Home Studio Recording Setup – Why You Need Way Less Audio Recording Equipment Than You Think
Home Studio Recording Setup – Taking The 6 Simple Steps to Professional Quality Sound
1. The computer
Your computer is the engine that powers digital home recording. Almost all the tools (effects, compression, EQ, etc) for our simple home recording setup reside in the computer. In other words, in this setup we are going to use almost no extra external home studio recording equipment.
2. The recording software
How Much Does a Recording Studio Cost?
The cost of setting up a professional recording studio at home can vary from $500 to $20,000. If you don’t have an extra room to set up a studio then you will also need to rent a place, which will cost extra. The setup cost will depend on what kind of a studio you are going to build. Are you planning to set up a serious business, which can render services to varieties of customers and charge a high fee? Or is it just a simple a home-based studio to cater to the local bands for a minimum charge? Here are a few tips to help you get an estimate of how much it may cost to set up a recording studio.
Processing the room
Recording Studio Tips – 10 Things Every Recording Studio Should Stock to Keep Happy Clients
I’ve run a successful recording studio for over ten years now. In that time, I’ve picked up some little-known and not-often-thought of items that every professional and home recording studio should have on hand to make their clients feel comfortable. You may not have thought of some of these, so here it goes…
1. Breath mints. This makes the world better for both you and them!
2. Bottled water (room temperature). Your recording artists will often ask for water to clear their vocal cords. Room temperature is best, as it won’t tighten up their cords like cold drinks will.
3. Ibuprofen/Tylenol. This works wonders for your client’s disposition if they come in with headaches or minor pains that usually distract from a good on-mic performance during their recording session.
4. Benadryl (antihistamine)/allergy medicine. This has saved many a session where the singer couldn’t breathe well enough to sing due to a cold or allergies.
5. Cough drops/lozenges. Another tool to keep your vocalist’s cords feeling good, and also helps to drain the nose if the artist is stuffy or has a cold.
6. Music stand. A music stand keeps the papers out of the artist’s hand during the take, so there’s no paper rustling in your mic! This simple step has made mixing and mastering much easier, because it reduces unnecessary vocal booth sounds.
7. Paper and pens. Critical to catch the spur-of-the-moment lyrical creativity. Lined, notebook-sized paper is best, but I try to use loose-leaf paper instead of notebooks, because my notebooks have had a tendency to “grow feet” and walk away with the artist after the recording session.
8. Clipboard. If you get loose-leaf paper, be sure to pick up a $1 clipboard to your recording artist has something to write on. This also helps to hold up the paper in their hand or on the music stand, to keep it from drooping down or rustling when they’re on the mic.
9. Comfortable chairs (and enough of them)! When you and your clients are in an extended recording or mixing session, you will all really appreciate this. There is nothing worse than not having enough chairs for all your guests, where one or two people are standing, fidgeting or looking for somewhere to sit the whole time.
10. Hand sanitizer/alcohol wipes. This keeps germophobes ok with having to wear other people’s headphones, and helps keep you and your clients from getting sick by being in contact with so many folks. Keeping your hands and equipment sanitized is good practice, and shows your clients you pay attention to enough detail to care about everyone’s health and comfort.