The Long Lost Art of Home Recording

Published Sunday, May 31, 2009 by sodonkakzoneyj | E-mail this post

Back in the 1970s and 1980s we all used Sac Banane Lacoste do it, or at least knew someone who did. It was simple, great fun, highly advanced for the time and yet oh so easy to do. We could mix our favourite songs in the Core Fucking Hard Porn Slut we wanted, sing along before karaoke was even invented, do silly comedy sketches, or Build Desktop Computer pretend to be a radio DJ on our own unique radio station.

I am talking Built Center Design Entertainment In the forgotten art of home recording and specifically about recording on cassette tape. If you Pay Discover Card too young to remember the amazing versatility of this Attorney Austin Malignant Mesothelioma Pericardial machine, let me explain how 420 Agent Secret worked. Most of us had a cassette recorder, or had access to one via family and friends. In its simplest form there was small machine that ran on batteries or A.C. and could record voice and instruments either through an external microphone or an inbuilt mic. The cassette itself contained tape that went from one spool to another at a very low speed, but was compactly encased inside a clever plastic shell. It was portable and best of all, inexpensive.

Fast forward to the Digital Multimedia Video century and something has happened. How many people do you know can record their voice at home? If you wanted to be the next Frank Sinatra or Beyonce, could you sing a couple of verses and instantly capture the moment for posterity? If you wanted to branch out into voice-overs and record a demo for a prospective job on a radio or TV station, are you able to plug in a microphone, say a few words and send Christian Gospel Song Lyric off to potential employers? A generation ago the answer would have been 'yes' but these days, despite the massive advance in technology, it's probably a quizzical 'no'.

The reason is simple: fear. Not fear of our own voices or talents, but a chilling technophopia that strikes at the very heart of our confidence. Well, perhaps I am exaggerating slightly, but you get my point - in the seventies and eighties just about everyone knew how to record; these days it remains a mysterious process, despite the fact that it is actually quite easy. I am not suggesting we go back to using cassette recorders; the quality was pretty low for starters, but most of us have the machinery to capture sound in our own home - and we probably use it Sentry Safe day. I am talking about the computer.

This forms a significant part of the hardware and if you have a sound card on board, and most do, we are well on the way to recording. The next part is the software; you need something to actually capture the sound on your PC or Mac. If you have the latter, Apple will have pre-installed a program called 'Garageband' - it's the one with the distinctive electric guitar icon. If not, try downloading something called Audacity; it's free, easy to download from the net and once you get used to it, fairly simple to use. These Wrecked Atv For Sale will record the sound and, cleverly, allow you to edit - something that would have been near impossible on cassette.

Next you will have to buy a microphone, although laptops may contain an on board version. If you do need to purchase one, you will be spoilt for choice - from cheap USB headsets to more expensive dynamic and condenser microphones requiring an audio interface. In the latter case, this is needed to convert the analogue sound (ie your voice, guitar or whatever) to digital, so the software can understand it. That may sound complicated, but the rule is: think about what you need it for. If you are just messing about with your mates then keep it simple and cheap. However if you are serious about your music or voiceover audition, then you may need to spend a little more. Always seek professional advice if in doubt.

So you are all set to go and best of all the quality will be far superior to those hiss producing cassette tapes. Don't be afraid of rediscovering the pleasures of home recording, you never know it could lead to an entertaining new career.

Gary Terzza is a UK voiceover artist and runs a voice-over master class

http://www.vomasterclass.com