Recording technology has advanced far beyond magnetic tape on large reels and recording everything live in the studio. New developments are happening all the time, both within the recording industry itself and with the technology used in recording. This is making more different sorts of recordings and recording setups possible.
Recording has actually gotten simpler and cheaper with each passing year. No longer does the would-be recording engineer or self producing artist need to invest thousands upon thousands in equipment. Newer recording equipment offers more capabilities and versatility with a lower price tag.
The biggest news in the field is of course digital recording technologies. Everything can be recorded digitally, right off of the board. Digital recording makes for a clearer, crisper sound and a wider frequency range.
New digital technology brings with it new, more compact mixing consoles. Great for bedroom studios and the like where space is at a premium, many of these boards have all the capabilities of a larger analog based board and can even handle everything without the use of an external computer or added software. This streamlines the entire process of recording and allows for much easier remote recordings, such as live shows and field recordings.
Along with these advances in recording is the near omnipresence of electronic musical instruments (think of samplers and sequencers, for instance), allowing entirely new kinds of sounds to be produced. That perfect sound once unattainable now is within reach and almost anyone can be their own arranger thanks to these new technologies.
Other musical equipment has kept pace. Amps, microphones and the like are being seen in constantly improving models. All in one amplifier/microphone combos are available, which can record as you play and are ideal for capturing a live performance without the interference of crowd noise, poor microphone placement, etc.
Due to the very different acoustics of studios versus live music venues, equipment can be divided into those that are better suited for one purpose than the other. Studio settings call for reducing resonance; in live recording, you’ll want just the opposite, for instance. Look for this separation of purposes to be a growing part of the recording equipment market, as well as that of musical equipment in general.
When putting together your own recording studio, consider these new technologies and how you can best use them for your specific purposes. You’ll want to take advantage of anything and everything that help you achieve that perfect sound, and today’s new digital recording equipment can get you there.