As music students and music educators alike discover new ways to showcase their talents virtually, creating virtual ensembles has played a large role in this new reality. To support students and teachers preparing for upcoming winter performances, our BMP team has put together a series of helpful steps and resources to show you how to set up your own home recording room.
Technology Needs
You will need TWO DEVICES and a pair of HEADPHONES:
Device 1 could be a computer, laptop, or cell phone with a pair of headphones to play/listen to the click tack.
Device 2 could be a cell phone, computer, or laptop with a camera and microphone to record your performance.
Steps to Record
Set Device 1 to play your click track* and put headphones in one or both ears (personal preference).
Have your music in a comfortable position for reading/playing
If Device 2 is a phone or tablet, set it in landscape/horizontal orientation as pictured above.
Press record on Device 2. (make sure to have at least 2 GB of storage)
Push play on Device 1 to play the click track
Play all the way through your piece and hold still for at least 3 seconds at the end. (This will help the video editor in post-production.)
Listen back to Device 2 recording, and if necessary repeat steps 1-6 to make a second take.
Upload video to the BMP Google Drive per teacher’s instructions.
*A click track is a series of audio cues used to synchronize sound recordings, sometimes for synchronization to a moving image.
Tips for choosing the best place to record
Find a quiet place
Avoid extra sounds: air conditioner, ceiling fans, loud neighbors, car traffic, wind, etc.
Larger rooms are best
Have good lighting facing you, not behind you
Tips for creating a professional video
Record in front of a neutral background
Dress for success
Raise your webcam to eye-level
Place your device on a flat, stable surface such as a table, desk, music stand, or tripod
Turn on "airplane mode" if using a phone
Application to use for preparing a click track:
Soundtrap
BandLab
GarageBand - available on Apple devices
Smart Music - paid version has a powerful tool that your students can use to practice and play along to.
Application for post processing the audio and video:
Audio:
Garage Band (free on Apple devices)
Logic Pro X (paid)
Pro Tools (paid)
Ableton Live (paid)
FL Studio (paid)
Video:
iMovie (free on Apple devices)
Can do two videos at once; so limited to duets
Adobe Premiere Pro (paid)
Final Cut Pro (paid)
All-in-one Virtual Ensemble Tools:
Free version: Up to 30 seconds; 4 videos; compressed audio/video, watermark
Paid: Up to 10 minutes, 9 videos, 1080p video/higher quality audio, no or custom watermark
Main app offers free and paid versions for live rehearsal space
Free: Up to 10 projects per month; 140 users
Watermark can be removed for a fee
BMP Approved Video on video editing from beginning to end by Robby Burns: