio has the bare minimum equipment you will
need a spacious space to be able to place all the equipment, record all
your music. This space must not interfere with the audio you may
record meaning you could use designed walls for recording studios
that help reduce the excess sound, eliminates echo or sound bouncing
all over the place.
 • Audio interface primary purpose is to
provide all the necessary connections
to send your music into and out of the

Audio computer. Also to connect your

headphones, microphones and MIDI.
An audio interface is the equipment
Interface used that converts analog signals from
microphones or instruments to digital
input you can edit in your DAW and
also the other way around.
Microphone
• In order to camp true say for example your voice or an instrument you’ll need a good
quality microphone to record to it then into the audio interface onto your DAW program
where you’ll be able to edit it. There are hundreds of microphones ranging from quality
but it all depends on the sounds you want to record and the budget your willing to spend.

• It must come with a stand to be more comfortable and organized.

• It might not be necessary or essential but a pop filter can be used to improve sound
quality when singing or speaking expelling staring bursts of air in certain words is
pronunciations that when recorded might be unpleasant to the ears. So it works by
catching the blasts of air before it hits the diaphragm of the mice
 • Headphones as most items in this list
are essential when playing back your
music and hearing the little details

Headphon
and maybe mistakes you have
committed, so having a good pair of
headphone is very important. Also
es will be important for tasks like
tracking and mix referencing.
 Instrumen
ts
• Unless you plan to make your songs all digital with the DAW
software a pair of instruments you can play and record is an excellent
option. Many home studios have at least a keyboard and/or a guitar
that brings to life that connection with music instead of the DAW.
Studio monitors
• These are designed of providing a perfectly flat frequency
response with clean neutral and clear sounds different to the
consumer speakers that enhances audio and typically accentuate
certain frequency bands in order to improve the listening
experience. So the studio monitors plays audios as it truly is with
flaws and everything.

• Good studio monitors can replace the use of headphones to mix

music on them. One again the market is full with different
brands and qualities so it all depends on the budget you have to
spend.
Cables
• The most essential cables you need in any studio are: one XLR cable to connect a
mic to your audio interface and two more to connect the interface to your monitors
you may also need TRS RCA MIDI USB cables.
• TRS cables are used to connect an instrument to the computer or an amplifier. 
• MIDI cables are used to connect the MIDI to another device depending on its
output. 
• RCA cable are used to transmit audiovisual samples
• USB cable mainly when a cable has USB output or input is used to connect it  to
the computer or a convertor. 
 • When bugging samples can be a
perfect way to start mixing and
understanding how music works.
But you must be careful veo use
Samples using copyright material in your own
songs can be consider as fraud or be
taken down so many DAW have
samples library you can download
and use in your music.
 DAWS
Digital Audio Workstation
 What Is a
Daw
• DAWS are computer programs designed to be
packed with all the necessary tools to create
music
• DAW programs are divided in different sections
of tools with different purposes, these are
 Writing
 Recording
 Production
 Mixing
• DAWS usually include midi instruments, so it is
easier to create music even without recording
real instruments
Garage Band
• Garage band is a DAW developed by Apple exclusively for MacOS and
iOS devices
• It is known to be user friendly with a simple UI but a wide range toolset
for free. It also has lessons and tutorials built in, making it the perfect
DAW for beginners
• Garage band features include: Audio recording, virtual software
instruments, MIDI instruments and edition, prerecorded instrument
samples
• Garage band also comes with some limitations, including the inability of
using external MIDI devices as most o apple devices don’t support the
necessary inputs.
• Another mayor limitation is the fact that this software is only available
for Apple devices, forcing Windows, Android and Linux users to find
alternatives
• Ableton Live is a DAW developed for both
Windows and Mac
• This program is meant for more advanced users
as the UI tends to be more complicated to

Ableton
understand than on other programs
• Ableton Live can control external MIDI devices
and record from them but it doesn't have

live
integrated MIDI instruments like other programs
• It is principally based on the timeline and the
volume mixer and it is more focused to mixing
and putting together already recorded tracks
rather than writing the MIDI from scratch
directly on the software
 • Logic pro is a DAW with an integrated MIDI sequencer
only available in macOS
• Logic Pro can be seen as a professional version of
Garage Band as it is based on Logic Pro’s engine and
based on the same source code.
• Logic Pro comes packed with a variety of elements,
including MIDI instruments, audio effects, and a set of

Logic pro tools to record, edit and compose music.

• Even though the UI is friendly and easy to understand,
Garage band is more recommended for beginners
• The Logic DAW line offers other products that are
more consumer focused while logic pro is targeted
towards a more professional use.
• It has the same limitation as garage band as it is only
available for Apple devices
 • Pro Tools is a DAW available for MacOS
and Windows
• Pro tools has a very similar set of features
as Logic Pro, but it is also available for
windows.

Pro tools • Pro tools has the capability of controlling

and recording from external MIDI devices
as well as creating MIDI tracks from scratch
• Pro Tools is targeted towards professional
users and independent creators because of
its wide range of tools.
Semi-Professional studio
• Semi-professional studios are typically located at the artists home, or a
different location, where we can find the equipment necessary to
record multiple musicians simultaneously. The equipment should
include every item on the following list: Rack Mount, Power
Conditioner, Microphone Preamp, Headphone Amp, Monitor
Management, Virtual Instruments, MIDI Controller, Electronic Drum
Kit, Control Surface, Software/Plugins, Snake Cable, Uninterruptible
Power Supply and Direct Box. A total of 13 elements.
Rack Mount
• A Rack Mount is a hardware
device that holds networks servers,
routers, switches, or other network
devices and provides data and
specific services to clients. In this
case, in the music production
industry.
 • The power conditioner acts as a
Power buffer (memory storage) between the
socket and the system in order to
condition eliminate voltage fluctuations and
radio and electromagnetic

er interference that may affect system

performance.
Microphone Preamp
• The microphone preamplifier obtains a low output
from the microphone and amplifies the signal to a
higher line level. It will provide clearer and more
accurate signals, and have higher gain, lower noise,
less distortion and greater headroom.
Headphone amp
• A headphone amplifier is a low-power
amplifier that boosts the low-voltage audio
signal coming from an specific device to a
sufficient level so that it can be converted
into sound waves. The speaker in the
headset. Therefore, although the sound of
low-impedance headphones on portable
devices may be loud enough, the sound
quality can be significantly improved by
adding a headphone amplifier.
 • As Semi-Professional Studios Grow, the
different audio devices have video outputs that
must be forwarded to monitors so there can be a

Monitor visual representation of what is happening with

DAWS and MIDI devices. One problem that
exists with this is that there are a lot of

managem unorganized monitors with different video

outputs. Monitor management aims to solve this
problem by unifying all monitors into one place

ent • There are different devices that take all the

different video outputs and convert them to
HDMI outputs that can be managed in a single
or in a certain group of monitors
Virtual instruments
• Virtual Instruments or "Software" Instruments
allow you to create music using only a computer,
without using live instruments or hardware
synthesizers, this are usually played by using
MIDI controllers on studios.
MIDI controller
•  MIDI controllers sequences music and plays virtual
instruments on the users computer (Mac or PC). It
works by sending MIDI data (Musical Instrument
Digital Interface) to a computer or synthesizer, and
then the computer interprets the signal and emits a
sound.
 Electronic drum kit
• An electronic drum kit is  percussion instrument that
produces sound from an electronic wave generator or
sampler which produces synthesized sound
waves. Each pad has one or more sensors, which
generate electronic signals when hit. Electronic
signals are transmitted via cables to electronic or
digital drum modules (sometimes called "brains"),
synthesizers or other devices, and then sounds
related to the pads are generated and triggered by the
pads.
Control surface
• The control surface is a human interface
device (HID), which allows users to control
digital audio workstations or other digital
audio applications. A control surface
provides a series of faders to control the
software track level and overall mixing
volume. Rotating "knobs" and switches will
affect changes to screen controls, such as EQ
settings and recording and mute settings
Software/plugins
• "A plug-in is an independent piece of code that can be
"plugged" into the DAW to enhance its functionality.
Generally, plug-ins belong to the category of audio
signal processing, analysis or sound synthesis. Typical
plug-ins include equalization, dynamic range control,
reverb, delay, and virtual instruments."
Snake cable
•  Snake cables are a multi-channel audio cable that can
transmit multiple individual audio signals from point A
to point B through a single cable. This cable may
contain anywhere from 4 to 64 individual cables that
connect in a common location.
Uninterrup • Uninterruptible power supply
(UPS) also known as a backup

tible battery, provides backup power

when your regular power supply
fails, or the voltage drops to an
power unacceptable level. This is very
useful in a studio where unplanned
supply events may ruin a recording session. 
Direct box
• The direct packing box is usually called the
"DI" packing box. (which stands for "direct
injection").  Its main purpose is to convert
unbalanced and/or high-impedance
instrument signals into a suitable format for
direct connection to the microphone input of
the mixer, without the need for a microphone.
 What is a Pro-studio?
• A profesional studio is soundproofed and acoustically
conditioned enclosure intended for sound recording. The
recording studio is a set of technological devices that record and
modify the sound, harmony, melody, tone, among many other

Pro-studio
functions for the improvement of music.
What are the parts of a Pro-studio?
• Digital Converters
• Master Clocks
• Analog Hardware
• Computers with specialized software suites to mix
• Effect units
• Room ambience
• And more
Pro-studio
Capture room Control room
• Used for sound recording, equipped with microphones • Where the equipment for recording and subsequent sound
and transmission lines to the control room processing (mixing desk, multitrack, computers,
processing racks, monitor equipment, etc.) is located.
PRO-STUDIO
Analog Hardware Studio Monitor
• What is an Analog Hardware? • What is an Studio Monitor?

• The electronic analog computer manipulates physical quantities • A studio monitor is characterized by a transparent reproduction of
of waveforms, (voltage or current).  the audio signal, it means, a flat unaltered and uncolored
response.
• This type of device which is already implemented in the modern 
world electronically in other devices, but in some professional stu • What responsability does it have on the pro estudio?
dios around the world they still have the old one,
• It is designed for listening to recorded mixes or tracks
as they claim it has a better sound quality than the electronic one,
Pro-studio 
Digital Converters
• What is a digital converter?
• A digital converter is a converter that transforms digital
signals into analog signals so that they can be heard
through speakers or headphones.
• Where is located?
• In cheaper studios people do not notice this part or thing
as it is always included inside other devices but in
professional studios with big budgets, it is common to
find high end standalone digital converters that cost
several thousands of dollars.
Master Clocks
• What is a master clock?
• The master clock is the basic element of a digital studio,
without it it is impossible to maintain stability and
preserve the integrity of the sound.
What is its impact on the quality sound?
- It is important to note that while there is much debate about
the impact on sound quality, some sources say that a high-
end master clock makes a noticeable difference, but still
depends on what the individual thinks is its own quality.
  
PRO-STUDIO
Microphone preamplifiers
• What are the microphone preamplifiers?
• One of the most important components refers to the
microphone or transducer preamplifiers or pre-
amplifiers, by which the recording of the signal
picked up by the microphone.
Digital audio workstation
• What is the Digital Audio Workstation?
• A digital audio workstation or DAW is an
electronic system dedicated to the recording and
editing of digital audio by means of audio editing
software.
Pro-studio
Microphone stands
• A microphone stand is a free-standing stand for a
microphone. It allows the microphone to be placed
in the studio, on stage or on location without the
need for a person to hold it.
Studio monitoring
headphones
• Also known as studio headphones, these
headphones are made to reproduce sound that is as
close to the original recording
Pro-studio intruments
General instruments Specific instruments
Guitar
amplifier and • Mellotron ethnic drums,
Electric Grand piano
guitar
pianos (Steinway) •  Sitars, 
speaker
cabinets •  Double bass, or unusual instruments that
Vintage
Acoustic Bass bands might wish
guitars and
drum kit amplifier
basses
Hammond
organ and And all the
rotating intruments
Leslie you want
speaker
Pro-studio intruments
ELECTRIC PIANO
• An electric piano is an electric keyboard musical
instrument that produces sound mechanically and
converts it into an electronic audio signal by means of
pickups.
GRAND PIANO
• Is a large piano whose strings are set horizontally to the
ground. Grand pianos are used especially for giving
concerts and making recordings.
Pro-studio intruments
Guitar amplifier
• A guitar amplifier is an electronic device designed
to amplify an electrical sound signal emitted by an
electric guitar or electroacoustic guitar so that the
sound is produced through a loudspeaker.
Guitar speaker cabinets
• A guitar speaker is a loudspeaker, specifically the
driver part, designed for use in a guitar
amplifier combined with an electric guitar, or for
use in a guitar speaker cabinet.
 Pro-studio intruments
Vintage guitars & basses Accoustic drum kits
• A vintage guitar is an older guitar that some collectors or
musicians often seek out and maintain. The term may • A percussion instrument composed of several parts or
indicate that an instrument is simply old or is sought after pieces: a snare drum, a bass drum, 3 cymbals and 3 toms.
for its tonal quality. The musician who plays the drums is called a drummer
and usually uses drumsticks or brushes to hit and generate
• The bass guitar, the electric bass or simply the bass, is the different rhythms.
lowest-pitched member of the guitar family. It is a
plucked stringed instrument similar in appearance and
construction to an electric or acoustic guitar
PRO-STUDIO INTRUMENTS
Bass amplifier
• Bass amplifier is an electronic musical
instrument device that uses electrical energy
to make lower pitched instruments such as
bass or double bass.
HAMMOND ORGAN AND
LESLIE
•
SPEAKER
The Hammond organ is a musical instrument based
on the principles of electromagnetism and
amplification through individual loudspeakers,
• A Leslie speaker is a combined two-way amplifier
and loudspeaker that projects the signal from an
electric or electronic instrument, while modifying
the sound by rotating the speakers.
Professional Studio
- Isolation:
The things to use are canceling outside and inside noise. The solution for both is the
same, the one rule that isolation comes from mass and density, the mass that is
sufficiently dense, that this makes a difference in the room. It can be used with
acoustic panels, foam rugs egg cartoons. In my old school they used foam and now
they have egg cartons INSIDE each classroom. The sound frequencies are prevented
to escape from the room, but it can also affect the inside sound.
Pro-Studio
• Recording rooms and Control rooms:
• When we are talking about recordings of musical instrument, we may have the space
and the necessaire materials that would help the recordings of these, so when the
musicians record their music, they have a big space full of foam that help them with the
recordings and the acoustic instruments.
• Room ambience
• Also known as reverberation, is the audio term that it is used for describing some
characteristics, which is the reflections on sounds in different spaces, with different
ambience in the room. The music from the instruments is made in big really big rooms
with foam and the vocal recordings are made in small rooms isolated from the world
Pro-Studio
• Control room acoustics:
• The control room and the recording room are actually the same, is the place where you can control
the sound that you want, and you can storage the music and the voice and then listen to it. It can
help to minimize the effects of the room acoustics in the environment. They make this process
easy to record music and voices and can record It and can adjust it very easy for everything. 

- Mix:
- Using diffusion in the control room and make them with voice and instruments and that’s how you
make a song, a regular song, using all the needed button for the song to make it better,
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• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pro_Tools

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• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GarageBand#Features
• BrentEdstrom_2011
Kahoot