Many bands or solo artists may only want to record demo material at home, but prefer to save the budget of recording the final product with an experienced producer, while electronic music composers (such as Avicci or Daft Punk) sometimes the comfort of your own home.

What do I need to start recording at home?

Some of these tips are more important than others, but here are 10 tips for building a great home studio.

1. A space suitable for recording

The first (and perhaps most important) thing you need to build a home studio is the right space. Ideally, this would be a separate room in your home that you could cut and change as you like. But not always! A spare bedroom, garage, and even a shed can all be altered as appropriate.

Of course, you need some privacy when recording. If you are not alone in the home, find a space where there are no distractions and there is no possibility of “runoff” entering from other parts of the home. Broken by a child’s cry.

2. Recording device or digital audio workstation

Digital sound cards in 21st-century computers can handle good USB microphones that connect directly to the computer.

For those just starting out with home recording, a good quality USB microphone makes recording easy and affordable for Music recording studio production. For those who want to record whole bands or more sophisticated arrangements, a digital audio workstation like Logic or Pro-tools will be much better suited.

3. Audio Interface

As with external sound cards, musicians who are serious about home recording should find a high-quality audio interface that will handle their needs. Audio interfaces tend to connect to computers via USB, FireWire, and other cables that vary in speed.

4. Choose a good microphone

From dynamic mics to condenser mics, an investment in good microphones is often the first expensive item you buy when building a home studio. For recording situations, a good condenser microphone is often the solution.

5. MIDI Controller or Synthesizer

For those who want to create their own sounds instead of recording instruments like guitars or drums, MIDI controllers (usually electronic keyboards) allow users to assign sounds. Commonly used to emulate the sound of wind instruments, classical ensembles, or drum machines, MIDI controllers allow musicians to record almost any sound and are a popular feature in any home studio.

6. Monitor speakers or headphones

A key component of any home studio, a good set of speakers or headphones will allow musicians to hear exactly what is being recorded back without tinting the sound with the equalizer found on everyday hi-fi speakers. The key to purchasing speakers and headphones is research.

7. Pop Shield

A good pop shield is a must for anyone recording vocals with a sensitive microphone.

Pops and thumps come primarily from sounds known as ‘bursting’ sounds, prime examples being words starting with the letter ‘B’ or ‘P’. When you hold a lighted candle in front of your lips and say or sing a ‘plot’ you will see the flame flicker.

8. Slight Acoustic Attenuation

It’s not essential if you’re not going to record with a microphone, but a well-damped acoustic room will help you capture the purest version of the sound you want to record, and give you maximum control over things like reverb. Use of plugins and FX. The “dryer” your recording sounds, the easier it is to manipulate.

Simple solutions like thick carpets and curtains can help at first.

9. A good instrument for recording

While this may be obvious to some, not every instrument you buy is as ideal for recording as it is for live performance. This is especially true for instruments like acoustic guitars, and while they may contain great pickup systems for playing through a PA, they may not provide the natural sound you want when recording with a mic.

10. Convenience facilities and a pleasant environment

If your home studio isn’t within easy reach of your kitchen, consider adding a few things to make your time more productive there.

From leaving a kettle in your garage so you don’t have to enter the house every time you want to drink tea, to installing a minibar in your outbuilding… of course, we can cater for all that important listening parties. !

Beyond that, try and think of ways to decorate your surroundings that will inspire you. Think of putting up a poster for a classic album.