Do you think we have the technology to have a recording studio on a home PC?

It is possible to achieve high quality results at home at this point in time Jon. Software applications such as Cubase (PC) and Logic (Mac) can function as multi-track recorders and high quality audio plugins like the Waves bundle help with mixing and mastering.

It is still not a substitute for a good professional studio but the associated costs enable more aspiring musicians to become involved in the recording process.

The computers and software are up to it. The recording environment itself is still important, as are the peripherals. Top quality microphones and ADCs are not cheap.

But like never before, we have the ability to record and produce very good quality sound on consumer-grade gear. Combine this with costless distribution systems (internet) and aspiring artists no longer have to sell their souls to major labels to secure finance in order to record their music.

Using the already mentioned software, its possible to record using keyboards & other digital sources, eg digital drums/sequencers/samplers etc.
However, the limiting factor will be based on what type of music & instruments you'd want to record at home. If you want to use a traditional drum kit, chances are you'll need several mics of varying types. Vocals & other acoustic instruments will need good quality mics & room acoustics to sound decent.
So it's do-able, within limits.
Matt.

One aspect of 'home studios' that is very important is time. Musicians can spend time obtaining the results they want in a more relaxed manner. Most musicians I know are not too enthusiastic about the traditional, often sterile, uninspiring studio environment.

The studio is also integral to creativity. Many musicians view the studio as an instrument in itself. They want to poduce and engineer themselves, or have at least some meaningful input. So familiarity with equipment in a home studio wins in this situation.

Traditional studios are also very expensive, and only the very wealthy can afford realistic blocks of time. Which is why many studios are struggling, and many are closing or are up for sale. Pro Tools (Cubase, ProLogic) is available to anyone, not just 'the professionals'.

And also lets not forget that many of the techniques used in modern studios, such as Abbey Road, were originally developed outside of that environment by individuals such as Joe Meek. Whilst Meek and Les Paul were experimenting with sound on sound, overdubbing, multi tracking, editing, effects racks etc, the engineers at Abbey Road wanted to record a rock band in much the same manner as they'd record a Symphony Orchestra.

I'll recommend Greg Milner's book "Perfecting Sound Forever" yet again. I think you would get a lot from it.

So maybe things have moved full circle.

Good old Pro Tools a great computer programme for recording and editing.

I use T-Racks24 a great little analogue programme.

quote:

Originally posted by munch:

Pro tools is shite.There are loads much much better.

I disagree. ProTools is, as its name confirms, a tool, and as such it can be used for both good and bad.

There are other tools out there that can also be used for good and bad, but I've found that no matter the tool, it all depends on the user.

No doubt you've seen that great clip on YouTube of Hitler ranting about ProTools.

Best,
Fred

quote:

Originally posted by fred simon:

quote:

Originally posted by munch:

Pro tools is shite.There are loads much much better.

I disagree. ProTools is, as its name confirms, a tool, and as such it can be used for both good and bad.

There are other tools out there that can also be used for good and bad, but I've found that no matter the tool, it all depends on the user.

No doubt you've seen that great clip on YouTube of Hitler ranting about ProTools.

Best,
Fred

I also like the rants re Oasis splitting and Hitlers Xbox Live account getting banned.

quote:

Originally posted by munch:
You will need .... A very Big Mac.
If you need some you know where i am.
Stu

McDonald's?

A couple of mikes and a decent cassette deck is all you need ... oh and some good musicians.

In the past i used Ableton Live and Propellerhead Reason with a Korg Triton and a Echo audio card.
Of course i could not reach the quality of a studio gears set but results were not so bad.
It's a world to explore.

I am fascinated by the suggestion that modern technology can't replace a recording studio. Name any major studio where you know something great was recorded. Over the past decade they have pretty much all gone. The ones that remain are of historical interest but rarely anything else. The fact is that Pro Tools on wheels plus sone other software IS the recording studion nowadays.

Mike

"The fact is that Pro Tools on wheels plus sone other software IS the recording studion nowadays"

An important point. There is nothing to prevent the very best current recording equipment from being used on location, almost any location, in an environment that is conducive to performance. My two favourite releases of 09 were recorded on location, and sound fantastic.

The de-personalised, corporate recording studio as we knew it is almost dead.

The music world has finally caught up with the art world; personalised and inspiring home and location studios.

Before 1939 the great Swiss pianist Edwin Fischer described the EMI studio as the Abbey Road torture chamber.

The dislike of these places by musicians is nothing new.

Indeed I wonder that any are left.

Even for recording a large orchestra there are many better halls than the big studio at the EMI complex. At one time the recording equipment was literally built into the building, but nowadays the modern recorders and mixing consoles are entirely portable.

In 1927, when HMV recorded Elgar leading performances at the Three Choirs Festival in Hereford Cathedral it needed two large lorries to transport the simple Western Electric mono [wax cutting] recording sets! It was rare that the mobile unit was used as telephone lines [ffrom the recording venue to the built in cutting sets at the Queens Hall and later Abbey Road] were certainly better in London if not for recording in the provinces, where transmission losses outweighed the risks of using the mobile unit.

I would say that it is a surprise that any official recording studios are still in business, and that it would be a good artistically if they completely disappeared.

The post production work can be done in any unit on any industrial estate where the business rate would be so much less than in the prime sites that most studios were built on.

ATB from George

I do find it interesting how some venerate (and indeed list) buildngs responsible for some of the most sterile recordings. I make no great claims for technolgy in terms of superiority but the greater flexibility affords a much wider range of environments in which to record.

Mike