Recording 101

Using Audio Interfaces

Access user manuals to understand equipment and use it
properly.
Aim to get enough level out of the interface that it
reads on the metering on screen
Using MIDI instruments
Plug a MIDI cable into the MIDI OUT of an instrument
and into the MIDI IN of the interface.
Using Recording Software
Logic Express 9
Plugins
A plugin, as the name suggests, is used to manipulate and
alter the sound of digital audio. (ie. it can be plugged
into.)
Compression
Compression basically squeezes sound so that it is not too
loud or too quiet. A compressor is used to amplify lower level
sounds and amplify them, and stop louder sounds from becoming
too loud.
Equalizer
An Equalizer is used to adjust the level of different
frequencies.
Gate
Gates are used to cut-off sound at a particular threshold.
Which can be useful to cut out room sound or unwanted spillover in a snare mic for example.
DeEsser
A DeEsser is similar to a compressor but is specifically
designed to remove the SSSS sounds from a vocal track.
Reverb/Delay
Reverb and delay can add acoustics, or wetness to a dry track.
Reverb is used to make a track sound like it is in a room. It
does this by adding decay to the sound, which happens
naturally in any room by the reflections of sound off of walls
and other objects.
Delay is essentially an echo, which can be manipulated. The
type of things that can be adjusted are the delay time, delay
repetitions, or feedback, and the reproduction of the delay,
ie analog/digital.
Modulation
There are many types of modulation that have different effects
on the sound. Chorus is one example that was invented by the
Beatles to create the sound of double-tracked vocals without
having to double track them. Some other effects that fall into

the category of modulation is Phaser, Vibrato, Tremolo,

Flanger, RingMod and others.
Filter
A Filter acts like an Equalizer does, but can be used for
different applications. A filter may be set to continuously
change over time, creating pulsating effects.
PitchShifting and Auto-Tune
As the name suggests, the pitch can be adjusted usual 1 or 2
octaves up or down in semitones, and some plugins alter the
pitch by cents.
Auto-tune is usually used on vocals to make them more
commercially usable. Some plugins like Melodyne can be used to
centre the pitch and as well remove vibrato.
Limiting
Limiting is used to limit the level of the sound, and is
usually the last plugin to be used in the mastering process.