Content Summary : General Recording Tips 1. When initially recording your tracks, always print the hottest (loudest) signal possible to the track, but avoid distorting the signal . This will allow you to maximize the signal-to-noise ratio of the signal. You want the signal to be loud enough to mask any noise in the system but you don't want it to be so loud that the signal distorts or clips. This is especially important when recording in the digital format, analog recorders will be little more forgiving. Remember Digital Distortion Bad. 2. Don't immediately reach for the EQ knob and don't over do it with the Reverb. These are two of the biggest mistakes. Rather than fiddling with EQ (equalization) if you don't like the way something sounds, try changing the source. If you are miking a guitar for example, try moving the microphone around to alternate positions relative to the acoustic guitar (or amp, if it is an electric guitar). Small adjustments can make huge differences in the sound. 3. Use multiple monitoring methods when mixing down and mastering your songs. This will allow you to reduce the coloration effects of your studio room. When you mix down or master your songs, listen to the mixes on a wide variety of transducers (your headphones, the close field monitors, your living room stereo, your car stereo, a cheap boom box, etc.). This will allow you to get the best overall mix that works in most situations. 4. Check your mix in mono (not just stereo). Make sure that elements of the mix don't simply disappear due to cancellation.