This page provides some useful resources for Home Music Studio Recording and Off-The-Grid Recording Studios. The included resources are provided 'as-is' and their inclusion does not mean that we endorse the respective web site, products or philosophies of the external information providers.
If you happen know of a relevant web site, some exceptional equipment, or use some software that you would like to recommend ... feel free to pop over to the contact page and drop me a note.
AUDIO SPECIFICATIONS
The Value of Understanding Specifications
Much (in some cases most) of what you will read about NEW music recording gear (whether it be hardware or software) will inevitably be 'marketing hype'. The aim of which is to convince you (the buyer) that the new Ultra-Gizmo-Super-Device (a.k.a. the product) is the best invention since sliced bread.
The reality will be that it's just another product where the real capabilities have been exaggerated and the failings and/or limitations conveniently not mentioned. This is where an understanding of 'Specifications' can save you a lot of time, money and possibly grief.
Unfortunately recording equipment specifications tend to be of a technical nature and require at least a basic understanding of Electronics (perhaps some physics and their related terminology). Though this may be at odds with the 'creative / artistic' nature of many musicians ... if you really want to have your own Home Music Recording Studio ... suck it up and start learning - now!
The reality will be that it's just another product where the real capabilities have been exaggerated and the failings and/or limitations conveniently not mentioned. This is where an understanding of 'Specifications' can save you a lot of time, money and possibly grief.
Unfortunately recording equipment specifications tend to be of a technical nature and require at least a basic understanding of Electronics (perhaps some physics and their related terminology). Though this may be at odds with the 'creative / artistic' nature of many musicians ... if you really want to have your own Home Music Recording Studio ... suck it up and start learning - now!
Rane Professional Audio Products
- Click to visit the Rane Professional Audio Products web site Reference Library page
The Rane Reference Library page has a lot of excellent information on a wide variety of professional audio topics.
I would strongly recommend you either read the Audio Specifications article or even better, download a free PDF copy of the article (bottom of the linked page). Keep it handy, you may find this reference extremely useful.
- Click to visit the Rane Professional Audio Products web site Reference Library page
Home Recording Studios
Recording Gear and Equipment
Please visit Kieth's web site for in-depth info on the Roland U-20 Keyboard, patches and more.
Software Resources (MIDI)
Freebies versus Licensed Software
Like everyone (I guess), I don't mind a 'Freebie'. That said however, you can end up wasting an amazing amount of time (and ultimately money) stuffing around with Freebies, when paying for a piece of well coded commercial software would have got you what you wanted straight up (That's not to say there isn't some fairly poor commercial software out there).
And please ... if you do find a real 'Freebie' that works, doesn't crash and serves your needs ... send the author/programmer a thankyou email or maybe a small PayPal donation. It will be appreciated.
Only software that has been evaluated as 'worth having' will be listed on this web site. Most of it is commercial ... the majority of Freebies that were examined and tried out were ... well ... essentially crap.
And please ... if you do find a real 'Freebie' that works, doesn't crash and serves your needs ... send the author/programmer a thankyou email or maybe a small PayPal donation. It will be appreciated.
Only software that has been evaluated as 'worth having' will be listed on this web site. Most of it is commercial ... the majority of Freebies that were examined and tried out were ... well ... essentially crap.
- LoopMIDI
- Click to visit the LoopMIDI web site
LoopMIDI is a free software utility that creates virtual MIDI ports on your PC. This allows you to connect various MIDI programs together as required, as if they were physical devices.
Very useful when used in conjunction with the MIDI Guitar software.
- Click to visit the LoopMIDI web site
- MIDI Guitar
- Click to visit the MIDI Guitar web site
MIDI Guitar is still in Beta at the time of writing. However this software shows immense promise as a kick-arse tool for guitarists looking for a software synth.
The MIDI Guitar program is stable, very effective and highly recommended.
- Click to visit the MIDI Guitar web site
- Notation Composer
- Click to visit the Notation Composer web site
Notation Composer is a well established and stable software solution for writing and composing professional multi-track MIDI songs. It can handle everything from a solo instrument to orchestral scores and arrangements.
Notation Composer is particularly useful for creating printable sheet music from MIDI tracks. Music can be written in (step mode), or recorded live while playing.
NOTE:
By using LoopMIDI together with the MIDI Guitar software, you can use a guitar to record MIDI tracks into Notation Composer.
- Click to visit the Notation Composer web site
- TabTrax
- Click to visit the Tab Trax web site
With version 4 of TabTrax comes the ability to include and sync an MP3 audio track to your TabTrax drum track file. The program still has stability issues ... but you get used to it (and pressing Ctrl+S frequently).
- Click to visit the Tab Trax web site
is a powerful MIDI based Drum & Rhythm Track creation software.
D.I.Y. Home Music Recording Projects and Ideas
D.I.Y. Guitar Effects
- Rocktave Divider - The ROCTAVE DIVIDER is a vintage analogue Octave Divider circuit developed by Craig Anderton back in 1983.
Since Craig's book is still in print (or so I've been informed), this page has been removed.
Other Interesting Music Resources
- Guitar Nerd (.com.au) - A blog site by Tony, a self-confessed and unashamed Maton nut and collector.
Lots of great info and pics of unusual and rare Maton Guitars.
Last Updated: Wizard - 150101
