Recording Studio Essentials (For Building Your Own Studio)
Recording does not have to be as complex as some may think. There is a lot of music out that has been created on the go. A simple laptop, microphone and headphones could do the trick. You on the other hand may opt for a more traditional recording route and here are some things you'll need to pull it off.
1. Computer (Mac or PC)
A computer with a large amount of memory is essential to recording. The more memory, the better. If you are unsure of what to get, look at the computers that are advertised for gamers. Like musicians, producers and the like, gamers use a tremendous amount of memory so a PC designed for them will work just as good for a musician.
If you are into looking at specifications then just keep this as a general rule. Make sure your computer has at least 8-10GB of memory. This will keep your computer from freezing will you're working.
2. External Hard Drive
Backing up will save you lots of time and prevent much stress. Once you lose your hours of work, you'll have to work hard to get that magic back. If you save your work on an external hard drive your life will seem a whole lot easier in the event of a technological disaster. A reliable brand that I use is Western Digital. Opt for at least 1 TB of memory on your hard drive.
An alternative to all of this is backing up online but that's another post entirely.
3. Microphone
A good mic will make the difference between your recording sounding like a train conductor or an senior home PA system and a grammy worthy recording. A good brand I recommend is Blue. Microphones are like gloves whereas they seem to custom fit you once you've worn them the first time. Just like any performance mic, you'll quickly know if you love it or hate it.
4. Monitors
Good monitors are very important for recording as they can change the way you hear the sound you are working to put out. Although monitors do not need to be expensive, this is not an area to go cheap in or just get whatever is on sale.
A real pocket friendly set of monitors are those in the KRK family. They produce good quality sound without breaking your pockets or bank account. Another good basic or starter brand is M Audio.
5. Headphones
The set I will recommend without question is Bose! They are the best in sound period. A pair of the noise cancelling headphones will set you back about $300. If you're not dropping that much on headphones or if you just need a backup pair, $20 could get you a good pair of Sony headphones.
6. Sound proofing
At least a little sound proofing is one of the things that will save you a lot of time in the mixing department. Have some type of sound proofing in your recording space to diminish or completely eliminate background noises from outside.
There are plenty of other items you can get for your home studio and they vary greatly depending on the type of equipment you purchase. Basics for home recording can vary by equipment age, version, memory capacity and much more. Be sure to check these things out and read product reviews and specifications before you take the leap.
