As an independent artist, I’ve spent years learning how to record music on my own. From the earliest demos in my bedroom to the polished tracks you hear today, I’ve experimented with countless techniques, gear, and workflows. If you're wondering how to record music and want a real-world perspective, I’ll walk you through exactly how I do it—DIY style.
1. It Starts with a Song
Before I even think about hitting "record," I make sure the song is ready. For me, that means writing something that comes from experience—something honest. Whether I’m writing about personal struggles like in “Mistakes” or something empowering like “Free,” I always start with a strong idea and raw emotion. That energy is what drives every part of the recording process.
2. Setting Up My Home Studio
You don’t need a million-dollar studio to make great music. My setup includes:
- DAW: I use Reaper. Extremely powerful and low cost
- Audio Interface: Focusrite Scarlett.
- Microphones: Senheiser e835 for vocals, and a Rode NT1 for acoustics
- Monitors: JBL LSR305s for clear, honest playback.
- Headphones: Steven Slate VSX.
- Instruments: My go-to G&L Telecaster, Geddy Lee Jazz Bass, and a basic MIDI keyboard.
If you’re just starting out, don’t overthink it. Learn the gear you have inside and out.
3. Recording Vocals and Instruments
I usually begin by tracking the rhythm guitar and build from there. Once I get a solid groove with drums and bass, I layer lead guitar, synths, or any textures the track calls for. I like to capture vocals last because that’s when the emotion is fully dialed in.
My tip? Always record a dry, clean take of everything. You can add effects later—but you can’t undo a bad take.
4. How I Use Compression and EQ
Knowing how to record music also means knowing how to control the dynamics. I use compression to tighten things up—especially on vocals and bass. For EQ, I’m careful not to overdo it. I cut what’s unnecessary and let each instrument sit in its own frequency range.
5. The Importance of Layers
Even simple songs like “Without You” have layers—doubled vocals, background harmonies, guitar overlays. That’s what makes a recording sound full. I don’t add layers just to make things busy—I do it to add emotion, impact, and clarity.
6. Mixing and Mastering
I mix most of my music myself. It’s a balance of volume, space, and tone. I take breaks during mixing to let my ears reset. For mastering, sometimes I do it in-house, sometimes I outsource. The key is to make sure it sounds great across all speakers—phone, car, headphones, and home systems.
7. Final Thoughts on How to Record Music
Learning how to record music has been a long, rewarding journey for me. I didn’t go to school for audio engineering—I learned by doing, messing up, and improving with every song. If I can leave you with one piece of advice, it’s this: record often, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to sound bad before you sound great.
If you’re curious about the music I’ve recorded using this exact process, check out my latest releases like “Identity,” “Welcome to the New Frontier,” and “Tears.” Every note you hear was built using these same fundamentals.