What it takes to produce a professional audio file
The aim of this section is to walk you through everything you need to turn out professional-quality audio files: the hardware first, then the software that runs on it.
Hardware
The computer
- Type: PC or Mac, desktop or laptop, it makes no difference.
- Power: a fast CPU and plenty of RAM are essential. Music for picture demands a lot of processing power and a lot of memory, because you're loading virtual instruments and playing back video at the same time.
- Drives: go for SSD or NVMe for the speed. Sample libraries and video files take up a great deal of space and have to be readable fast.
The audio interface
- Quality: use a professional audio interface, ideally with an ASIO connection for low latency. Even a stock interface can be enough if you're not recording external sources.
- Examples: RME, Focusrite, and the like.
Monitors and headphones
- Monitors: invest in a good pair of studio monitors. Avoid consumer speakers, which flatter and distort the music and throw your mix off.
- Headphones: use professional headphones for precise control over the mix. Examples: Audio Technica TRR 70X, Sony 7506, Beyerdynamic 770.
- AirPods: test your mixes on AirPods too, to check how they hold up in ordinary listening conditions.
Software
- The DAW (Digital Audio Workstation): a music production program such as Cubase, Logic Pro, Ableton Live or Pro Tools, to write and edit your cues.
- Plugins and virtual instruments: quality sample libraries and virtual instruments to fill out your writing.
- Sample libraries: stored and organized so you can get to your sounds quickly and easily.
What to prioritize
- Computer power: a fast CPU and plenty of RAM come first.
- Storage: SSD/NVMe for the sample libraries and the video files.
- Audio interface: go professional, with an ASIO connection.
- Monitors and headphones: invest in both, for accurate control of the sound.
- Real listening conditions: check your mixes on AirPods, to anticipate how listeners will actually hear them.
Move on to the next lesson for the software you can't do without.