gear to record pro vocals from home 2023

Maybe you want to start producing high quality professional sounding vocals from your home. Or maybe you want to elevate your home studio that you currently have with new gear. There is gear for every budget and need so therefore finding the right one for you can be a bit of a djungle.

Vocals is the area in music I've spent the most time with starting young around age of eight recording vocals with my dad in his home studio. From there it never really stopped. There are some things I've learned over the years regarding recording and producing vocals. By loads of trial and error and time spent in studio environments there are some tips I collected for you that could be helpful about microphones, pop filters, XLR cables, mic stands, interfaces and more. Note that the gear mentioned is recommendations only. You should always do your own research on gear to find the one that suits your unique workflow.

This video will explain the gear recommended for recording vocals from your home studio. Some of my tips could maybe save you some headache or money and help you decide on what gear to go for to be able to produce professional sounding vocals from your home studio no matter what budget you have:

LOVE/M

producing music for video games

Hello! Are you ever finding yourself drifting off into different worlds when the everyday takes a toll on you? In games, series or movies? Well, me too. It's a sweet escape from reality, one that we all need sometimes. I've always been a huge fan of the people behind the creations of these worlds. The artists, developers, musicians, producers, sound designers, concept artists... There are no better feeling that to soak into another dimension with lush expression and emotions not only for the consumer but also for the creative teams.

I'm a music producer and my favourite niche has always been ambience. Rich, epic, dreamy soundscapes telling stories to the listener. It's a music genre that suits perfectly into the fantasy world where the ordinary is not enough. Ambience is so great at creating depth, character and emotion and that's why my works suits so well into the gaming and film industry. Recently I collaborated with a game developer to produce music for an upcoming video game. A space themed action adventure. This mission was right up my alley and was so much fun to do.

I made a composing music for video games series on my Youtube channel where I have collected the entire production process of these soundtracks in Pro Tools. I go in depth on how the soundtracks was created, how my workflow looks and what was running through my mind during the creative process. This is a relaxed and interesting series for any nerdy creative enjoying watching other creatives workflows. It is such a fun experience to share with you! Click on the video below to watch the series!

Composing and producing music for video games is a unique and exciting challenge that requires careful consideration of various elements to enhance the gaming experience.

Here are 10 things to think about when creating music for video games:

1. Game genre and theme: Understand the genre and theme of the game. The music should align with the game's mood and setting. For example, a horror game would require eerie and suspenseful music, while an adventure game might need more upbeat and adventurous compositions.

2. Emotional resonance: Consider the emotions you want to evoke in players. Music can strongly influence a player's emotional state, so make sure your compositions support the desired mood and atmosphere.

3. Interactive music: Many modern games use dynamic or interactive music systems. Create variations of your compositions to adapt to different in-game situations, such as boss fights, exploration or calm.

4. Looping and seamless transitions: Design your music to loop seamlessly. Gamers may spend extended periods of time in certain areas, so ensure the music doesn't become repetitive or jarring when it loops.

5. Instrumentation: Choose the right instruments and sounds to match the game's world. Consider the technology available in the game's setting; for instance, futuristic games might use electronic or synth-based music, while historical games may feature orchestral or folk instruments.

6. Communication: Constantly communicate and coordinate with the game's developers to ensure that your music complements the overall experience. Gameplay, music and sound effects should work together harmoniously.

7. Adaptive music systems: If the game uses adaptive music systems, be prepared to create layers or stems that can be triggered based on in-game events, creating a more immersive experience.

8. Player engagement: Think about how your music can engage players emotionally and intellectually. Memorable melodies or motifs can enhance player connection with the game.

9. Scoring to gameplay: Understand the gameplay mechanics and design your music to sync with in-game actions. For example, create musical cues for significant events like boss battles or achievements.

10. Testing and iteration: If possible, continuously playtest your music within the game to ensure it fits and enhances the experience. Be open to feedback from players and developers, and be willing to make adjustments as needed.

Remember that video game music can be a powerful tool for storytelling and immersion. By carefully considering these factors and collaborating closely with the game development team, you can create a memorable and impactful soundtrack that enhances the overall gaming experience.

Love / MVNDA

turning charcoal into music

Some weeks back I packed my bags with my camping essentials, field recording and camera gear and drove off into the wilderness. My mission was not only to sleep one night alone in the forest, but also to visit one of Swedens beautiful nature reserves. This is a special place because the owners of these lands regularly manage forest fires here to preserve the natural diversity of nature. Because of this, this particular pine forest is left with a dramatic look with big areas of black charcoal halfway up the trees. Let's just say that this is the place for anyone with eyes for the aesthetics.

I got to work in no time with the goal to record audio from something I've never done before: charcoal. I brought my tiny DJI MIC since it's really convenient when travelling and field recording. I experimented with all kinds of things like scratching, poking, dropping and crushing charcoal to create unique sound textures. Charcoal generates the coolest of sounds. Earthy, crunchy and grounding.

This was one of the most fun experiments I've ever had with sound and definitely left me wanting more. I couldn't get enough so I also recorded sound from sticks, wood, lichen and moss to create a collection of sound memories from this special place.

After a night in the woods I returned home. My body was tired from my walks and a little uncomfortable night in the tent, but my mind was clearer and calmer then ever. Something happened during my stay in the woods that is hard to explain. I believe that something tapped into my inner child and fuelled my creativity. That feeling of letting go of any believes and expectations and just go with the intuition of that animal instinct. To use the body the way that we are meant to. Crouching and lurking around the forest floor, grabbing natural objects, feel and listen in a way that I never do in everyday life. It was a healing experience that grounded my body and soul.

I also believe that it is exactly these experiences that make creative people wanting to create something real. There is nothing more real than mother earth. This experience opened my eyes to create in the most authentic way and the same day I returned home I started experimenting with the sounds that I had collected. A few days later, a new track was born. Charcoal.

This song is very special to me because of how it was created. This song is a start of a new era in my life as a musician and music producer. My goal is now to keep capturing the real world with field recordings to turn it into my own magic in different shapes and forms. Music, of course, but I'm also very curious to explore creating my own sample packs in different themes for other producers and creatives to use in their own projects. What a cool way to share the magic of mother earth to more people.

If you want to support my work as an independent musician and producer, add charcoal to your playlist by clicking here

And if you wan more material from this field recording mission there is a field recording vlog from this day on my youtube channel:

And here is the official music video for charcoal:

Can't wait to produce more music out of my travels!

Love

MVNDA