Make Music At Home For Beginners:
Building Your Home Recording Studio

For those looking to explore their creativity and produce music, constructing a recording studio at home is an exhilarating experience that can be achieved with just $600. Here we’ll provide you the essentials regarding space requirements, equipment needed, and quality brands within budget – so let’s get started!

Ensure your home studio space is at least 10′ x 10′ for optimal recording quality and convenience. This will give you ample room to fit all the necessary equipment for a practical session. A soundproofed area will also reduce external noise distortion and generate professional recordings.

Soundproofing Your Space

If you want to improve your chances of getting pro-quality audio from your studio, equip your recording space with the appropriate acoustic treatment materials to reduce unwanted noise. Auralex, ATS Acoustics, and Primacoustic offer economical soundproofing options that will help optimize your studio environment. Begin by investing in acoustic panels for installation on walls and ceilings – this is an essential step toward achieving superior acoustics in your recording space!

If you’re creating a home recording studio, acoustic treatment materials are essential for the best results. These materials absorb echoes and reverberations to ensure a more controlled listening environment. Two of the most popular types available today include acoustic panels and 12″ x 12″ x 1″ foam panels. Investing in these kinds of products can make all the difference!

Acoustic panels are a terrific solution to create an audio-friendly environment in any recording space. They’re built with sound-absorbent materials such as fiberglass or mineral wool and come in numerous sizes and shapes, allowing for customizable options based on your specific needs. For optimum results, they should be placed strategically around the room – mainly targeting walls, floors, and ceilings with hard surfaces – since this helps reduce standing waves and reflections, resulting in improved acoustics!

Are you looking for an effective method to reduce unwanted reverberation and echoes? Then, foam panels are worth considering. These 12″ x 12″ x 1″ foam pieces have been specially designed to absorb sound waves, making them particularly successful when treating higher frequencies, including those produced by percussion instruments such as cymbals. In addition, they come in assorted sizes so that you can customize your recording space’s acoustic treatment accordingly!

When it comes to achieving a soundproof space with minimal unwanted reverberation, acoustic panels and foam panels, both have their advantages. Acoustic panels are known for being more successful when dealing with low-frequency sounds, while foam ones prove most effective in managing higher frequencies. Although they tend to be pricier than the alternative option of foam paneling, these acoustic units produce a much more professional outcome aesthetically speaking.

As you plan your home recording studio, it is paramount to consider the size of the area, the budget adjustments needed for acoustic treatment materials, and the particular needs of each sound project. Yet don’t forget that this type of material is not everything when creating an incredible audio environment – look at where all equipment has been set up in relation to one another; consider which microphones will be used; and lastly, review the total design layout before starting a new session.

Computer Workstation and DAW

When choosing a budget-friendly computer ideal for home recording studios, the Acer Aspire TC-895-UA92 Desktop is an excellent selection. For only $500, you get access to an 8th Generation Intel Core i5-10400 6-Core Processor, 8 GB of DDR4 Memory, and a 500GB hard drive! With such powerful specs, this machine can easily manage multiple audio tracks and plugins without any issues.

This desktop has impressive features, including Intel UHD Graphics 630, 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6, and a range of connectivity options such as HDMI, USB 3.2, and Ethernet. With these capabilities, you can quickly hook your audio interface, microphone, or studio monitor to the system for maximum performance!

The Acer Aspire TC-895-UA92 Desktop takes up minimal space. It fits snugly in small recording studios with 13.39 x 6.42 x 13.78-inch dimensions and just a 15.5-pound weight – making it effortless to relocate or place around your studio!

If you’re searching for the ideal digital audio workstation (DAW) to use with your Acer Aspire TC-895-UA92 Desktop, choices are abundant. Be sure to consider Reaper – it’s a great budget option that many home recording studios rely on and will cost only $60 for the full license!

Reaper, a digital audio workstation (DAW), is popular among professionals and amateur recording artists due to its cost-effectiveness. A full license can be purchased for as little as $60, making Reaper an ideal choice for those within a budget.

Reaper is renowned for its customization capabilities and adaptability. Users can tailor their workflows, layouts, and themes according to the requirements of their projects, all without having a knowledge gap or relying on tutorials! Besides that, Reaper’s intuitive user interface makes it incredibly easy for those new to audio recording- novices will find navigating through the software just as simple as experienced users.

Reaper is the ultimate solution for all audio production needs. Its multi-channel recording capabilities mean you can record multiple tracks simultaneously, saving time and streamlining your workflow. It also features an integrated MIDI editor, so crafting instrumentals in Reaper becomes a breeze. With its expansive range of effects and plugins, Reaper will take your recordings to new heights by giving them clarity, presence, and punch!

For those with a tighter budget, Audacity is an optimal choice. It’s free and open-source, so it doesn’t require any payment to utilize its services. And unlike other Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs), such as Reaper, it is easy for beginners due to its user-friendly interface and numerous features for editing audio files. A few of these include the capacity to work on multiple tracks simultaneously and add effects or filters – all at no extra cost!

Reference Monitors

Those searching for exceptional audio playback quality without breaking the bank will be thrilled with PreSonus Eris E3.5-3.5″ Near Field Studio Monitors! This product is designed for home studios and boasts features that make it an unbeatable value. Thanks to these monitors’ superior sound clarity, you can hear your recordings in rich detail!

The Eris E3.5 monitors stand out thanks to their 3.5-inch woven composite low-frequency drivers, crafted for reliable bass response and accurate audio mixing. To top it off, the 1-inch silk dome tweeter produces crystal clear sound in the high frequencies—essential for music production experts!

An essential element of the Eris E3.5 monitors is their acoustic tuning controls, providing users with a personalized sound experience. Modifiable high-frequency and low-frequency settings and a midrange control are all incorporated into this technology to ensure users can effortlessly tailor the monitor’s sound according to any listening environment or preference.

The versatile Eris E3.5 monitors come with various connection possibilities, from balanced TRS and unbalanced RCA inputs to computers and digital audio workstations through mixing consoles and audio interfaces, thus making them effortless for anyone to integrate into their sound systems.

The price of these monitors is highly competitive and an excellent value for their performance and features, coming in at just around $100 per unit. This makes them accessible to home studio enthusiasts, students, and producers who want to take their audio production abilities further.

Microphones

The Audio-Technica AT2020 is the optimal microphone for vocals, acoustic guitars, and guitar amps. At a competitive $79, this mic features an isolating cardioid polar pattern that reduces background noise. Furthermore, it boasts impressive specifications such as its high SPL handling and wide dynamic range, which make it ideal for recording loud sound sources like your favorite guitar amp!

The Audio-Technica AT2020 is a phenomenal mic for any home or project studio! Its design will easily fit into your setup in terms of quality and cost. Whether you need a reliable microphone for just starting or seeking to upgrade the one you already have – this model won’t disappoint you! So don’t hesitate anymore; add an AT2020 to your arsenal now.

For podcasting, streaming, and singing applications, the Audio-Technica AT2020 is an absolute must. It is dependable in the voiceover industry and produces superior sound quality without breaking your bank account – all at an affordable price of under $100! In addition, it can handle high volumes up to a whopping 144dB SPL with ease, and its durable construction guarantees you’ll get years of use out of this reliable microphone.

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Digital Audio Interface

The ultra-sleek Behringer U-Phoria UM2 audio interface is engineered to deliver superior sound fidelity and a wide range of connectivity options. In addition, its simplicity of design makes it the perfect choice for dedicated home studio users and professional musicians who want precise, astounding results quickly.

Featuring two channel inputs – one Mic/line combo and a second 1/4″ input dedicated to instruments, this device allows users to capture both sources of sound at the same time. This is essential for producing studio-grade recordings as well as recording vocals along with musical accompaniments simultaneously. With such capabilities, it makes the perfect selection for any home production enthusiast seeking professional project results!

Behringer’s renowned XENYX microphone preamps are built into the interface, along with a dedicated instrument input so you can record yourself singing and playing guitar or keys concurrently. The user-friendly design makes this device effortless- no complex setup is required! With its easy-to-navigate interface, you’ll be ready to go right out of the box.

9 Best Budget Audio Interfaces For Excellent Recording Results!

Headphones

If you’re searching for budget-friendly headphones that still offer clear, accurate sound, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x is an excellent choice. These headphones retail for around $50 and feature a circumaural design that snugly fits around your ears to provide superior noise isolation.

On a budget, music producers, DJs, and recording artists should consider the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x headphones. These professional-grade headphones feature a closed-back design that isolates sound for maximum performance in noisy environments. The over-ear construction is comfortable even when wearing them for extended periods. In addition, the swivel ear cups make monitoring easy with only one headphone on at any moment. Not to mention they come at an absolute steal!

The ATH-M20x headphones feature 40mm drivers designed to provide pristine sound across the entire frequency spectrum. With a frequency response of 15Hz – 20kHz, these exceptional headphones allow you to accurately monitor and record instruments and vocals! Furthermore, their low-impedance design makes them compatible with portable recorders and other audio devices, giving you more freedom when setting up your studio.

9 Best Headphones That is Music To Your Ears

Other Options and Miscellaneous

Building your vocal booth is an excellent solution if you’re looking for a cost-effective way to enhance the acoustics of your home recording studio. You’ll need PVC pipes, fittings, and acoustic blankets to assemble the booth. Lay the frame using these materials first, then cover it with blankets to ensure maximum soundproofing against outside noise and reverberations. With some creativity, this DIY project can become a great asset in any audio production setup!

Crafting a DIY vocal booth is an economical way to optimize sound quality – and the cost largely depends on size and supplies. To create a basic vocal booth, you can expect to spend around $100, yet more complex designs may reach up to $500 or above. Despite these expenses, creating your own still saves significantly compared to purchasing one pre-made or enlisting expert help.

Investing in quality cables that guarantee top-notch sound and steadfastness is essential when constructing a home recording studio. For example, XLR cables connect microphones with audio interfaces or mixers, while 1/4″ cords attach instruments such as guitars and keyboards. Well-known brands like Mogami and Pro Co offer sophisticated yet cost-effective alternatives for all your cable needs.

When recording vocals, a pop filter is an essential tool in your home studio. It filters out plosives and any other undesired sounds the microphone would otherwise capture. Fortunately, brands like Nady and On-Stage offer excellent yet reasonably priced options compatible with all types of microphones!

Ultimately, you will need mic stands to keep your microphones in place during recording. Ensure the stand is stable and adjustable for different types of projects. On-Stage and K&M have top-notch mic stands at reasonable prices!

Here’s a checklist of all the things needed to start your home recording studio:

• A desktop or laptop computer (Acer Aspire TC-895-UA92 Desktop)
• Digital audio workstation (DAW) software such as (GarageBand for Mac users and Reaper for PC)
• An audio interface that connects your computer to your recording equipment (Behringer U-Phoria UM2)
• Dynamic or condenser microphones for recording vocals or instruments (Shure SM58; Audio-Technica AT2020)
• High-quality studio reference monitors for accurately monitoring your recordings (PreSonus Eris E3.5-3.5″ Monitors)
• Closed-back headphones for monitoring recordings without any bleed (Audio-Technica ATH-M20x)
• XLR cables for connecting microphones to audio interfaces or mixers
• 1/4″ cables for connecting instruments like guitars and keyboards
• Acoustic panels or foam panels for reducing echoes and reverb
• Pop filters for reducing plosives in vocal recordings
• Mic stands for holding microphones in place while recording
• Set a budget and stick to it, keeping in mind that prices can range from affordable to expensive depending on the quality of the equipment you choose.

In conclusion, building a home recording studio with a budget of $600 is possible with careful planning and intelligent choices. By investing in the right equipment and soundproofing materials, you can create a space that allows you to create high-quality recordings from the comfort of your own home.

Tags: setting up a home recording studio, essentials for a home recording studio, home recording studio set up

I created this website with one purpose; to give back to the community that helped me get started when I needed advice or help with anything. I want to help those just starting out with their home recording studio equipment.

Reviews of instruments, accessories, software, lessons and everything you need to have the best chance of succeeding at home. Because, let’s face it, since the pandemic, many of you (me included) work from home. So, let’s make the best of it and take that one step further.

I will, also, try to provide you with tips and tricks in the studio, and walk through the process of making your own videos!