Over 1800 pages of
ukulele, guitar and music content. And 146 lessons for FREE or any donations.
Website brought to you by
Curt Sheller
Curt Sheller Publications
www.CurtSheller.com
and hosted by:
[ v2.56.2.0.3 ]
“Folks, if you haven't stopped by Curt's site, do so right now! ..And get his books, they are fantastic. This guy knows his stuff and is able to pass it along too.” - - Alan Johnson Proprietor, The 4th Peg
“I can highly recommend Curt's Uke books -- I have four of them and they are excelent.” - fatveg - Portland
For more information contact curt@curtsheller.com. For available pages visit the ad rates page.
I choose just a few companies whose products I believe in, use and recommend. Nobody else gets to advertise here.
Here is my collection of recording tips, tricks and gear.
Your tips, tricks and recommendations are welcome.
Lyle Ritz, Gerald Ross, Curt Sheller, Jon Prown
USB and Firewire computer interfaces. Recording software
Makers of the Zoom - Handy Digital Recorder
Beyond some a USB or Firewire computer interface, recording software and decent microphones there is some gear and other goodies that will make your recording life easier.
Pre-Amp - In general, the function of a preamp is to amplify a low-level signal to line-level. A list of common low-level signal sources would include a pickup, microphone, turntable or other transducer. Equalization and tone control may also be applied.
Compressor - Compressors and limiters are specialized amplifiers used to reduce dynamic range, the span between the softest and loudest sounds.
Beyond some a USB or Firewire computer interface, recording software and decent microphones there is some gear and other goodies that will make your recording life easier.
Pre-Amp - In general, the function of a preamp is to amplify a low-level signal to line-level. A list of common low-level signal sources would include a pickup, microphone, turntable or other transducer. Equalization and tone control may also be applied.
Compressor - Compressors and limiters are specialized amplifiers used to reduce dynamic range, the span between the softest and loudest sounds.
Here are some tips and tricks for recording ukulele I've picked up from research
Other than going to a well equipped commericial recording studio. It is realitivly cheap to set up home recording using a computer. All it takes is a mic, recording software and an interface to get the instrument to the computer.
See Recording Gear page for companies that I have gotten reccommendations and information on.
Here is are a few recordings using Apple's GarageBand and a G-String Ukulele.
I record directly into a Sony PCM D1 Portable Digital Recorder--a rather expensive but very
easy to use unit that has two high quality condenser mics set in an X-Y pattern and records
WAV files--and then master with Ozone 3 software.
Jon has recordings at: www.UkeLand.com
Here is a recording of the Beatles Eleanor Rigby
Here is a solo uke arrangement for a low "G", C Tuned uke I created a few years back: Eleanor Rigby
Here's a link to a detailed discussion of some of the acoustic recording choices:
Sibelius
Sibelius Software
Avid Corporate Headquarters
One Park West
Tewksbury, MA 01876
United States
Tel: 978-640-6789
Fax: 978-640-3366
This
is the music notation program that I have been using for years. I gave up on Finale and this Sibelius was
so much easier to use and the learning curve was not as steep.
For all my music notation needs.
Sibelius is the world market leader in software for writing, teaching and publishing music. It specializes in creating and distributing innovative, high-quality software that is easy to use. With products for composition, coursework, testing, reference, playback, publishing, authoring and e-commerce, Sibelius covers every aspect of music.
NOTION Music, Inc.
2302 West Meadowview Road
Suite 200
Greensboro, NC 27407
USA
Phone: (336) 275-2994
Toll Free: (866) 398-2994
Fax: (336) 275-9654
eMail: sales@notionmusic.com

MakeMusic
7615 Golden Triangle Drive
Suite M
Eden Prairie, MN 55344-3848
USA
Tel: 952-937-9611
Fax: 952-937-9760
eMail: MakeMusic, Inc., a Minnesota corporation, is a world leader in music technology whose mission is to enhance and transform the experience of making, teaching, learning, and performing music. For more than 20 years, Finale has been the world standard for music notation software.
ART Pro Audio
Applied Research and Technology
Yorkville Sound
550 Granite Court
Pickering, Ontario
Canada L1W 3Y8
Phone (905) 837-8481
Fax (905) 839-5776
Yorkville Sound USA
4625 Witmer Industrial Estate
Niagara Falls, NY
USA 14305
Phone (716) 297-2920
Fax (716) 297-3689
( from listing's site ) - Former employees of the original MXR Innovations created ART, which has become one of the world’s largest signal processing manufacturers. ART engineers have been developing products for the music industry for nearly 30 years. Cool items like the original MXR Phase 90, the original MXR Flanger (the Eddie Van Halen sound) and the MXR 175 Rackmount Delay (the one guitar virtuoso Eric Johnson uses) were created by an ART Engineer!
Released with much fanfare in January of 1984, the Macintosh was the first affordable computer to include a Graphical User Interface. It was built around the new Motorola 68000 chip, which was significantly faster than previous processors, running at 8 MHz. The Mac came in a small beige case with a black and white monitor built in. It came with a keyboard and mouse, and had a floppy drive that took 400k 3.5" disks--the first personal computer to do so. It originally sold for $2,495.
Text courtesy www.apple-history.com
Everything done on a Macintosh computers.
Site is even hosted on mac by
MacHighway.
Audacity, not only is it easy to use, but it's free.
(Mac & Cross-platform) The Free, Cross-Platform Sound
Editor
Audacity is free, open source software for recording and
editing sounds. It is available for Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows,
GNU/Linux, and other operating systems.
M-Audio
5795 Martin Rd.
Irwindale, CA 91706
tel: (626) 633-9050
fax: (626) 633-9060
M-Audio is an Avid company
The redesigned MicroTrack II brings even more professional features to the original high-fidelity mobile digital recorder that’s been embraced by audio and film professionals worldwide. With an extended input gain range, analog input limiter, 48V phantom power, faster file transfer rate, seamless recording of files beyond 2GB in size and other enhancements, MicroTrack II delivers the highest quality mobile recording experience available today. Simply record WAV (BWF) and MP3 files to CompactFlash or Microdrives through balanced line inputs or built-in microphone preamps—then drag and drop recordings to your computer via high-speed USB 2.0 for immediate editing or Web posting. MicroTrack II is perfect for a wide variety of applications including field recording, capturing live shows, songwriting, education and more.
(from their site) M-Audio, a business unit of Avid Technology, Inc, is a leading provider of creative tools for computer-centric musicians and audio professionals. Founded in 1988, the Company now has independent offices in the US, Canada, UK, Germany, France and Japan. M-Audio is the driving force in the industry empowering musicians to create, perform and record with complete mobile hardware/software solutions that have forever changed when, where and how music is made.
PreSonus Audio Electronics, Inc.
7257 Florida Blvd
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
Phone: 225-216-7887
Toll Free: 800-750-0323
Fax: 225-926-8347
(from their site) Founded in 1995, PreSonus Audio Electronics has become known for delivering professional quality audio products at affordable prices to audio professionals, musicians and hobbyists around the world. The PreSonus staff in the sales, engineering, and customer service departments all have years of experience in professional audio as musicians and sound engineers which brings passion for music-making to every facet of the company. PreSonusÕ founder and President Jim Odom is credited with two RIAA Certified Gold Records, one Certified Platinum Record along with two Ampex Golden Reel Awards as a musician/producer/engineer.
( from listing's site ) - Samson began 26 years ago as an audio technology company designing wireless microphone systems. Today, we are an industry leader with three distinct brands: Samson, Hartke and Zoom. Over 350 products designed and distributed by Samson are sold in 106 countries throughout the world.
The H4 is really three devices in one: a stereo field recorder, a 4-track recorder for songwriting on the road, and a USB computer interface. … you’ll find the Zoom H4 to be a very versatile, do-nearly-everything unit.
SoundTechProAudio
US Music Corporation
444 E. Courtland St.
Mundelein, IL 60060 USA
Phone: 1-800-US-SOUND
( from listing's site ) - With the Professional Audio market constantly changing, there is now an ever-growing demand for companies to deliver Price, Power & Performance. The new SoundTech line has taken ideas & feedback from the best sources around the world to develop the "Market's Most Affordable & Professional Pro-Audio Line" to date.
SoundTech has impacted the Pro-Audio industry by a acquiring a personalized, knowledgeable & professional sales force, dedicated & specialized SoundTech Customer Support Agents, and the highly developed best "Quality vs. Price" Pro-Audio products that are un-rivaled in today's market.
Tascam TEAC Professional
TEAC Corporation
1-47 Ochiai
Tama-shi
Tokyo 206-8530
Japan
Phone: +81-42-356-9100
Fax: +81-42-356-9105
www.teac.co.jp
( from listing's site ) - TEAC AMERICA, INC. is the largest subsidiary of Tokyo-based TEAC Corporation, a billion-dollar global corporation and a world leader in recording technology for over five decades.
The Ocarina is a flute like instrument so a lot of the same issues that area associated with recording the flute and other wind instruments apply.
The Mountain Ocarinas Forum (www.OcarinaBoard.com) has information on recording the ocarina.
Recording
Music Maker Publications
5408 Idylwild Trail
Boulder, Colorado 80301
USA
Phone: 303-516-9118
( from listing's site ) - Recording Magazine is a monthly magazine published in the United States, available by subscription and distribution throughout North America. You can find the magazine in major bookstores like Barnes & Noble and Borders, college and university bookstores, as well as music retailers like Guitar Center and Sam Ash.
Here is a great checklist from Mike Tarsia Recording for what to do before you go into a studio and after you start your project.
Brian Moore Guitars
iGuitar, Inc.
290 Main Street - Suite #3
Cold Spring, NY 10516
Phone 845-809-5347
Fax 845-808-5348
Brian Moore Guitars was founded in June of 1992 by Patrick Cummings, Brian Moore and Kevin Kalagher.
The first part of Brian Moore Guitars history begins in 1991, when Brian Moore, who was working as an assistant to Ned Steinberger, at Steinberger Sound, met Patrick Cummings, who was hired by Gibson Guitars, as General Manager of several Gibson divisions including Steinberger.
Fender Musical Instruments Corporation
8860 E. Chaparral Road, Suite 100
Scottsdale, Ariz. 85250
Telephone: 480.596.9690
Fax: 480.596.1384
Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) is the world’s leading guitar manufacturer, and its name has become synonymous with all things rock ‘n’ roll. Iconic Fender® instruments such as the Telecaster®, Stratocaster®, Precision Bass® and Jazz Bass® guitars are known worldwide as the instruments that started the rock revolution, and they continue to be highly prized by today’s musicians and collectors.
Godin Guitars
19420 Avenue Clark-Graham
Baie d'Urfé, Quebec H9X 3R8, Canada
Phone: 514-457-7977
Fax: 514-457-5774
MIDI ready guitars.
( from listing's web site ) We are a Canadian company with our head office located in Montreal and we build our guitars in several different locations, five in Quebec and one in New Hampshire. For those of you keeping score, that adds up to six factories spread out over about 1000 kilometers. So why not just have one giant guitar factory? Although there are some obvious inconveniences associated with spreading ourselves out this much, the up-side is that these smaller operations promote a more intimate working environment which gets everybody more involved and this is reflected in the instruments themselves.
Line 6
Line 6, Inc.
26580 Agoura Road
Calabasas, CA 91302-1921
Main Phone#: (818) 575-3600
Main Fax#: (818) 575-3601
International
4 Sopwith Way
Drayton Fields Industrial Estate
Daventry, Northamptonshire
United Kingdom, NN118PB
Telefon: +44 (0) 1327 302 700
Fax: +44 (0) 1327 302 702
Most non-musicians are likely unaware that the past fifty years of guitar amplifier technology has had a more significant impact on the history of rock music than the electric guitar itself. Each individual amp and effect design was created to distort and color the guitar signal in a different way, contributing significantly to why the guitar sounds of the Beatles were so different from Jimi Hendrix or Pink Floyd. Both the subtle and overt differences between the many types (and even specific serial numbers) of amps and effects, became cherished tonal signatures that were sought after for the particular sonic mood that they might inspire.
Ultimate Ears by Logitech
Headphones Noise Isolating Earphones In-Ear Custom Monitors
5 Jenner Street, Suite 100
Irvine, CA 92618
Phone: 800-589-6531 (English)
Phone: 866-963-3479 (Spanish)
Fax: 949-502-8379
Logitech, Inc.
Americas Headquarters
6505 Kaiser Dr.
Fremont, CA 94555 USA
+1 510-795-8500
( from listing's site ) - The Custom UE 11 Pro is the most sophisticated professional monitor available – it’s the best we have ever created. It combines a quad armature speaker configuration with a three-way crossover – an industry first. The UE 11 Pro features a dual driver subwoofer that tightly and fully details the lows, a dedicated driver for the mid range that is dynamic and clean and a tweeter that produces crystal clear highs. The result is a total acoustic immersion that conveys every detail and emotional nuance to the listener.
Their site has a nice Selection Guide and Learning Center
Audio-Technica’s stringent quality and consistency standards set the AT2020 apart from other mics in its class. Its low-mass diaphragm is custom-engineered for extended frequency response and superior transient response. With rugged construction for durable performance, the microphone offers a wide dynamic range and handles high SPLs with ease. The AT2020: the new standard for affordable side-address studio condensers.
Blue Microphones
5706 Corsa Avenue, Suite 102
Westlake Village, CA 91362-4057
Phone:
Toll Free: 818-879-5200
Fax General): 818- 879-7258
Fax (Sales): 818-879-7259
( from listing's site )
Nice video on Poscasting
A USB mic that’s not only easy to use, but sounds as good on your desktop as it does in a professional recording studio. Meet the Snowball; the world's first professional USB mic.
Whether you’re recording a guitar at your kitchen table or a complete band in the studio, the Snowball can capture it with detail unheard of before in a USB mic.
( from listing's site ) - John Nady, an electronics engineer/musician and founder/CEO of Nady Systems, was the first to tackle the complex issue of noise reduction in wireless microphones. In the early ‘70’s, he succeeded in developing and patenting a companding process for wireless which continues to set the industry standard for clear, natural sound. Nady’s original marketing was strictly in music and pro audio, and by 1985, 80% of the world’s top performing acts were using Nady wireless. In 1987, Nady introduced the legendary — and very affordable — 101/201 Series, opening the world of wireless to virtually everyone. Nady is also widely credited with having developed the world’s first In-ear Monitor system (1978), as well as the first PLL synthesized UHF wireless, the UHF-950 (1991).
RØDE Microphones
RODE MICROPHONES, LLC
P.O. Box 4189
Santa Barbara, CA 93140-4189
Ph: 805-566-7777
Fax: 805-566-0071
INTERNATIONAL
RØDE MICROPHONES (AUSTRALIA)
107 Carnarvon Street
Silverwater, N.S.W. 2128
Tel +61 2 9648 5855
Fax +61 2 9648 2455
The NT2-A carries on the tradition forged by the now legendary RØDE NT2. A professional large capsule (1") studio microphone incorporating three-position pick-up patterns, PAD and high pass filter switches conveniently located on the mic body.
The RØDE NT1-A. Winner of the Electronic Musician 2004 Editors Choice Award and the world’s quietest studio condenser microphone. This redesigned version of RØDE’s classic NT-1 has only 5 dBA of self-noise.
( from listing's site ) - Royer Labs was formed in 1998 to bring David Royer's unique, modern ribbon microphone designs to the world. When we first opened our doors, ribbon mics had been largely forgotten, but the R-121 and SF-12 quickly captured the imagination of recording enthusiasts around the world. This new generation of ribbon microphones proved to be a perfect match to the rise in popularity of digital recording, as engineers rediscovered their warmth, analog feel and smooth sound. Today, Royers are found in studios and on live stages around the world.
( from listing's site ) - Samson began 26 years ago as an audio technology company designing wireless microphone systems. Today, we are an industry leader with three distinct brands: Samson, Hartke and Zoom. Over 350 products designed and distributed by Samson are sold in 106 countries throughout the world.
The H4 is really three devices in one: a stereo field recorder, a 4-track recorder for songwriting on the road, and a USB computer interface. … you’ll find the Zoom H4 to be a very versatile, do-nearly-everything unit.
Shure Microphones & Audio Electronics
Shure Incorporated
5800 West Touhy Avenue
Niles, IL 60714-4608
Phone: +1(847) 600-2000
Toll Free: (U.S. only) +1(800) 25-SHURE
Fax: +1(847) 600-1212
The Shure SM57 is a common professional low impedance cardioid dynamic microphone in live sound reinforcement and studio recording applications. It is a popular choice among live users due to its sturdy construction. It is often used on instruments that produce high sound pressure levels, such as the snare drum and other percussion, electric guitar amplifier, and even vocals. Introduced in 1967, the SM57 remains one of the best selling microphones in the world today. The SM stands for Studio Microphone.
Here is a link to an article on titled One Mic Stand from musician Del Rey's web site.
Here are links to the microphones mentioned in the article and good for the one mic texhnique:
With a single mic setup you are your own sound man. You mix your own sound. You are not at the mercy of some random sound guy not familiar with your music. You simply control your sound by your proximity to the mic on stage. Louder, move in. Quieter, move out.
I Boulder Acoustic Society the perform at the the 2007 New York Uke Fest using this set up and the sound was great. The where pros at moving in and out to control the sound.
I saw Tripping Lily perform at the the 2009 New York Uke Fest using this set up and the sound was great. Another band that has mastered the moving in and out to control the sound.
Del Rey is a blues and ragtime singer (and occasional songwriter), guitarist and ukulele player. Starting with classical music at the age of 4, she was transfixed by her first blues album and played blues and jazz ever since. She was influenced by the blues musicians Sam Chatmon, Bo Carter and Memphis Minnie[1]. Del Rey lives in Seattle, Washington and tours internationally.
Hard Copy Book: $14.95
PDF Download: $4.95
Volume I of The Advanced Guide to Chord Progressions for Ukulele features the principles of voice leading applied to chord progressions. These principles are explained using chords from volume I of The Advanced Guide to Ukulele Chords. Chapters with common major and minor full diatonic, partial diatonic and chromatic chord progressions are also included to further explore voice leading.
Before individual chords become the background of songs, they must be put into orders called chord progressions. This book organizes progressions according to string family, position, voice leading and chord magnetism. The Advanced Guitar to Chord Progressions for Ukulele is an excellent preparation for the art of melody and chord on ukulele.
If your goal is to expand your chord vocabulary, The Advanced Guide to Guitar Chords Series is your answer.
Commonly referred to as "jazz" chords. The Advanced Guide to Guitar Chords Series provides detailed information on voicing 4-part chords.
[ Back to Ukulele Main page ]
Content is always being added and updated. So check-in often. Thanks, Curt
P.S. You may think from the look of it that Curt Sheller Publications is a slick, profitable business, but it's actually not (maybe a car payment a month, cheap car). I spend a lot and time money creating the content, lessons and books for this site (a labor of love), so if you dig my content and want to see more of it. I could use your help by spreading the word and maybe buying a book or two if you haven't already, to help defray the cost of running the site. Thanks in advance for your help. This is a labor of love and I'd do it even if I didn't make a lot of money, hey I don't!
You can also make a donation to the lesson-site fund. Button in the sidebar of the site.
If I'm not teaching, I'm working on this site and new lessons, books and goodies.
RECORDING.PHP | Updated: Monday, 26th March, 2012 @ 08:32am