12 Recording Tips I Wish I'd Known 20 Years Ago

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One of the best ways to improve at any craft is to hear advice from people who have gone before you and put in the work. I’ve been making music in a home studio for 20 years, and here’s the best recording advice I wish I could’ve given myself all those years ago.
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[@HomeStudioCorner]

▶︎▶︎ Ultimate Recording Checklist: www.homestudiocorner.com/checklist

[@aishine8184]

Is this you joe

[@aishine8184]

Or do you have scammers on your channel

[@aishine8184]

No worries I screenshot and screen recorded it

[@aishine8184]

Maybe we should leave KZbin alone altogether if this is the type of stuff being promoted

[@winterrye7405]

Outsourcing: My voice is low; I'm a trained baritone, but that usually doesn't fit most songs I’m making. Bringing in other singers has really unlocked a new level of harmony and "magic."

[@dvnbrat]

OK....the "deadline" has me twitchin' I'm gonna make one & stick to it. I have a bit of work to get done by 6/1. Thanks Joe.

[@TheWhitebjester]

It’s definitely tough, but that’s something that helped me. And learning to move on from a track after too.

[@rome8180]

I don't see how anyone can set a deadline for themselves. There's no consequence if you break it. The only deadlines that work for me are deadlines imposed by others.

[@TheWhitebjester]

@@rome8180 that’s why often, I would propose a deadline. And tell others. And show them clips. I even did songs using lyrics others wrote, which caused them to hound me about when it was done. Do what you gotta do.

[@theAshesofDecember1]

There are actually two things that I would love to have an assistant for in the studio. The first would be someone to move the mic placement in front of guitar cabs, so I can hear what is happening tonally in the mix room. I do have a robotic mic stand for that purpose, but I obviously only have one I have a lot of cabinets. The second is if someone else wanted to do the automation for me that would be great. Not because it’s hard, but just because for some reason I get really really lazy when it comes to automating.

[@TheWhitebjester]

I feel that on the automation. It’s the dread of my recording world.

[@theAshesofDecember1]

@@TheWhitebjester there are two odd things I struggle with in the recording studio. I can sit and play the same song repeatedly but will never hit record. And I can run pass after pass of a song but won’t write the automation. I have some weird commitment issues I think.

[@carriefingsolomon]

I always outsource my drums. I can’t play worth a damn and I suck at programming them. Fortunately my husband is a drummer so it’s easy! He always adds something amazing I never would’ve thought of, too. This was super helpful, thank you. I absolutely need to set deadlines…I’ve been working on the same 3 songs for the better part of a year now😮😢 I want to make an album and at this rate, it will literally never be finished. And yes, it is LIE down. Good save☺️

[@sylvaindion8419]

To answer your question: replace my singing by my buddy who has a great voice... and guess what, your vid just give me a push to call him for the song i'm working on... Thanks Joe. By the way great vid. 👍

[@scargoprods]

You're really unique, Joe! Thanks from far Belgium for bringing us back to the real roots!!

[@cliffordballiet4181]

Offload - Absolutely, the drums. I love virtual drums, and yet, I know they are holding the music back. FWIW Joe, your videos always inspire me to keep at it (even when I suck). Thanks for keeping the content coming!

[@PunkRockVibes]

Great tips especially the first one. Timing is EVERYTHING. I always have a metronome going just to make sure everything is in time.

[@justinhayes3434]

Something I do that would be better with a collaborator. Recording my own vocals. I'm way too quick to say "good enough" and move on because it's kind of a pain in the ass to run the DAW while I'm also tracking vocals in my closet. It would be SO NICE to have someone else doing that so I can focus on singing. It would also be nice to have someone to say "you can do that better. Take it again."

[@randyschmuki3173]

Thanks Joe, I am just getting going again in logic and just got it downloaded today! My hearing is not very good so I could use some young fresh ears to help me mix. Thanks for the help!

[@jonfranz-qw3sx]

Drums & bass for sure.

[@Kellz_777]

Hey Joe, good tips as always! Something I would hand over to someone else would be making my midi into audio stems. It’s super simple but it keeps me in a constant state of tinkering and if someone could just be like “ sounds good..bounced…next”I would probably be 1000% more productive.

[@justjoannec8399]

This is an awesome video. Two things from this. First. Stop trying to do the whole thing myself. Second. Setting a deadline. That's a tough one now. Because my collab partner is trying to get his master's degree. It's always been I have to accept that stuff gets put on hold while there is a major assignment. That's just part of this collab relationship I have to accept. So maybe setting the deadline would be... okay....considering all the delays we are going to have to have, what is a reasonable date?

[@patrykdrabczyk8586]

Very good tips joe!

[@Ben-Jamminalot]

Thank goodness for you saying this. Wish most would practice these things

[@Turtlpwr]

Thank you so much for all these videos and that checklist they are helping me get over years long plateaus with recording myself

[@petervad]

thank you!

[@HoodGuruWorldWide]

Great Video!!

[@kevinjbiro6849]

Excellent video Joe. Everything you say makes sense. All your steps are important. My favorite is the deadline. On my channel I try to have a new song every Sunday. I call in New Song Sunday. My 2nd is being uncomfortable. I do it all the time and I think it makes me better at what I do.

[@northernengland]

That was a good video Joe

[@pedroboschibrasil]

Yes💪🏻🔥🔥🔥

[@SecretMetalFromAbyss]

Just started the video and timing was first and I can totally agree. Back in the days we had a band with seven members and I was recording stuff for us. At rehearsals we had quite a nice groove and everything, but when we started recording I realized that not everyone was having that "perfect" timing that I had so it was pretty painful to be a producer and after a take after a take to say their timing is totally off... And back to the video. :D

[@b1j]

In my current project, I’ve done it all. [leaving out all the details here] Mix is done. But I’ve just sent the mix to a mastering engineer, because I don’t know how to do that. I’ll get to sit in and watch him work, so maybe I’ll begin to learn how to … do that myself.

[@chrisbottoms6396]

Dude! I'm distracted by your video looking even better than normal!

[@joshrainbow-IceTenor]

I love the video Joe, when I heard No 13 I thought, thats the one that is bothering me most of the time lol - Anyways, your videos and the way you present them always brings a smile on my face, thanks for that - Question; Would you be willing to make a video about how to for example do vocal lessons on line using an Apollo interface, a mic and in my case I use an Imac. The problem with streaming using the audio/mic of the Imac sounds not only crappy, the return signal of the vocalist cracks and disappears when they sing. You know what I mean, it is not made for that kind of work --- I know people who use a apollo converter and maybe also the UAD Luna or the console to create a solide connection where I can stream to the student the music, and through another channel my voice. Important they hear the sound as if they were in my room live. Also the device they sing through, it may be their phone, or an i pad, or a laptop need to come back to be without cracks and in good quality (no idea if that is possible). I have heard people use ORB for that but some also use devices like Yolo box I was happily to get to try it out. It works perfectly however, the problem with that device was that there was a big delay when I sing. I hear my voice return 1 sec later and that makes it not usable. I know people do vocal lessons on line so there must be a way to get good quality sound from both sides and me having an Apollo X4, working in UAD Luna, and owning the sphere DLX mic going through a 2022 Imac must be possible to do that without purchasing all kind of new gear I presume to get video and audio working together. Another thing that didn't worked and UAD couldn't help me with was when I enable ARM mode so the person on the other end could hear my voice the moment I let the instrumental run the voice channel doesn't send signal anymore - when I disable the ARM mode they can only hear me when there is no music playing, kinda weird he. I cannot send out voice and music at the same time 🙂- Anyway, a video on how to do something like that may be something more people would be interested in who want to stream or do vocal coaching/lessons on line. Love to hear your ideas, or options for me that you know of if making a video would be too much work for you... Thanks in advance Joe

[@winterrye7405]

With the Dave Grohl example, I think it's also worth noting that Dave didn't just come out of nowhere and make his own album by himself in his garage with no knowledge of recording, mixing, or writing songs. He had already been around a ton of engineers and musicians and absorbed the highest level of knowledge available in the industry. Every time you see a miraculous "lone wolf" who's super successful, it's good to consider that their version of "alone" isn't the same as most of us - and that means that tapping into other resources for more help is not shameful, but a prerequisite.

[@marcotrosi]

01. Timing 0:30 02. Use mic as EQ 1:26 03. Make your raw recording sound amazing 2:26 04. Record Listen Adjust 3:29 05. Make panning decisions during recording 4:52 06. DIY is boring 5:59 07. Record a lot 8:09 08. Set deadlines 9:08 09. Leave your comfort zone 10:46 10. Use the gear you have 12:27 11. Vibe is more important 13:54 12. Accept the learning curve 15:34 13. Bonus - Insecurity is part of the deal 17:00 regarding #2 Joe mentions the proximity effect, and moving the mic closer or further away, but a mic can also be moved left right up down, and can be angled. This is especially important if you think of guitar cabinet speakers - center towards edge. And the chosen mic itself also acts as an EQ.

[@Jewpacca]

Thank you!

[@utopiasearching139]

I would love to have someone else come in and help me / collaborate / assist - with Any and Everything - other than playing drums and/or percussives (My Profession/specialty)... I would relish anything helpful from playing other instruments (I CAN do it all - but not nearly as proficient as drumming), to production / mixing / mastering / etc... I am always open to critique, help, advise, input whenever i can get it... It only makes me better!... Thanks again Joe - Love your mentorship!!

[@ConquerMedia]

Best part 8:44

[@dawnandjill]

❤

[@thiagocesaro]

A proper singer. I'm having singing classes, though! But would be a lot of fun to have a pro singer to sing one of my musics. Could be eue opening.

[@onoesmurlocs]

Hey Joe, great video thanks!, Regarding GIRATS , You know mentioned the Michael Jackson tracks sounding great before mixing , when tracking synths etc do you know if they use saturation/Compression/EQ when tracking? I wonder If should set up some plugins when tracking synths etc then print the tracks.

[@JohnRadcliffMusic]

I'd love to have a real drummer. I really like working with BFD, but real drummer would be better. I have a friend that plays bass on most of my songs. I can play bass, but I'm not a bass player. It takes a different mind set to be a good/exceptional bass player.

[@MattLeFaitMusic]

Love the accents! 😂

[@bcole23]

My assistant would be my wife dressed to the nines, chilling on the poof with a margarita, goofing around. She always comes up with my best hooks this way!

[@kenvives]

I suck at drums. I’d gladly outsource that.

[@ronallen2458]

I would love to outsource all keyboard playing. It is so painfully slow for me to put it together note-by-note or chord-by-chord. A good keyboard player is probably a good musician and could add sooo much sooo quickly.

[@thehowlingterror]

No.13 - It isn't your best song, it's a favourite song.

[@jasonhallMUSICMAN]

Joe: do u offer mastering services? Thx!

[@Dragndroprecords]

I need someone for file management!

[@aishine8184]

Hey Joe what do you charge to mix and master a song

[@AryaMJ]

i wish i could just write a song and its composition.. do the vocals and outsource everything else ! if the producers and mix engineers weren’t lazy..

[@Scootangeldemon]

Ever since I started watching your video my mixing n recording gotten better bt now I’m stuck creating music … idk what the cause is … I listen to all types of music music .. any ideas that could help me out

[@siansoneashenanigans]

Question of the day: What would you outsource to someone else? Answer: My "music production" is pretty bare-bones. All I do is write and record song parodies. I am pretty much a rank amateur "musician", all I can do is sing and write lyrics, I don't play any instruments at all. I don't record any instruments for my parodies, I just buy karaoke tracks and stems. Then I record my own vocals, based on lyrics I've written. I can pretty much do all the mixing myself, I'm not doing anything really innovative, but I'm still trying to get better at the production aspect of things. But what I can't do is sing like a man, because I'm a woman. So when I have a song parody that I feel needs to have a male voice, I need to outsource that to someone with a male voice. I've only done that on one of my parodies so far, but I wish I had started doing that sooner, as there are several of my older parodies that I think would have been more impactful if a male singer had done the vocal track. I've had to shift the key on several original music tracks to put them in my vocal range to sing, and it's mostly fine, but sometimes it loses something when the parody isn't in the same key as the original. 🤷

[@PunkRockVibes]

I’m guilty of Tip 2 and 3.

[@AryaMJ]

Hello sir! i record my electric guitar by plugging it into my audio interface. i can always hear a slight buzz sound on it, its avoidable but its there on the higher frequencies. is this normal? please help me out. thank you

[@7171jay]

@Arya. What kind if pickups does your guitar have? If they are standard old school single coils then some degree of hum / buzz is a normal thing. If you have humbucking pickups or "noiseless" single coils then it should be very quiet. You can definitely get away with some amount of guitar noise (assuming it is not a solo guitar) as all the other tracks will often mask a bit of your guitar noise anyway. Other options if noise truly is a problem are noise gates and noise removal software.

[@AryaMJ]

@@7171jay thank you for helping me out! i own a uptown kat by eppiphone which has two humbucker pick ups. when i made the purchase they said its going to be quiet as you mentioned.. yes the other tracks do mask it.. will try the noise removing software if they can be any help without losing the character of the guitar tone.. i was worried about that . thats why i didnt try it ..

[@b_d_vn9651]

Hey Joe, what is your take on AI apps like Suno and Udio?

[@HomeStudioCorner]

Never messed with them. I'm not against AI tools. But I get a lot of joy out of creating music myself, so I doubt AI will be something I get a lot of joy out of.

[@GuitarDocAndMore]

11) word

[@officialWWM]

I do everything myself. Cause I have no friends :/

[@Turtlpwr]

8:30 im a great instrumentalist/player, composer, and arranger, and absolutely would have someone else help me record and produce if I could afford it. Tired of all my ideas collecting dust

[@21broadway]

Drums. I would love if someone else did my drum parts

[@agorgedslug]

I love playing, but in my entire life my timing has been shocking. So I'd get the best musos to play the music I wrote... in time. 😂

[@rome8180]

I don't see how anyone can set a deadline for themselves. There's no consequence if you break it. The only deadlines that work for me are deadlines imposed by others.

[@Able1212music]

I would give post mixing mastering to someone else

[@nickdenardo6479]

didn't you already do a video with 19 tips you wish you knew 20 years ago? i feel like i got ripped off 7 tips. seriously though, good advice.

[@PunkRockVibes]

Personally, the DIY tip I do disagree with, kinda. Granted you can have great ideas by collaborating with other musicians but I think if you’re creative enough, you could still make great music yourself.

[@HomeStudioCorner]

Of course. I've made albums by myselt, but I've made albums with other musicians. Both are important.

[@PunkRockVibes]

@@HomeStudioCorner Yes, absolutely. I also think you're a great recording instructor. I've helped me make better mixes.

[@REX-007]

R > L > RR 😠

[@Turtlpwr]

Wut

[@wadepatrick9553]

I mean, I could probably have literally EVERYTHING done better by someone else, including the songwriting. But then none of it would be me…

[@somethingwitty44]

I'd consider outsourcing everything except clout, fame, and glory.

[@davidnika446]

I'll DIY. I'll never be famous, nor would I want to be. D.I.Y all the way for me! Well, not exactly. Drum software sure helps iffy amateur hobbyist guitarists!

[@HomeStudioCorner]

Worth considering: it has nothing to do with being famous. It has to do with making better music. Even hobbyists want to make better music.

[@davidnika446]

@@HomeStudioCorner I did have you critique a mix of one of my songs a few years ago...Very helpful! Getting back into playing after a hiatus. I'll probably get another critique from you at some point... Oh, NOW I see why you like deadlines! ;)

[@gatherstudio5219]

Painfully seeking a good vocalist

[@Nightpants]

I'd consider giving up mixing!

[@HomeStudioCorner]

Hmm?

[@Nightpants]

@@HomeStudioCorner you asked what i'd consider giving up and farming out to someone else.😁 no, seriously, your videos have been super helpful. Thank you for doing this.

[@Nightpants]

i realize that my caps lock button mistake and vagueness could have come off as insulting! sorry about that

[@email1008065]

love this! One question I have. Listening to you, Joe, I can hear lots of vocal clicks. This happens to me and drives me nuts when doing voice overs. What would you normally do (that you didn't do here, it seems :))?

[@onoesmurlocs]

Izotope sells vocal declicker, Mouth De-click it's called but I think its just part of a bundle or theirs but do have sales occasionally. Waves sells a de-click plugins apparently you can use it on vocals too for like $35 they have trial might be worth trying out.

[@geraldbritton8118]

​@@onoesmurlocsyeah have it and use it. Helps out for sure but misses lots. Wondered if Joe had his own trick