Home Recording Studio

Home Recording Studio Guide

What is a home recording studio?

A home recording studio is an audio setup found in an artist’s home for recording music, as opposed to recording it in a professional studio. With technology flying along at such a rapid pace, home recording studios have become viable options – for upcoming artists particularly. You’re now able to buy professional equipment at a reasonable price and there’s a ton of knowledge about how to make music on the internet.

Why is a home recording studio important?

Home studios have many benefits for artists but I believe one of the most overlooked benefits is that an artist gets to take ownership of all aspect of their music. A great musician will know their music inside and out and there’s no better way to learn this than by getting behind the controls, making mistakes and discovering exactly how you want your music to sound. It gives you the flexibility to try new things without the pressure and time constraints of being in a professional studio. In addition to learning your music better and helping with artist development, it will also save you money in the long run and allow you to put more money towards music promotion.

Who should have a home recording studio?

Professional studios cost a lot. Their studios can be worth in the hundreds of thousands, if not millions, and it can be hard, especially for smaller professional studios, to keep their doors open without charging a substantial sum.

If you plan on recording music on a regular basis, then that’s going to add up and it’s likely that it will be cheaper in the long run to record it at home where you have the time and flexibility to get it right.

When should you build a home recording studio?

If you’re serious about wanting to record music, or just wanting to practice it on an ongoing basis before you get into professional recording, then the time is now. It’s never been easier to set up a home recording studio and get good results.

How much does a home recording studio cost?

The amount of studio equipment that’s available means that a home recording studio can almost always be built regardless what your budget is. Studios can start out at as little as a few hundred dollars right into thousands of dollars.

Is it possible to set up a cheap home recording studio?

My recommendation is to start simple and start with quality. However, quality doesn’t mean buying the most expensive piece you can find. The most important aspect of quality is ensuring that whatever you buy will help improve the sound of your music.

How to setup a home recording studio?

1. Computer

The computer is the heart of a home recording studio– it’s what you’ll use to record and edit your music. Speed and power is key here as music software can be intensive based on how many layers and effects you use. Go for the fastest computer you can afford, it’ll make recording your music a lot easier.

2. DAW (Digital Audio Workstation)

A DAW is the recording system that you’ll use to record, edit, and mix music on your computer. The important thing in purchasing a DAW is to find one that suits the way you like to work. Lots of companies offer trial periods so make the most of these and find the one that makes the most sense to you.

3. Audio Interface

While your computer may have audio inputs/outputs, an audio interface will provide you with much greater flexibility to have simultaneous components going at the same time, as well as a much-needed sound upgrade for your computer.

4. Microphone

A studio microphone is an essential piece of equipment to get your home recording studio going. There is a huge range of microphone’s (from XLR to USB Microphones) out there all with different uses, so you need to make sure the one you’re purchasing is right for the type of vocals you want to record.

5. Pop filter

A pop filter is not only going to keep your microphone in quality condition by reducing the amount of moisture directed at it. It will also reduce those pesky ‘popping’ sounds that happen as a result of fast moving air hitting the microphone when you’re recording.

6. Studio speakers and headphones

The age-old debate of studio monitors vs studio headphones for mixing and recording music just isn’t necessary. They both have their place so if you can afford it, get both. If not, don’t sweat it, you’ll still be able to mix and record with one or the other until you can. To put it simply, speakers play your music exactly as it sounds which allows you to make any adjustments with a lot of accuracy. With headphones, they allow you to record your music on microphones without much audio leakage but can me misleading when mixing.

7. Stands

While stands might not seem like a glamorous part of setting up a studio, they can make all the difference in how your music sounds, especially a speaker/monitor stand. You can invest in an amazing pair of monitors but if you don’t sit them on something (like acoustic foam) that allows the acoustics to come out just right, they might not be accurate. Microphone stands are another essential for your studio and it’s easy to pick up a quality stand without spending too much money.

8. Cables

Recording studio cables are actually a lot more simple than you might think. The main thing you need to pay attention to when choosing cables for your studio equipment is that they fit your equipment. Although some cables perform better than others, you’ve got to start to somewhere. So in the beginning, make sure you get the correct cables and improve as you upgrade your equipment.

Need More Help?

Feel free to check out any of our articles below or email me any questions at Darius at ArtistShortcut.com.

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