Home Recording Buyers Guide

Home Recording Setup

You’ve been playing and writing songs for a while, and you’ve decided that now is the time to start sharing your music with the world.

In the past, musicians had to go into a studio to record their work. They would either have to pay for this themselves or be signed to a record label. This is no longer the case. Home recording is on the rise all over the world. Even established bands and artists are turning to home recording to get their music out there. This basic home studio buyers guide aims to help you make the right decisions when setting up your first home studio.

THE BASICS

So, you’ve had an honest look into what it takes to record at home, and you’ve decided that home recording is the right choice to make. What next?

There are a few basic elements that go hand in hand to build a great home recording setup.

PC/Laptop – This will run the recording via a DAW

DAW – Digital Audio Workstation (the software used to record, edit, and mix the music)

Audio Interface – This, as the name suggests, acts as an interface between the raw audio signal of your microphone or instrument, and your computer.

Microphone – A large diaphragm condenser is our recommended all-rounder studio mic

Monitors – Either Studio monitor speakers, or headphones. Take a look at our piece on Studio Monitors vs. Headphones to help you make the right decision!

MIDI Controller – Usually in the form of a piano keyboard, this will allow you to play and record a host of virtual instruments.

DAW - Software

There are a massive amount of Digital Audio Workstations (DAW’s) available, with Pro Tools, Ableton, FL Studio, Logic, Cubase, and Reaper being some of the most popular options. Deciding which one is right for you really comes down to preference. They all do more or less the same thing and can deliver similar results.

Our recommendation is to start out with the software included with your Interface, or MIDI controller, and go from there. If that works for you, great! If not, give something else a shot. Fortunately most DAW’s offer trial versions for you to get a taste!

Audio Interfaces

You’ve got a PC ready to go, and you are now you’re ready to start building up the gear you need. Where do you start? The interface is the first piece of gear you will need to buy.

The first task is to figure out how many channels you need. (ie: how many separate instruments/mics are you looking to record simultaneously?)

A basic rule of thumb is to always take more inputs than you would need. Even if you’re likely only going to record one element at a time, a 2-channel interface is still a great starting point. You never know when you’re going to want to expand your recording process.

In terms of recording fidelity, most entry level interfaces provide similar sample rates and fidelity, and all of them are of a very high standard. So the next things to keep an eye out for is expandability, and monitoring options!

Microphones

A great place to start for your first studio microphone is a Large diaphragm condenser. They are the most common studio microphones and stand as the best all-rounders. From vocals to acoustic instruments, and even percussion, a large diaphragm condenser mic is the perfect introduction to the world of studio microphones!

Monitoring - Headphones or Studio Monitors

Monitoring is one of the most fundamentally import parts of the recording and mixing process. Which type of monitoring you jump into first will depend on your budget, and environment. If you have a nice, quiet space, and sufficient budget, studio monitors are incredible! If you plan on travelling regularly, have an unpredictable, loud space, or are looking to save a few pennies, headphones can be a fantastic option too!

Take a look at our piece on Studio Monitors VS Headphones for more information on monitoring!

MIDI Controllers

If you are looking to record any digital instruments or elements, such as drums, keyboards, or brass instruments, a MIDI controller can be invaluable. It allows you to control the digital samples of these instruments, usually in the form of a piano-style keyboard.

Get Recording!

Once you’ve got these basics together, you’re ready to charge full steam ahead into recording. There are many products that can make your process easier or more versatile that you can pick up and grow with along the way, but this is the quintessential starter pack. Happy recording!

Next: Read our Home Studio Setup Guide

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