Three countries, three different guides to DIY recording

triple j Unearthed is a gem of a website from Australia. Not content to simply feature terrific new artists from down under, they also offer a free 3-page PDF primer on DIY recording. Three pages is admittedly just a very basic intro to do-it-yourself recording, but it’s surprisingly useful if you’re just getting started. Their mixing tips are bang on.

The British go one step further. BBC Radio 1 offers a few more comprehensive guides to home recording. Their How to… recording guides cover everything from choosing the right music software to selecting tracks for a demo. Their primer on home recording even has advice on what to look for when buying equipment, whether buying new or second-hand. They also give some great advice on buying from overseas.

Here in Canada, I like Exclaim! magazine’s Where I Play section, which gives an inside peek into the home studios of musicians from across Canada—from Ninja Tune heavyweight Amon Tobin’s “mountain of digital and analog gear” to avant-garde musician Jesse Zubot’s “chaotic mess of wires, cords and blinking electronics.” It’s fun inspiration for any recording musician. -kf