How to build a home recording studio on a budget
The process of building a recording studio in your home on a budget depends on what your goal is and what you budget is. For this model I’ll use my own set-up and a budget of $2,500 – My goal was to record a ‘one man band’ or several musicians simultaneously. Mobility was important to me as I wanted the flexibility to bring the studio to them if needed. A ‘one man band’ is typically a singer, guitarist, keyboardist, percussionist or a blend of all and tracks are laid out one at a time. A full band recording, all the musicians can be recorded simultaneously, but usually tracking one at a time is still best.
- The main components for a recording studio are the computer, monitor speakers, headphones, microphone, MIDI keyboard controller, sequencing software and a soundcard. All these pieces can be purchased used instead of new rather easily for under $2500 in total. I won’t get into the actual models Id suggest but will guide you in the right direction. My next article will list what brands I’d recommed.
- The type of computer should be a laptop, speakers that are 8â€, closed form headphones, a dynamic microphone and cardiod microphone, 61 note MIDI controller, a dual platform recording software and a fire wire soundcard that supports MIDI and has at least 4 inputs, 2 being microphone pre’s.
With these components you’ll be on the right track to building your home studio on a budget. In conclusion, it’s a good practice to read many articles on products before you buy, I found the internet forums are an excellent unbiased resource. I recorded two CD’s using this set-up, Joy: Gentle Instrumental Christmas and my current project, ‘aMuse” - You can check these out at http://aquadio.com/
In my next article Ill be listing the ’step by step’ approach of setting up the studio, and in the near future how to accousticly treat your room on a budget.
-s
email me if you any comments steven@aquadio.com
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March 25th, 2007 at 12:20 am
hi Steven,
excellent article, however I’m hoping for some more ‘nuts and bolts’ details on the how connect all the pieces for my studio as well what brands you’d recommend. I really like how you isolated the main pieces, and kept the article simple and straight to the point - I look forward to you next article in hopes you’ll cover the this in greater detail. Gorgeous website BTW.
Fred Butler
March 30th, 2007 at 4:54 pm
To anyone who might be skeptical about being able to have your own semi-professional studio by spending this kind of budget, Steven gave me the exact information when i was starting off. I followed his instructions to the T, and now have my own studio. It did cost me a little over 2500$ though, but that’s because i wanted the equipment to be new. But i have the exact setup he mentions, a 17″ iMac with dual screen for a computer, using Cubase SX 2.0, I use Behringer Truth B2031a Monitors, Senheiser HD280 Pro Headphones, 2 Behringer C1 Microphones, Yamaha Mo8 Keyboard and a Presonus Firebox firewire soundcard that has midi, 4 inputs, 2 of them being Mic Pre’s. With this equipment, i am able to achieve some very satisfying recordings. So if you’re in the market to start your own home studio, just follow Steven’s advice the same way i did and i promise you, you’ll be more then glad you did.