how to set up home studio? your Beginner’s Guide!
Do you wish to create your own recording space for your music? They say you should start small, but where do you even go from there? Most people might think that it takes time and a lot of effort out of them. But it’s easier than you would imagine.
It’s becoming increasingly common for musicians, producers, and even enthusiasts to have their private recording studios in their homes. The beauty of today’s recording studios is that you may begin making music with relatively few resources. The digital revolution has made it simpler than ever, with computers and plugins taking the place of traditional studios. This, in turn, make thousands of pieces of recognizable brand-name studio equipment more accessible and inexpensive than ever before. The ability to make music with high-quality sound and how to record it effectively are both crucial. It shouldn’t be sacrificed in favor of saving money on home recording gear. And so, with the correct equipment and sufficient money, anyone can set up a home recording studio that can compete with that of a professional studio. With this article, we present to you the beginner’s guide for a great home recording studio equipment you can start with.
Computer
The core of your studio will be your computer. You’ll use a computer for almost every step of the process, from recording to composing to arranging to mixing. Experts recommend that 16 GB of RAM and a Core i5 CPU, whether it’s a laptop or desktop, is a good start. Because of the intensive nature of Digital Audio Workspace (DAW) tools, you’ll need a powerful computer to run them. At some point, you’ll want to upgrade to a high-end laptop or desktop computer. Recommended by experts are the Apple Macbook Pro 16, Apple iMac 27”, and MSI Modern AM272P 12M-027US 27″ Full HD All-In-One Desktop Computer.
Microphone
A microphone is useful for recording both spoken words and acoustic instrument sounds. So, a high-quality microphone is essential to any music production setup since it allows for accurate sound capture. How many mics you require is highly dependent on the scale of your operations and the kind of sounds you wish to capture. It’s important to know that some microphones excel at picking up voices while others excel at picking up guitars and other instruments. The usual home recording studio just needs one or two microphones. Music professionals highly recommend Shure SM57 for your microphone needs.
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Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)
The Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) is the software package used for digital audio work, including recording, editing, and mixing. It’s the heart of any decent home studio. This might mean audio equipment, software, or both. The DAW is a computer program used to create and modify audio files, which gets your work done. Pick a digital audio workstation that is actively developed and supported. To make the most of your DAW, choose one that has a vibrant user community. Because if you ever run into trouble, you can nearly always find the answer to your question on an online forum. Professionals advise using a DAW with a robust user community, thus programs like Ableton Live and FL Studio are good examples. The firm also regularly incorporates user feedback into the DAW’s development cycle.
MIDI Controller
A MIDI controller is a keyboard, drum pad, effect knob, pitch bend wheel, and other controls used to perform virtual instruments expressively. Without a MIDI controller, you can’t access the hundreds of virtual instruments available for use while making music on a computer. Sure, playing and recording an actual instrument like a guitar certainly has its creative benefits. However, VST instruments have improved to the point that they are now indispensable for every music producer, whether they specialize in electronic or cinematic scoring. The feel and emotions may be easily added to your MIDI recordings with the help of a MIDI controller. Experts recommend the likes of Alesis V49 and AKAI MPK Mini MK3 if you’re looking for affordable yet high-quality MIDI controllers.
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Audio Interface
The audio interface functions as an external soundcard, allowing you to record analog audio (from microphones and instruments) as digital audio on your computer. To record and mix high-quality audio, an audio interface with superior analog-to-digital (ADC) and digital-to-analog (DAC) converters is required. If you want to record anything, including vocals, instruments, or even capture live performances, you’ll need an audio interface. A dedicated audio interface is useful for reducing audio latency even if the recording isn’t in the cards, as is the case when using lots of virtual instruments and plug-ins in a DAW. The Focusrite Scarlett is only one example of a modern “all-in-one” audio interface that combines a microphone preamp, a headphone amp, and a direct box to properly balance mic-level signals.
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Headphones
An accurate pair of headphones that don’t add any extra coloration to the sound is essential for monitoring during recording and maybe mixing and mastering on the fly. Moreover, there are two main options to consider when shopping for headphones for a home recording studio: open-back and closed-back models. When it comes to mixing music, open-back headphones sound the best. However, closed-back headphones, which isolate sound better, are preferable for tracking. One example of headphones explicitly made for studio use is the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro. It’s made to last with additional padding for a plush feel and a snug fit, despite its lightweight design.
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Studio Monitors
To create higher-quality mixes, a studio monitor system is a must-have piece of equipment. You can’t create a professional-quality mix without a monitor speaker. Studio monitors are among the costliest pieces of equipment you’ll purchase, so it’s important to find a pair that sounds good to you. Depending on your tastes and the size of your music or production space, you may select the ideal studio monitor. Experts prefer the Yamaha HS5 Studio Monitor. It is capable of crisp imaging and a broad dynamic range, with improved linearity and transient responsiveness which are provided by upgraded transducers.
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Microphone Stands
Investing in microphone stands to hold all of the mics for vocalists and instrumentalists can give your home recording studio a more professional appearance and allow for better recording. Singers may get by with just one or two at first, often a lightweight one like the Samson MK10 Boom Microphone Stand. One helpful hint is to anticipate your needs. Tripod stands may be used for a variety of tasks, whereas tripod boom stands are ideal for achieving greater heights. Low-profile stands are designed for kick drums and guitar cabs, while round-base stands are perfect for vocalists. Desktop stands are the finest and most cost-effective option for do-it-yourself recording and podcasting in a home studio.
Cables & External Hard Drive
In the field of music and audio creation, you will always encounter a large number of files. Perhaps you believe there isn’t enough space on your PC. Or perhaps you’ll be so naïve as to think that storing everything in the cloud is sufficient. You will also need to stockpile a large number of cables. Although these might not seem essential at first, you’ll quickly find they’re indispensable once your studio is up and running. The inability to complete a task because of a missing cable or adapter can be quite frustrating, so better prepare for future purposes. Professionals suggest SanDisk 2TB Extreme Portable SSD and Western Digital 2TB WD Blue for external hard drives.
Takeaway
In the end, it’s essential to know your priorities and the purpose of the creation of your home studio. At this point, you can conduct some further research before purchasing the necessary equipment now that you have a general concept of what you’ll need.
