Recording Studio

I decided to convert part of my garden office into a recording studio, so that I could get back to an old interest of mine; recording my own music. I've also always wanted to be able to play all the typical instruments you'd find within a rock/metal setting, so that I could record them all together, either for my own compositions, or for covering video game music from my childhood (I listen to a LOT of video game OST's).

This area will basically have information on my current progress, whether it's an update to my setup, or information on something that I've recorded. I've always wanted to play all the instruments in a split screen video, so hopefull I'll be able to post some videos of that soon.

This space also doubles up as my secondary developer rig, since I'm able to remote into my primary rig in the house, as well as access source control and software development tools directly if needed. To summarise, the rig in the house could be described as primary(dev+art), while this rig would be as described as secondary(music+dev).

Current Status

Cover Music

Title
Home Alone - Blueprint (Sega Mega Drive/Genesis)
Link To Original
Progress
Guitar and bass parts learnt, drums parts pending
Title
Perfect Dark - Institute Menu (N64)
Link To Original
Progress
Reviewing necessary instruments
Title
Fighters Destiny - Joker's Room (N64)
Link To Original
Progress
Reviewing necessary instruments

Setup

The specification for this setup is fairly straightforward, and basically consists of three core areas: computer, audio interfaces, and instruments ("gear").

Computer
Nothing particulary fancy here, just a standard Intel-based PC running Windows 10 Pro. Since my intention was to also run OBS, i decided it would make sense not to skimp on the hardware, and so I dug out an old Intel i5 3570K, a z77 mobo, and 16GB of 1600MHZ DDR3 ram. It's actually the same specification as my main developer rig, except I had to compromise on the storage and go with a spinning disk (long story short, I had two Samsung EVO Pro's I could have used, had they not been fried by a dodgy ZOTAC mobo...). It's got a full length keyboard with blue switches and three monitors, and a Novation 49 SL MKII midi controller keyboard. The main DAW I'm using is Ableton Live Lite, which works quite well with the midi controller (I'm using Automap for accessing the MKII, as one would expect). I also have LK configured, which gives me additional control surfaces should I require them (phone/tablet).

Audio Interfaces
I've added my (now practically antique) X-Fi Platinum Fatal1ty Champion to the computer (mainly for the midi functionality), as well as the amazing Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 for recording guitars and mic. I picked up the X-Fi 10 years ago, as an upgrade to my Live Drive IR Front panel I bought back in 2005 (just found the email receipt; I was only 18 then...). Anyway, outside of the guitars and mic work, everything else is midi over usb, so simple enough to work with.

secondary 1

Setup Continued - Instruments

I'll list the instruments and gear, since it's be easier that way. Nothing too fancy here (one of the guitar's is made from "luthite", if that counts?):

Microphone

Red5 RV6 Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone

Guitars

Ibanez RG350MPZ (Electric), Ibanez EDR470EX (Electric), Ibanez GIO GAX30 (Electric), Lindo EAG BL (Electro-Acoustic), Washburn Rover Travel (Acoustic), Gear4Music LA (Electric Bass)

Keys

Novation 49 SL MKII midi controller keyboard & M-Audio EX-P Expression Pedal, Yamaha P45 Digital Piano & Sustain Pedal

Drums

Session Pro DD506 Electronic Drum Kit (midi-out to VST - typically MT Power Drum Kit 2)

Effects

Digitech GNX 3 Guitar Multi Effects Pedal

guitar wall

Drum Corner

Since electronic drum kits still make quite a lot of noise, and I suspect the neighbors won't like said noise, I decided to isolate the kit in the corner of the office within it's own "soundproof booth" of sorts, on top of a custom made drum riser. By sandwiching tennis balls between two sheets of chipboard, it's possible to dampen a lot of the vibrations generated when striking the drums (in particular the bass drum). Alongside this, the two adjacent walls will be covered in material that's designed to reduce the noise level, and an l-shaped curtain fitted to pull around and complete the setup. The curtains have "moving blankets" pinned inside them, to add further mass, and help reduce the sound further. Currently the bottom half of the wall is covered in acoustic foam, and all that remains is that large curtains are created to hang down from the ceiling to the top of the acoustic foam. These curtains will be made from black velour sewn into more moving blackets, with the top attached to 15mm plastic plumbing pipe. These will then simply be be hung from hooks. I have all the materials, it's just simply a matter of time before I make them and hang them on the walls.

Since this will create an enclosed space, it's important that the DAW is still accessible from the drum kit when recording. Thankfully I have LK configured on the computer, which allows me to use my phone and tablet as additional control surfaces for Ableton Live. Alongside a cheap rubber motorcycle phone holder attached to the drum frame, I'm able to fully control Ableton Live (as well as other midi instruments) from the comfort of the drum kit. I'll likely need to install an additional ceiling mount for additional lighting, since the small quantity of LED's within that area of the room fail to provide an adequate amount of light.

tennis ball riser Nothing too complicated here, there are plenty examples of people building these on YouTube