If you've got a home studio, you're more than likely playing all of the instruments yourself as well as playing talent and producer. I know that's definately the way it works in my studio.

So everything I record, is layered. Layering is the process of recording track after track of different instruments and placing them in the sound field.

When I start recording, I'll start with the guitar. Acoustic or electric it doesn't matter. Or if I'm really on top of things I'll have the drums programmed already. If that's the case, then I'll record the drums first. But usually it's guitar.

Then I just keep adding instruments and tracks as I go. I usually have drums, guitar, bass, keys and then I'll add vocals. Now comes the fun part...you already have the basic tracks, now you make everything sparkle.

Usually, I will add some harmony vocals next. Then I'll do any solos that need to go in. Then use your ears listen to the song and ask yourself, what else does it need. It should jump right out at you. Keep adding to it until you feel like it's finished.

It's like a painting, you have to stop somewhere otherwise you'll go forever.

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