Your own home recording studio is a dream that is much easier to fulfill today than even a few years ago. Not only that, but the quality results can be so high that the whole recording industry is changing massively.
Add in the explosion of web usage and download capacity available, and you have a recipe for creating your own music and a the online distribution channel to reach your audience.
So what are the essentials to get started?
Components:
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Music Computer and Software
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Sound Card
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Disk Storage
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Sound Mixer – maybe…
Here are the questions:
1. What digital recording hardware and software do I need?
The professional’s choice of software is most often Pro Tools from Digidesign. At the high end of the consumer market is Cakewalk.
Did you know:
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You can set up a Digidesign Pro Tools
rig at home for around $600.
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Or you can get a small sound mixer and setup a Cakewalk
As you see, with today’s affordable technology, you can setup a music studio at home for only a small investment.
So what gear is absolutely essential?
Let’s see if we can guide you briefly through what to consider if you want to record music at home.
2. Sound Cards
Your sound sources will feed, either via a microphone, or direct from the instrument, into your Sound Card and so into your music computer.
Pro Tools comes with its own sound card. If you’re not using Pro Tools, you’ll need a decent sound card to capture and convert your sound sources into digital signals – which can be processed by your music computer .
Your sound card should have
- at least two balanced 1/4″ jack inputs that can be used simultaneously for four-channel operation
- support sampling rates up to 96kHz
3. Mass Storage
Next, mass storage for your digital home recording studio.
Does your music computer already have a very large hard drive? I mean at least 150GB. No? Then you’ll need an external firewire drive .
Digital audio takes up huge amounts of space – without you even getting one song recorded. Budget for one of these drives.
4. Sound Mixers (maybe…)
You don’t really need a Sound Mixer – you could mix on your computer using the computer keyboard. However a mixer desk does make your recording process much easier.
Whether you use the computer or have a separate mixing desk (controlling the computer), the process is the same.
- capture audio with the mixer and sound card
- edit and mix on the computer
Look for a mixing board with
- at least 4 xlr and jack inputs, and
- phantom power for boosting mic power
Keep in mind when selecting your mixer, think of the future and get something that can grow with your recording skills.