Embarking on a home recording studio project is no mean feat! Aside from the research and planning, there’s the actual preparation and execution to consider. The whole thing can take a lot out of you.
At least, that’s what you may think at first. In reality, when you secure the basic essentials, like the best monitors under 1000, things should flow smoothly for the most part. So, what are these devices and accessories that allow you to build your own recording studio from scratch?
Keep It Simple
When building a home recording studio, it can be tempting to go grand if you have the budget. However, the better initial approach is actually a simple approach.
Many delay their music production dreams because of the misconception that it requires hefty funding. Not only is that not the case, but it is also more preferable to start simple. Aiming for “too much, too soon” is a recipe that tends to lead to the following:
- An overwhelming project
- Discouragement
- Quitting
That could mean the time, money, and effort you invested would have been for nothing. Hence, stick to a simple setup that isn’t too intimidating and then move forward from there.
Cheap Is Okay, But Too Cheap Isn’t
Yes, there is such a thing as “too cheap” where recording equipment is concerned. Don’t let your determination to go for the most affordable options lead to picking out poor-quality products.
Technically, you should be able to set up a home studio for as little as $500, but don’t expect to accomplish much in it. If you’re serious about recording music, going “cheap” would still mean spending somewhere around the mid-four-digit range when getting started.
A Newbie’s Home Studio
Speaking of getting started, here are some of the basic items you would need to do so. A simple working studio that allows for efficient audio and music production should contain the following equipment:
1. A Computer or a Laptop
If you don’t already have a computer, this item is perhaps the biggest expenditure you make when creating a home studio. Ideally, you would want a computer fast enough to let you work without delays.
Although, seeing as you won’t really need a super-fast machine when getting started, virtually any working computer should do. So, whatever your budget, purchasing a new computer or laptop isn’t necessary if you already have one. More often than not, that should do the job for now.
2. Audio Interface
Otherwise called a digital audio workstation, an audio interface is a piece of hardware you cannot do without when recording music. Working in tandem with your computer, it’s what ties all your gear together and allows things to work smoothly.
You can purchase a computer and audio interface as a combo, or you can buy each item separately. If you’re looking to make an upgrade, a combo would be the more ideal purchase, as the items included would have excellent compatibility.
Then again, even if you’re a newbie, here are some reasons to go for the combo if you’re building a studio from scratch:
- It crosses out two items off your shopping list instead of one.
- It would make for a cheaper purchase.
- You get excellent tech support.
Not to mention, the brands that offer combos are usually the most recognized in the industry. Thus, you are assured a good investment.
3. Microphones
As your studio grows and amasses gear over time, you eventually acquire a collection of different kinds of microphones, each serving a different purpose. But we’re getting way ahead of ourselves. For now, a two-in-one should be enough for a starter.
Make sure to select a model that aligns with the instruments you plan to record and how you plan to go about the recording process. Since most tend to start with vocal recording, a good microphone option would be the “classic” large diaphragm condenser. These instruments record high-frequency sounds exceptionally well and respond to piano, guitar, and cymbal sounds as well as they do to vocals.
4. Headphones
Most people don’t usually have a team when they start their recording journey. A lot of the time, beginners would be recording on their own. That means all you really need is a single pair of premier headphones that allow you to listen to recordings in their rawest form.
To do that, we recommend you start with any of the following:
- Closed-back headphones, which offers optimal isolation at the expense of sound quality
- Open-back headphones, which has excellent sound quality but reduced isolation
All things considered, the closed-back option is a more necessary item to secure. Of course, you can always get both without spending too much.
Set up Your Studio Today!
Contrary to what some believe, starting a studio isn’t as difficult as one would imagine. When you’re able to secure the essentials, it becomes a lot easier to amass other gear and level up your studio. These four are but the tip of the iceberg, but they should prove enough to set you off the music production journey on a good note.
