Each of these items I use on a regular basis for recording my own music. After putting them through their paces I can recommend each one. I looked for products that wouldn't cost a fortune but were the best in their price range.
If you are into recording your own music, the Duet is excellent. Plug your mic or electric guitar into it and you'll get great pristine sound.
Even more exciting is you run your computer's sound output through it and you'll notice an amazing difference in sound quality.
Read my review of the Duet HERE.
Even more exciting is you run your computer's sound output through it and you'll notice an amazing difference in sound quality.
Read my review of the Duet HERE.
I've tried many capos. I first bought a big expensive one because it just looked so damn professional. But it was big and clunky and got in the way of my hand. So I finally opted for this little guy and he's the best I've used.
Small, simple, lasts forever. Who'd of thought?
Small, simple, lasts forever. Who'd of thought?
I've worked on both PC and MAC but I have to say for recording music and editing video I prefer the MAC. In fact I gave up my Power Mac and opted for the iMac since I have a small studio and needed a powerful computer but one that was silent. The iMac has proved the perfect computer for my work and I can highly recommend it.
Read my review of the iMac HERE.
Read my review of the iMac HERE.
This is a great piece of software. Good, workable interface, excellent onboard instruments, but my favourite is how easily you can record and edit multiple takes. This “take” ability is what made me give up my other software for Logic.
It can take awhile to get used to, but once you get the hang of it, it really is great.
It can take awhile to get used to, but once you get the hang of it, it really is great.
A simple, sturdy stand that keeps your guitar safe instead of lying on the couch where someone might sit on it!
It can be hard finding a good set of headphones. These have a fairly flat response so they're good for mixing and they're light and comfortable. You won't have a headache after several hours of wearing them.
For recording you'll want a fairly sturdy stand with an arm so you can record either voice or guitar.
Does your guitar always seem to be in the way? I bought this to hang my guitar on the wall and it works perfectly. And if you have several guitars, your room looks just like a store!
It's funny how music can have such an impact on our lives. In my dark, angst-ridden teenage years, Tir Na Nog was one of my favourite bands. Tip 'o the hat to them.
I hate changing strings, which meant my strings used to get disgustingly grungy. Then I discovered phosphor bronze strings. These things don’t corrode from sweat, etc.
D’addario strings have a good tone and they last. It’s interesting the life of strings (depending on how much you play) they are bright and brassy for a few days, then sound nice and mellow for months, then they die. Though for recording it's a good to change them for new ones the night before.
D’addario strings have a good tone and they last. It’s interesting the life of strings (depending on how much you play) they are bright and brassy for a few days, then sound nice and mellow for months, then they die. Though for recording it's a good to change them for new ones the night before.
Another great device for people recording at home. You can use this to control your music recording program from a distance.
A big help when you’re trying to find a quiet spot away from your computer.
Of course another solution is to just add an extension cable to your keyboard and use it where ever you are recording. Key commands can run your program from a distance just as easily.
A big help when you’re trying to find a quiet spot away from your computer.
Of course another solution is to just add an extension cable to your keyboard and use it where ever you are recording. Key commands can run your program from a distance just as easily.
How to buy a guitar...
The first thing you should do is find a music store with a large selection and spend some time trying out different ones. If you’re just learning to play, the guitar you choose can have a real impact on how much you practice.
Many people don’t want to spend a lot of money on their first instrument, but, if you get a really cheap guitar it can make the learning experience a difficult one. A poor instrument can be hard on the fingers, goes out of tune easily, and can be awkward to hold. My advice is to try and find a middle ground. Don’t buy the cheapest one you can find, but don’t spend a small fortune either on the best guitar out there. The reason for not getting the best guitar you can buy is that until you’ve played for a while you won’t really know what it is you need/want in a guitar.
SIZE: Some people (especially kids) get guitars that are way to big for them. After a while a guitar’s size can work against you, making it tiring to hold. I started off with a large guitar, but when I finally bought a new one, which was a fair bit smaller, the pleasure in playing it was amazing. It just felt right.
ACTION: Another important aspect is the “action” of a guitar, or how close the strings are to the fingerboard. In a poorly made guitar if the strings are too close they will rattle against the frets when you play. If your guitar has a “good action” the strings are quite close but play cleanly. To test the action of a guitar, play notes at various points along the neck on each string, then play some chords up and down the neck. There should be not rattle or buzz coming from the strings at any point.
WARP: Cheap guitars are usually made of cheap wood. Since the neck is under a lot of pressure from the strings it can start to warp. Look down along the length of the neck and check to make sure it isn’t twisting to the left or right. Then take a look at the neck from the side and make sure it isn’t bowed so that the strings rise dramatically away from the neck in the middle. Cheap guitars can seem fine when you play chords close to the nut but they will begin to rattle when you move further up the neck, this can become extremely frustrating when you start learning bar chords.
TUNING: Do the knobs for tuning feel secure and firm? Loose parts here will cause the guitar to go out of tune as soon as you start playing and that can be extremely frustrating. Another test is to play an open string and then play a note on the same string at the twelfth fret (which is the same note one octave higher). Do they sound in tune or does the note at the twelfth fret sound slightly off pitch? If it sounds off pitch then the frets may be poorly placed or the neck is warped, which means once you start playing chords higher up the neck they’ll sound off pitch.
SOUND: People spend a great deal of money on well crafted guitars because the sound is so wonderful. You can get a guitar that sounds plunky or one that sounds rich and musical. Cheap guitars are usually quite thick so they can sound dull and lifeless. Try and find a guitar that sounds pleasant to your ears, either strumming loudly or playing very quietly.
LOOK: Finally, how does the guitar look? Do you love it? The colour, the shape? Don’t underestimate loving your guitar. It takes many, many long hours of practice to become good and if you hate how your guitar looks then you’ll never feel like the music star you were born to be. Of course DON’T buy a pretty guitar over a good one. Size, action, warp, build, these are the things that will help you persevere in learning a new instrument.
So how much should you spend? It’s hard to get a good guitar for under a hundred dollars, a really good guitar will cost you thousands. But somewhere in between you will find a vast range of quality. Expensive does not necessarily equal quality! You may luck out and find a cheap 2nd hand guitar that is well made and sounds great. So take your time, check out lots of instruments, because somewhere out there is that special one just for you.
Here's a great microphone for the Duet. In this package the NT1-A comes with a pop filter and shock mount.
I invested in this microphone for my last CD and the difference in sound quality was amazing.
I invested in this microphone for my last CD and the difference in sound quality was amazing.
If you have a pickup on your acoustic guitar, or you want to tune your electric guitar, this is a great tuner. My life changed when I bought this. Much easier than trying to tune by ear and this baby is easy to read and accurate.
When recording my guitar, I would move the arm of my mic stand down to the level of the guitar but the shock mount couldn't swivel up high enough to get a proper angle. I found this little adapter solved the problem perfectly.
Just search online to find out where to buy it.
Just search online to find out where to buy it.
