Dave Darlington – Recording Fundamentals

In this video, Dave explains the process of getting audio into a recording system, processing it, and sending it back out as a final mix. You’ll learn the difference between analog and digital recording as well as the basics of sampling and converters.

What’s the point of all that hardware in the studio? In this video, Dave shows you. You’ll be shown different types of recording systems and analog hardware needed for a proper recording studio. You’ll see that sound has to be converted to (and from) data before and after a computer gets involved in the process.

In this video, Dave discusses getting prepared for the actual recording session when it includes other artists or when using a professional studio. Time is valuable so learn how to spend it well especially before the session begins. You’ll be given Dave’s advice accumulated over years of making recordings hits so you can begin to do the same.

Know your tools. Here in this video, Dave introduces you to MIDI, the digital interface that began the computer-recording revolution. You’ll go over interfaces and connections that blend the music-making and computer worlds.

What turns individual sounds into a cohesive work of art? In this video, Dave introduces you to mixers. You’ll learn the functions and features--channels, faders, aux sends, and returns, subgroups-- that all mixers use to provide you a variety of ways to distribute your music.

You’ve started recording your project, but you need to not only hear it, but hear it accurately. In this video, Dave talks to you about monitors. You’ll be given valuable advice about choosing the right monitor speakers for your studio and teaches you why ones that sound great in the store aren’t always the best for your session.

All signals travel a unique path into your final mix. Knowing that path through different processors such as equalization and compression circuits impacts its sound which can help or hurt your mix. In this video, Dave explains to you signal flow so you can be aware of how to use it to your benefit.

Classic hardware is still used in professional studios to provide unique sonic qualities and functionality that improves a computer’s use. In this video, Dave teaches you the purpose of these processors so you can use them as they were intended to be.

Time to learn the science of sound. From waves to frequencies to pitch, and decibels, in this video Dave walks you through the basics of understanding the displays of your DAW as well as how they relate to music.

Before buying new gear, you need to know some important concepts above the building blocks. In this video, Dave shows you the digitizing process and the terms involved so you’ll know how to separate the bits from the bytes.

Sampling is the foundation for digital. In this video, Dave teaches you the basics about sampling rates, bit depths, file formats, and other important concepts to be implemented in your EDM recording project.

Tools can only do so much; eventually it comes down to the one using them. While computers can do much in the recording process, it comes down to you in the analog realm. Good news - you can easily control this. In this video, Dave talks to you about conditions that can make it more difficult for securing a good mix as well as making sure your studio sessions sounds like a professional one.

Options for acoustical treatments abound: absorbers, diffusers, bass, traps, etc. In this video, Dave offers you examples from his studio to demonstrate how to problem solve in your own space so you can enhance the level of your recording sessions.

What does a mic do? Transform air pressure into an electronic signal. In this video, Dave goes more into detail for you as well as explaining the differences between mic types, polar patterns, and other features. You’ll also be given a demonstration from Dave in the Bass Hit vocal booth on mic setups and their operations in an actual recording session.

The devil is in the details. In this video, Dave describes the features of the most common type of mic, the dynamic mic, in addition to the ribbon mic. You’ll be shown their use in the vocal booth.

The condenser mic is the first choice for most recording tasks. Valued for its versatility in securing a wide frequency range from long distances and detailed in it’s frequency response - this mic reigns supreme. In this video, Dave teaches you how to make the best use of it.

The electronic transducer captures sound and converts it into an electronic signal, most commonly for the strings of a guitar. It's often called a pickup. In this video, Dave offers you the fundamentals of pickup designs and explains their different uses.

In this video, Dave provides an overview of DAW. You’ll receive descriptions of all the features involved in a band recording session such as the tracks, editing and mixing windows. You’ll also be taught digital concepts such as digital conversion, non-destructive editing, and essential features such as the undo command and automation which transformed sound recording.

In this video, Dave starts to prep for a live band recording session. You’ll see how he sets up the DAW with multiple tracks assigned to drums and other equipment. Dave explains DAW features such as templates, stereo and mono tracks, and file management. You’ll also be shown instruments that are miked and those that are synced directly into the system using a direct inject box.

In this video, Dave continues to setup for a live band session. Here, he talks to you about the use of aux sends in the mixer window to setup headphone mixes for each player in the studio. You’ll see how to keep tracks organized on the mixer and how to keep the control room mix independent of the mix for the players. Dave also adds some basic reverb to give each artist some ambiance in the mix.

In this video, Dave talks to you about effects before the actual recording begins. You’ll be shown the main use of reverbs and delays as well as their common settings.

In this final video, Dave concludes his outline of effects processors by detailing modulation effects such as phasing and flanging. You’ll be shown the basic structure of the audio you produce in your DAW in addition to learning the advantages / disadvantages of lossless audio file formats such as WAVE, AIFF and lossy formats such as MP3. Thanks for watching and enjoy!