Getting Started
Though not required, reservations for the studio are encouraged because there is often high demand.
Steps for capturing a basic voice recording
Report to the Innovation Lab, 1st floor desk and let them know that you're here to use the sound studio. Studio personnel will open the space and turn on lights. They will stay to help you perform the first three steps.
- Mac - touch the shift key to wake or power in back left to turn on
- Apollo 8xP Thunderbolt - switch on right-side of bar, move to up position
- Apollo Twin - switch on back
- TV monitor - optional, use remote to power on
- Lights in sound both - white remote control
On the desktop there is a folder called "Getting Started". Inside are two folders. One is for the Console Presets and one is for the Recording Templates. Go into each folder and double click the short cut that corresponds to how many microphones you'll be using. Do this in this order:
- Console program (coordinates all the microphone inputs to the computer)
- Logic Pro (the audio recording and editing software)
- Each microphone has it's own track. Ensure each track has record enabled.
- Push record button.
- Go into the booth and speak into each microphone.
- Return to the computer and stop the recording.
- Play back the recording to verify sound is properly captured.
- If you heard sound from each microphone, you're ready! Push record again, return to the booth and record.
- If you didn't hear sound, you'll need some troubleshooting. The studio personnel can help with this.
- If you will be in the booth and wish to observe the software during recording, drag the console or Logic Pro window to the left to get it onto the TV monitor on the wall.
- Push the record button at the top, center of the screen.
- On the Logic Pro file menu select Bounce, make sure MP3 format is checked.
- Save the files to the Thawspace folder on the Mac desktop.
- Copy your files to your USB drive or OneDrive.
Check the track recording and monitoring settings. https://youtu.be/2BJLCXwKZoM Create and save your own presets.
- Podcast Editing in Logic Pro (2:49 minutes)Want intro and outro music for your podcast? Learn the essentials quick.
- Modify Your Voice Over (18:33 minutes)There are lots of plugins that modify audio. This video demonstrates how to use a few Logic Pro plugins to make your voice sound great.
Software to Make Files
Here are some resources to help you use the software programs for audio recording and editing.
- UA ConsoleUniversal Audio's Console software has a ton of options, but you can get started with these videos.
- Logic Pro X (ebook)Logic Pro is the software we recommend in the studio. It is easy enough to get started but powerful enough to handle advanced needs.
- GarageBand (ebook)Software built into Mac OS.
There's also some software you can download to your own machine for free.
- AudacityFree audio editing software.
- LunaProprietary software by Universal Audio. Free for download. (Mac only.)
- Davinci ResolveVideo and audio editing software. Free for download.
Equipment Manuals
- Microphone: AKG C414 (PDF)English version starts on page 27.
- Microphone: Sennheiser MD421-II (PDF)There's only one adjustment option, which is pictured on the bottom right of page 2.
- Apollo X8P Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface (PDF)The front panel is explained starting on page 12.
- Apollo Twin (PDF)Page 19 has a handy overview of the controls.
- Shure KSM42 Large dueal-Diaphragm Condenser MicrophoneThe operations section has information on positioning.
Know Your Terms
The audio recording industry has a lot of special terminology and acronyms. We've defined some common words for you.
- UAD - Universal Audio Digital"Universal Audio" is the name of a particular hardware and software company. In the context of audio production, when someone mentions UAD, they are referring to a piece of hardware or software that handles or modifies digital sound.
- Sends - short for send tracksSends are used to apply a collection of adjustments to multiple tracks. For example, you have six drums in a drum set and you record each drum on a separate track. You make all the sound adjustments on a seventh blank track and "send" those to the other six tracks.
- Pan - short for panoramic controlThe panoramic control moves the apparent position of the sound to left or to right (stereo effect).
- DAW - Digital Audio Workstation
- Insert EffectsThis determines if plug-in effects are recorded to the sound track or only heard in the monitor headphone or speaker.
