Attending: Laurel Wright-Feighery, Pam Archbold, Kate Dougherty, Peggy Cann, Angela Scothern, Chris Watts, Kristen Rogers-Iverson, Cyndi Bowen, Heidi Jaeger
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic we chose to meet via Zoom so everyone could stay home and participate who was able. Pam hosted and led the meeting on Home Self Recording.
- General Discussion while we waited for everyone to login and throughout Pam’s presentation (see her notes which are cut and pasted into section II).
- Angela reported she had taken a course on recording through Coursera, a free online educational platform. She learned how to layon tracks for other instruments or singing. Mainly Angela uses it for instruments. Angela promised to send us information about her Coarsara course . and show us how she uses
- Kate reported she had used Garageband and Fourscore for recording purposes.
- Heidi reported she had used Audible (for Windows based systems)
- The iPhone has a good sound recording system. Recordings can be uploaded to free Youtube channels and security settings can be applied to limit viewers from the public to specific individuals which Cyndi is doing with her music students. Heidi shared her recording on Youtube created with her iphone10x of the Salt Lake Valley Threshold choir https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hElg72h9b1c
- Peggy learned how to use Garageband through a tutorial by the Apple store staff.
- Audible is a free download for Windows Operating systems. There are special features that can be applied to your recording with this program. Garageband has similar features but is designed for Apple devices.
- Voice Record 7 is an easy to use voice record system and can be downloaded for free from the app store.
- Everyone agreed, no matter what software program you use, it requires a lot of trial and error to find the one that works best for your purposes and situation while some are more user friendly than others. There are many reasons to record yourself from just listening to yourself to help with identifying problems you don’t hear when playing, to creating something to share with the world. It doesn’t require a lot of expensive technical equipment but takes time to perfect the sound you want. Microphones can help with sound quality but make sure you get one with a USB port connection or adapter. Of course, if you want the highest professional quality without the DIY hassle of learning new technology and skills and you have lots of $$$$$, you can always book a recording studio and sound engineer.
- Pam shared her screen so that we could see her Garageband program on her laptop. Unfortunately, the ipad version is very different than the laptop version. See the Garageband User’s Guide for iPad. The following are Pam’s notes which she wrote and I cut and pasted below with her permission.
Simple Options and Tips for Self-Recording by Pam Archbold
Why Self Record?
- For current clients and as marketing tool for new clients
- Sharing, including a CD of your music, with patients, friends and family
- As a practice tool
Space Considerations
- Space that will sound good with your instrument: work in the largest room possible, avoiding low ceilings and close walls.
- Avoid background noise such as traffic, dishwasher and HVAC running, computer fans etc.
- Microphone placement: goal is full, clear sound without production noise such as finger placement, pedals shifting.
- Depends on many factors including size of room
- Use trial and error, selecting spot where you hear the clearest, most even sound in all ranges.
- Often 20-45 degrees off the front of the harp, 5-6 feet away, 3-5 feet high depending on size of harp. Adjust height to optimize clarity in all ranges.
Basic recording equipment
Recording software
- Voice memo recorder on your iPhone/iPad/Macbook, using builtin mic, per Kristina Finch, is “surprisingly clear.”
- Can convert voice memo files to MP3 files
- Can upload voice memo files to your laptop or to Dropbox
- Can use free app GarageBand, which comes included with all Apple products.
- Logic is updgraded pro version of Garageband, for $199.
Microphone
- Can add external mic for additional sound quality
- XY microphones create stereo audio. Examples: Zoom H1N, Tascam DR-40, Zoom H4N.
- Pros: focused sound with stereo capability
- Cons: Use of two microphones may be redundant for solo instrument recording
- Omnidirectional microphones capture sound from every direction. Two microphones face away from eachother. Examples: Tascam Dr-05, Roland R-05, Tascam Dr-100.
- Pros: true-to-location sound picks up more room ambiance
- Cons: more expensive; more likely to pick up unwanted background noises
- Hybrid microphones: multiple advanced options; not recommended for beginner.
- XY microphones create stereo audio. Examples: Zoom H1N, Tascam DR-40, Zoom H4N.
Headphones
- Free Apple earbuds
- Sennheiser HD280PRO
- Samson SR 150 headphones come with the Samson C01U Pro microphone
Garageband Basics
- First Steps
- From launch window, select New Project, select Empty Project =>
- Create Track: select track type Audio/Record using a microphone or line input
- Note: skipping over Tempo, Key Signature, Time Signature
- Audio Input/Output: can select builtin mic or external microphone which will appear in drop down list
- Track name: double click to edit
- Sounds => may wish to select Acoustic Guitar => Natural Stereo
- Mute button
- Solo button
- Volume slider: Doubles as level indicator, displaying green, yellow or red. If slipping into red, turn volume down. You may wish to select Automatic Level Control and Noise Gate.
- Smart Controls
- Compression, EQ, oh my!
- Smart Controls display varies depending on what “Patch” you selected. I selected Vocal => Natural Vocal. Controls display with default settings.
- Click on the EQ tab to see the visual equalizer: You can tap and drag the three different colored dots (orange for bass, green for mid, and purple for treble) to cut or boost a frequency.
- Analyzer button: tap it to see a visual representation of the track’s frequencies in real time! This gives you the ability to see where a track is lacking or has too much of a certain frequency.
- Echo: helps track sound fuller.
- Reverb: similar to Echo; helps track sound “larger than life.”
- Click on the Compare tab to listen to saved versions
- Compression, EQ, oh my!
- Hitting Record
- May wish to select automated count-in that will count in 1 bar before the point you begin recording. This allows a little extra time to prepare.
- Save the single track you have recorded as your named project. You can then save the song to iTunes if you wish:
References:
Baird, Patrick. The Garage Band Quick Start Guide
Finch, Kristina. Technical Harpist #1 – Recording Devices. Harpcolumn, June 12, 2015.
Hall, Rachel Lee. Recording in Progress: a practical harpist’s guide for self recording. HarpColumn, March/April 2020.
Sutich, Brian. Understanding GarageBand’s 4 Most Essential Effects. The App Factor, Fabruary 2017.
- 3. Virtual Gatherings: These are great ways to virtually attend a conference with internationally renowned teachers without the expense and hassle of travel. If you need to get your CEUs this is a great way to do it and relatively inexpensive.
- Joanna Mell is leading a zoom harp circle Thursday mornings at 11 am. Laurel has more information about that.
- Edie Elkins is leading a meditation complete with her playing the therapy harp at 4:50 pm MDT. Send her an email if you would like to be invited to that. Edie@bedsideharp.com. There is no charge for this gift.
- Summerset Online 2020 is available in July. Prices range from $200 to view in July; $400 to view for the rest of the year. July 16-19. http://www.somersetharpfest.com/
- The MHTP program will be holding their conference online June 18-20. For more information see their website: https://www.mhtp.org/mhtp-conference
