If you have creativity, determination, and a home computer, you have the first few things you’ll need to launch your music career. However, setting up an in-home recording studio will require a few more pieces of hardware. This guide goes over those basics, so you can get your studio up and running.
Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)
If you want to record your original content, you’ll need more than just a PC in a home office. While that’s a good start, you’ll also need a good quality DAW. Costs for a decent digital audio workstation range from $100 up to thousands of dollars, so it’s important to consider the quality and features each system provides. Some commonly known brands are Pro Tools, Logic, Ableton, and Cubase. Logic is often the preferred mid-range option because it features a whole range of simulated instruments that allows the user to be more creative.
Audio Interface
Essentially, this is the microphone you’ll use to record your voice and any musical instruments you plan to play “live” for the recording. UAD puts out the Universal Audio Arrow, which is modestly priced and does an excellent job simulating recording studio quality. For this model, you should expect to pay around $500. If that’s too far outside your price range, you can also get one or two-channel sets that range from $100 to $200 and up.
MIDI keyboard
When you add a MIDI keyboard to your home recording studio, you’ll have access to the virtual instruments and sound effects that professional studios use to enhance their artists’ performances. Fortunately, you can get a top model MIDI keyboard, such as the Korg microKEY-25 MIDI Keyboard, for $100 or less.
Studio Speakers
No system is complete without speakers or studio monitors. The monitors that are publicly available today compact high quality into small, tabletop units. Additionally, they’re affordable for musicians on a budget, with the highly-rated KRK Rokit 5 Studio Monitor topping the list at $300.
Headphones and Microphones
You’ll also need to add closed-back headphones to your studio to minimize bleed as you record your tracks. Sennheiser HD 280 Pro Closed-Back Monitor Headphones are moderately priced at about $120 and ideally accompany the Rode NTI-KIT Condenser Microphone Pack at around $270.
These are the basic tools you’ll need to begin recording your tracks. While you can upgrade later as your budget permits, these are good quality products priced for modest budgets. You can use these tools to help you create a system that will function, and you need to launch your musical career.