Slipcast

Now I know that the world of recording seems really complicated process and it is when your aiming for a finished master recording, but for demo prepossess then it really only involves 3 or 4 simple steps.

Download a very simple to use recorder which is FREE,
Plug in a microphone which can be bought from Argos for just under £7 (if you already have one use it, some laptops have them built in, even your webcam or headset will do)

*Load in one of the instrumental tracks
*Press record and sing
*Lastly press a button to add some effect to your voice and adjust the volume of each track
*That's it, now press save as MP3.

I know I have made this sound really simple but believe me it is. The software is designed to be used by home users not professionals and as such is no more complicated than operating something like Microsoft Word.

1: Firstly the software, its a really cool free program which lets you import an instrumental track such as any Karaoke song, it then lets you add a second track over it in which you can record what ever the microphone picks up. You can then press add effect to add some nice echo or reverb to your voice.

The mixer simply shows 2 volume control's, adjust them until the vocal and music sit well together. Your ears will tell you when its right. Now all you have to do is press save. There you go, a finished track with you singing to proper accompaniment.

 

 

 

 

The software is available at http://audacity.sourceforge.net/about/ just go to the download section, then install it. Its a painless process and any computer will be able to run it.

Now you need a microphone, any cheap one will do, Im not expecting a state of the art recording here, just enough so I can hear what you do with the songs. The cheapest little mic I could find was in Argos at just under £7, that's a gift and will do the job very well.

If you already have a wee handheld mic then just use it, as I said above almost any mic you can get your hands on will do for the purpose of a demo recording.

If yours isn't built in you will find that all PCs have a wee in put with a mic sign, its pink in color and will have blue and green ones beside it, may be more but you can just ignore them. Just plug it in the Pink and your ready to go.

Laptop and computer (mic in)

While recoding your self its best to use headphones, any will do, even the ones you get free with a mobile. This is because you need to hear the music but don't want the mic also recording the sound of music from your speakers, its best if it can only pick up your voice, the recording will be much better and you wont get that high pitched squeal you some times hear at gigs.

That's really about it, the rest of this deals with the program, follow it and your of.

Download Audacity install and start it up.
Fist thing to do is go to "File"
then "New" as seen below.

 

Now to "Project" and choose "Import Audio" This can be an a Karaoke MP3 that you have or one of my songs. You will then see the song appear as a graphic.

Now you need a new track for you vocal. Choose "Project" again and then "New Audio Track" You will now see a new blank track appear below the music.

Now your almost ready to record but check two things first. At the top of the program adjust the over all volume, you don't want to blow the ears out of yourself.

Beside that make sure you have Microphone selected as the recording input, if you plan on just using a web cam mic or headset then select them from the list. It also has a volume so if your vocals are recording and seem distorted pull the volume back and don't sing so close to the mic or webcam. The same applies if the vocals aren't loud enough, sing a little closer to the mic and or turn up the mic level.

As your recording you will see your vocal being recorded, when you done press stop. If you don't like it simply delete the track and record it again.

Now you have a vocal recorded select that track and choose "Effect" down near the bottom you will see Gverb and delay, ether of these will do fine, its up to you what effect you wish to place on your vocal, just mess with the settings until you like it.

Now adjust the volume of each track until it sounds just about right. That's it, it now just remains for you to press save so you can come back to it should you need to, and then press " File" and choose "export to mp3"

There you go, you just successfully recorded and mixed you first recording, who said girls are no good with tech stuff.

Now send it to me and please send your name and contcat details also, if you havent sent me a photo then please do also. Chat soon Johnny

Send tracks and pics to

 

Check List
What I need you to send me!

Your recorded track/s
Email Address
Mobile Number
Recent photo

I will be in touch shortly after receiving this from you.,