How to Record a Song at Home Easily

Co-authored by Aaron Asghari

Last Updated: September 6, 2024 References

So you have written a couple songs, and now you are ready to record them. You don't need to rent an expensive studio or hire technicians; with just a computer, a guitar or any other instrument, and a microphone, you can record it at home with decent quality.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Making a Home Studio

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You will need this to record vocals. ^{[1]
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This could be GarageBand, Logic, Cubase, ProTools or even Audacity!

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Guitars? Bass? Drums? Make sure you have the necessary equipment to record these. For guitars and basses with your amp and one or two cables, it's okay. For drums you might need specific mics that are quite expensive.
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Plug your guitar to your amp as you would normally. Take off the end of the cable that is connected to the amp.
- You might need a little adapter to convert from a 6.35mm end to 3.5mm (standard headphone jack measure), then plug it to your computer's Audio-In port. (Usually next to the Audio-Out, or where you plug headphones or in newer Mac models, it's the same for Audio In & Out)
Make proper adjustments for the DAW to recognize your guitar plugged and for the program to record from that line (either Mono or Stereo).

Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Recording Other Instruments

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You can also mic your amp, by putting the mic close to the amp and set the program to receive that signal.
For the drums you can use Drum Machines included on some DAWs, like GarageBand or Acoustica Mixcraft. ^{[2]
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Keyboards often have a MIDI-out or a USB port so you can record directly, if not, use the headphone jack on it and plug it like you plugged the guitar/bass/microphone. ^{[3]
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Other instruments like violins or pianos need a microphone in order to be recorded.
Your voice can be recorded either using a common microphone plugging it the way you plugged your guitar; or you can use any USB microphone. Guitar Hero or Rock Band mics work perfectly, people have recorded a whole EP with them, so don't be afraid to try them!

Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Recording Quick and Dirty

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Record on your phone . Phone recorders are increasingly high-quality, and can be just as easy for getting quick ideas down on record so you can play them back as in setting up an elaborate DIY studio with your computer. All you've got to do is click a button and place the phone close to the source.
- Try downloading higher-quality audio recorders than the default one that comes on the phone. HD options are available for no more than a few dollars--much cheaper than ProTools or other pro software. ^{[4]
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  [V161134_b01]. 27 August 2019.}

Digital recorders like Zoom mics are great for recording acoustic music in quiet settings, just as good at getting field recordings and capturing the ambience of the room. You can record it straight into the recorder, play it back, and upload it to your computer as an mp3 to listen to later and share with your friends.
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Get an old cassette tape boombox for recording acoustic music. If it was good enough for the Mountain Goats, who recorded their first several albums all on a boombox and developed a huge following, it can be good enough for getting quick ideas down for demos or for recording practice sessions.
- If you've got an old model analog cassette stereo, pop a fresh cassette tape in, hit record, and play acoustic interments close to the input. For better quality, consider lining in a straight AV cable mic with the appropriate jack.

Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Recording Your Own Song Using Apps

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On YouTube, there are many different backing tracks you can find for writing your own song to.
Once you have it in your head what sort of melody you could sing, the whole process will be easy.
Use interesting words and gripping sentences for this. Use stuff that will hook the listener. ^{[5]
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Then, upload it into a sound editor in a software like Easy Media Creator 10 by Roxio. ^{[6]
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Then upload the instrumental onto your phone. This will help to keep your music organised. Put your ear buds in, then press record on the sound app and play on the song. You will be able to sing in time.
Then add a second layer in your Sound Editor, and put it on.
Rip the track to CD, and it's all done.

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Where should I put my published song?

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Burn it onto a CD, or upload it to an online media source like iTunes or Soundcloud. That way other people can listen to your work.

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Can I record on a cordless mic with an amp?

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If you have a wireless mic, you will also have a receiver for that mic, which should be plugged into the computer and recorded from your recording software.

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Can I record/edit my song without using a PC?

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Yes. There are many apps on Android and iOS with which you can do this with ease.

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Be sure you have enough RAM in your computer.

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Be sure that when you play a note, the program is recording.

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Check your instrument to be sure it works well.

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Things You'll Need

Instruments
Microphones
Computer with at least 512MB RAM
Digital Audio Workstation
6.35mm to 3.5mm adapter
Music!
SnapRecorder

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

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How to Record a Song at Home Easily

Steps

Making a Home Studio

Recording Other Instruments

Recording Quick and Dirty

Recording Your Own Song Using Apps

Community Q&A

Video

Tips

Things You'll Need

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Expert Interview

References

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