An effective home studio setup is crucial for all levels of producers, engineers, and musicians. Luckily, now is the ideal moment to start playing the game.
Over the past ten years, rapid advancements in digital technology have made home recording not only accessible but also reasonably priced.
Moreover, these crucial home studio gear ensures you’re prepared to produce high-quality music.
This guide provides a basic guide for beginners in home recording. It emphasizes the importance of simplicity and a simple setup for optimal results.
How much does an in-home studio cost?
Building a home recording studio involves various software and hardware components. Basic setups cost $500-1,500, and more advanced setups cost over $3,000.
The most popular setup is a budget-friendly one, such as a DAW, audio interface, microphone, headphones, and cables.
What do you need for a home music studio?
A Computer Or a Laptop
The computer will cost you the most money when you’re initially starting the studio.
Naturally, that assumes you don’t already have one.
This would be strange given that these days, who doesn’t?
In recent decades, obtaining a computer that is fast enough for home recording studios has become a significant issue.
Nonetheless, computer speeds have increased dramatically in the last two years alone, so even the most inexpensive laptops are sufficient to get started.
Therefore, at the beginning, I advise using what you currently have, regardless of your budget.
Audio Interface
The hardware element known as the interface is what links your computer to microphones and other instruments. Simply put, it feeds your studio’s I/O and records audio signals to your DAW, usually USB.
In many cases, two inputs are sufficient for home recording setups. A well-liked choice is the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2, which has two preamps and hybrid XLR/TS inputs for line-level instruments or microphones. Focusrite even provides a beginner’s package that includes a microphone and headphones, as demonstrated below:
There are lots of excellent, reasonably priced interface choices. Your decision will mostly depend on your I/O requirements and preferences.
Headphones and Monitors
Please, one headphone at a time. They may not seem significant at times, yet for many of us, they are the only way others can hear what we’re doing.
It’s rare for home recording studios to have the luxury of fully amplifying a pair of speaker monitors, especially during late-night creative moments!
Naturally, it is better to use monitors in a treated room when mixing. Invest in a pair when the timing is appropriate!
Headphones are acceptable for mixing but necessary for tracking, at the very least. When starting with a home setup, cans are a less expensive and less offensive option regarding noise level.
A Comfortable Chair
Yes, you read the right content! Even though it has nothing to do with music, it’s easy to miss, but a comfortable, ergonomic chair is a need for any home studio.
It can be better for your health to spend hours in front of a computer mixing or producing music, especially if your chair could be better.
So, it is best to invest some effort in selecting high-quality chairs to prevent new back issues or exacerbate current ones.
