What Goes into Professional Song Recording?
Finding the perfect pitch is one thing - but mixing a track goes beyond your basic home studio setup. When it comes to learning how to record a song in the studio, quality is paramount to success in the music industry. Professional song recording requires a combination of talent and the right equipment for the job.
You’ll need to use a combination of multitrack recording, editing, and mixing to get the sound you want. Here are some of our best pointers to help you get started on your professional journey and bring your sound to the next level. With the right touch, collaborators and fans will keep coming back for more.
Access a Professional Song Recording Space
New developments in technology mean that almost anyone can record at home - but it’s not that easy. Ideally, professional studios are the best option, but you can learn techniques to make your own space closer to a professional-level setting. Your first step is to build a studio space that can produce the best sound quality. High-end studios and top sound engineering schools across the globe use professional Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs), such as Pro Tools software for recording, mixing, and editing, so ensuring you have the right software is crucial. Here are some other starting points for getting the sound right from the start:
- Take a sound engineering class to master the basics of Pro Tools software and learn how to record a song in the studio like a professional.
- Song recording requires a sound-proofed and well-ventilated room, so invest in the right space early on.
- Collaborate with mentors or other artists trained in mixing and engineering to gain additional studio recording tips before you dive in.
Multitrack Recording
Multitrack recording combines each sound source into a track, allowing you to get each component just right. If you’re looking to optimize your time, learn how to record a song in the studio by mastering the art of multitrack recording. With this skill, you can:
- Redo multiple takes to get each part to sound perfect
- Add creative effects and engineer the sound to match your idea
- Use professional song recording skills to adjust the levels of instruments to create a polished tone
Once you’ve successfully recorded your tracks, it’s time to edit and create your final product.
Editing
It’s crucial to master the skill of editing. This includes the following five components: arrangement, comping, noise reduction, time, and pitch editing. One of our best studio recording tips? Pay attention to these common errors beginners make:
- Not enough material to edit: When you’re first learning how to record a song in a studio, it’s possible you may not get enough material, especially with vocals. Remember it’s always better to have too much than not enough
- Avoid unnecessary sound: As you edit, eliminate unnecessary sounds including clicks and other noises between sections
- Don’t try to do too much: Keep a simple arrangement that the audience will love by analyzing and studying your composition
No matter how perfect your recording is, there will always be some cleaning up to do.
Mixing
Professional song recording includes polishing your tracks using a series of techniques including compression and equalization. Knowing how to listen and balance each track is crucial when you learn how to record a song. Professionals in the studio know there is no one correct way to mix, but these fundamentals are key in producing the next big hit:
- Balancing faders: You can emphasize certain instruments depending on the genre of music you’re working with simply by balancing faders at the correct time in your mix
- Panning: This technique helps you distribute the sound evenly or emphasize one speaker side over the other
- Reverb: Adding reverb means the sound reaches your ear a few milliseconds after the direct sound, creating additional vibrations and a sense of space.
Sound overwhelming? Get educated by professionals and gain essential studio recording tips as you move forward in your journey.
Mastering
The final step of learning how to record a song in a studio is the mastering process. Before this step, you’ll need to get all of your tracks on a single stereo file. Mastering will put the finishing touches on your product, including:
- Maximizing volume
- Balancing frequencies
- Stereo widening
These days, professional song recording is available to anyone, but there’s no substitute for learning the industry's ins and outs from a professional. Learn how to record a song in the studio from real artists. Check out 1500 Sound Academy today and discover both online and in-person opportunities that will help take your music from zero to career.
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