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In This Article You Will Learn:

• The difference between a MIDI keyboard and MIDI keyboard controller
• What to look for in a MIDI Controller
• How to choose one that is right you
• What a midi keyboard workstation is
• Connection options with a computer based DAW

Midi Keyboards and Midi Keyboard Controllers

Midi keyboard controllers communicate with music/DAW software applications through MIDI. (Midi is a standard computer language used for storing performance data into memory for triggering the playback of synthesizers and digital audio. See our Audio and Midi section to learn more.)
Midi controllers can only transmit midi data.

Midi keyboards send notes and/or midi information to a digital recorder, monitors, speakers, or to another compatible device. Musical information is stored into memory, and directs the way a synthesizer or sampler will play back musical notes. Midi keyboards emit sounds from a synthesizer or patch bank, from a sound-generating module within the keyboard. Midi keyboards can transmit midi data and sounds simultaneously.

The Midi Keyboard Controller is the most affordable route within a computer-based recording environment. (Given you have a PC or laptop) A keyboard controller contains no sounds. A controller can have up to 88 hardware keys, (and may have buttons and faders) used to play Virtual Instruments. The controller tells music software what notes to play, when and how to play them, and the velocity for each note you play.

With a library of compatible sounds, samples, and virtual instruments, any instrument you want to play will be triggered from the keyboard controller. Compositional and arrangement options are limited only by the neglect to explore these possibilities. You now have a virtual symphony, jazz ensemble, rock band, and more at your fingertips. You can play/record tracks using all the instruments and very easily correct timing errors, alter pitch, change instruments, and more.

Just as the keys of your keyboard controller send informational data, the rotary knobs, faders, scrolling wheels, and other extras you find on your keyboard - are capable of the same kind of thing. These can be programmed for controlling track volume, panning, automation, and other parts of your music recording/DAW software using the midi protocol. This is an affordable option that gives you hands on access to different parameters that would otherwise require control by a computers' mouse.

What to make sure a midi keyboard has before being sold on those shiny extras?

• Polyphony: Allows you to play more than one note at a time.
• Velocity: Allows you to play the keys softer or louder for more expression.
• After-touch: Can sustain and slowly release a note, imitating the realism of a live instrument.

Decide what more important, weighted or synthesizer action keys?

Weighted keys feel more like playing on an acoustic piano.
Synthesizer action keys allow you to play the keys faster in repetition, which is helpful for drum programming and similar, but feel like playing plastic keys. There is also semi- weighted which is a compromise to both.
Keyboards come in 88, 76, 61, 49, 37, 25,

Note: If opting for weighted, I would recommend at least 61 keys.

The Keyboard Workstation

The Keyboard Workstation is a midi keyboard that includes its own sequencer, arpeggiators, sound module and patches. This allows you to play, record, edit, and mix-down to a stereo master recording of your song or album from within the keyboard. It is more expensive than a simple midi keyboard controller but offers significantly more options to do it all on the board or use it creatively inside your digital audio workstation. The keyboard workstation generally implies an all-inclusive-package for digital music recording and post production.

Connecting Your Keyboard to Your Computer Based DAW

There are basically 4 ways to connect a midi keyboard to your computer.

USB: Midi controllers can be connected directly to your PC via USB.

Midi Interface: A MIDI Interface uses Midi Cables, and allows as many ports as you want to buy. This will give you the desired amount of channels for recording.

Firewire: You can also connect to your digital audio workstation via Fire-Wire. Given fire-wire connection ports to your computer and interface, you can connect with the appropriate fire-wire cable.

Audio Output: Using an audio output from a your midi keyboard (which has a sound module) and sending that signal into your DAW.

There are many features that manufacturers use to promote their product in this competitive industry; and can be great deals. With a blinding array of flashing lights and product promotion strategies, do not overlook their most essential function... How it feels and plays.

The first step to getting started in recording your own voice for a podcast, video narration, voice-over, audio book, etc. is to have a computer (with a soundcard), a microphone, headphones/ear-buds, and recording software. Any PC (a Mac is still a personal computer isn't it?) will do an excellent job as long as it was manufactured in the last decade. If you have a computer with a bunch of RAM, as well as a fast processor, things will, of course, be a bit faster and smoother. But again, you'd be surprised how much you can do with very little in the way of computing power. Audio does take up a fair amount of hard drive space (though nothing compared to video!), so keep that in mind as well. It will probably be helpful to have an external drive to back up your audio files from time-to-time.

A microphone is also a necessity for recording your own voice on the PC, but there are plenty to choose from that all work a bit differently. If you were to ask your local music store guy what kind of microphone (or "mic," for short) you need for home recording, you're likely to walk out of the store with hundreds of dollars less than you walked in with. But you may not need "that much car!" I strongly urge you to start out with a really cheap one; and I do mean cheap...as in those .00 plastic PC mics....uh huh! When you know what kind of quality is possible with an inexpensive mic, you will be much better off when it comes time to upgrade....if you ever decide you even NEED to upgrade.

Once your computer equipment is set up and ready to go, you will need recording software to make your recording. Some excellent programs are available as shareware and even FREEWARE (hint-hint) and should be given a try before spending a lot of money on commercial software choices. As with the mic, you should begin with the inexpensive stuff. I highly recommend Audacity, which is open-source software (as in, it costs no money), and is unbelievably powerful for a program that does what it does. No, I don't have any affiliation with Audacity. I'm just a satisfied customer!

Whichever recording software program you decide to use, the process is pretty-much the same. You plug your mic into the pink input on your computer's soundcard, stick some headphones (with the small pin, like for you iPod) into the green output (you may need to unplug your speakers for that, which is fine), click the "record" button in the software, and you're off to the races! Yeah, there is some set-up in the software, as with any program. But honestly, its just about that easy! So what are you waiting for?

Tip #1: Use patterns and repeats. Everything in music is built off of a pattern or motif. If you have these types of patterns in your song, don't rewrite them over and over again. This is especially unnecessary if you're not playing live. Simply create a loop with the specific musical pattern you want, so that you get what you want for much less time and money.

Tip #2: Find those loops. Most recording packages have premade loops that can be used for just general patterns. This is effective if you need a simple beat or general rhythm pattern. Loops should not be your songs' foundation, but they can provide a general background.

Tip #3: Layer. It doesn't matter whether you're recording live, using loops or patterns; you still need to think in layers. Start doing this when you start with an arrangement of the song and continue it throughout production and mixing.

Tip #4: What should you put in first? It doesn't always matter how you put your tracks down, but there's usually a way that is both logical and effective. Start with a rhythm track if you can, because you can use both a repetitive loop here and you'll also help keep everything pointed in the same direction. Then, stack from low to high, starting with bass, then going to mid range, and then finally, high range.

Tip #5: Your "icing" is the vocals. Performing live, usually, the singers are at the front of the stage, but when you record, they're in the back. Before you bring vocalists in for a recording session, have your layers of instrumentation completely finished, including your mix. You can put the voice in last so that it will be compressed and will blend well with the rest of the instruments.

Tip #6: Make sure you know your way around more than one program. Most recording studios prefer to use one particular program or set of programs for everything they record. For you, the more adaptable you are and the more you know your way around various recording software packages, the more capable you will be of finding just the right arrangements and sounds, as well as the capabilities within each kind of software. Familiarize yourself with software so that you know which software is best at what task.

Tip #7: Know the background and foreground. One of the biggest mistakes those new to recording make is that they have the balance and the back arrangements as their foreground. This can be managed if you use a volume control in your arrangements. Research to see what standards are for each setting in volume before you start your recording.

Tip #8: It's harder to get softer in volume than it is to get louder. When you just start your mix, start at a low volume. Test each instrument or pattern before you change anything. Start with a volume of about -6.0. If you need to, you can move up. However, don't go to zero when you're recording, especially before you bring the vocals in. This can cause the sound to be too loud so that waves will make it peak and it will be unbalanced.

Tip #9: Test, test, test. Use volume control when you test each of your sounds. Each instrument should stay below a yellow or red zone. The volume itself should be at a nice halfway point with each instrument. Some may need to be higher than others for the mix itself, but staying within the mid-zone is the general rule. If you keep in mind, you have an easier time keeping the instrumentation together in terms of its volume.

Tip #10: When should you preset? If you're going for a certain sound, or if you know what needs to be put together or compressed in a certain way, do that before you start playing. This is especially important when it comes to the mixing. However, don't experiment unless you're willing to lay the track down several times using different settings.

By utilizing these tips, you can put pieces together in less time and more effectively. When you know what you can use and when with your computer, and you'll get the exact sound you need. This is also true when you know what settings you should use.

Computer based home recording gets cheaper all the time so if you feel you have talent and really aspire to be a professional singer you might consider putting together a home studio. Having your own gear allows you to record whenever you want, for as long as you want until you get the desired track.

The barriers to home recording entry are low - really just a computer, sound card, a quality audio software program for recording and editing and a microphone. If you want to save your songs to CD, you will need a cd burner and some blank cd's.

The first step is to set up the microphone on your PC, which has a built-in sound card (a necessity). If you don't need high sound quality, you can use the built-in microphone in your PC (if it has one). You can enable this through the control panel. If you're looking to produce something with better quality, then a good quality microphone is essential.

A good microphone doesn't have to be expensive but it is best to buy the best one you can afford. For recording the human voice a "condenser" microphone is generally recommended and they're easy to find at any audio store.

Then you will need some audio recording software. There are a number of free, simple audio recording applications that allow you to record sound and convert it to a popular audio format like MP3 or WAV (such as Audacity). You can download free software from Audacity by following the simple download instructions.

For a small price, you can get more advanced features, like the ability to edit recordings and apply sound effects. If you want to start getting professional, you can use programs such as Sonic Foundry's Sound Forge Studio 6.0.

When the microphone is set up and the right software is installed, it is time to get on with your home recording.Check that the microphone is at the right height and have a couple of practice runs. Don't forget to take into account "audio distractions" such as the phone, background noise or the neighbors. Don't be afraid of getting close to the mic, it will sound better.

Recording your first take is as simple as pressing "record." When you have finished recording your song, stop recording and the application can automatically convert your recording into a file that I can be played back.

How well-recorded do my demos need to be?

The answer is actually very simple. For song pitches, the recording can be much less "produced" than it should be for artist pitches. Some people believe that a song pitch demo should leave some room for imagination - let the artist or A&R person develop some emotional ownership of the song by imagining a tambourine part or a vocal harmony. For band or artist pitches, you may want to flesh out more tracks that show the artist's whole vision. Remember though, A&R people are far more interested in the song's potential, and the artist's appeal than they are about the quality of the recording. Nearly every act signed to a major label will be recording their entire album over again with a pro engineer and producer. The demo is only a demo!

How do I share my songs online?

If you want to upload and share your music online (MySpace, boomp3.com, Broadjam or to your own website) you can simply upload the mp3 files you have saved.

I know, I know, there are Blu-Ray disks and High Definition Mp4 files available today, so why bother with making a better DVD? Fact is, despite the HD revolution, the primary distribution of most home videos and movies is still the DVD. When viewed on an HDTV from a normal viewing distance, a standard DVD made this way can look deceivingly close to a High Definition Blu-Ray video disk.

I realize there are dozens of video editing programs and DVD burning programs. I'm not going to try to account for, or even profess that I know more than a few of them. However, the overall concept is the same for whatever programs you use.

Most of the time I use Sony Vegas to edit. Sometimes I use Final Cut Pro. My DVD recording method will work with either editing program. Regardless of which program I use to edit, I author my DVD using Sony's DVD Architect Studio. Even using Studio's default settings, the DVD comes out better than it does on the Mac.

You are about to learn how to make a DVD even better than your default settings will allow. Of course, this method only offers improvement on a DVD that is mastered from a clean, High Definition video source. So forget about it being useful for converting your old VHS tapes to DVD.

Creating a DVD on your computer is a multiple step task. When you begin the process of creating a DVD from your edited program, your edited program files are rendered into a set of two master files; one video file and one matching audio file. Sony Vegas creates an Mpg file for the video and an Ac3 file for the audio. Final Cut Pro and other editing systems create a similar set of files but with different extensions. These two master files are then imported into Architect Studio, which converts them again into the VOB audio/video files and the IFO indexing files that are standard for all DVD's.

When you select "Make DVD" in Vegas or select "Share" in Final Cut, the first rendering process in the editing software creates master files that are matched to the low resolution of the finished DVD; 704 by 480 pixels. This is quite a degradation from the 1920x1080 you recorded, or even 1280x720 if you used that format. In addition, the files it creates are Mpg 2 based. Mpg 2 files are an old encoding technology; Mp4 files are better. So how do you get around this process? Simple. Don't select "Make a DVD". Instead, create a single High Definition Mp4 file that has both video and audio in the same file.

Set the file Mp4 parameters manually for either the 1280x720 resolution or 1920x1080. You won't gain anything in your DVD by using 1920x1080 over 1280x720, except that you'll have a better master file for other purposes later on, like uploading to YouTube or Vimeo. Some newer Blu-Ray players have an SD card slot. If you copy the Mp4 file onto your SD card, you may be able to play the video directly from the SD card with quality that exceeds even Blu Ray. Not everyone can do this, however, so please read on.

Mp4 files are a newer and more efficient technology having less digital artifacts than similar sized Mpg 2 files. If you choose, you can create a larger Mpg 2 file instead of an Mp4, but Mp4 delivers a cleaner image, all other factors being equal. If you edit in Final Cut, you can create your HD file as a Quicklime file. Architect Studio works with those, too. No matter what type of master file(s) you create, you need to set the data rate to at least 10,000 Kilobytes (also stated as 10 Meg) per second in order to keep the compression artifacts below normal visibility.

Once you have created your master High Definition video file, play it on your computer to make sure your machine is fast enough to have rendered a skip-free master file. Once you know your master file is good, import it into your DVD authoring software. With Architect Studio, you can drop nearly any file (Mp4, Mpg 2, Quicktime) directly into the DVD authoring time line, or you can insert the file from the program's menu as a media file. Create your DVD menu and then burn your DVD using half the top speed your recorder will record. Recording at 8x using a 16x recorder will result in fewer playback errors that sometimes result from bits that don't get burned deeply enough at the higher recording speed.

In short, by using this method, what you are doing is keeping your master video file in High Definition mode through the intermediary rendering step (as opposed to standard resolution if you use the DVD default settings). This preserves the HD quality of your video as long as possible. Your finished DVD will still only be 704x480, but the cleaner intermediate rendering process will yield a DVD with less digital artifacts around the edges, and colors that are more pure. You'll especially notice the difference when the disk is played on an HDTV with the player connected to an HDMI port.

Most new DVD players have an HDMI output and will up-convert your DVD into an HD compatible signal for your HDTV. No, it does not turn your DVD into High Definition, but it does eliminate the raster lines of a regular TV and makes the DVD look much sharper than it does if you connect the player through the regular RCA video outputs.

The combined processes of mastering your DVD from a High Definition intermediary file, and using the HDMI connector with an HDTV will give you the best image you can get from a DVD. From your sofa, you may forget you aren't watching a High Definition Blu-Ray disk.

Beats are very much essential for creating good tracks of music. Beats are the basics for music and if the beats are not impressive enough then the music will not make an impression in the minds of people. With the development of technology, different beat software programs are available, which will be of great use to music composers to create their own exceptional beat samples.

Convert your home as a music recording studio:

With the help of software programs the music composers and the beginners in music composition can create their own music at their own homes, without going for recording studios. The software will help the musicians to create beats within minutes and listen to the beat with good sound clarity as of hearing in a recording studio. This not only saves much of their time from going to studios, but also saves money and this saved time and money can be used for advertising their music.

Features of a best beat software:

Different beat software programs are available in the internet with different formats, styles and options. Some website enables download of the software and some websites allow online composing. The software programs are user-friendly and it can be easily downloaded and these software programs are coming at affordable cost. Best software should enable conversion of beat to MP3 and the software should also enable upload of the created beat to external devices like MP3 player, iPod, etc.

Another important feature is that it should provide simple tutorials and instructions, so that the beginners will be benefited. There are software programs that provide video instructions for the user to get benefited. The software should have a collection of sounds that will be of great use to the composer.

How to purchase beat software:

Beat software can be downloaded from internet and the payment can be made through your credit/debit card. Programs are cheap as compared to any other musical instruments used for composing music. The beginners can purchase simple beat software that would cost around , and this software come with all the basic functions required for composing music. The software chosen by beginners should not only be simple, but should also be of good quality. It is always better to choose the software with 16 track sequencer with individual volume control facility. These kinds of beat producer software can be downloaded from the internet.

Uses of beat software:

As said earlier, the beat software will be of great use to the beginners who cannot afford to go for music studios for recording and with the help of the software they can create their own music at their homes and distribute it to their friends and relatives. Songs can be composed easily by dragging and dropping the sounds of different musical instruments. The composers can also be benefited by adding their own voice to the music through microphone imports. Thousands of chords, melodies and beats can be accessed through the software. The composers can create their own unique music and they can make their music stand apart from the crowd.

Create your own beat at your comfort with the help of beat software and make people enjoy your music for the years to come!!!

The first thing you need to know about recording vocals is that there are effectively two factors which matter when tracking vocals, all said and done.

1. This is the performance of a very unique instrument. Recording the human voice is unlike any other instrument. Far more consideration and time spent on tracking should be spent making sure the voice is ready and the preproduction has been done.

2. The recording of the vocals should not get in the way, or venture far from simply capturing the vibe and expression of a great vocal performance.

Remember it is the thinking skills, experience and simplified processes-executed as professionals which separate the average hobbyist from the seasoned industry vet with credits, contacts, and confidence in craftsmanship. Determine characteristics of the vocal, the texture, the end result you want to hear/hear in your head, what microphone would best suit the voice, and why?

DO NOT COMPROMISE. Only settle for the best vocal performance you can get. Don't be unrealistic though. You probably won't get it all perfect in one take top to bottom. Punch in and overdub passages as need be. But overall, focus on the quality and not the quantity. I've learned to focus the importance on a few-to-several great takes not 45 decent variations.

The whole name of the game is to get a good clean sound at the source without unwanted distortion or clipping.

Using the right microphone.

Polarity, pickup pattern, and type all should be taken into consideration. Generally a unidirectional - condensor or dynamic microphone will be the right choice.

Gain-Staging is Critical

Again, I emphasize the importance of this. If you have the perfect performance but your levels were all too hot you've just made a big mistake. Don't let that happen. Play around with and adjust levels before-hand, gauge the technique and proximity habits of the singer. Set the pop filter accordingly.

Loop Recording Vocals

For overdub passages loop recording allows us to record between set points in the timeline on a loop. This is helpful and especially useful in overdubs. The thing to remember is that you'll want to keep in mind that the looped passage should fit into the song smoothly and effectively. Its better to take this into account and have an idea of what you're going after, rather than getting stuck trying to make something work. The flow and emotional expression of the performances should never be sacrificed for a interesting line that doesn't sound natural to the song and a normal singing pattern which can be sung by a human voice.

Should Sound Good Before Effects

If your daw recording software offers the feature, use monitor mixing to record dry tracks and still hear the effects in the headphones. Theres no need to go overboard if you are applying effects directly into the recording, and understand that once you print, these effects are "destructive" which means that they cannot be undone.

Using Effects on Vocals

This is pretty cool. Plugins are outstanding in there versatility and effectiveness these days. One cool effect is to use a tube emulation plugin to get more of that often treasured valve-mic sound.

Using Eq on Vocals

While its better to not add or make any equalization edits until the mixing vocals stage, if your tracks are picking up or tracking too much unwanted low end, one thing that will eliminate unwanted low end rumble and excessive bass frequencies is a low cut filter. Rolling off at about 80hz is a good starting point for vocal recordings. Most low pass/hi cut filters available as a hardware feature are at around 100hz.

Using Compression on Vocals

Personally, I don't typically use much compression when recording vocals, but many do. It can add an interesting style of performance, and that effect of expanding and then swallowing the vocals. Try to picture a mouth that has a dual function of a magnifying glass, as the softer words move towards it, it makes the softer phrases sound larger and then eats them up. Leave the soft knee on. Increased knee ratio will just make the compression ratio's smoother. Meaning there will theoretically be less abrupt action on the compression settings. You may not even notice much difference.

Bounce Down to Your Composite Track

After several full-run performances and the necessary overdub takes, the next step is to select & compile the winning takes into one consolidated track. This is called the composite track, or "comp track." This stage is where the rubber meets the road. Next lets get into the fun part, now that the hard work is done. From here we'll move on to Mixing Vocals in the home recording studio

One Final Tip...

Don't turn up the headphones too loud! There will be bleed in the recording, but you want to be able to feel yourself singing so you don't push your voice and strain it. Singers and tastes may vary of course, and there is no one size fits all with recording vocals.