Essential studio recording equipment has never been more affordable and all the more remarkable. However, all things being equal, many home studio proprietors have a “spend more” mentality with regards to recording and mixing gear, and it’s easy to become confused and frustrated about what you actually need while making a home recording studio.
5 essential bits of recording equipment for your home studio arrangement
I’m here to attempt to clear things up and convey you the straightforward truth about what you really want to get executioner recordings at home. Prepare to be blown away. There are only five things I think you really need, and the uplifting news is you probably already have one of them.
- A decent computer
With regards to home recording, the vast majority of the time you will want to go with computer recording. As a general rule you already own a computer that is capable of being the center point of your home recording studio. Assuming that’s the case, you’ve already eliminated one decision.
If anyway you want another computer, or you’d rather keep your personal computer separate, you have a ton of options awaiting you. Allow me to make it easy for you.
Go with what is familiar to you. Mac or PC, laptop or work area. What matters most is that you like the item and you feel comfortable working with it on a regular basis, not what brand it is.
I work with makers all the time who record and mix great music on the two Macs and PCs, so we should not go there this moment. Instead use either what you have or what you know. My only suggestion is get as much RAM as you can afford and don’t think back.
Nowadays, dealing with a laptop doesn’t mean sacrificing power, so in the event that you like to be versatile, or plan to take your gear to different places to record, then go portable. It’s a great option. Furthermore, when you’re back home you can connect that laptop to a greater screen in the event that you want to.
Simply pick something, don’t spend excessively, and continue on. Plan to save it for at least three years and then, at that point, reassess the situation.
- A DAW
Once you have your computer chosen, that makes your recording software decision a lot easier, as not all DAWs work on both Mac and PC.
Rationale is Mac only. Sonar is PC only. Digital Performer, Audition, Pro Tools, Cubase, Live, Reason, and Studio One are all dual platform. They are all fabulous programs and will take care of business for you. Which one would it be advisable for you to go with? That’s a question only you can answer.
Most makers have their favorites, and I’ll come out immediately and let you know I’m a Pro Tools fellow. I’ve utilized the greater part of the programs out there, however at the day’s end I always return to Pro Tools for composing, recording, altering, mixing, and mastering. Do I suggest Pro Tools? Indeed! Be that as it may, will it be the game changer in how your songs end up? No!
Putting resources into a piece of recording software is without a doubt no joking matter. Yet, don’t over think this decision. Pick a piece of software that accommodates your financial plan and go with it. At the day’s end, when individuals tune in back to your completed songs they won’t have the option to determine what program you used to record or mix. Nor will they care! All they care about is whether the song sounds great.
I will say this, notwithstanding. In the event that you mean to get into this business professionally one day (for example work in a studio, mix for large name clients, engineer music for picture in Hollywood) then you probably want go the Pro Tools course since that is the most broadly involved program in the business today, by a long shot.
In any case, other than that, it really doesn’t matter which program you go with. Individuals waste an excessive amount of time on Internet discussions debating DAW software and being huge fan-young men. Don’t be one of those individuals; limit your options, pick a piece of recording software, and get to making music! You’ll have a ton of time left over for something more important, such as discovering some kind of life outside your home studio walls.
- An audio interface
Since the vast majority of us don’t have a $200,000 mixing console in our spare rooms, you’ll require a good way to get all of your sounds (guitars, vocals, keyboards) into your computer’s recording software. This is where an audio interface becomes an integral factor.
Most DAWs work with pretty much any brand of audio interface. This leads to a perpetual rundown of boxes to browse. Allow me to give you a suggestion: restrict yourself to only 2 channel interfaces.
What I mean is, don’t buy an excess.
The vast majority become involved with the publicity that they need a fancy audio interface that can do all that and is made with premium components that give you “that sound.” While the facts confirm that many of the features available in today’s very good quality interfaces are great, this caliber of recording equipment isn’t necessary to make executioner recordings and be productive in your home studio arrangement.
Except if you want multiple channels to record drums (and that’s debatable to some) all you’ll at any point require is a straightforward two-channel USB audio interface. You’ll require it to accompany at least one microphone preamp with phantom power (see the following section), line-in inputs for guitar cables and keyboards, sound system outs, and at least one headphone out. That’s all there is to it!
With that information, you can pick your spending plan and simply track down something that fits those parameters
What about external preamps, you ask? On the off chance that you want more microphone preamps for the additional contributions to your audio interface, then, at that point, by all means take the plunge. Purchase an affordable preamp and get going recording.
If, notwithstanding, you’re pondering purchasing more preamps just to “change things up,” let me offer you a piece of guidance. Except if you do this professionally, all day every day, you really have a ton of better things to invest your energy and money on than building a small collection of preamps. You’re possible not going to see an improvement in quality to warrant the purchase. In addition the preamps that come in your interface sound great already! Until you’ve investigated them all, have a decent understanding of what they do and don’t do, and want to add something else, why look somewhere else?
- A decent studio microphone
Clearly, microphones are an essential part of the recording system and can have more to do with how your recorded material turns out than any other part of your studio. Yet, man, do they cause such a lot of distraction from the higher perspective!
Without meticulously describing the situation, there are three main kinds of microphones: dynamic, condenser, and ribbon (with dynamic and condenser being the most broadly utilized). Dynamic microphones are great for use on stage in live settings. They are entirely durable and can take a beating. The also will more often than not be extremely directional in that they will only get what’s straightforwardly in front of them (sort of crucial with a lot of clamor on stage).
Condenser microphones, namely large diaphragm mics, utilize an alternate innovation to get audio and convert it into power; and they do it such that carries such a lot of detail and realism to the recording that for quite a long time engineers have gone to them as the workhorses of the studio.
The $100 Rule
The popularity of large diaphragm condenser microphones has prompted a flood of decisions in the marketplace. And since this innovation is neither new or hard to duplicate, costs of mics have descended massively (except if you’re purchasing classic name brands like Neumann). What does this mean for yourself and me? It means now is the right time to take out a little bonus standard I like to call the $100 rule.
The standard is basic: except if you’re seeking own a particular microphone for a particular reason, don’t spend any more than $100 on a microphone for your home studio arrangement. That’s all there is to it. There are simply such a large number of great sounding microphones on the market for under $100. Presently, if you WANT to spend more than $100 on a mic, don’t allow me to stop you. A portion of the world’s best mics cost way more than that.
In any case, the reality is, on the off chance that you’re new to this, the $100 rule helps narrow your options so you can grab a great mic and get to it.
I actually utilize my old Behringer B1 (retails for $100) right up to the present day on many clients, and with fantastic outcomes! And to think, that microphone costs not exactly the sales tax on many “vintage” mics. Sheesh! Save the money and take your mother out for a decent supper. She’ll appreciate it.
- A pair of studio headphones or monitors
Finally you really want to pay attention to your recordings/mixes on something. That’s where a pair studio monitors or headphones becomes an integral factor. I won’t invest a lot of energy here on this because I think individuals way over think this part.
To start with, it’s OK to record and mix on headphones. Indeed, it tends to be challenging at times, however it is totally doable. Start there on the off chance that money is tight and save up for monitors.
Second, when you DO choose to get monitors, don’t buy greater speakers than you really want and don’t buy more costly speakers than you really want. In the event that you want a few additional details on picking a decent pair of monitors then, at that point, look at this post; and assuming that you might want to construct your own speaker stands, look at this article. It will help a great deal.
