Whether you are a podcaster, voiceover artist, or musician, you need a recording studio. From a decent PC to a microphone, audio interface, and studio monitors, you have many options. However, most people find it a big challenge since they don’t know what they actually need to get their studio up and running.
With that said, you need to understand that the choices can be confusing. However, you can make things easier by being specific:
- First, find out what you need the equipment to do
- Then, do you intend to move your studio around your home, or do you want to fix it permanently?
- What kind of music do you want to record?
Also, you will need to find out the items that you don’t need. This way, you will narrow down what you need for your home studio.
Also, it’s important to understand that home studio equipment has lots of bells and whistles. However, you must prioritize quality to avoid getting frustrated because you bought substandard equipment. With that said, let’s look at the items you will need when planning to start a home studio.
Computer
The heart of your home studio is the computer. This is where you will run your recording software, mix your tracks, and store your audio files. So, you need to have a good PC that meets the requirements of your software.
If you are into music production, you need a computer with a lot of processing power. This is because most production software is resource-intensive. You don’t want to slow down in the middle of a session because your computer can’t keep up with the demands of the software.
On the other hand, any decent PC should do the job from recent years if you are starting. Just make sure that it has enough USB ports for all your peripherals, a fast hard drive, and enough memory.
Audio Interface
An audio interface is a device you will use to connect your microphone or instruments to your computer. It’s important to get an audio interface compatible with your PC. In addition, it should also have the inputs and outputs that you need. For example, if you are a keyboard player, you need an audio interface with MIDI input/output ports.
Also, make sure that the audio interface has a good-quality mic preamp. This is because the quality of your recordings will largely depend on it.
Studio Monitors
Studio monitors are speakers specifically designed for music production and critical listening. This is because they provide a flat frequency response, which is important when mixing your tracks.
In addition, they also have a built-in amplifier, and some even have subwoofers. This means that you can use them for monitoring purposes without needing an external amplifier.
Just make sure that you get the right size for your studio. If your studio is small, go for a pair of 5” or 6” monitors. However, if your studio is large, you might want to consider getting a pair of 8” or 10” monitors.
Microphone
If you are into voiceover work or podcasting, you will need a good microphone. In fact, a microphone is the most important part of any recording studio, and choosing the right mic will allow you to enjoy things like DPA Condenser Microphones benefits.
The type of microphone you need will depend on the type of voiceover work you do or the type of music you record. For example, if you are into vocal recording, you will need a large-diaphragm condenser microphone. On the other hand, if you are a rapper, you will need a dynamic microphone. You need to make sure that the microphone is compatible with your audio interface.
Recording Software
This is the software that you will use to record your audio files. In addition, it also contains a lot of features for editing and mixing your tracks. There is a lot of good recording software, but the most popular ones are Cubase, Pro Tools, and Ableton Live. Just make sure that the software is compatible with your PC.
Cables
You will need a lot of cables when setting up your home studio. This is because different audio gear uses different types of connectors. The most common type of connector is the XLR connector. This type of connector is used on microphones and studio monitors. In addition, you will also need a MIDI cable to connect your keyboard to your audio interface.
Acoustic Treatment
If you want to get the best sound from your studio monitors, you will need some acoustic treatment. This is because untreated rooms tend to be reflective, which can cause phase problems when mixing your tracks.
There are a lot of products out there that can help treat your room acoustically. However, the most popular one is the acoustic foam. Just make sure that you cover all the reflective surfaces in your studio with it.
Studio Desk
A studio desk is a must-have in any home studio. This is because it provides you with a place to put all your gear, and it also helps keep your studio organized.
In addition, studio desks also come in different shapes and sizes. So, make sure that you get the right size for your studio.
Headphones
Headphones are essential when recording vocals or instruments. This is because they allow you to monitor the audio signal without disturbing other people in the house. Just make sure that you get a good pair of headphones that are comfortable to wear for long periods.
