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Writing, Recording, Producing

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SKIINGISEASY
Posts: 1552 - Karma: 2,198
I am 17, and I'm really interested in music as one of my career choices in college, and I have a few questions.

What do you need to start recording decent music?

What colleges have good music programs? (in your opinion)

Have any of you chosen this career choice, and how is it going for you?

Also any other tips/suggestions would be awesome.

Thanks guys!!

Mar 1 2013 10:54AM
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SKIINGISEASY
Posts: 1552 - Karma: 2,198
His name is Colon_Troll now isn't it?
Mar 1 2013 12:20PM
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Amadeus.
Posts: 3050 - Karma: 382
If you want to make some good music you are gonna need a good DAW. Im running pro-tools 10 with an m-audio pro interface, a Universal Audio pre-amp (vocals and bass), an Axe FX- pre amp and FX loop (for guitars and bass) and then a couple of different microphones as well as a keyboard and good Adam speaker. Its safe to say I have invested thousands in it. not including all the pro tools plug ins i have purchased.

I currently go to teh Boston Conservatory but that is for classical compositon. It is a conservatory for classical music. no pop, music production or electronice music is taught there.

In all honesty I wouldnt go to school for something like music production if thats what you are thinking. My dad is the CEO of a recording studio and production company and he looks at what people have done, and how well they work at the studio. Whether they went to college for it or not is irrelevant because most of the time the best producers are the ones who didnt go to school for it but got in the studio early and got as much professional experience. Going to school for that is a waste of time in my opinion.

This is also the career choice I have chosen. I am currently in a band about to release an album and i have done various session musician work with artist and it is pretty decent pay for an 18 year old. My classical music is going well too and I was just offered my second commission to have a piece of mine played at Carnegie Hall this year. You just gotta get your name out there kiss peoples asses and annoy them. Its all about pursuing people and being pro-active about getting jobs.
Mar 1 2013 12:31PM
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arnie_grape
Posts: 3451 - Karma: 11,683
lets take a few steps back shall we

what instrument(s) do you play?
what experience do you have with music (playing, writing, recording, producing)
what kind of music are you looking to make
whatchu know about theory

I can't tell you much about music programs for college but I've gotten into writing/recording my own stuff. I don't have much experience with it but I'm getting a new computer tonight because the one I've been working on is shit with my setup. I'm not much of a producer.

pm me if you have writing questions because I've been doing that for a while though.

this is the only song I have finished right now, my friend helped a lot with production.


Mar 1 2013 12:37PM
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panojibber.
Posts: 1041 - Karma: 683
More info is needed.

Do you play any instruments? Do you know music theory, and to what level? What kind of music do you want to create?

I use Logic Pro and Maschine for all my stuff, M-Audio Fast Track Pro Interface, KRK Rokit 8 G2 monitors.

I agree that you don't need to go to school for it - however, school can be a great opportunity to get a foot in the door, and at least a piece of paper that says you have some knowledge of music, plus some potentially great connections if you get to know your profs. There's a school in Vancouver call PAVI, the teachers there are more or less just guys that run recording studios and teach at the school, you can bet that they're going to hire all the most talented students at the school. But if you don't work your ass off you won't go anywhere.
Mar 1 2013 12:39PM
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_DUSTY_
Posts: 1097 - Karma: 686
For recording your own stuff without a recording studio you will need pretty much what was mentioned previously however I find one of the most important pieces is a good microphone. Mic placement is by far the most important aspect of recording, a shit mic will limit you tremendously. My favorite mic is the AKG C 414, it works great for most instruments (not drums!) and vocals. That being said it is very expensive and is a professional mic that is probably most useful in pro studios.

If you're recording in your room look for a mic with a flat frequency response, this means that it does not respond to different frequencies in different ways. Mics such as the SM58 that are made for live shows generally cut out lower frequencies to avoid feedback and other issues that may be encountered during live shows, for recording you don't need to worry about feedback and the cut frequencies are very obvious. A cheaper mic I really like is the Shure SM27, it has a fairly flat frequency response and is a cardioid mic which means you won't get as many issues from sound reflections around the room. You can also look at the PG27, it's cheaper but doesn't pick up as many frequencies as the SM27.

For a DAW I have used Pro Tools, Studio 1 and Logic. If you're recording stuff for fun in your room then I recommend Studio 1, you won't need to record anything 44,100 sample rate and a 24 bit depth. It is easier than protools and is much cheaper. I use protools when working in our studio since all of our consols are set up for protools however I prefer Studio 1 when I'm using my zoom R16 to record stuff in my room. If you want to get into recording then you will eventually need to buy protools since that's what almost all studios use.

For school I am going to the University of Lethbridge (in Canada though) which has a good DAA course however much like Amadeus said it is not necessary. I am actually transferring out of my degree to physics because I feel like I could have learn't most of the stuff they have taught me online. For my actual audio engineering courses my prof is constantly saying to trust your ear and nothing is concrete, I have learnt different mic setups however every one I have used I could have found online. There are also some very good books on sound engineering that go further in depth than my courses have gone. The greatest thing about the degree is having access to a professional studio 24/7, if you plan on going to school make sure they have a recording studio that you can use anytime, the more time you spend in a studio the more you'll learn.

If you want to also do your own composition take courses on classical music theory, you'll learn how to write songs as composers have throughout history and I have found these courses to be very helpful in writing music for (rock) bands I have been apart of. I have never taken any jazz courses but I bet they would be exceptionally helpful as well, there is a reason why pop producers hire jazz and blues musicians to write songs for pop stars.

If have any more questions I would be happy to help, just shoot me a pm. I'll also go find some of the online resources I use once I get back from my mid term.

Mar 1 2013 1:01PM
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_DUSTY_
Posts: 1097 - Karma: 686


Also here is my final project for last semester if you want to see what I have done after half a year of school.

I have also done some recording for a local rapper however he doesn't seem to have any of those songs on his reverbnation profile, you can check him out anyways.

Mar 1 2013 1:06PM
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DasGoatenshafter
Posts: 580 - Karma: 307
If you're just starting out start out small. Get something like LogicPro for students (its cheap) get a nice condenser mic and maybe some sm-58s, a good midi keyboard and a tone generator and something like a firestudio mobile interface. As long as you're in a room with controlled sound, you can record up to 10 lines live off the floor and itll get you a nice sounding demo if you're good at the production.

If you're looking at a career in music production, think about what side of it you want to be on. A lot of people have high hopes for being a recording engineer or producer, but its an extremely competitive field with limited income. If you do well in school you might want to consider electrical engineering or computer science and work on music related projects, but still have a steady income. Its a challenge for sure, but you will always have music, and if you're smart about your career, you'll be able to afford it even if it isn't your life work.
Mar 1 2013 2:49PM
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CheddarJack
Posts: 5203 - Karma: 7,380
^ the second half of that is something to seriously consider. Majoring in music is extremely risky. Even with a degree from a respected school it's incredibly hard to get a well paying job. That is exactly what my brother's doing: majoring in electrical/computer engineering
Mar 1 2013 2:57PM
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yuck
Posts: 8384 - Karma: 2,090
the amount of time and effort i put into recording/producing my own music when i was in highschool has completely turned me off recording now. i hate it.

its just really frustrating sometimes (prob because i was figuring it out as i went) so now i way prefer just playing. i dont have the desire to record my stuff anymore, which is a shame because i wish i did. it just doesnt appeal to me.

so as much as i love music and playing it, i just dont like the idea of recording it anymore. but thats just me. too much technical jargon and expensive equipment IMO. id rather record analog /hipster
Mar 1 2013 3:02PM
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Stickity
Posts: 7750 - Karma: 769
you have to be fucking good to major in music performance. only 2 kids i know that i believe will be able to make it go to berklee for piano and loyola in new orleans for sax
Mar 1 2013 3:11PM
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SKIINGISEASY
Posts: 1552 - Karma: 2,198
Thanks guys!

I have been playing guitar for 4 years, and I also sing a bit (still working on it)

I would say I'm a intermediate at theory, and still working at that.

I'm looking at purchasing a condenser mic and a preamp, would that be the next step?

I have written and few acoustic songs and also a rap song.




Mar 1 2013 4:19PM
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-AM-
Posts: 162 - Karma: 116
I've been looking to get into this as well, and have been doing some research. If you're recording by yourself (with just a mic and a guitar), I would suggest some sort of m box or other cheap interface. I was just checking out guitar center and they seem to be very highly rated. Also get a condenser mic of some sort if you play to record an instrument, and one with a windscreen of some sort for vocals.
Mar 1 2013 4:51PM
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ryano
Posts: 4465 - Karma: 1,535
are you set on only doing recording and studio work?

have you ever worked in a studio or have done recording? sitting in a small studio, doing take after take after take, and then have all the hours of mastering is not for everyone.

i work as a freelance audio engineer, but could never do studio work. i cant stand it. so if you can, get in at a local studio, and see if you even like it first..
Mar 1 2013 5:17PM
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panojibber.
Posts: 1041 - Karma: 683
Buy some software.
I like Logic personally, if you're on a mac its a great program. You essentially get a studio in the box, its really nice for recording and editing audio. Lots of good high quality effects and it has loads of amp and pedal software.

Chances are you won't get into a serious classical music school, but there are lots of technical institutes and other schools that have programs that will teach you the art of recording.

However, you can pretty much everything online too, if you know where to look.
kvraudio.com
soundonsound.com
are two really great websites that you can learn just about everything from.

Also buy a good audio interface, and some good headphones.

Also, a word of caution - you can't simply plug your guitar into your preamp, record it, and get the results you want. Be prepared to work your ass off learning recording, I had a similar background as you when I started messing around with producing, and trust me when I say its not easy. Its easy to give up, but just keep pushing on, learning, and writing music.

And above all, focus on songwriting. A well written, poorly produced piece of music is still better than a well produced, poorly written piece of music. Always.

If you need help with software you could also hit up the DAWs cult too. I try to help wherever and whenever I can in there.
Mar 1 2013 6:04PM
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Rachy
Posts: 4355 - Karma: 2,761
Lived in a recording studio for 6 years. Never actually went to school for anything but spent the better part of my time hanging with my best friend in his studios and others.

Also went to a university with a solid music program, but again, never did school for it.

I can tell you that Pro Tools + M box = fun times.

I can also tell you, from an engineering/mixing/producing standpoint, the pay has gone super downhill in the last 10 years.

When I moved in with my friend, he was making 150K + a year from recording. Now he's at around 60k a year but he makes a lot in royalties and does sound on occasion for various tours.

I would also like to mention another one of my producer friends just left the field almost entirely and decided to take his money and open a donut shop. He said the money wasn't there and the amount of shit groups he has to work with was getting to be too much.

Then there is another friend who is uber mainstream is 50/50 as to how he feels about the music industry on any given day, but because he only does pop stuff he's still probably in the 200K a year world.

So if your plan is to really make music, the pro's aren't even making what the used to. I mean, my friend still makes an amazing living, but it's not what it used to be.

Also, on the occasion you need to take on mixing a song entirely out of your genre.. dear sweet jesus it is fucking annoying listening to the same 5 seconds over and over again.

Now, if you still think music is the place to be (which I hope you do cause every industry has shitty parts) the sooner you can get an internship, the better. Learn Logic/Pro Tools the best you can and start contacting places and offering your services for free. Let them know what you know so they don't get pissed at you for not hitting the spacebar at the right time. Diving right in and learning really is the most effective way. My few friends that have been able to get into the industry after college were all also working their asses off interning/doing sound/teching as much as possible throughout. Good luck!
Mar 1 2013 6:28PM
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SKIINGISEASY
Posts: 1552 - Karma: 2,198
Yeah I think is the only thing I really do enjoy, so I really want to at least give it a good try
Mar 2 2013 10:46AM
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