Recording your band is easy

However, the reality today is that 90% of us do not have the luxury to work in places like that. So, you're in a band and you want to record your awesome music, but you only have a two channel audio interface that one of your band members purchased. All of a sudden when you think about recording your band, you start thinking along these lines:

 

 

Brainwashed

 

Really? You need a minimum of 11 microphones and inputs to record your band? Many people believe so. We (I say we, because I have also been somewhat indoctrinated with this rubbish piece of information), have been brainwashed into thinking that we cannot get great recordings while using a minimalistic setup. Over the last 10 years pro audio gear has become cheap. These magical pieces of audio interfaces, condenser microphones and studio monitors are now within the reach of almost anyone who has the small buck to spare and is willing to invest in their careers. What is also great about it is that it has allowed the prosumer to become more creative in what they do and how they do it. 

 

Where am I going to with all of this? Well, if you are in a band and want to record your own music, simply do it with your two channel audio interface. The only other piece of recording equipment you will need is a condenser microphone. Yes, just one microphone. Here are a few helpful hints when going about doing this.

 

The setup

 

Drums - Set up the kit and get the drummer to play. Now walk around the front of the kit, facing the drummer and find that 'sweet spot' where the kit sounds really good. Set up your microphone right there… HIT RECORD.

 

Bass, guitars - For these, the set up is similar. Let the bassist set up his amp/pedal (or both). You could go from the pedal straight into your audio interface via the direct input (DI) or set up your microphone in front of the amp. RECORD IT, then set up the guitarist and do the same.

 

Vocals - Leave the final vocals for last. This should be an easy one.

 

There are many other ways in which you can do this. The main thing is to just have fun! Isn't that part of the reason why we love music? It’s FUN! 

 

No right or wrong way

 

What about all the technical stuff? Is that not important? Of course it is! I will be writing about those things too, but not yet. The ONLY thing that YOU need to concentrate on is creating great music and recording it anyway that you can. There is ALWAYS a way to do it. There is no 'right' way or 'wrong' way, just different ways. Bottom line is, does it sound good? If the answer is yes, then why should we care?

 

Now for the proof!

 

Here is a track that I recorded in my home studio a couple of years ago:

 

 

 

 

Here is a list of equipment that I used:

 

 

I recorded all of the guitars, bass, trumpets as well as some of the drums using the one microphone, straight into the Audiobox. (No external preamps were used). The rest of the drums were put together using sample-based virtual instruments. 

 

Electric guitars were played by Franki, who was on the 2014 Music Exchange panel (@Franki_Official), and trumpets were played by Darren English.

 

The single most important factor in the success of recording this song was that we had FUN! For those who want some visual proof, last year, Graham Cochrane, at TheRecordingRevolution, recorded and visually documented how you can record a full band with one microphone and a simple, affordable audio interface.