The Singer-Songwriter's Guide to Recording in the Home Studio

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Record songs in your own home studio!

Today’s smart singer-songwriter needs to be able to record high quality demo recordings. Whatever your budget, living arrangement, or technological aptitude, this book will help you acquire songwriter-appropriate home studio gear and use it effectively. You will understand the key concepts about how the recording process works, and how to get the best sound possible out of whatever equipment you own and whatever style of music you produce. This book makes recording easy—so you can spend your efforts thinking about creative songwriting and performing, rather than struggling with technology.

You will learn to:

Turn your living space into a high quality recording studio, ready to make professional-sounding demos of your songs
Buy appropriate gear for a small studio setup, so that you don’t waste money on unnecessary or inappropriate equipment
Minimize the time you spend struggling with technology, so that you can focus on your creative songwriting work

Choose the right microphone(s) for your voice, guitar, piano, or other instruments, and make them sound their best by using effective mic technique

Understand how to navigate your digital audio workstation

Record, mix, and master your own tracks, preparing them for digital download or other distribution

Use loops creatively to quickly and efficiently generate background tracks

Include MIDI instruments in your productions, making them sound as natural and realistic as possible
Work with other musicians who have home studios to create virtual recordings

“In an industry that expects a polished radio/record-ready product, Shane discusses the subjects and gives you the tools to get your music to the highest level.”

—Johnny Rabb, Drummer: Collective Soul, Owner and Product Developer at Johnny Rabb Drumsticks

“Recording music at home doesn’t have to be rocket science, although sometimes it can seems that way. At the very root of all music recording, it has to be fun. You need to enjoy what you’re doing, see results as you go, and eliminate as much frustration in the process as you can. That’s what Shane helps us do, in this book. He breaks recording down in terms one can understand and simplifies the process so you can feel confident in creating your own great-quality home recordings.”

—Kiefer Thompson, GRAMMY®-nominated Songwriter, Member of award winning country music duo “Thompson Square”

“At last, a comprehensive yet simple guide to recording my songs, so I can take them to the next level. The best part is, it doesn’t sidetrack me from my main focus—writing a great song. Thank you!”

—Jerry Vandiver, Songwriter on over 15 million records including Tim McGraw, Phil Vassar, Lonestar, Barbara Mandrell, Lee Greenwood, and The Oak Ridge Boys

“As an artist, too often I find the ‘how to do something’ getting in the way of creating. This is especially true as I move from writing a song to the important step of producing and recording it. In those moments, I go from inspired to feeling lost, unable to navigate the complex route from idea to final product. For years, I longed for a gentle, confident voice to guide me on the path most suited to my style of song creation. Shane Adams is that wise voice—truly an Obi-Wan of music production.”

—Bruce Vaughn, Chief Creative Executive at Walt Disney Imagineering