Two Secrets to a Professional Sound By Jason Johnston Everyone is looking for an "easy button." It happens with dieting, relationships and even (gasp) with recording. People are looking for that proverbial plug-in with an "awesome" switch. While there is no easy button, I have found two essential keys to making your recordings sound as professional or even more professional than any recording studio in Canada. The first key is signal path. The chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Below is a simple and typical home studio setup for recording vocals.

The illustration shows a microphone connected to an audio interface sending sound out to powered monitors. (The computer would be connected via a firewire or USB cable, but this is not important in the context of signal path right now). Here is the all important input signal chain:

Microphone > XLR Cable > Interface

If any one of these links in the chain are of low quality or damaged then your signal is going to be low quality or damaged. If you keep this signal chain as high a quality as possible, then you will reap the benefits of having a top quality, professional sound. For example: you could have the best microphone and best interface but if you are using a frayed XLR from the 70's, your signal chain is as weak as that link. Buy the best quality you can afford for every chain in the link, especially on the input signal chain. The second key to a professional sound is simple: Your Knowledge. This is even more important than your gear or signal path. Your command and control of that gear is the most important aspect of your studio, and in the end the greatest secret to a professional sound. So go back and evaluate your signal chain and make it as strong as possible then learn all you can to use it so your recording will sound as good as possible too. Some sources for learning: 1. Classes: we host a wide range of classes here at our Mississauga Store Front 2. Books / DVD's: If you are not local, books and DVD's are here to help 3. Make Friends with other home studio users: Make friends at our Revolution Audio facebook group. Ask questions. Help some others at the same time. Jason Johnston is the leader of the Revolution, musician and part-time professor of Music Technology at Sheridan Arts College.