Completed Track - How I Mastered It

For this project, I recorded a track using the recording equipment available as well as the instruments Guitar & Drum.


My final designs surpassed my original intentions as I was originally just going to leave it as the original recording before adding effects & changing the levels off the track to improve it to the finished product.


I managed my time quite well, getting everything completed by deadlines. However if I could change one thing it would be being able to have more time to improve the track.


What I found easy was the recording process. This is because it was a mainly push button job & wasn't too over complicated.


My finished design doesn't really compare to professional examples, as they have had more time & more mastering compared to mine.


Other people thought the finished project was very good & particually enjoyed the change in effects & levels to the track.


One thing I would improve upon is the time available to have more time to improve the track.


If I was to do it again, as stated the one thing different would be having more time to improve the track.


In this process, I learnt how to use cubase effectively & record & produce a track to be placed on the internet.

Recording Sounds

PORTABLE RECORDER

We went round the local are with a portable sound recorder for a period of 10 minutes recording different sounds, such as cars going past & people talking. This allowed us to pick up variable sounds whilst being on the move in the process. These use a Tascam DO7 microphone.


TABLA


We used an Indian drum called the Tabla. We played certain patterns & tunes with a Dynamic D112 microphone picking up the sound in the process. We recorded these sounds on the Quebase programme on the computer.


ACOUSTIC GUITAR


We used the Quebase programme to record the sounds of an acoustic guitar using a AKG 100 perception microphone which is a condensor. We recorded a tune played by Nick in order to get a sound.

Polar Patterns

CARDOID


Cardoid is what is the microphone that is used for vocals. The music is picked up by the sound around the head of the mic. When a singer or stand up comedian get on stage they want a microphone what picks up there voice & nothing else, so the cardoid microphone is what they use to do this.


FIGURE OF 8


Figure of 8 is another type of polar pattern used with microphones. This is also used for vocals, however instead of being used for one person & solo artists, it's used for two people & duets. The microphone picks up sound from the right & also sound from the left, they then meet in the middle to create sound of a stereo effect. This pattern means that only the voices of the two people in the duet are getting picked up & others around them are not.


OMNI


Omni creates ambience which is the french word for atmosphere. It is used to record sound effects of say a jungle for the Endor Forest in Star Wars. This means this pattern allows you to pick up all the sound around you. This technique is used mainly in the film industry & very little elsewhere.


UNI


Uni microphones pick up sound in one direction. These are used to record sounds in film s through a boom pole to pick up actors & actresses sounds in a noisy scene. These microphones are used most for interviews as you only need to hear the subjects voice.

Dynamic & Condensor

DYNAMIC


Dynamic microphones use an electrical current as well as a diaphragm. This makes the microphones less sensitive & more robust. This means if you dropped these microphones instead of hitting the floor & causing damage, they'd bounce back without any damage or scars.


CONDENSOR


Condensor microphones also operate using an electrical current but use a plate instead of  diaphragm. This makes the microphones more sensitive than a dynamic & is also allowed to pick up more sounds. These microphones are also more fragile meaning if dropped damage will be caused & it needs a power source, most probably a battery to work. They also use a XLR cable to send a 48 volt shot of electricity to the microphone, this is called phantom power.