How to Make Smooth Sounding Music From the Computer
- 1). Connect an XLR cable to a microphone. Connect the other end of the XLR cable to an audio interface. An audio interface converts and processes the audio signal before sending it to the computer.
- 2). Open your preferred audio production program. Double-click the desktop icon.
- 3). Click "File" and click "New Audio Track." By selecting audio, rather than MIDI, you configure the channel recording parameters for sound rather than data and assign the audio interface as the input device. Name the track, for example "Verse 1 vocal."
- 4). Click "R" on the "Verse 1 vocal" track to make it "Record Ready."
- 5). Audition the signal. Sing as loud or play as you intend to record into the microphone. If the red light on the audio interface illuminates, the signal is distorting, so reduce the "Gain" dial. Tweak the dial so you find the loudest possible volume before distortion. The stronger the signal, the less boost required in the mix. However, any distortion will make your music sound unpleasantly harsh.
- 6). Press "Record" and deliver a few takes until you're happy. Once you're satisfied, click "Save."
- 7). Click "Effects" and click "Compressor." This opens a compressor interface in a new window. Compression is a dynamic tool that tempers the audio. By cutting the very loud sounds and boosting the very low sounds, it smooths out any volume peaks and makes the audio sit better in the mix. (see References 1)
- 8). Press "Play" so you can hear the compressor effect in real time. Adjust the "Ratio" dial to set the amount by which the signals are boosted and cut. Click "Save" when the compression sufficiently smooths the audio.
- 9). Click "Tools" and select "Equalization." An equalizer interface will automatically open. This is similar to compression, but rather than tempering and smoothing out volumes, it influences the various frequencies.
- 10
Adjust the virtual slider dial for each frequency. For example, if the recorded sound is too "tinny" and sharp, reduce the very high frequencies to the left and increase the middle-low frequencies just the right of center. Tweak all slider dials until you hit on a frequency spectrum that hides the sharp sounds and enhances the warmer sounds.