Recording your music at residence for the primary time may be complicated, particularly if you happen to’re not clued up on the gear you want. It’s a must to determine which mic is greatest for you, what cables you want, the way you report into your pc and what software program to make use of – daunting, proper? Fortunately, loads of audio firms, comparable to Yamaha, are releasing recording bundles that provide options to these questions. However simply how straightforward is it to rise up and working with a recording bundle?
British songwriter Mea has been recording her music at residence since 2020, incomes help from BBC Music for her luscious, layered vocal strains and dreamy lo-fi manufacturing fashion. We set her up with a Yamaha AG03MK2 LSPK recording bundle to learn how efficient a recording bundle is and if she will be able to garner related – or higher – outcomes than her present recording tools inside an hour.
What’s within the field?
The AG03MK2 LSPK bundle is designed for recording and livestreaming, boasting the whole lot you want from cables as much as a choice of Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs).
“As I report at residence, I don’t have the largest workspace to work with,” Mea tells us. Unboxing the AG bundle, Mea finds the whole lot she wants instantly. “I’m pleasantly shocked to see it comes with all of the cables I wanted (particularly as my present cable offers me lots of suggestions/a low hum).”
“Additionally included is the AG03 three-channel mixer, YCM01 condenser microphone, YH-MT1 headphones, XLR cables to attach the mic and mixer, a USB cable to attach the mixer to my laptop computer, a mic holder, setup manuals, and a black Yamaha bag,” Mea says. “The bag is a beautiful additional contact,” she says. “It’s actually useful that the AG03 may be very smooth and compact, and I really like the aesthetic of the package – actually clear and good.”
Alongside the gear, Yamaha’s bundle additionally equips artists with licenses for 3 Steinberg recording software program: Cubase AI, Cubasis LE (for iOS), and WaveLab Solid. Mea prefers utilizing Apple’s GarageBand to report her music, which the AG03MK2 bundle is well-equipped for.
There’s additionally a companion app, AG Controller, which helps you to test and configure the DSP audio processing contained in the AG.
Getting arrange
Okay – Mea’s acquired the whole lot out of the field, now what? Time to get the whole lot linked and route audio to her laptop computer. She locations the YCM01 condenser mic onto her mic stand with a conveyable vocal sales space and attaches a pop defend. Utilizing the XLR cable offered, she connects the mic to the AG03 mixer’s enter. Condenser microphones, just like the YCM01, require an extra 48v of energy – known as ‘phantom energy’ – which the AG03 mixer routinely gives.
As well as, Mea hooks up her keyboard to the mixer by way of a TRS jack cable – handily, there’s a keyboard icon simply above the socket. She then connects the YH-G01 headphones (which she says are “actually comfy” with wonderful, crisp and clear sound high quality”) to the headphone output within the Monitor Out part.
To attach the mixer to her laptop computer, Mea makes use of the USB cable offered. No drivers are required, so she will be able to immediately choose the AG03 as her audio machine in GarageBand.
“As soon as I used to be up and going the mixer was very easy to make use of. I acquired the sound coming by from the mic and my keyboard,” she says. “It took me a minute to steadiness the amount ranges/the achieve for my mic, my keyboard and metronome from my software program however this was a extremely fast course of and likewise very straightforward. The mixer is clearly laid out and its performance was nice.”
A pop defend and vocal sales space aren’t included in Yamaha’s bundle, however they’re extraordinarily helpful for recording vocals. The pop defend helps subdue plosives – the exaggerated pronunciation of ‘p,’ ‘b,’ ‘t,’ and so forth – whereas the vocal sales space reduces the reflections and atmosphere round Mea, which helps her seize a cleaner take for modifying her recordings with mixing results.
The proper take
Talking of which, the AG03 mixer comes with built-in reverb and compression/EQ. Mea can’t get sufficient of the reverb impact. “The reverb was wonderful; one in all my favorite issues concerning the AG03. I like to experiment with harmonies and it gave me the precise feeling and vibe that I needed to assist elevate them. I didn’t plan on utilizing reverb for this track however as soon as I attempted it out I couldn’t resist.”
She provides: “On my outdated system, I’d have so as to add the reverb by GarageBand, however with the AG03 I’ve a much more spectacular and dynamic sounding reverb at simply the press of a button. Once more, that is nice performance.”
Now she’s linked the whole lot and checked her ranges, she lays down a vocal recording on prime of a keyboard half she’s recorded in GarageBand. She makes delicate, elegant use of the AG03’s reverb and layers her vocal line with a number of harmonies.
Right here’s what she recorded:
As a result of the AG03MK2 streaming bundle is primed for livestreaming, Mea might additionally use the mixer as an audio machine for livestreaming software program comparable to TKTK. Proper now, she’s eager to simply seize her concepts and develop new songs. Both method, she’s significantly proud of Yamaha’s recording bundle and the way shortly she was in a position to make music.
“I really like the look and dimension of the mixer, the simple performance, the unimaginable high quality of the mic and headphones and the reverb button. I LOVE it,” she tells us.
“Because the finish of the summer time, I used to be actually missing the inspiration to report and this has given me that spark again! I’m actually excited to ship this to my producer and see what he thinks of the sound and high quality, and to see what extra we are able to do with the track.”
Be taught extra concerning the Yamaha AG03MK2 LSPK at yamaha.com.
