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How to Have a Simple Home Recording Studio

Step 1:
Despite what I've seen on web sites, I have found that I can make high quality recordings without extra stereo equipment. For optimum recording experience, first make sure that everything covered on the list is gathered together and your quiet workspace is found to put it all in. (See tips to do this without the music editing program).

Step 2:
Have the equipment to record with set up and plugged into the computer. Have the computer's music editing software on and ready--I use Magix Music Maker, which has an easy to use recording interface. Make sure the noise reducing microphone is plugged in, ready and is able to be heard through the computer's speakers. Also have what you're recording whether music or speech ready to go.

Step 3:
Record the sound using the interface in your music editing program. When done, play it back and see if it needs to be edited or recorded over again. This happens even at the best recording studios--it's not always done right the first time. Make adjustments accordingly with distance to microphone, microphone volume, or just record the piece over again until it sounds right.

Step 4:
Now is the time to do any editing. If there is a second instrument or singer to be spliced in--splice it in with the editing controls. The editing programs usually have different lines to paste different recordings to and combine it as one whole recording. This procedure should work with any sound effects, midi tracks, whatever needs to be added. Also, bad things like too long of a pause between notes or background noise can be edited out at this time or an extra note added to end the piece. (For people making a speech or other audio recording extra passages can be spliced in or information can be added with the handy tools of the music editing program).

Step 5:
Listen to your piece, if you feel it is of high quality enough it is time to think of converting it to another format, otherwise go back to editing it.

Step 6:
Converting the piece to MP3 format is best if putting it on CD's or internet downloads. This format is most popular for sites to accept and works in most CD players and MP3 players. Sometimes, it is okay to convert the piece to WMV as some equipment now is WMV compatible. However, I don't know of any sites that allow WMV's to be sold--but it could be shared through your own site and zip files--selling it might be a matter of getting permission to use the format.

Step 7:
Place on download sites in MP3 format or create your own site for downloads. (.ZIP format is handy for personal site downloads).A good place to sell your MP3's can be through MySpace or any other online place that sells MP3 downloads. Or you can sell them as an audio CD if you can make your own audio recordings and CD labels. (You would need a CD burner for this--I'm not sure if blank CD brand names need special permission to sell on them however). Cafepress also has an option for making your own audio CD's.