What is the RPM Challenge?

What is the RPM Challenge? February is Record Production Month - the challenge is simply to record an entire album (at least 10 songs or 35 minutes of material) during the month of February. Why? Because a challenge can be fun motivation to get things done. You know there a couple thousand other bands and musicians around the world working on the same challenge, and you can connect with them on RPM related forums and social media.

Background

I participated in the RPM challenge in 2008 when I had my home recording studio. Afterwards I ended up selling off my equipment and instruments which helped pay for our honeymoon and my first DSLR camera. (As some of you may know, I’ve been piddling around with photography for the past few years).

During the 2008 RPM challenge I was finally able to “put to tape” some of song ideas I’d had for a while. A few of them turned out pretty good. Well, they turned out as good as one could hope for when recording in a living room.

Today

This past year has been one of big changes for me. I’m taking a sabbatical from photography for a while and I’ve been slowing working on putting together a little home studio and picking up a few instruments. I like music as a hobby because I can pick it up any time when I have a few minutes to spare. Unlike photography I’m not taking gigs to go do something for a few hours – I simply have to walk across the hall from the bedroom.

My plan for RPM12

This year for the RPM challenge I’m keeping it simple. I’m writing and recording an album of synthesizer music. I suck at playing keyboard slightly more than I do other instruments, but I have fun messing around with the different sounds. I find it very liberating to be unencumbered by the responsibly to make quality music that comes with talent.  

Technology has made recording music incredibly simple. Gone are the days when you needed mixers and reels or tapes or minidiscs to record to. You don’t even need a computer – an iPhone will do. There are volumes written about how to set up a home recording studio so this won't be a how-to post.

My setup

For an audio input I use a Presonus Audiobox USB connected to my laptop. My DAW (digital audio workstation – a software multitrack recording and sequencing program) is Sony Acid Pro 7. I picked Acid because I’ve been using  it since around 1999. I like it’s loop building features as well as for recording acoustic instruments and vocals. If you do only MIDI and soft synth recording FL Studio may be better. Otherwise Pro Tools, Cubase, Cakewalk, and Abelton are industry standards. If you have zero budget, Cockos Reaper and Audacity are free options.

Besides my M-Audio Keyrig 49 and Alesis Micron, I’ve just started using the Akai Synthstation 25 which has an iPhone dock. In addition to the Akai Synthstation app, many other apps with work with the keyboard including Nanostudio. I picked up a new, open box Synthstation for 50 bucks (the app is $1.99).

I’ll post updates as the RPM challenge progresses. I hope to have my first completed song up by Friday.