This week, we're talking all things recording. As it becomes more affordable and accessible to the average musician, getting yourself equipped to record at home or on the move has never been easier. We're chatting to a customer of ours, James Richards, 27, a bass player who has first hand experience of starting out as a novice, and using it to improve his playing.
H- Hi James. We're interested to know, what are your experiences with recording, both at home and out and about?
J- I bought my set up about a year ago, just before my partner and I were due to buy our first home together. With both of us being musicians, it was an easy choice what we wanted the second bedroom to be! We've currently got 3 basses, 4 guitars, a violin, a saxophone, a flute and a digital piano wedged in there, so we needed some kind of outlet to make having them all worth it! I didn't have any experience in recording at home, except for a few soundbites into the iPhone for reference, and other than reading a couple of magazines, I didn't have any knowledge of where to start. When I was in my originals band (Deadwax), we always recorded our demos in a professional studio, as well as our EP, so I was jumping in a little blind.
H- So what did you end up going for then? Were they recommended to you, or did you just shop around?
J- As the interface, I bought the Focusrite Scarlett 2i4, which I've found to be great. It does everything I need it to do and I'm happy with my choice.The only I'm after now is a condenser microphone, and I'm looking into buying a pair of KRK Rokit 6 monitors after Christmas.
H- What do you currently use your set up for?
J- I use my studio mainly for practice and getting ideas down. I find it really useful to record myself practicing, whether it be an exercise, a piece or a particularly fiddly bass line, so I can listen to it back and pick out what needs work. I also lay down simple accompaniment using the keyboard, so I can improvise over the top, and get the creative juices flowing, as well as getting a better understanding of styles and keys. I'm not a songwriter, but I find that having somewhere I can sit and record allows me to give it a try. Also, the function band I play in (The Collaterals) record our demos in it, and it means we don't have to shell out a load of money- we can just do it ourselves. No matter what kind of band you're in, you don't always have money laying around to pump into recordings. Buying the kit eliminates that problem.
H- Has having this space and equipment in your home helped you as a musician, or is this just a hobby and money saving tactic?
J- It's massively helped me improve; I really listen to what I'm playing now. Reviewing my work has stopped me from getting into bad habits and it pushes me to keep improving. I play more comfortably too- I know when I go to rehearsals and pro recordings that I'm at ease and can pace myself through the session without worrying too much. Now I understand the process and I know what an engineer is looking for, I can make the most out the time. It has also let me branch out into other instruments. I'm currently learning to play the piano and I'm getting myself acquainted with the guitar too, which in turn, improves my bass.
H- Would you recommend to other musicians, the benefits of having a set up like yours?
J- Definitely. I'd rather spend money on buying the equipment getting a new skill, than I would on a couple of recording sessions. I have all the control now, and no time limit. It's a bit like paying rent and paying a mortgage- you're still getting the roof over your head, but at least with a mortgage, you get to own it! It's never going to be dead money when it's your own stuff. Of course, sometimes it's better to go pro, especially if you're still learning like I am, but you can get yourself really brilliant products now as your skills improve. Also, recording on the move is great. I'm desperate to get myself a Focusrite iTrack solo, which connects to my iPad, so I can record wherever inspiration strikes, be it at a rehearsal or at a mates house. Creativity is always limitless- but now it's limitless, AND it sounds good!
@JRichardsBass
Thanks to James for giving us his thoughts and if you're a musician, like James, who is looking to be a bit more creative and delve into home recording then this month we have an exclusive offer on our Focusrite Studio Bundles.
For more products and exclusive deals check out:
www.hillsound.co.uk
The Holidays ARE coming. But not in a coca-cola advert way. We don't have a fire hazard fairy light covered truck. We don't have a savage lawsuit family of polar bears. We sort of have Father Christmas I suppose, in the form of Leonard and his merry band of elves. But what I know we have, for sure, is a kickass range of products. I know, I know, it's not Santa's workshop, these elves haven't made anything aside from sweet, sweet music and some questionable cookies being passed around the shop today. But we know these products inside out, and we want to arm you with as much experience and wisdom as we possibly can before you make your purchase with us.
We've now become dealers of Orange Amplifiers, which we're super excited about. We've got a great selection in store and they're flying out of the shop, so we've always got more coming in. New products have also been added to our Ibanez, Peavey and Martin lines, and we've got a great holiday discount on a fantastic Casio Celviano AP-245 digital piano. We're doing exclusive deals on our strings where you buy 3 packs for 25% off, making our prices the lowest in the country.
If you're embracing the christmas spirit and feeling generous and giving, we've got great ideas for gifts for your loved ones. Our range of Mahalo Ukeleles are fun, affordable, and a great way to get a beginner learning an instrument. Coming in a wide range of patterns and colours, they appeal to kids and there's an option for everybody- no excuses! Our Orange MicroCrush 3W for £35 is a fantastic little amp, a great gift for a friend who shreds and wants something small enough to fit in his bag, without breaking the bank.
So, feel the holiday cheer. No more moaning that it's 'only october'- just think back to when you were a kid, and you counted down the days until Christmas for months. Feel that childlike wonder and let your mind drift to thoughts of succulent turkey, the familiar itch of the dreaded Christmas jumper and the smile on your face when see a Christmas tree. That's what it's all about.
That, and presents.
I am so giddy with excitement about what we've just got in the shop. I love a hybrid- a fusion or 'mash up' if you will- but hadn't ever really considered doing it with instruments. Actually that is a huge lie- when I was 9 I made a guitar out of a tissue box and elastic bands with a neck that doubled up as a rain stick. I should be hearing from Dragons Den any day now. Now mash ups can go really well (see cucamelon) or really badly (see most things by Glee) but this one is simply brilliant. It sounds and looks a bit like a ukulele but it also sounds and looks a bit like a banjo. Mix that together and you get my new favourite instrument- the Banjolele!
When we pulled it out in the shop I fell in love instantly. It feels dinky as it sort of looks like a mini banjo, but what struck me more than it's size was how stunning it was. I've always loved the look of banjos in general and this one is no exception. It's got a gorgeous mahogany body and rosewood neck that just exudes luxury- you can tell that this is spectacular craftmanship. Despite it's size, it feels sturdy and safe, even in my fumbling hands. We had a little play on it while tuning it up and it was quite remarkable. Erring slightly more towards the sound of a uke, it's got a really unique timbre and offers a little more space on the fretboard. I really cannot big it up enough.
Pop in and see us in the shop to see for yourself- I am sure that it will intrigue you as much as it has me.
We've had this room here for a while now and it's kind of been a nameless place. Storing some books, housing some amps, that sort of thing. Until now.
She's now stepped into something a touch more seductive, a little black number. But it's not just the room- it's what's inside the room. It's full of deep tones, voluptuous curves and skilled hands. Yes. We're talking about our new bass room.
(You've got a cheeky mind...)
We're currently undergoing a facelift, not just online but also here in the shop. We've got new really exciting products coming in all the time- they deserve a beautiful home too!
Speaking of new exciting products, we've just started dealing Ibanez electric, acoustic and bass guitars and we've got some Rickenbacker basses coming in soon as well.
As ever, please do check out our Facebook and Twitter pages, and remember to sign up to our mailing list via our website www.hillsound.co.uk for all the latest news on our exclusive in-store offers.
Peace out, keep on rocking in the free world and stay cool.
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Hillsound is going viral. Not the kind of viral that you'd associate with a stinking cold, the new, 'modern' viral. So, given that, we've become budding bloggers! So we'd very much like for you, whoever you are to have a look at who we are and what we do on our website HillsoundUK and on our various social media pages. We have loads of great offers coming in soon and some exciting new products to tell you about, so you can count on us when we say you'll be hearing from us again soon. In the meantime, see what we're up to on
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