How To Make A Home Recording Studio – Quick Setup Guide

The key to getting the best results from a home studio is awareness of your needs and picking the best equipment for it.

Musicians and other artists who work with audio share a dream of owning a home studio just a few steps from their bedrooms. The convenience of having access to a recording space where you can record vocals and different instruments every time you have an epiphany is unmatchable. Fortunately, it is not too difficult to live this dream even if you are running on a budget.

Since the rise of online streaming platforms, the interest of artists in audio gear has grown exponentially making the market highly competitive. It has not only improved the quality and variety of the audio gear but also cut down the prices, allowing more artists to access them.

So, if you have decided to build a home studio for music production or recording vocals but are figuring out where to start, you have come to the right place.

What Does It Take To Build A Home Studio?

Building a home studio comes down to two aspects: equipment and the recording space. The requirements of recording space remain pretty much the same across almost all recording applications. However, you will have to put in some deliberation while picking up the audio gear based on your desired applications.

Let’s go over both of the aspects one by one and figure out what works best for you.

Audio Equipment

Audio equipment for a home studio can also be broken down into two categories including basic and add-ons. You will need basic tools no matter what your desired application is but the add-ons can vary based on different applications. The basic equipment required to set up a home studio includes:

1. Microphone

A microphone is at the center of recording equipment because it plays an instrumental part in defining the sound quality of a studio. While looking for budget options your instincts may take you to the USB microphones, but no matter what the manufacturers promise, just know that no USB mic will cut it for the studios. You have to select an XLR mic if you are building a studio because not only does it offer better audio quality but also compatibility with other equipment. You can specifically opt for vocal mics within your budget for this as well.

However, even within XLR mics, you will find several options that can be potentially confusing. You will have to put in a bit of research to find a microphone that fits your applications the best. While most studio owners go for condenser microphones, modern dynamic microphones have also become quite capable. So, do not haste with the decision and evaluate your options carefully before purchasing a microphone.

Mind you, no matter how versatile or capable a microphone is, merely one would not suffice for all recording applications.

Besides the microphones, you must also look for quality accessories such as a pop filter, microphone stands, a shock mount, XLR cables, and a boom arm to get the best results.

2. Audio Interface

The audio interface serves as a relay point between all of your audio inputs and processing devices such as computers or speakers. Almost all professional audio input devices, such as midi keyboards and acoustic guitars record an analog which cannot be read by the computer warranting conversion to a digital signal, which is carried out by an audio interface. 

Like the microphones, the market offers a variety of audio interfaces as well. The basic devices offer two or three inputs and about the same output connections. However, those at the higher end of the spectrum offer multiple inputs and outputs along with additional features to manipulate the audio signal to some extent.

The audio interface also provides phantom power to the condenser mics, which is a crucial element without which a condenser mic cannot work. The choice of the right audio interface will ultimately come down to your applications. However, it is recommended to avoid budget options and pick the best possible interface you can purchase. Having a premium audio interface makes expandability much easier which believe us or not you will want as you start working in the studio.

3. Computer

From playing virtual instruments to editing audio, everything is carried out on a computer. You should make absolutely no compromise while picking up or building a computer for your studio. It will take a big chunk of your budget but that should not compel you to cut corners and spare the capital for other equipment. Take time while building the studio but do not compromise on the equipment that plays such an instrumental role in the entire process of recording.

The minimum requirements for a computer designed to produce music and other recording applications include:

• A CPU with a clock speed of at least 2.4 GHz
• At least 8GB RAM
• 500 GB of SSD Storage
• A motherboard compatible with audio equipment and enough USB inputs
• 64-bit operating system
• An efficient cooling system
• A sturdy case

Be mindful that these are minimum requirements so ideally your computer should exceed these specifications and have sufficient processing power to ensure a smooth workflow. 

4. Digital Audio Workstation

Digital audio workstation is essentially software designed for the post-production of the audio. Picking up the right DAW is perhaps the most challenging aspect of designing a home studio because of the variety on the market. Furthermore, the features of a DAW vary greatly for different applications.

For example, you will need basic features like compression and noise suppression if you are working only with vocals. However, if you also work with music instruments such as midi keyboards, electric guitar amps, and acoustic guitars you will need a much powerful software that offers enough features to give you control over different frequencies produced by these instruments.

Similarly, some DAWs have software instruments built into them while you have to download separate applications for others. Some also offer sample libraries and other pro tools to make your recordings sound even better. The point is, that you will have to put in a bit of research before finalizing a DAW for your studio.

Audacity, Reaper, Pro Tools, GarageBand, and Logic Pro are some of the popular DAWs for podcasts and other applications that require a basic suite of tools. On the other hand, Ableton Live, Image-Line FL, Apple Logic Pro, Steinberg Cubase, and PreSonus Studio One work best for professional musicians.

5. Studio Monitors

Studio monitors are speakers designed specifically for the applications of music production. They have only one job which is to reproduce the exact sound that is being input without manipulating it with coloration and other sound effects. These speakers can help you listen to exactly what the output sounds like. Furthermore, they can also be used to play music in the background while a vocalist records.

You cannot use consumer speakers in a studio because, unlike studio monitors, they do not have a neutral and wide frequency response, meaning they cannot produce as accurately as studio monitors.

6. Miscellaneous Tools

In addition to the equipment mentioned above you will need some miscellaneous tools to complete the gear for a home studio. These include a decent pair of studio headphones, mixers, stands for instruments like acoustic guitars, and kickdrums, and dedicated music software. You will need some furniture like chairs, tables, and a stand to complete the gear for a home studio.

Recording Space

Now that you have a basic understanding of the equipment required to build your own studio, let’s move to the space where all of this gear will be placed and used. Fortunately, building a space for recording is not too challenging because whether it is music production or merely vocal recordings, the requirements remain the same. These include:

1. Adequate Space

Your home studio should be spacious enough to accommodate all equipment without appearing congested. It should enable a clutter-free arrangement where different tools are at a reasonable distance from each other. Furthermore, the space must be divided into two: one should be dedicated to the recording area where your microphone will be placed, while the rest can be used to store supporting equipment such as computers, interfaces, mixers, and other such devices.

2. Acoustic Panels

Sound signals can reflect off the walls of the studio and this phenomenon can interfere with the output. You can mitigate it by installing acoustic panels on the walls of the area that is dedicated for recording. These panels absorb the sound waves and clear the room of potential interference. Such treatment of the room is especially important for a recording studio designed for recording music. 

While looking for acoustic panels and other materials to treat the room you should find a blend that can counter both low and high frequencies. Typically, a single panel can only absorb one type of frequency, so you will have to use a combination of panels to achieve complete quietness in the room.

You should also cover other sharp objects that can reflect sound with foam panels. In case you do not have enough capital to treat the room, the DIY technique is to cover the sharp objects and walls in front of speakers with a soft fabric such as that of blankets.

3. Quietness

Your home studio setup should be built in a quiet place, making places like basements the best options. The entire area should be clear of electronics that can produce noise. Allowing electronics to interfere with the music sound directly and indirectly. Some of them will produce the noise that will make it into the microphone while others may interfere with your recording gear to produce a distorted audio full of background noise.

Tips To Get The Best Results From Your Home Studio

The following tips will help you make the most of your home studio:

• Invest in quality cables because no matter how good a particular equipment is the signal has to be carried via cable. Furthermore, prevents the cluttering of instrument cables because it not only looks displeasing but also contributes to wear and tear.

• Always use real instruments instead of their virtual counterparts if you have the resources to get great sound.

• Use as simple DAW as possible, While having access to loads of features is great for experimentation, it can also be overwhelming especially if you are not professional. 

• Ask a professional audio engineer to help you through the process of equipment selection and building a place for recording. 

• Careful planning is the key to success. Knowing your desired applications provides an excellent foundation that you can build upon to create a studio that serves your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions