How to Set Up a Home Recording Studio

How to set up a home recording studio

You perhaps play guitar, or are a singer songwriter, or maybe you want to be the next Timbaland. Have no idea where to start? I’ve set up many a home recording studio in my day, and I’d be delighted to share my skillz with y’all.

The Computer

It doesn’t matter if you use PC or Mac, desktop or laptop, if your computer is a fairly new one it will suffice.  If you have some spare cash invest in some RAM (memory to non geeks) because this will allow you to do more without your computer freaking out.  With a decent set up you’ll quickly use all available USB ports a a 4-port USB hub will come in handy.

Audio Interface

Also called the soundcard.  This converts the signal from analogue to digital if you have a guitar plugged in and are recording it to the computer, and from digital to analogue when you play back from the computer.  Please do take this advice – the audio interface will make a huge difference to the quality of your recording: good converters will make for a crisp, clear sound, and cheap nasty ones will be noisy and the frequency range will not quite be what it should be.  Check out Native Instruments, Echo, or Lexicon are some brands to look out for.

Decide on the number of inputs and outputs you’ll need.  If you will just record guitar and vocals, a 2-input interface will be fine.  Need to record vocals, keyboards, guitar, bass and electronic drums all at once?  Perhaps a 8/12 input interface would suit better.

Music Software

You will need some form of music software to record onto.  DAW (Digital Audio Workstations) software such as Cubase and Sonar are sophisticated nowadays, however don’t be intimidated by it.  Essentially they are very straightforward to use so don’t be scared.  DAW’s can record audio tracks (from an instrument of vocal) where you can see the waveform, and MIDI which is information sent from a controller keyboard, for example, which triggers a sound based on the computer via a virtual instrument.

Virtual Instruments are just that – instead of a real piano you get a virtual piano which has samples and is stored on your hard drive.  To play the sound simply hit a note on your keyboard.  You get all sorts of virtual instruments, from synth to bass, piano to tuba, drums to didgeridoo.  Most DAW’s already include decent virtual instruments, however there are tons of good ones out there to add to your sonic palette.

Controller Keyboard

The controller keyboard is also known as a MIDI keyboard – it does not include on board sounds, it controls the virtual instrument. Lets make is easy: you load up a virtual instrument that has synth sounds, but you need to actually play the synth sounds, so when you hit the keys on your controller keyboard the sound of the virtual instrument is played by that corresponding note.  Yes, you can play chords!

Monitoring

You have to be able to hear your masterpiece!  A decent set of monitors doesn’t cost much, or if your neighbours are not of the understanding ilk, a pair of headphones might come in handy.  AKG, Shure, and Sennheiser are just three brands to look out for.

Other tips

Once all installed an up-and-running, and you’ve recorded a few tracks, don’t forget to experiment.  The better you know your DAW and its features the easier your life will be when it comes to recording, editing, mixing, and mastering.  Practise makes perfect!  Electric guitar, bass, keyboards, and other ‘electric’ instruments can be connected straight to the inputs of the audio interface, and acoustic instruments like voice of acoustic guitar need to be recorded by a microphone.

Lastly, one of the best ways to learn recoding and production tips, apart from reading my blog, Twitter, and Facebook of course is to watch others, watch YouTube videos, and talk to other recording musicians.  It’s easier than you think to get a home recording studio set up.  Enjoy!