Recording

You don't need a wand to conjure up sonic magic, just a few well-chosen recording tools.

Recording to a computer can make it easier than ever before to produce a great vocal sound - but there are also pitfalls to watch out for...

Paul White provides some practical tips for achieving better recorded bass guitar and bass synth sounds.

You might be a virtuoso instrumentalist and a dab hand at programming, but can you get the two skills to work together? Sam Inglis offers some tips.

We explain how to get the best practical results from equalisation by understanding the true frequency ranges of most instruments and voices.

Simon Millward demonstrates how to use the tools for extracting groove templates from audio recordings within most MIDI + Audio sequencers and offers his tips and techniques for using them to achieve more feel in your tracks.

While physical modelling preamps may take the hassle out of recording electric guitars, you're still going to need to reach for a mic when recording acoustic guitar. Paul White shows you how to get the best recorded sound, and offers a few of his favourite tricks of the trade.

EQ is a vital tool in modern music production, and an understanding of how each type of equaliser works is important if you are to choose the most effective one for each situation. Paul White and Mike Senior explain the basic principles of equalisation and the different practical implementations.

As with any recording system, the first goal of recording on a PC is to preserve as faithful a copy of the source sound as possible. Achieving this, however can be a complicated business. Martin Walker goes back to basics.

Craig Anderton shows you how to get the best results when combining miked and DI'ed feeds from a bass guitar.

Gates are far more than just problem-solvers for reducing spill and noise. They can be used to add punch to drum sounds, put rhythmic interest into sustained parts or even as mixing automation.

Paul White reveals that there's much more to gating than you might think.

Hugh Robjohns and Mike Senior explains how to get great results when creating arrangements one track at a time.

With drum machines and samplers becoming increasingly prominent in music production, mixing real drums is becoming something of a lost art. Paul White explains the basics of this important mixing skill, and shares some secrets on how to get the best drum sound.