Home recording for beginners: your band's first song, start to finish

Your band doesn't need a studio — or even the same room — to record a good demo. Each person needs a computer, an input, headphones and a program that doesn't fight them. Here is the whole process, step by step, using free software.

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Free — the whole app, every song, forever. Intel Mac? Intel Mac download.

Cobander in one minute.

The gear you actually need

A computer (Windows or Mac), wired headphones so the click doesn't bleed into the mic, and a way to get sound in. A USB audio interface with one or two inputs is the usual step up; a USB mic works for vocals and acoustic guitar; your laptop's mic is fine for capturing an idea.

Electric guitar and bass can go straight into the interface — Cobander has amp sims built in, so you don't need to mic an amp.

Record your first song

Make a song and set the tempo. Pick a structure if you know it, or start with one section.
Add a track for each instrument. Choose the input and whether it is mono or stereo.
Set the level: play your loudest part and keep the meter out of the red. Too quiet is easy to fix; clipped is not.
Turn on the click and a count-in, arm the track and record. Start with the instrument that keeps time — usually drums or rhythm guitar.
Record the other parts over it. Missed a bar? Punch in on just that bar. Not sure which take was best? Keep several and comp.
Mix: press Auto mix for a starting balance, then adjust faders until the vocal sits on top. Auto master brings it to a normal listening level.
Bounce the mix to a WAV file and send it to your band.

Common beginner problems

Takes sound late: set your latency once in Cobander's settings so recordings line up with what you heard.

Everything sounds muddy: turn the bass down on everything that isn't bass or kick. The mixer's quick fixes do this per track.

The vocal disappears: it's almost always too quiet or the guitars are too loud in the middle. Push the vocal up before you reach for effects.

When you play in a band

Put the song in a shared Google Drive, OneDrive, iCloud or Dropbox folder and each person records their part at home. Cobander lines everyone's takes up in the same song.

Questions

What is the best free recording software for beginners?

Pick one that opens fast, explains itself, and doesn't limit tracks. Cobander is free with every feature and labels every button in plain words.

Do I need to treat my room?

Not for a demo. Record close to the mic, away from bare walls, and use headphones.

Can I record drums at home?

Yes, with mics into an interface, or use the built-in drum machine and drum generator to write a part.