Recording & Mixing - The Home Recording Studio

03Jul 2023 by Jon Chapman

Budget vs Pro Mics on Piano

Blog, Home Recording Blogs, Microphones, Recording, Uncategorized

Can budget microphones really compete with high-end microphones when recording piano? In this piano microphone test, I compare two omnidirectional condenser microphones at very different price points to see how they perform on a real acoustic piano in a real-world recording environment. The test took place in a pretty special location — the John Lennon Suite at the Hard Day’s Night Hotel in Liverpool, complete with a beautiful white baby grand piano. This was a great opportunity to put a pair of microphones to the test and let you hear the results for yourself. 👉 Watch the full piano microphone test video here:https://youtu.be/UiaxBd_O4ME https://youtu.be/UiaxBd_O4ME The Piano Microphone Setup For this test, I used two pairs of omnidirectional microphones, both well suited to capturing the full frequency range and natural resonance…

05May 2023 by Jon Chapman

Introducing Imagine Piano

Blog, Home Recording Blogs, Recording, Sound Design

Imagine Piano was recorded at the iconic Hard Days Night Hotel in Liverpool, England. The setting is rich with musical history and atmosphere. With two carefully sampled velocity layers and authentic key release samples, this instrument captures the full nuance and personality of a very special piano. To ensure incredible depth and realism, the piano was recorded using six different microphones, organized into three groups: Two pairs of omnidirectional microphones One XY stereo pair of cardioid microphones Each microphone group has its own distinct character, and users can blend them freely to sculpt their perfect piano sound. Whether you want something soft and natural or bright and detailed, Imagine Piano offers the flexibility to create a sound that fits your track perfectly. All samples were recorded with the sustain pedal…

01Apr 2023 by Jon Chapman

Open-Back vs Closed-Back Headphones: Which Are Best for Mixing and Recording?

Blog, Home Recording Blogs, Mixing, Recording, Recording & Mixing

When it comes to audio mixing and recording, choosing the right headphones can make a huge difference to how accurately you hear your music. One of the most common questions home producers ask is: Should I use open-back or closed-back headphones? In this guide, we’ll break down the key differences between open-back and closed-back headphones, their pros and cons, and when you should use each type in a home recording studio. What’s the Difference Between Open-Back and Closed-Back Headphones? The difference comes down to how the ear cups are designed: Open-back headphones have perforated or vented ear cups that allow air and sound to pass through. Closed-back headphones have sealed ear cups that isolate sound inside the headphones. That design choice affects soundstage, isolation, comfort, and how suitable they are…

04Feb 2023 by Jon Chapman

Lo-Fi Guitar Effect Tutorial (Boss GT-1000 / GT-1000 Core)

Blog, Home Recording Blogs, Recording, Techniques

Creating a convincing lo-fi guitar sound doesn’t require exotic gear or complicated signal chains. In this tutorial, I’ll show you exactly how I built a lo-fi guitar patch on the Boss GT-1000 / GT-1000 Core, explain the key effects that give it that wobbly, degraded character, and show you how to recreate the sound even if you don’t own this unit. 👉 Watch the full video tutorial here:https://youtu.be/s0WPXnXadEQ https://youtu.be/s0WPXnXadEQ You can also download the patch for free if you own a Boss GT-1000 or GT-1000 Core. What Makes a Guitar Sound “Lo-Fi”? Before diving into the patch, it’s worth clarifying what we actually mean by lo-fi guitar. Lo-fi guitar tones typically include: Pitch instability (wow & flutter) Subtle distortion or saturation Reduced clarity or bandwidth Modulation and ambience that feels…

09Oct 2022 by Jon Chapman

Record Audio For Screencasts – with separate audio feeds

Home Recording Blogs, Microphones, Mixing, Podcast, Recording, Recording & Mixing, Techniques, Uncategorized

In this post, I will demonstrate how I record audio for screencasts and video tutorials. I'll show you a FREE application that allows you to record audio for screencasts with separate audio feeds for my microphone and system sound. Why do I need separate audio feeds? Most screen recording applications will record a mix of microphone and system audio. This means you don't have any control over the individual levels once the screencast has been recorded. In my videos, I like to demonstrate audio techniques by playing audio and talking at the same time. If I record my system audio too loud people won't be able to hear my voice and there is no way to fix this afterwards. How to record separate audio feeds In this video, I walk…

14Sep 2022 by Jon Chapman

How to Produce High-Energy Hip-Hop (90s-Inspired, Sample-Based Workflow)

Blog, Composing, Home Recording Blogs, Mixing, Sampling, Stock Music, Techniques

High-energy hip-hop is a hugely popular style in sync licensing, stock music, and modern production, and it’s also one of the most fun genres to produce. In this tutorial, I break down one of my own high-energy hip-hop tracks, showing you the sounds, samples, and production techniques I use to capture that upbeat, vintage-inspired feel with a modern twist. 👉 Watch the full video breakdown here https://youtu.be/cin_4NJPx1c What Is High-Energy Hip-Hop? The style I’m focusing on here is heavily influenced by 90s hip-hop, particularly sample-driven records that blend funk, soul, spoken word, and turntable-style rhythms. Common Characteristics of High-Energy Hip-Hop Strong influence from 90s hip-hop Largely sample-based Vintage, dusty, or lo-fi flavour Funk and soul samples Tempos typically between 90–100 BPM Spoken-word and vocal phrase samples Scratch-style sounds Repetition balanced…

06Sep 2022 by Jon Chapman

How to create 60 second edits like a pro

Blog, Composing, Home Recording Blogs, Mixing, Sound Effects, Stock Music, Techniques

Do you compose Stock Music or Production music? Then you need to create edits of your tracks. In this guide, I show you how to create 60 second edits like a pro! Why do I need to create edits? So, you've created your track and you want to upload it to Stock Music Libraries like Pond5 and Audiojungle. However, if you want to maximise your chances of selling, you need to create some edits. Here's why: Edits add value for the customerCustomers may need longer than the track you have created - this is why we make Loop editsCustomers need short, concise edits for certain mediums30 or 60 seconds is a common length for TV or Radio commercialsYou can sell edits as separate tracks (on certain libraries), increasing the potential…

24Apr 2022 by Jon Chapman

Recording the sound of nature: Stereo microphone shootout

Blog, Field Recording, Foley, Home Recording Blogs, Microphones, Recording, Sound Design, Sound Effects, Techniques

Stereo Recording Shootout In this stereo recording shootout I test two different stereo recording techniques. One, a mid-side (M/S) stereo setup costing over $2000. The other, a pair of inexpensive stereo omni-directional mics. Can these $100 microphones compete against the higher priced alternatives? So, join me for this stereo recording shootout as I record the sound of nature. The Location I recently visited the Welsh countryside and took the opportunity to record the sounds of nature. Understandably, it's difficult to make good recordings near cities or towns. For example, traffic, and other noise can easily ruin recordings. So, while I had the chance I compared two stereo recording techniques. Read on to find out how I made the recordings. Listen to the results In the video below I explain the…

18Apr 2022 by Jon Chapman

The Ultimate Lo-Fi Plugins?

Blog, Composing, Home Recording Blogs, Mixing, Recording & Mixing, Sampling, Sound Effects, Techniques

Are these the ultimate Lo-Fi plugins? Introduction In this post I take a look at Vulf Compressor and Tupe by Goodhertz and ask the question: are these the ultimate lo-fi plugins? Whether you make lo-fi hip hop, chill-wave or vaporware there are a growing number of lo-fi tools. Tape emulations, vinyl emulation and vintage compression, for instance. Some of my personal favourites include:- Waves J37 & Lo-fi SpaceChow DSP Chow TapeArturia Tape Mello-fiCaelum Audio Flux Mini and Tape Cassette,Klevgrand DAW CassetteYum Audio Lo-fi Pitch Dropout I've had good results with these tools (many of them are free) but I have often wondered if there are better options. Read on to find out more, including a secret 50% discount! Goodhertz? I have heard good things about Goodhertz plugins for quite some…

24Mar 2022 by Jon Chapman

FREE Cinematic Piano by Heavyocity

Blog, Composing, Home Recording Blogs, Recording & Mixing, Sound Design, Virtual Instruments

Free Cinematic Piano This week, Heavyocity announced the release of a free cinematic piano. The piano is the first instrument from Heavyocity's 'Foundations' range and works with the free Kontakt Player. In this video, I give the new instrument a full test and demonstration. https://youtu.be/wBJi9OB-fZY Heavyocity Foundations - Free Cinematic Piano Demo Heavyocity Foundations Piano If you are familiar with Heavyocity you'll know they offer a fantastic range of high quality orchestral, cinematic and hybrid instruments. Personally, I love their range of percussion instruments and own the epic 'Ensemble Drums' collection. The Foundations Piano didn't disappoint me. The interface allows you to blend the soft dynamics of a grand piano with an expertly crafted sound design layer. The instrument is highly customisable although the presets provide a great starting point.…

Category: Recording & Mixing