You walk into a music store, get overwhelmed by the mountains of gear around you, and then a store manager walks up, hard sells you some of the most expensive equipment on the shelves and convinces you that you cannot make good music otherwise. We've all been there, and it can be a confusing place to be. That is why I'm writing this short guide to help you make better decisions and not burn holes in your wallet, while also not compromising on the quality of your recordings.
Before that, this diagram below will give you an idea of how a basic recording studio works,
1.Computer
This is going to be the heart of your operation. A decent computer will enable you to work smoothly. We all know that creative flow is something that can easily be swayed and hindered. There's nothing more unhinging than watching your computer glitch or stutter, as you're giving it your all and laying down some fire vocals. This can put a huge damper on your confidence or the confidence of an artist you're working with.
Fortunately audio processing doesn't require as much horse power as visual mediums like graphic design and video editing. Below are some basic requirements that would be able to run most audio software.
Processor : i5 or higher (or) any of the Mac Silicon chips(post 2020)
Ram : 8gb or higher
Hard disk : preferably an ssd
Now coming to the decision of whether a Mac or a PC is superior, my personal recommendation is a Mac. Although they're more expensive, they're just built better and run more smoothly without you having to go under the hood to set things up. Macs have really solid default audio drivers and they basically are idiot proof in most cases. Midi controllers and audio interfaces are usually just plug and play. This can be a huge advantage for people who aren't computer savvy.
This doesn't suggest that windows based computers are inferior, in fact you might be able to get a windows computer with a way higher configuration for the same price as a mac. You just have to be extra careful with the way you use a windows computer as they can be prone to viruses and malware, and tend to get cluttered very easily. You might also want to equip yourself with information on how to setup audio interfaces and Midi controllers on windows as there are certain processes you need to follow for doing so.
Here are a few suggestions on both ends of the spectrum :
Macbook Pro 13 inch:
Asus Vivobook:
Hp 14 :
2.Audio Interface
An audio interface is a device that converts audio signals from your microphone or acoustic instrumentation (analogue signals), to a digital medium that your computer and software can process.
Audio interfaces usually connect to your computer via USB cables. They have, in most cases one or more inputs for your instrumentation/microphones and they output audio to your headphones and your speaker systems. They have pre-amplifiers that amplify the signal coming in from your microphone so that they can be used and processed by your software. The quality of these pre-amps is an important thing to consider while making a decision.
When it comes to audio interfaces, usually the more instrument/microphone inputs you require, the more money you have to shell out. This is a common trap that most beginner producers fall into, they feel that more inputs are better, what they don't realize is that in most home studio applications, you will be recording only one or two elements of instrumentation at a time. This is why my suggestion would be to start out with an audio interface with 2-4 inputs, and pick a higher quality brand.
There are a lot of brands out there that sell 8-12 channel audio interfaces for really cheap. This could be a tempting offer but this means that they're probably compromising on the quality of each of the inputs and just giving you quantity.
Here are some suggestions for quality audio interfaces on a budget :
3.Microphone
There are many types of microphones out there and I wouldn't want to take you down the rabbit hole for now. So let's stick to two basic types of microphones that are most commonly used in a basic studio environment. You can get most of the results you're seeking with these.
Condenser Microphones:
Condenser microphones are usually very sensitive to a broad frequency range. They are ideal for a studio environment as they capture the full essence of your vocals or an acoustic instrument you are recording. They usually require extra power (48v phantom power) that is provided by your audio interface. I would suggest that you pick up a condenser mic first as they are pretty versatile.
One thing to note is that condenser microphones usually require a special mount and a pop filter. You should buy these together for the best performance. These are not very expensive.
I will link some options below for microphone and peripherals below:
Dynamic Microphones:
Dynamic microphones are less sensitive and more robust. They're very good for percussion and loud instrumentation. They're also essential in live performances as they tend to reject unwanted ambient sounds that can cause unwanted feedback. These can be very useful in a home studio for recording loud guitar amps, drums, and other high intensity instrumentation. So if this is your application, you would need to add one of these mics to your arsenal.
The good news is that they're usually cheaper than condensers, so here are a few options :
4.Midi Controller
Midi controllers allow you to play virtual instrumentation like digital synths or percussion pads. They control the sounds that are present on your software and allow you to perform and play melodies and harmonies.
They come in many shapes and forms. You have Midi controllers that are modelled after traditional pianos, or they can come with pressure sensitive pads, or a combination of both.
Midi controllers are useful to lay down melodies and get ideas out, they are designed in such a way that you don't have to be a virtuoso or super proficient at an instrument. You can truly play it by feel.
Most midi controllers can be custom mapped and fully integrated with your audio software. This gives you a lot of flexibility in the studio and in a live setting.
Here are some budget options to get you started:
5.Studio monitors
Studio monitors are high fidelity speaker systems that have a relatively flat eq response curve, in layman's terms this means that they don't boost frequencies to make the sound more exciting like they do in most commercial music systems or home theatres. This gives you a more accurate representation of the sound and doesn't cloud your judgement when it comes to the decisions you make while you're composing or arranging your music.
Studio monitors may not be the most essential purchase you need to make at first, but they can really kick start your progress and help you get better quality mixes from the get-go. There are some really good budget options linked below:
6.Headphones
Headphones are essential in a home studio environment for many reasons. The first and foremost would be that you need a pair of headphones to listen back to either your voice or the instrumentation you will be recording. You cannot record while the sounds of the backing instrumentation are blaring through the speakers as your microphone would pick that up and cloud up the sound.
A good pair of closed-back headphones are the best place to start. They isolate the sound well and don't bleed out into the microphone while you're recording.
Headphones are also really useful in home studio setups where loudness is an issue. Your family/neighbours might not appreciate the magnificent walls of sound that your speakers are capable of harnessing, as much as you do:
You can get some seriously good results with just basic equipment. All you need to do is to learn how to deal with the deficiencies and use them to your advantage, treat the limitations as fuel for your creativity and you'll be well on your way to creating that masterpiece we've all been waiting to hear. All the best!
P.S If you're a musician looking to promote your music, sign up for the giveaway (click the button below) and you have a chance to get your music placed on a massive Spotify playlist! :)
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