As I get older, I'm finding that having the right questions gets me the answers I need. One problem is that I often have lots of questions but don't the right people to ask. This is information I would have loved to have decades ago... Thank you, Philip 🤘

I really love this advice, I’ve been able to do so much for my own music with just a Scarlett 2i2 and an audio technica AT2020. With that setup I was able to make a full album and produce for other artists. Some advice I have to people is that it’s better to get a good recording than to fix up a mediocre one.

Just last night I was tracking some bass lines for a demo and was going down the "I wish I had more gear" slippery slope. Mind you, I have a very decent Steinberg interface, was using a venerable Sansanmp Bass Driver as DI (still going strong), directly to the DAW. I have more pedals, and even a Line 6 HX Stomp on loan (mine is on its way), but somehow less gear (and menus) allows me to be more present, in a way. This video comes right on time: do the best you can with what you have. Love it.

I always recommend beginners to get an interface with at least two pre-amps. There always comes a time when you want to record a source in stereo, or simply record with two different mics and mix them together. An interface with two pre-amps and 8 channels of ADAT is even better. Eventually they might want to be able to record a drumkit or something, and the only thing they would need to get to do that is an ADAT pre-amp. The SM7B is also a perfect mic to start out with. It's idiot-proof, great sounding, not too expensive and extremely versatile. You'll probably have to get one sooner or later anyways if recording is something you want to keep on doing.

Hey Philip, would you be interested in doing a video talking more about signal chains (particularly for bass)? Love the videos!

Really informative, thanks! Same, I’ve found you can get really far with some simple tools. I do quite a lot of home recording and can’t record an amp due to noise/space etc so I use, bass into a Focusrite Scarlett 4i4, into Protools and then have a straight DI track and then use an amp sim plugin (either SVT suite or the Ampeg B15 plugin) on an another track. Works really well, then it’s just some decent headphones that can handle down to 5Hz which is ideal for bass. On the interface I have the gain at zero as it’s an active bass so no need for the extra boost. Then any eq is done in ProTools. It’s a simple chain but works really well. The rest you can do with your tone and where you play on the instrument. I play an old Stingray which has the mutes on it which gives a lot of options and can also inspire a different feel, and I find that along with where you pluck the strings e.g. closer to the neck for a rounder tone or further back towards the bridge for more mid range there’s a lot of versatility just available from the bass itself and how you play it.

Great advice. I purchased an Apogee Boom, which only has 2 ins/2 outs but the preamps and A/D conversion is on the same level as the expensive Apogee units. It replaced an Audient interface that was a bit cheaper but the difference in quality is pretty big. I also got a pretty good quality mic, a Warm Audio WA-14, that was more expensive than my last mic, Audio-Technica AT2020 but the difference in quality is huge. Especially combined with the Apogee interface. It’s smart to not buy the absolute cheapest thing you can find just to get more inputs or whatever. Like you said, focus on quality.

Very good advice, I've started nearly the same way, a really good interface and a really good microphone and really good DI. Concentrating on what I could and on what I really wanted. Ended now recording and co-producing a bunch of different instruments and voices, turned out great 👍

Great stuff as always, philip!

For recording bass, I have found the SansAmp Bass Driver DI to be really impressive!

Quality over quantity is the mantra of your content, or at least in my opinion. I have yet to get the impression from any of your videos that you're just trying to keep an upload schedule or get clicks and views for the sake of clicks and views. Even the live EP sessions didn't seem like they were schedule driven but rather quality and goal/excellence driven. Keep up the good work!!!

Cool video! Same here. Constantly growing my "studio". A good start may be any Focusrite USBs, cheap and good. You will soon discover what you miss while your abilities develop and you can then upgrade to eg the UA volt series, or SSL 2+ (2 Headphone jacks in there!!) or even the SSL12 with 4 Line/Mic/Hi-Z combo inputs and 8 ADAT digital inputs. If you finally want to go real pro get a RME interface and never again feel the need to buy another interface. Micwise I have no clue what suits others, there is a wast mass of good microphones....you have to try to make a match. And my last tip: Have FUN! 🙂

Great video. I'm glad you posted it just now as I'm setting up my home studio, it will really help me make good decisions and save me from unnecessary expenses. But I have a question, on the subject of DI's (which you have already talked about in other videos), do you recommend a specific DI box over a preamp pedal with XLR output? For example, a Radial JDI on a MXR M81. Thank you very much

Try that SM7 on snare drum sometime.

It's good advice. And does help me to think about some decisions about my studio I've been facing recently. Which has mainly about pre-amps. I do mainly guitar & synths. But have started learning bass and drums. And it's been hard to decide between investing in a couple of Neve, or Neve clone, Preamps, and a pair of CAPIs. Or going for a good 8-channel pre like the SSL Octo Pure Drive so I can record drums. But, I think I'll prioritise the guitars & bass and go with a good stereo Neve clone pair. Best advice I was given is invest in the monitoring, and learn it well, then learn to trust your ears absolutely, and ignore what people say is the 'right way to record x'. It's helped a lot, and saved me a lot of money too, when plenty of times, a cheaper alternative sounds as good or better than the 'industry standard', which is usually overpriced. Other good advice was always have a backup plan.

I’m gonna start with a pocket hat. I’ll keep you posted

too late for the quantity aspect ahaha but no doubt. Spending time learning everything is key. Need to focus on that going forward

What are your thoughts on the Variax BASS, please?

Does this work for upright bass players as well?

Do you still need to record your amp? Does it relly change the overall sound? What about amp / cab simulation?

@CamiloDiaz

Ай бұрын

I see your point, but whenever I can I try to get both a very good direct sound (that may or may not be processed with amp-cab sim), and a real "amp in the room" sound. If you can mix both, it sounds fantastic. But I'm with you: nowadays there's no real "need" for recording a real amp (on a home studio setting)

@ileutur6863

Ай бұрын

The technology is extremely good, but it still isn't quite there for some applications. I use a lot of pedals in front and a real amp responds differently than the inputs of an interface when you slam the front of it.

@CamiloDiaz

Ай бұрын

@@ileutur6863 agreed

Hah wow, I was born in a little town not far from Athens. My mom had to drive me to Athens for my allergy shots. :)

Kudzo Hill would benefit for 5.1 if you ask me..?

@philipconradmusic

22 күн бұрын

Ohhh that would be sick! Thanks for listening to it ⚡️

@BeesWaxMinder

22 күн бұрын

@@philipconradmusic if you can get into 5.1 and then you could do a KZread channel about how to mix and recording with it that would be another string to your bow, so to speak (I'm not sure I spelt it right but I did like the music)

Hello

Sage

Are you recording interrogations?

Good recording tip: How your instrument sounds solo by itself in your bedroom/etc. is NOT how it will sound in a mix! Far too often, your EQ settings, overdrive/distortion/etc. settings or reverb settings will sound great by yourself, but will ruin a mix. It's not uncommon for guitars to have too much gain or reverb (where ever you have it set, try dialing it back by 2-3 full notches, then record), and bass to be too muddy or too treble-y (mid frequencies can be your friend, and often deliver most of the bass content!).