Product Review - M-Audio Fast Track Ultra

            As far as multi-tracking interfaces go, it doesn't get much better than the M-Audio Fast Track Ultra. For what I use it for, it couldn't be better. It has the ability to record up to six different inputs all simultaneously into different tracks on your DAW software, which is a crucial feature to have if you are recording drums, acoustic instruments, or other instruments that need to be miked in multiple spots. At $350, it got the job done without breaking the band - which is always one of my top priorities.

Continue reading as I go into detail about the pros and cons of this wonderful piece of equipment, and you'll see why I recommend it so avidly to those who are serious about recording:

Back To The Basics: 10 Easy Tips To Make Your Recording Life Easier

While focusing on specific techniques and more complex recording methods is a great way to build your skillset, it is never a bad idea to revisit some of the more basic ideas that can help make your life much easier as a recording engineer. For this reason, I came up with a list of easy and cheap ways to make the recording process run more smoothly and much more effectively.
 In my experience, it's always the little things that make the biggest difference -and so without further adieu, here are 10 Easy Tips To Making The Recording Process Easier:

Top 5 Overlooked Ways to Record In Stereo

When it comes to recording - stereo beats mono.
I know you're probably thinking to yourself: "Well duhh, everybody knows that..."
It's obvious, right? I mean, why wouldn't you want to have two different sound sources when you record an audio track?
Well, you'd be surprise at how many opportunities to add that extra dimension of stereo imaging are missed by the average amateur recording engineer.
In fact, after you read my list of "top five overlooked ways to record in stereo," you'll be kicking yourself for not utilizing them from the beginning!

Parametric Equalization: The Easiest Way To Remove Unwanted Noise From Your Audio Tracks

People always seem to be fascinated with the ability of a sound engineer to take an audio track filled with hisses, hums, or pops and seamlessly isolate the sound they want, successfully eliminating all unwanted noised. While this isn't a skill that most amateur recording hobbyists tend to have mastered, I'm here to tell you that it's not as hard as it sounds...                                                                                                                                 

The key to eliminating unwanted noises from your mixes is a process known as "Parametric EQ Sweeping." 

Don't let the big words scare you, the actual process is much easier to perform than it is to pronounce! In order to explain what parametric EQ sweeping is, you must first learn what is meant by "parametric EQ." Parametric EQ is a type of equalizer plugin that displays the frequencies of sound in a graph-like format, as shown in the picture above. The low frequencies are on the left side of the x-axis, and the high frequencies are on the right. To put this in perspective, think of it like this:

The Art Of Mixing: The Only Secret You Need To Know To Get Started

Lemme guess... You want to learn how to mix and master music but you've got absolutely NO clue as to how to do it or where to start. You have all of the equipment and software that you need, and you have even figured out how to record your tracks into your computer. But, alas, you've come to the realization that you have not the slightest idea as to  how to work a compressor. Or a graphic equalizer... or a digital reverb plugin..

Fear not, my fellow recording enthusiasts, for I was in your very position at one point in time! And, like most of you probably have done, I endlessly searched the internet in vain trying to find some sort of resource that could teach me how to work these mysterious effects.
Lucky for you, I'm going to reveal the single most useful piece of advice that could ever be given to an amateur recording engineer:

How to Build A Home Studio For Under $500

So if you've been keeping up with my posts, you probably have alot of questions regarding exactly what equipment I personally use to "record on a budget." In this article, I will go into detail about my home studio setup, as well as make recommendations to those just starting out. Continue reading to find out exactly how you can begin to build your very own home studio without breaking the bank!
Here's how to build a professional home studio for under $500

Recording Drums - Getting A Professional Sound Without Using Expensive Drum Mic's

Miking a drum kit is perhaps one of the most important techniques you must master if you want to become any sort of decent sound engineer. Through my experiences, I can tell you that if your drum track comes out sub-par, then it will not only make for a bad recording, but it will make your life hell in the post production stage when you're trying to compensate.
So how does one ensure a quality drum track?