Getting Ready to Record


For the next set of exercises, you'll need a microphone with a preamplifier plugged in to one of your audio interface inputs. Many audio interfaces have mic preamps built into them. If yours doesn't, you can connect an external preamp to one of your interface's line inputs.

NOTE

It is possible to do this exercise with any device that sends out a line-level signal. Instead of singing along (as indicated in the exercise), just play a note for each word.


In the last section you had to deal with a lot of general settings. Fortunately, those are primarily set-and-forget kinds of options that you will not need to change during the course of your song. The following settings, however, may need to be changed each time you record a track.

Creating a Track for Recording

Audio track channels are used for recording audio. Consequently, you need to ensure there is an audio track available. Let's create one now.

1.

In the Arrange window, position the Arrow tool over the name of any empty track (Inst 3 in the figure).

2.

Click and hold the track name.

A hierarchical channel selection menu appears.

3.

Choose an unused audio track channel.

The track is assigned to the channel.

4.

Hold down the Option key and double-click the track's name.

A text box appears.

5.

Name the Track MyAwesomeRecording.

The new track is ready and available for recording.

Choosing Mono or Stereo

As you know by now, Logic can work with either mono or stereo audio tracks. Before recording, select whichever option is appropriate for what you are trying to record. Because you are about to record your very own golden voice, you only need a mono track, so let's ensure that the new track's Stereo/Mono status is properly configured.

1.

Make sure the MyAwesomeRecording track is selected in the Arrange window.

The Arrange Window channel strip updates to show the settings for the MyAwesomeRecording channel.

2.

Make sure the Arrange Window channel strip's Mono/Stereo button is set to Mono (single circle).

Setting an Input

Now you will need to assign the audio track's input. The Input setting is located just below the Sends area, and it should correspond to the physical input that you have your microphone hooked up to. Many audio interfaces (including the stock audio inputs of your computer) only have stereo inputs labeled L (left) and R (right). In this case Input 1 in Logic represents the left input of your audio interface, and Input 2 represents the right input.

From the Input setting, select the input appropriate for your studio.

In this case, Input 1 is being selected.

Preparing a Track for Recording

Audio tracks need to be record-enabled before you can record onto them. Once a track is record-enabled, you can see and hear the signal going through the track without actually recording.

For this exercise you will be recording only one track at a time, but it is possible to record to more than one track at a time by simply clicking the Record Enable buttons on the tracks. You might do this to record a drum kit for which you need to record kick, snare, overhead, and tom tracks simultaneously.

TIP

To avoid feedback, make sure your speakers aren't turned up loud and your microphone isn't pointed directly at themor use headphones instead of speakers. If you are using a PowerBook or iBook, the internal mic is very close to the speaker. Be sure to disable software monitoring, or else you will experience a feedback loop that can be very loud.


1.

In the Arrange window's channel strip, click the Record Enable button.

2.

Make sure that the input levels are strong but not clipping the track by peaking above 0 dB on the level meter. Speak into the microphone, and adjust the level on your preamp until you get a strong level without clipping.

TIP

Many people feel more comfortable singing in the shower than singing in the streets. Besides the obvious privacy aspect, an enclosed shower has a natural reverb that makes you sound great. Get the same effect by inserting a reverb directly on the record track before you record. The effect will not be recorded onto the audio file that's created.




    Apple Pro Training Series Logic Pro 7 and Logic Express 7
    Apple Pro Training Series: Logic Pro 7 and Logic Express 7
    ISBN: 032125614X
    EAN: 2147483647
    Year: 2005
    Pages: 197
    Authors: Martin Sitter

    flylib.com © 2008-2017.
    If you may any questions please contact us: flylib@qtcs.net