How To Record A Song From Scratch - Getting Started - RecordingRevolution.com

►► Create radio-worthy songs from your bedroom. Download my FREE Radio Ready Guide and learn my 6 step process → RadioReadyGuide...
Part 1 of 6 - What does it take to record your latest song idea from scratch in your home studio? Turns out, not much!
Today I'm starting a new series where I'll walk you through the entire process of recording a great sounding song from the ground up.
In this first video I'll show you what gear and equipment you'll need and then we'll setup our software and record our first track!
To get a list of the recording equipment I use in this video and my recommendations to fit every budget, download my Studio Gear Guide completely free: StudioGearGuide...

[@recordingrevolution]

►► Create radio-worthy songs from your bedroom. Download my FREE Radio Ready Guide and learn my 6 step process → RadioReadyGuide.com

[@Shakmusicofficial]

I have korg pa keyboard , how to record playing keyboard and singing ?

[@peacebestill662]

recordingrevolution Does that clicking beat that you change to around 70 stay that loud in the background? It doesn’t sound pleasant on the track! Is there are way to tone it down some?

[@andrealeduc7647]

@@peacebestill662 Once you're done with your recording, you can remove the clicker audio track. Then you won't hear it anymore!

[@SeanBrown23]

Hi, I’ve got a a question. I’m using the BM-800 mic with the V8 ALPOWL sound card for Smule singing. The audio sounds great during live recordings, but when I listen to it after I’ve finished recording there’s interference and the audio sounds horrible. Any idea why this might be happening? I’m starting to think this has something to do with either my headphones or iPad 6-which I’m using to record.

[@judas_saves]

@@SeanBrown23 I know it been 3 years (LOL) since this question - but did u figure it out? I am pretty sure it's a combination of iPad, software adjustment...

[@victorsthelargerone]

Everybody watching this should share it. Graham, you are an outstanding dude serving a very necessary purpose for modern musicians and it's worth more than words. I hope that your channel will be successful, and I intend to support your work as long as you remain a creator. Cheers! People, guys like this are the ones that we should be supporting, so do it.

[@darrenhunt7838]

Thanks for this. I have been struggling with my focusrite kit. It said on the box that it was easy but I have had trouble every step of the way and being an older person sometimes it takes a while to get my head around things. Cheers.

[@mikeshargent8948]

hi everyone ,if anyone else wants to discover beat maker program online try Hopandar Amazing Drum Helper (do a search on google ) ? Ive heard some pretty good things about it and my mate got excellent results with it.

[@rafaelmdiaz11]

Aaaah fuck you too!

[@elizabeth9257]

@@mikeshargent8948 gnqW

[@vinnyavalanche]

So wait a minute ...I’ve been playing for years but just now getting into recording and mak8ng a studio...I was always under the impression you had to play you guitar track straight threw without messing up ...and you mean to tell me people are looping simple 4 bars loop after loop? Wow no wonder it takes me forever I struggle to record a track until it’s perfect

[@fabianvasquezjr8852]

Vintage Vinny DIY me two it's easy to loop your tracks but I'd rather punch in and fix it right, to many looped parts and it sucks the life out of your song.

[@rezterralico4369]

Yeah. It's a bitch to play a tune on the piano perfectly while doing vocals at the same time. I feel your pain. Have only 3 songs under my belt and just recording it with a cellphone. I need this next step.

[@monkeyrobotsinc.9875]

what r u, recording directly to vinyl?

[@dulla8469]

yea u can play it all on one track but its better to take a 4 bar loop THE BEST 4 bar loop that u play

[@joetroutt7425]

Welcome to the future. Now all you need is autotune.

[@ELFKidsVideos]

Your advice is clear and very well presented. Good stuff!

[@MichaelSheaAudio]

I've been recording for years but I still watch your beginner videos just to see what people are learning in 2017. My only issue about the lesson is the metronome. As it may be an accomplishment to play to such a slow metronome, it's a lot easier to track a slow song in double time. I don't think many beginners will get clean recordings while trying to play within the big gaps of 70bpm. 140bpm would be a ton easier to play to. Other than that, great advice!

[@Bunglespice]

That was my thought, too. I'm not a beginner, but I always click at double time, even on my really fast songs.

[@MichaelSheaAudio]

Usually for me, if the tempo drop below 100bpm, I'll double it. Playing in the low 100s ain't bad, but below that it's just way too slow.

[@Richoutandtouch]

you can adjust the click to 8th note and there you have your double rate click . very easy in Pro Tools

[@MichaelSheaAudio]

I don't think a beginner would know that though. Why not just tap the tempo at double time? :P

[@Richoutandtouch]

Personnally I prefer to have to count 4 bars if it's a 4 bars pattern than count 8 bars and I'd rather not quantize 16th notes to 8th notes . and It makes more sense when I build a structure

[@iamseptembermelody]

he made this video 11 minutes and 11 seconds for anyone looking for a sign _________________ ig: @iamseptembermelody

[@larykenobi]

Did not like your comment to not ruin the 11 like.

[@Alphacentauri819]

Check out Rodrigo y Gabriela’s 11:11 album :)

[@donjoseph73]

This stuff is awesome. I started playing again after 18 years. I became a Christian and no longer lined up with my music, and unfortunately lifestyle. So 18 years later after that’s sorted out. I’m back just to have fun!But before that was the 4 track cassette days. This stuff makes me wish I was younger. Wishing won’t make it so 😁😆 Thanks man this is unbelievably great!

[@justinbouchard]

Man I'm 3 years into recording my own stuff on my computer. I wish I would have found you first before anyone else.

[@Dustdecreased]

Seriously man. Your video's are amazing. Such a servant. This is definitely the best time to be making music.

[@jimincornwall1925]

Graham, thank you so much!!! I am just setting up my home recording desk now - have the equipment, and basically I decided to do this after watching you for several years, and now that I am really starting , you just happen to begin your new series! Perfect timing!!! Thanks again! You are very inspiring to this 67 year old retired old fella who has just gotten back to playing guitar again. Back in the sixties, I used to multi-track record on a Sony sound on sound reel to reel tape deck! This is going to be easier (I hope). Cheers from Canada!

[@justchill4885]

Dude, thank you so much for posting this video. For real. You've saved my creativity. I quit playing 5 years ago because I didn't know how to record at home. Now I know where to start again.

[@3hreejay242]

I don’t have a laptop, I record from my phone using the mic on my headphones☹️

[@calvinbrown1814]

Hakeem TV GRIND

[@arturrheinboldt2207]

It's the lo-fi charm

[@TylerHalliwill]

Same lol

[@fabianwinters7826]

@@arturrheinboldt2207 or black metal

[@ChinkRoy]

@@fabianwinters7826 transilvanian hvnger raw. some ea lords of the depths choo choo feedback

[@reniljohn1996]

I'm going to love this series . Thank you

[@lostee2001]

thank you thank you so much for understanding the difference between teaching and showing!! I have been searching for this video for 3 months and finally I can proceed with what I want to do with my home recording studio!! I want to get Pro Tools. I did not know Pro Tools First existed and now I do. I'm going to download it and I'm going to take the necessary steps. I could not and I would not download any Daw until I was confident. YOU have given me the confidence. you will be the greatest KZbinr of all time in my opinion. I will direct many to you. We need you!!Please do not stop!! we need you!!! I have made over 500 songs in the studio and have spent tons of money. I have created all my work in the studio...on the clock...using the midi keyboard and transferring my thoughts into their DAW program. I'm finally in a position to take my time and bring the world my genius....on my own clock. you have given me the confidence to proceed and I appreciate it.

[@richardburchett]

Thanks for posting. I’m putting together songs to take to an out of town band for a new project. I write on acoustic guitar, but I’m a bass player primarily. I have all the other instruments and I’ve done a lot of arranging as a musical director for some larger community based shows. Doing home recording will really help me develop ideas and have something more solid to take to the band. Glad I found your videos.

[@bensonG92]

Bro, you are absolutely the best at helping anyone get started in their recording journey. What I like the most in your videos is that your instructions are super intuitive and easy to follow. Thank you so much ❤️

[@CrystalDennisMusic]

I'm really excited for this series. Just started writing my own songs with piano, and have learned so much just from this video! Like I didn't even think of recording four to eight bars then looping, I usually play through the entire section and if I mess up start over until I get it right and that's majorly time consuming, so I'm excited to use that tip! Also the click track one which...shoudl be obvious but I always forget to use one haha. Really excited to see you layer other things in this, and to see that other things I've been doing are on the right track! Can't wait for video 2 in this series.

[@paulysguitarjournal]

I'm surprised you never mention Reaper (DAW). Super affordable and works great.

[@kieranriddle9120]

He did, in the video "which DAW you should use"

[@paulysguitarjournal]

Cool, but still more expensive than Reaper

[@spaceorbison]

Mixcraft way better for beginners, tons of instruments and samples to play with with an easy interface

[@Just-Michael]

I've been using Mixcraft for a few years now and it's a nice system. The drawback to all of the instruments is that they are kinda terrible. The synth sounds are nice, but the drums and acoustic instrument emulations are not great. If it had better Virtual Instruments on Mixcraft I'd probably never switch to anything else. :P

[@sawyerbergeron3288]

Grayson Peddie it's mostly based on the kinda-sorta-free Ardour. If you're starting out, I'd get Ardour and maybe move to mixbus once you know you'll use the added capability.

[@naingoohtun6716]

This is perfect. I'm just starting to produce and using Pro Tools First and it feels like I have someone to journey with.

[@david-ky7rt]

Great tutorial. I have been playing guitar for over 30 years. But home recording is completely new to me. In the 80s you use to pay and hire out a studio, turn up and lay your tracks down with the recording engineer. But this home studio is brilliant, will definitely watch more of your tutorials which are so well explained. I was thinking about buying the Yamaha HS7 monitors as the room i want to turn into a home studio is the size of a double bedroom..

[@consciensnesttv]

Still bingo watching your stuff from like 5 yrs ago. Your channel is GOLD! Awesome vid as always 🔥💥🔥

[@robydean7]

No kidding, yesterday I was thinking about sending you a suggestion to do this very series. Then boom...my inbox had this. looking forward to more. I know it is probably too time consuming but I could envision an even more elementary class for people like me that were until recently a total greenhorn to how it all works. Thanks for the vids.

[@Berryflowers]

I’m starting my studio soon. I’m grateful for u! I know absolutely NOTHING ABOUT THIS BUT I CAN SING! Gotta do it. I subbed!🦋

[@plasmaquark]

Just bought myself a set of Yamaha sh7 for my first foray into recording at home this couldn't come at a better time! Thank you so much!

[@dxwallace55]

I'm a newbie, so newbie, my studio isn't even set up yet, but this should be a good series. I've run across VERY GOOD "bits and pieces" on the web for sure, but finally someone who lays the whole process out. I haven't started yet ans was already overwhelmed by all the plugins and capabilities, but I sense you going to organize the chaos. I love that experienced people are taking the time for newbies!!!

[@billsrock11]

thanks for the straightforwardness with what you need to get to record, all the other vids iv seen didnt help me with what i needed to know.

[@ReaperSteven]

I got a B-1 MIC as well and it is a workhorse! Like you I have had mine for over 15 years!

[@kurisu_9119]

When he said "Dont go out and buy a new computer", I found it really funny, good job dude

[@Mr.Mama117]

Thanks Graham I'm starting out super new to doing anything music. This helped a lot.

[@gatesnj]

Been trying off and on to record music for over a decade by recording everything thru a mic and never been able to make it work. Ordered the interface you recommended in this video so I can plug in my guitar/electric drums directly and am excited to give it another try! Thank you for sharing these tips!!! 😁❤️✌️

[@bobshifimods7302]

This is going to be a very useful series for me to follow. I want to comment on one thing - In my experience not all computers are created equal. I bought a condener usb mic and plugged it in to one of my laptops an HP model. There was a large amount of noise when recording. So I tried it on my main much faster and also HP laptop. The noise was almost gone. That may not be a problem if you are using an external mixer. I cant tell.

[@gonztastic]

Behringer B-1 was my first mic as well! Reliable, sensitive, bulletproof...a great starter mic. Next on my list would be a Sterling ST51, same price range but a lot quieter/smoother. My first interface was a Sound Blaster Audigy Platinum sound card with I/O panel that installs directly into your computer tower. That thing was a great starter, would likely still be using it had I not switched to a MacMini. Also use a Roland Tri-Capture I/O with my laptop for mobile projects.

[@zekewillard8703]

watched this series 4 years ago, and I'm coming back to see what I've learned! thanks, graham for all your videos, they've really helped. p.s, I now have the Behringer B1 and Scarlett solo

[@qwikwitz]

Thank you for all this information. I am an old musician but am learning the new technologies. Two thumbs up 👍👍

[@jmack619]

That is the most I have learned about recording in such a short time! Thank you from canada

[@skittish-kitten]

I need this series. Thank you!

[@jbhuebner1]

Graham, Excited to follow the series. One suggestion, in the Video title for each video in the series, please make reference the number of the video in order it is located in the series. This will greatly help future people and myself who come across this video series to follow the videos in the correct order. Thanks

[@hopepatiencemusic]

Graham -- you are such a help! Thank you so much. Appreciate your clarity and genius in sharing music production tips and tricks. We have just dived into music production and you have given us a very poignant leg up. Bravo, my friend! God bless.

[@masonrileyvevo4158]

Hey people listen to this guy, he's a recording professional, and he's been for over a decade! Don't go out and buy a computer. Just use what you gat! Believe me, when I started making music, I used my dad's old laptop he's had even before I was born and I'm 14, and I still use it today, and it makes no difference, even when you buy a new computer, it will still be the same as your old one.

[@FilmFlam]

This is a very helpful intro to home recording. Thank you.

[@anastasiayashchenko5552]

thank you so much for your videos and ,especially, for your Radio Guide, it's so helpful and professional

[@anirbanpl]

all starting a home studio should definitely watch this channel,

[@diggy2107]

You have no idea how long I was looking for a video like this, thank you!

[@_nickoustic_7923]

Is Reaper like the hidden gem of the DAW world lol nobody ever mentions it and that software is amazing

[@nathanaelbuchanan341]

Tracktion T7 is very good and also free

[@ConnorTBS]

I think cakewalk is the hidden gem of the DAW world 🤣🤣

[@jayzeegt5721]

@@ConnorTBS Agree

[@beat518]

Checked out a lot of recording videos. This is the best I've seen. No one comes close. I've learned a lot watching your videos. Thanks Graham 😀

[@beat518]

Proud subscriber here BTW 😃

[@sandragayle7866]

Why do guitar players always assume everyone who wants to learn to record their own music is a guitar player. Ok, but I am a harpist and yes I am new to recording my own music. I will admit I use something from guitarists like the headrush FX looperboard I think that's what It's call. I use it for my acoustic electric harp. Anyway thanks for your help your the first person who really made sense out of this. I have had everything your saying here for a while but did not know how to use it. Your really a great help!

[@CameronNoe]

You're a life saver. Thank you so much. 💪🏼

[@kage2722]

I've never subscribed to a channel so fast in my life. I've been looking at TONS of vids on coming in fresh into the music industry and how to buy gear for it.Also, how to create a song from scratch.And I can say you are the best and only person I've found so far. The only problem I have with myself is the buttons and the features and their meanings of what they do on the ProTools software cause I am lost with the techy stuff on there.

[@ronniemack4831]

Gain Knowledge

[@GovindGI]

Thank u Graham..... Its been getting absolutely worthy for me... I ve been quite off for sometime (I haven't been that good even xD) Now after many time and successful and successive failures, I have started producing music. Thank you for being a guide in this thing and you are kind of my teacher. Btw my interface is Scarlett solo too 😊😊😊. Waiting for more of your videos 😊😊😊. Thank you... You are amazing.!!

[@nostaticatall]

You're a great resource for many, many musicians, Graham. Thank you. This is exactly the kind of video I needed when I first started recording at home (not all that long ago) I'm still very interested in how you are going to approach this even though I'm not really a beginner and I use Studio One. It's just reassuring to watch someone who knows what they're doing go through the process from scratch - especially when they use very simple gear. Cheers!

[@Oreste2103]

Wow this will be such an essential serie for me thank you!

[@amitmahajs7555]

Only great people like you can share there knowledge!! Thanks

[@boypanot1509]

Thank u for your advice recording at its finest

[@tunaynecipoglu5402]

thankks for the tutorial i have watched tens of vids this was the best!!!!!!

[@marionsiempre7417]

You are amazing!!!! I can’t thank you enough!!!! I find audio editing quite haunting. As a professional photographer and a very experienced editor with photoshop, I’m humbled by the complexity of audio editing. Your explanations are so spot on and easy to follow! I’m your greatest fan! 🙏

[@onepunchgeorge9251]

Me and my Rythm guitar had a lot of fun with a P-BUS. A SMALL RECORDING STUDIO IN A POCKET Size device!🎶🎤

[@marcogman8905]

I hope you cover latency and buses. I struggle with those. I've learned a lot from all your videos. God bless.

[@henryraymond8676]

Hey Graham this is great! Especially using budget gear since so MUCH emphasis seems to be on purchasing the latest box of effects, patches or whatever. Playing a riff on a new radical patch is great but is that actually creating anything? I think we have lost some of that ability. I hear too much stuff that ALL sound the same or very similar to me. Nevertheless, this is awesome. Showing people how to get their ideas/songs down and make them sound good with little or at least not too much money. Some of this is a little redundant for me but hey who cares about me, it's for everyone out there. Keep up the good work. And yes, I've heard people who were simply good, Like Dan Fogelberg who used to play at my local coffee shop shop, or Allison Krause who used to play around the area, and many others who used to jam around here at U of I i.e. Illinois. But others somehow believed that their EQUIPMENT would make them good. It won't.

[@chemicle]

This first video of the series is outstanding Graham, ...... love the champagne ...... I'm pretty sure I'll be a customer shortly..... Thank you for the tips and quality tutorial.

[@andrealarson1102]

Your Recording Revolution videos are so very helpful. Started out with yours and John's podcasts and looking forward to anything you put out there and your classes too. Your teaching is exceptional because you sincerely want to share your vast recording knowledge without trying to claim that it's magic and unreachable. Thank you from my little cabin in Alaska.

[@sawyerbergeron3288]

If you want a great free daw, one that's currently emerging as a viable open source multi-platform solution is ardour. Amazing project, amazing people creating it. It works very well and they're adding new features constantly onto a very solid base.

[@CommonSenseTipsAndTricks]

Thanks for showing us that you don't have to spend a fortune to do this! I did not get a pro DAW but my free Audacity mixer is a great start! Especially since my top of the line Zoom professional series 16 channel Digital Mixer and CD Recorder is collecting dust! It was only $800 anyway! I had a pro musician friend tell me about that. But it is not near as convenient with my laptop mixer! Of course, my Zoom did come with Cubase software.

[@RayAndre]

I started out with that Zoom! You absolutely can start with what you have.

[@arjanblad416]

Awesome vids.... Thanks man... Bless you, greetings from the Netherlands !

[@leviandleenajohn4251]

Thank you so much. I've been watching your videos and they help a lot! Better start saving.

[@breakanimi]

I noticed you missed out a few key points that can be tricky for beginners, like Latency, how much gain you really need, and mic positioning (which wasn't in this video but I'm sure it'll come soon). I'm certain you'll add points later on in the series, I'll be following! Your videos are always a pleasure.

[@bolton454]

Thanks Graham for making these videos. I have tried for quite awhile to play to a click track but always seem to play better using a drum beat for tempo rather than click. Here is why; emphasizing the downbeat of a song, which a click track causes me to do, may not always produce the right musical feel. I have also added a 16th note element like a high hat to help me, at the slower tempos, stay in step. I am a drummer, song writer, guitar player, and like EZ Drummer for a metronome. Then go back and perform the drums after I get the rhythm section down. Just a personal preference. Peace and Light. KM

[@deadtotheworld00]

this is going to be super helpful! I'm looking forward to more episodes

[@frankzapata4087]

Amazing video i just saw this now! SUBSCRIBED! Thank you! I need to learn how to create music and add my voice to it

[@hipstarchild]

Great video...I was using cubase years ago, this video is motivating me to buy a budget set up and start writing music again. Thanks for sharing !

[@frankvet1]

Love your stuff. So much appreciate all your help in this arena. Awesome stuff!

[@johncorona997]

Awesome! I love your presentations and your super positive vibe.

[@leandrovasquezvega6003]

Dude, HUGE THANKS to you! I really appreciate it, this series are gonna be really helpful.

[@RunningSD]

yes i will learn so much with this series thanks @recordingrevolution!!

[@Jakodrums]

I have been searching a channel like this since last year!!! so glad and happy I found you, thank you!

[@ProvineStudios]

Great lesson. I like how you will use the free apps....just to let people know they dont have to always buy more and more stuff to get music moving!

[@courtnrysalamone7677]

Thank you so much for this video. Ive always written things on different instruments but ive recently gotten into writing full sings and mixing them but id always just use cheap recording software and play it outside of the computer recording through whatever mic was already in it This was a huge help

[@russcali6831]

Great videos for a beginner. Thanks. Numbering them 1-6 would have been helpful

[@instyle63]

Kindness is magic!

[@AlexWhitemusic]

Awesome Video!♥️ the only limit is yourself.You can do everything with simple things!👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@spyderlogan4992]

Thanks for getting back to the basics. And double thumbs up for the Focusrite Scarlett Solo(though there are plenty out there, this is the first and only one I've ever used.) Keeping it simple and inexpensive. It's all about the song and the performance. Well done.

[@michaelreaper666]

Really good Graham ..looking forward to your series !!

[@spaceorbison]

Since a large focus is beginners you should start mentioning Mixcraft for a DAW option, it's great.

[@joshnealmusic7782]

Thank you for making this series it has helped me to get started and I have actually started recording and making videos and getting some pretty good feed back.

[@johnduggan7896]

What a great series! Graham got me started recording my own music. Just uploaded my latest effort to my channel. There's so much to learn but I think I'm getting better. Thanks for the quality material Graham!

[@realraven2000]

4:33 you should really give the MAIN reason for recording to a click-track: without one, EDITING becomes 5 times harder. That's all there is to it. If you want to copy / move sections around, sync, or create tightness this is extremely hard without one. I have a lot of experience with "post-applied" tempo tracks even to music that was played freely and I increased my productivity by teaching myself how to add a tempo track so I could rebuild an arrangement. This stuff becomes very time consuming if you do it without being "on the grid".

[@joetroutt7425]

As a drummer and novice engineer I thought that was obvious but I guess not.

[@TimE_5150]

Great news Graham, looking forward to this series. You and Joe Gilder are tremendous resources for any and all musicians, producers, mix engineers etc. Keep up the awesome work!!

[@orb2150tx]

You're awesome, man. I hope you're getting what you're worth as a guide to us amateurs. Much appreciated.👍

[@josejcastaneda5826]

Thanks. I just bought the UR 44. My first interface. It has been headaches. I took it home and tried to hook it up. G.C. Didn't tell me there is a licenser that has to be bought separate. I installed it on my lap top and something didn't install properly. I tried calling the company and there is no number to call them. So, I wrote them an e-mail and it will take them about 48 hrs business hrs to reply. So it will be like 4 days. I am messing with it to see if I could get it to work and get familiarized with the software. Anyway, thanks for your videos. I got into it because of listening to you and the affordability you mentioned.

[@roxanne_george]

This is priceless! Thank you very much!

[@AsifKhan-fi1nx]

already ur student from here on... it's a promising series . I will recommend this to all aspiring musicians i know...keep it up mate

[@badmintonracketreview2814]

Your video's are very well executed, clear, concise and very useful - Well Done!

[@BhavyaRecordsOfficial]

Everything is fine. What about the acoustic treatment of room for recording vocals n instruments. Please cover that too Sir.

[@AMonkeysDoneItMedia]

Really happy to see this tutorial, thanks!

[@DrBreezeAir]

I wanna record my daughter. This is very helpful!

[@NEWLIFE-is7bm]

thank you so much for all you do. it is really helping me out! I could use some help copy writing

[@TheTwinDolls]

Awesome video, My Daughter loves to sing and I have no clue where to begin, but after watching this video I feel better! Just Subscribed to your Channel and Thanks for these beginner tips!👍

[@djrolixtraordinair4691]

You're awesome Graham.

[@michaelhanson7735]

Thanks , I’m a very accomplished guitarist and I’m trying to build a a recording studio and I really need help in what I need and how to use it, this did help some but if you could give me anymore advice I would greatly appreciate it, thanks again 🎶

[@robertrobc203]

Nice Idea buddy! Thanks for these helpful vidz. . . .

[@silversun9515]

Great job! I love that you are sharing your talent with the world so openly and free. Thank You!! You earned yourself one more subscriber :)