Making your Ubuntu into a Record Studio

This article assumes you are using Ubuntu 10.04 or 10.10. If you haven't allready installed it you might want to check out the Installing Ubuntu in Windows as a program using Windows. In case you've allready installed Ubuntu I can only say Congratulations, you've just made a great choice by choosing Linux!

Now this might be your first FOSS product (Free and Open Source Software), realizing that most of everything you see in front of you is made by people like you and me that sacrificed there spare time in order to make this product. I assume you already looked around in ubuntu? If not you should just go ahead. The beauty about installing Ubuntu in Wubi is that you can screw it all up without any harm is done. You can always boot into Windows and throw Wubi of your system again.

Installation of Software
If you did look around in ubuntu you have seen the Ubuntu Software Center standing out of the menu without a doubt!

Ubuntu Software Center in the Applications menu

When we click it open we see that we can install a awful lot of them. We don't want to install all of them, that's for sure.

Ubuntu Software Center

But! we do want to install a lot of them. To make things a bit easier for us some guys made Ubuntu-Studio. This is an Operating system that uses Ubuntu as a base. They made a few tweaks to make it better. An operating system based on Linux is often called a Distro. Anyways, Ubuntu-Studio is a great thing for us without a doubt. But the moment being there are a few things in Ubuntu-Studio that aren't that good as the standard Ubuntu.
Since I claimed that everyone should be able to install this I opted for the normal Ubuntu. (Ubuntu-Studio can't be Wubi either.)

We'll use the advantages of Ubuntu-Studio anyways!
The first thing we need are our applications/programs/apps (whatever you want to call them). More than 25 five to be correct. This would still be a lot of work in Software Center (25 clicks! Yeah I'm lazy!). So what do we do. We open a terminal window. you either do this by going to:
Applications > Accessories > Terminal
Or by pressing:
ALT+F2 entering gnome-terminal and pressing RUN.

Once we have our terminal open we have to type:

sudo apt-get install ubuntustudio-audio

The terminal will ask for our administrator (root) password. Normally this is your own password since you are the primary user. If you aren't the primary user you should ask the system admin what his password is.
The terminal window will now install the apps we need.

Now lets take a closer look to what 'sudo apt-get install ubuntustudio-audio' does.
The first word is sudo, this will make sure the rest of the line is performed as if we were the administrator of the system. (Its a safety feature so people who aren't authorized can't install new applications)
Next we have apt-get this stands for aptitude-get. This still says nothing but in essence it calls the program that installs applications (the software center is also a program that installs other applications, you can't have two of these open at the same time)
Word number three is install, this is an easy one, it tells apt-get that we are going to be installing the packages that follow.
The last word ubuntustudio-audio is the name of the package we want to be installing. The ubuntustudio-audio package is a bit of a strange package, it doesn't house 1 application, it houses a ton of them. But basically you can change this into any package you want to install. If you'd like to install gnome-do you can enter 'sudo apt-get install gnome-do'.
NOTE: during install terminal will ask you if you want to use realtime audio, if you are running on any system newer than a pentium 4 you should definitely say yes, if you are on a pentium 4 it's up to you to decide
The realtime audio will make sure that your audio has very low latency.

Now you know what you did we're going to do this again but now for an other application. We might have all the audio applications we need, we don't have all the plugins that we need to get everything going like we want it to go. That's why we are going to install those plugins by entering:
sudo apt-get install ubuntustudio-audio-plugins
in terminal.
This package will make sure all our programs will work how we want them to work.

When you go to Applications > Sound & Video you'll see you've got a ton of apps there. Go ahead and try some. Some of them won't work now or will say that they require JACK. No worries, we'll cover that soon! ;-)

Make sure you check this place again from time to time because from now on things might just follow up a lot quicker ;-)

kind regards


Woutervddn
TechProjectMasters

PS: sorry for the bad photo quality. I'll use a better imagehost next time ;-)

Installing Ubuntu in Windows as a program using Windows

Next step in our journey: making sure we've got linux.

Because I know many of you like to try that thing first before really installing it as an independent OS I've made a video about it.
(As you can here I'd better buy myself a new microphone, sorry for that)



Leave your questions/comments as a reply ;-)


Woutervddn
TechProjectMasters

Coding, it's a funny world

hi guys,

I'm checking in to tell you there isn't much to say here.. xD

At the moment I'm using the joystick to see what the possibilities are.
For this I'm rewriting some code, which is hard because I never used C or C++ before..

Where do I stand? I already managed to change the buttons behavior.
They used to change the channel, but just yesterday I managed to let them play notes. (But they don't stop playing after that, but I'm working on that!)

As you might know the joystick's input is changed to the MIDI protocol, which I sniffed out to find what I was looking for.

Be sure to check the site every so often, because there is going to be tons of useful info here! Every day I notice new things that should be documented better.

Anyways,


I'll write a post soon with more info about installing Linux as a program on windows, and after that the world is yours to start experimenting with it!

keep tuned!





woutervddn
TechProjectMasters

Getting some joy out of a stick

Hi guys,

I've just picked a joystick up that I've bought from a site like ebay. This is the first one of two that will be used for the midi controller...

It's a trust joystick with 6 axes and 12 buttons. But for some reason my software picks up 7 axes and 13 buttons, so that gives me a mission to exploit that! with a little luck I find two extra unused connectors inside of the joystick!


trust usb joystick

I already had a joystick a trustmaster topgun fox2pro usb joystick, but that one cost me over €50 (+/-60$) so I won't be using that one. The reason I mention this is because both joysticks helped me determine if the software could handle two joysticks at the same time. and guess what, it does!
(btw, you really feel that the trustmaster is way more decent then the trust.. the trust uses suckers to keep in place whereas the trustmaster has weights inside to be more steady!)


Trustmaster usb joystick


This is a very welcome event because that means there isn't much left that would make my project fail.

You might remember I said a goal of making that midi-controller (that everyone could make) for less than 20€. Well, the original idea was to use just 1 joystick for that. but having 13 buttons and 6 axes might not be enough for some of you, that's why I decided to add an other controller. I did this for a few other reasons as well:

-you now can control two programs without interference
-you can add multiple effects
-the second controller is a playstation2 controller, a big advantage because everyone can find one of those..
-it makes the controller a decent competition for other midi-controller out there that cost over 120..

Now because of those huge benefits I've chosen to use two of them, leaving me with not much money left.. This controller cost me €5 second hand. The other controller will be a new one and costs me €10. I'm starting to doubt the possibility to get all faders and knobs we'll use for €5..

Dough I am confident that when you use only one controller (playstation controller, 6 axes, 10 buttons) you can make the controller for €20 with faders, knobs, and case!

So I'm hoping to get everything under €20, you better start praying for me ;-)



P.S.: when I was testing the 2 controllers I noticed that my trustmaster didn't respond on one channel.. I made it open and saw a connection was broken, fairly easy to make. But I'll be making a video of it so anyone can make his joystick..



woutervddn
TechProjectMasters

get your voice out!

See the Open-Source Sound/Record Studio Project overview

hi guys!
Today I want to talk about microphones. I've just spent over 2 hours reading stuff about microphones! And guess what, I still haven't got it all figured out. But have figured out what matters for recording! (I don't think most of you will lie awake because they don't know how the microphone works, electromagnetic forcefields aren't that interesting (for recorders))

At first I want to make three big categories: Dynamic mics, Ribbon mics, and condenser mics.


dynamic microphone

A dynamic microphone is one of the most common used microphones out there, they are quiet cheap and are able to handle a lot. In general we can say artists use these microphones when performing on stage. They can handle a damn high amount of dB's and are very shock resistive. But if you want to record audio in a studio there are better options, the strength and the ability to handle high dB's make the quality less good than the other mics.


ribbon microphone

Ribbon mics and condenser mics, those are the once you want to use when recording in a studio. If you compare them both there can be discussion about which one is best. But in my opinion condensor mics are just a slightly bit better than ribbons. They both sound very full and will be able to get a lot of warmth out (think about the radio presentators who have voices you'd kill for.. they use ribbons or condensors). I think a condenser just has a little more warmth in the lower spectrum. There is a nice warm, deep tone that's just a little better than the ribbons.


condenser microphone with stabilization

PATTERNS
An other thing you'll have to keep in mind is the polar pattern of your microphone.
This will tell you how which amount of the signal is captured from different angles.

when you're in a studio and want to record voice it doesn't really matter, you just don't want a 'shotgun' pattern. If you are using a drum and want an overal sound you'll probably have a better sound with an omni-directional.
If you're singing with multiple people a subcardioid pattern is great.


Different microphone patterns

EXTRA
Everyone of you who has allready spoken in to a mic knows the ssssss and pop effect. it ruins everything. That's why you'll want to use a pop-filter, normally you can find those for around 10€ these days, but you can make one yourself. Just take an old nylon, cut a leg off, cut the toes, cut it open lengthwise, fold double and clamp over a embroidery clamper.
An other thing that might help is a stabilizer. this allows your microphone to stand still when minimal vibrations occur (yes it can make a difference with good microphones), such as a passing car on the street.
A stand is quiet essential, without it you won't be able to set the mic in a permanent position and this will affect your record!

As a last hint I want to advice you to look around on ebay for a secondhand microphone, and if you are to buy one consider buying a set. I've seen a set with a pretty decent Fame condenser microphone, a cable, pop-filter, stand and usb soundcard for 180€. This is a lot of money but a microphone is everything for your song!

One encore: monitoring your output true a set of headphones will not be the same as just hearing yourself sing. Studies have proven that the sound of the headphones and the sound we hear in our head differs half a note!


woutervddn
TechProjectMasters

Cheapest usb midi mixer I could find.

Hi guys,
I was just looking at some midi mixers. I've noticed that the cheapest once are those who only have usb.

There were two wo took my intrest:
the Behringer BCR 2000 B-Control Rotary USB Midi Controller

but at €139 that's a lot of money if you're just starting.


behringer BCR2000

The other one was the Miditech MTB Command "Black" USB Midi Controller
at €148.


Miditech MTB command black usb midi controller

Again this isn't cheap. There's even more, the Miditech device has 17 analog controls and a jog-wheel, which you could call semi-analog. (more about this in the MIDI tutorial)
The Behringer has 32 analog controls but no linear faders, only knobs..
Anyway, both these devices (esp. the Behringer) are really really sharp priced!(but you might even find them cheaper on ebay) Still this is a huge amount of money, considering we'll be making a mixer with 11 analog controls for only 20€ (27$). And not just any mixer, a mixer in which you control how your knobs or fader should go!

Wondering what the benefits are of a custom mapping?
Well some of you might want to use it to record a performance of there musicgroup, they don't need to have control about the monitor and the record signal, a monitor would be useless, they are performing life!

But others among you might want to sing a duet, they need a monitor signal of there voice so they can hear te music and there voice at the same time!
for them a control surface with two channels might be prefert. They can use the other controls (2 left per channel) to control there gain and there fader.

Stay tuned,
this tutorial will be shockingly simple!



woutervddn
TechProjectMasters

Open-Source Sound/Record Studio: How to set up your physical installation

See the Open-Source Sound/Record Studio Project overview

Time has come, get started building that studio!


a Home Recording Studio

I found a video the other day that makes everything I would write about subject even better. It's well explained, and very clear. So instead of making a tutorial about that part myself, I will be cheating (only this one time..) Unfortunately it doesn't include some tips about what you should invest in and what not. So, I'll be still covering that part myself ^^

Anyway: How to set up your physical Sound/Record Studio:
Howcast - how to set up a home recording studio


So, if you saw the video you'll be aware that you require these:

work surfaces
swivel chair
computer
mixer
microphone
speakers

No I must say it's true.. BUT your work surfaces should reflect what you are going to do with your studio, if you don't have a keyboard stand but you'll be using a keyboard you'll need more space than someone who's going to record some vocals.


keyboards @ your studio

Next comes my biggest problem with the whole video, the swivel chair. Yes you'll need a good seat if you're planning on working a whole day in your studio. But paying 100's isn't going to make your recording better! If you're a singer you'll be much more with a good microphone than with a swivel chair... (but more about microphones later.

For the mixer I'd like to say following, having an audio mixer is nice! As you are recording some audio source with a microphone you'll have to take some things in consideration:


a semi-advanced studio/recording mixer

For most of us it will be hard to sing without hearing the music, naturally you'll put the music on when you sing. But recording the music on 1 line with your voice isn't a good idea, it will ruin every chance of editing it later on (and if you can manage to get the sound of, it will be tough!)

In order to solve this you can play the audio true your headset. Though this will unable you to hear yourself singing properly. If you're only using a computer you can "monitor" your voice by sending it back at you true the headset. But I dare you to try this out! You'll notice you start singing slower and slower and aren't singing on the melody anymore. Why is that? Latency!


Latency kills good recordings

Latency occurs inside your computer (but almost all monitoring devices will have a minimal amount of latency). The reason that a pc slows the audio output down is because the processor will be to busy recording your voice. You can solve this by buying very expensive audiocard, Creative has a lot of them. So your mixer can be handy to solve this, I've got a very simple mixer to do monitor my recordings.


an expensive, hi-end audiocard

I'm not going to use this mixer in a few weeks because I'll show you how to make your own monitor! this will enable you to connect your computers audio-out to your headset and your microphone, your microphone will be sending his audio to the computers in and your headset will let you hear all sounds.

If you don't have a mixer nor any other monitor device you'll still need to use your computer. if you want to do this you can find low latency drivers to help you to reduce that.
Hint: note that when you are recording multiple channels at once (guitar, voice, drum all live and recorded on a seperate channel) your computer will be working very hard which increases your latency.

So things you should invest with are those that help to make your recording better. A good microphone is worth gold! you'll see this when checking for one, as there prices can be over 1000€ (+1000$). A good headset will let you enjoy your work a lot more, don't use earbuts! they not only harm your ear, but they also start itching and are horrible to wear for a long time!


a decent headset, worth every penny

If you have a little band and want to record everything on a seperate channel you might be finding yourself in the position of not having enough record signals on your computer, you can buy USB-soundcards with multiple record channels for under 40€ (45$) if you look for them well. For people in belgium and the netherlands Conrad sells sweex boxes for 30€. Those boxes will not have hi-end quality but thats okay since the quality of your record will mainly be determent by your microphone.
Hint:if you have a playstation with singstar and connect the mics with the singstar usb connector you can use that as two extra inputs. (tho realize there quality is far from excellent)


Ardour, multi-channel recording studio for free

Making your own music doesn't stop with just voice, you'll need to record instruments (or compose your music on a computer). Some of them use real microphones (guitars,drums,flutes,..) for those the same rules apply as for your voice: USE HEADPHONES! Other instruments like keyboards use an internal recording without a microphone here you just use speakers instead of your headphones.

Of course the rule applies (in general) that more money equals more quality. But spent your money wisely, neither your desk, your chair or your graphical card will let your records sound better!



Conclusion:
Before you start over-think the space you'll be using and how you are going to use it. Make sure you've got environmental echoes covered.
Invest in a good Microphone, (a good soundcard)and a good headset.
Speakers are nice when you record microphone-less devices, and to listen final recordings, in my opinion they should be in your studio, but don't spent money on them if you can't buy a decent microphone! Also don't spent money on a mixer if you're not planning on using it for more than just monitoring.
If you are writing your own music and need to record the melody, think about buying a secondhand keyboard if you don't already have another instrument. If you don't know how to play an instrument and want to learn one quick, buy a keyboard, not a guitar! When you buy a keyboard ALWAYS make sure it has MIDI, you might not use it now but it won't take long until you'll miss that option! I'm fairly confident that every MIDI keyboard has an audio out port so no stress for that.

Because this thread is already so long I'll make another one (today or tomorrow) which tells you what kind of microphone you should use.
EDIT: the microphone thread is available here
Get your voice out!

BTW: if you have questions, post them as comments..

Woutervddn
TechProjectMasters

A very long long journey

Hi there,

I must say I didn't thought that starting this project would take me so far.
As my list keeps growing and growing I'm forced to learn more and more things.

As I was thinking/working at a new skin for LMMS it crossed my mind that I couldn't fully adjust it. So here I am, starting to learn C++ from nothing with nothing but the LMMS source code...

As I'm not really planning to do a big change or add extra features this isn't really learning to develop C++ information, it's more like starting to learn the syntax and start editing existing code.

If you are making your own skin (or planning to) please let me know and consider uploading it to the LMMS Sharing Platform


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Woutervddn
TechProjectMasters

Additions to the Open-Source Sound/Record Studio Project

Hi all,

Ass I'm working on the first stages of this project, I was thinking I should include you guys. So here's my idea, I want you guys to tell me what else I should cover in this project. Or even better, cover an interesting addition yourself and become my hero!

Btw, The simple mixer I said? it might just be a little more then just a mixer (but still for the same price..)

hope to here from you...




Woutervddn
TechProjectMasters

read more about the Open-Source Sound/Record Studio Project @
http://techprojectmasters.blogspot.com/p/open-source-soundrecord-studio.html

Open-Source Sound/Record Studio: Introduction

The first project of TechProjectMasters will cover a whole set of 'tutorials'/'tips-and-tricks' about how to make yourself an open-source sound/record station.

For those of you who don't understand why I will make an Open-Source studio: Well.. There are several reasons. First one is price, not everyone has the money to buy all those programs and if you're willing to distribute your music those have to be legal... It's like being a DJ with downloaded music, if they get you, you'll hang!

Second of all because it's just the most rational sollution. Generally we've got three possible systems/OS'es that we can use, Windows, OSX, and Linux.
While most of you will be running windows it isn't really suited for recording. It has really big latency (yes I know we're talking about ms but it really matters). The second option is OSX, which can only be installed on a way to expensive Apple  computer (and I believe everyone should have the change to do it). And as for linux, well, it has special low latency drivers, it's free, it's as advanced or simple as you want, and best of all: I'll show you HOW TO INSTALL LINUX AS A PROGRAM in Windows and still use it as a stand-alone OS. (And I love Open-Source software)


Now I'm saying sound/record station because I will handle  both live performance and recordings. I'm gonna try to handle the whole project from start to end. But please feel free to experiment... And if you find something intresting please post it hear. All tips are usefull and it might just be the solution for someone else here...

Now to give you a better idea about what I'm going to cover in the tuts I'll list it out for you:
- How to set up your physical installation.
- How to set up your verry own Linux Record Station
- How to work with it
- How to rerout internal audio
- How to record either 1 or multiple tracks at the same time
- How to make your own music with a computer
         like I said both live and for records, with a whole load of programs
         from drumcomputers over sequencers and synths to studio software
- How to convert existing music
- How to use a mixer (physical and virtual as they don't really differ)
- How to do a good recording
- How to connect a MIDI device
- How to use your joystick as a MIDI device
- How to setup your midi device

Now, if you think that is a lot, just remember I'm only starting..
The real fun starts after this as I'm going to tell you how to make/build your own:
- Audio mixer
- Microphone or input device monitor (without a computer to avoid latency)
- Super Cheap MIDI mixer (I'm hoping to get it tall made for less then €20 or 27$. 
- Advanced MIDI studio mixer with LOADS of inputs.

Now as you might see, I'm not going to cover all of this in 1 post. To be honest with you I don't even know everything from the above list, but I'm sure I'll figure it out by the time I need it.

I will not do these tuts in this line-up. the reason for this is that the whole project started because my girlfriend wanted to sing again, as her project will have different needs true time I will give those priority.

So, if you are interested in this don't forget to subscribe. Just use the RSS feed and stay in touch while the project progresses



Woutervddn
TechProjectMasters