Audio Recording

So you want to build a simple home studio? The simplest you can imagine involves a very little cost than comparing it to professionally made studios. Of course if you are talking about being “simple” does not directly mean “poor quality”. In fact, you can even compete with those recordings produced by professional studios if you REALLY know what you are doing.

Let me outline what are needed in a simple home studio setup and the estimated costs:

1.) Windows Personal Computer (at least 320 GB hard disk, 4GB RAM) and using the latest processor – Cost: $289

Go for the computer with faster processor, higher RAM and disk drive space because you need it a lot during recording. A good example is using Dell computers: Dell 3.0 Ghz. Super Fast GX Computer, Gigantic 1 Terabyte (1,000 GB) Hard Drive, 4GB RAM

2.) PCI Sound cards – one of the best soundcards capable of producing quality recorded sound for entry level production work is the Creative Labs SoundBlaster Audigy 2 Value 7.1-Channel Sound Card. This is recommended if you are in tight budget – Cost: $150

As well as the M-Audio – Audiophile 2496 Audio Card (US41500C) which can cost around $90.

IMPORTANT: You need to ensure that your Windows PC will surely support these types of sound cards. Consult with their manual.

3.) Behringer 502 5-Input Mixer – this is the most recommended mixer to start with. Most of your recordings will be done in multi-track, so you only need to record one instrument at a time. So this mixer ( a five input) can do this type of job. Cost- $45.83

4.) Shure SM58S Vocal Microphone (with On Off Switch) – of course, a dynamic microphone can do a professional job in recording vocals. Just make sure, there are no other distracting noises within your home studio and make sure that there no birds chipping and no dogs barking. Cost – $104

5.) Music Recording software – I am big fan of Adobe audition 1.5 although right now, they have released Adobe Audition 3 which is better than the old version that I am using.

Your software will be the one you will use to record, mix and master tracks. So it is absolutely very important. If you need a absolutely free recording software, you can try Audacity: , but since it is open source, it does not have the full power mixing ,recording and mastering capabilities like other commercially made recording software.

For best learning experience and a good way to start, use professional/commercial recording software like Audition, Sonar, Cakewalk, Pro tools. But again, I am a fan of Adobe Audition which I use since 2004. Cost -$328

6.) Guitars, Bass and Piano – you absolutely need them if you need to be fully equipped. Again this will be a very long list. But hey, where is the drum? You can just go to a professional studio then record each of the drum sound (snare, cymbals, kick etc) and just use a drum sequencer like Hotstepper: http://www.threechords.com/hammerhead/hotstepper.shtml

Load all the original sound drum samples in that sequencer and you have drums already for your own recording projects. Of course, you can buy a real drum with 3 additional mikes, but its not anymore “simple” in my opinion, you are looking for a “complete home studio setup”.

7.) I almost forgot..you need a studio monitor system. Some near field studio monitors/speakers are very expensive but for a start I recommend: M-Audio Studiophile AV 40 Powered Speakers

All in all, assuming you already have guitars, amps, bass guitars as well as other musical instruments. The estimated total cost to build a simple home studio setup is around $1000.

At this price, your studio is capable of producing professionally made recordings. Once you have the gears needed, it is now the time to fully master the art and science of recording , mixing and mastering sound. It will take long because your “ears” needs to fully adopt professional sound. Always have your work be criticized by experts (whether as a song review or through a demo submission) because this is where you start to grow. This criticism is very important in order to trained your “ear” which is undoubtedly the most important piece of recording equipment in your home studio.