Recording & Mixing - The Home Recording Studio

26Feb 2022 by Jon Chapman

Novation Launchkey 37 Mk3 Keyboard Review

Blog, Composing, Home Recording Blogs, Recording & Mixing

If you’re looking for a compact MIDI controller keyboard that still gives you enough keys to play properly, the Novation Launchkey 37 Mk3 is a really interesting option. In this review, I’ll break down why I chose the Launchkey 37 Mk3, what you actually get for your money, how it works with Logic Pro X, and whether it’s the right MIDI keyboard for your studio setup. 👉 Watch the full video review for a hands-on walkthrough (unboxing, features, Logic setup, and final thoughts). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88sNldGF8M0&t=328s Why I Chose the Launchkey 37 Mk3 Up until now, I’d been using a 25-key MIDI controller. While that’s fine for basic ideas, I often found myself needing just a bit more range, especially when playing two-handed parts or sketching chord progressions. A 49-key keyboard felt…

22Jan 2022 by Jon Chapman

Why you should be using reference tracks

Blog, Home Recording Blogs, Mixing, Recording & Mixing, Techniques, Uncategorized

In this post, I’m going to talk about reference tracks – why they are important, how to use them and where to find them. When we mix our own music there is a danger of never having an end goal in sight. You might have an idea of what you want your music to sound like but sometimes we lose perspective. Our ears are very good at fooling us especially if we have listened to our own mix for a long period of time. If we don’t remind our ears exactly what we are trying to achieve we may just keep chasing our tails round and round. So, read on to find out more about how you can use reference tracks to up your mixing game. https://youtu.be/8Iyk9jmgRm8 Watch the video…

29Aug 2021 by Jon Chapman

How to fit acoustic foam tiles

Acoustic Treatment, Blog, Home Recording Blogs, Mixing, Recording, Recording & Mixing, Techniques

If you've ever thought about improving the sound in your home studio you may have considered using acoustic foam. In this post, we explore how to fit acoustic foam tiles. For many home studio owners sticking foam panels to the wall is a worry. If you are renting a space then you might not want to damage the walls. Likewise, if you decide to move rooms or change your studio layout then you may want to move the panels at a later date. Let's take a look at some of the options in this video. https://youtu.be/AP4tNcLTv8s The benefits of using acoustic foam tiles are:- Medium to high frequency sounds are more controlledImproves recording of acoustic instruments and vocalsImproves mixing when monitoring on speakersLooks great on the walls! Depending on your…

03Jul 2021 by Jon Chapman

What is a Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone?

ADR, Blog, Home Recording Blogs, Microphones, Podcast, Recording, Recording & Mixing, Techniques

What is a Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone? In this month's post we will answer the question: what is a Large Diaphragm Condenser microphone? Some characteristics of a large diaphragm condenser microphone are:- It is good for recording quieter sounds, instruments or the human voice Delivers warmth and clarity Has a wide frequency response (Low to high frequencies) It has an extended dynamic range (Quiet to loud) Requires Phantom Power This type of microphone is designed for increased sensitivity. Therefore, it requires phantom power. It is likely that your recording device will have an option for turning phantom power on or off. Most importantly, always make sure you turn phantom power on after connecting the microphone. Typical uses Spoken Word (e.g. Audio Books) Narration or Voice Over for moving image Podcasting…

19Mar 2021 by Jon Chapman

Home Recording Studio Essentials: What You Actually Need to Get Started

Blog, Home Recording Blogs, Microphones, Podcast, Pro Tools, Recording & Mixing, Techniques

Setting up a home recording studio doesn’t have to be complicated — or expensive. In fact, you only need four core components to start recording, editing, mixing, and playing back audio at home. In this guide, we’ll look at the Home Recording Studio Essentials, explain what each piece does, and help you make sensible choices without getting overwhelmed by gear options. The 4 Essential Components of Any Home Recording Studio Every functional home studio needs these four things: A computer with DAW software An audio interface A microphone Monitoring (headphones or speakers) With just these, you can: Record sound Edit and arrange audio Add effects Mix and export finished tracks Let’s break each one down. 1. Computer – Mac or PC? Your computer is the heart of your studio. It…

31Dec 2020 by Jon Chapman

How to Add Audio Watermarks to Your Tracks

Blog, Pro Tools, Recording & Mixing, Sound Design, Sound Effects

In today’s post, we’re diving into audio watermarks — what they are, why you need them, and the easiest ways to add them to your music or audio files. What is an Audio Watermark? An audio watermark is a short, repeated sound placed over a piece of music or an audio recording to indicate that it’s a preview. Unlike digital watermarks (which are hidden and undetectable), audio watermarks are meant to be clearly heard. They serve two main purposes: Letting clients preview your work without giving away the final product. Protecting your work from illegal copying. Why You Should Use Audio Watermarks If you’re sending samples to potential clients — like mixing, mastering, or production demos — adding a watermark protects you from unauthorized use. After payment, you can send…

04Dec 2020 by Jon Chapman

Top 10 Home Recording Resources (Blogs, Podcasts & Communities)

Blog, Field Recording, Home Recording Blogs, Podcast, Pro Tools, Recording & Mixing, Sound Design, Sound Effects

If you want to improve your home recording skills, it can be hard to know where to start — and who to trust. The Home Recording Studio blog exists to help, but no single site has all the answers. Over the years, I’ve built up a short list of reliable, high-quality home recording resources that I return to again and again for learning, inspiration, and staying up to date with the audio world. This updated list focuses on resources that are still active, relevant, and genuinely useful in 2026 — including blogs, podcasts, YouTube channels, and communities. 1. Sound On Sound Sound on Sound is a true classic. It was one of the very first recording magazines I read when I was starting out, and decades later it’s still one…

18Sep 2020 by Jon Chapman

5 Things that have improved my recording & mixing

Blog, Composing, Mixing, Recording, Recording & Mixing, Techniques

Lately I’ve been thinking about what has made the biggest difference to my home recording and mixing. Here, I’ve come up with a list of 5 things that I think have improved my recording and mixing at home and taken me to the next level. Audio InterfacePreampsMonitoringMicrophonesPlugins 1. Audio Interface. A few years ago, I decided to make an investment in a good quality audio interface. I had a budget interface but some technical issues with this interface, which almost ruined a recording session I was doing for a band, prompted me to reconsider. So, I wanted something that wouldn’t let me down. I also needed at least 8 inputs and the ability to connect my Focusrite Octopre ADAT interface to give me 16 inputs in total. This is a…

Category: Recording & Mixing