Professional-Level Amateur Recording Options

While electric guitars, basses, and drum sets, have mostly maintained the same basic designs and options over the years, the ways in which to capture their sounds have progressed in leaps and bounds. Used to be, performers were forced to book studio time, paying high professional fees in order to produce professional level demo tapes or recordings. New innovations in recording technology has made it possible for artists to produce their own professional level recordings from the comfort of their home, on the road, and even outside in nature. This article will profile new products the budding amateur or professional musician can’t live without.

Since the advent of the personal computer, software companies have been working vigorously, realizing new software for home use that mimics and often times, is the exact same software used in large established studios in New York, Los Angeles, and Nashville. A leader in this field is the ProTools line of software, living up to its name by being the first choice of professional music studios around the world. ProTools offers many different options for all levels of musicians and recording enthusiasts, and even their more affordable software options possess the same usability and many of the same technical advances existing in their more expensive cousins. DAWs, or Digital Audio Workstations can be configured with different software, different audio interfaces that allow instruments to enjoy “plug and play” operation, and various “plug-ins” or extras offered by assorted software companies. The portability of laptops and the portability of smaller and smaller interfaces (a company named M-Audio has one that is fob sized, about as big as your thumb) are allowing musicians to take their projects on the road, experiencing total freedom of operation. If a musician doesn’t have the computer know-how or funds necessary to go the DAW or notebook route, there are many companies who offer standalone machines which record, mix, and often include onboard Cd burners to produce professional level Cds. Many of these machines come equipped with onboard microphones and battery powered operation, allowing them to be used at home or even around the campfire, whenever the mood strikes. A forerunner in this technology is Zoom, offering a portable four track and field recorder packed with editable effects that runs on AA batteries allowing musicians to go anywhere their spirit takes them without compromising quality or missing precious moments of inspiration.

Local music stores like Austin’s Strait Music Company carry a myriad of options, and employ dozens of well informed salespeople who are eager to talk about the many recording options available today.

About the Author: Clint Strait is a third generation owner and assistant manager of the Strait Music, Austin Music Stores, providing the best selection of recording software and interfaces to Austin and the surrounding area for over forty years. For more information please visit www.straitmusic.com.