What do I need for a home recording studio?

Nowadays, more and more artists are choosing to create music from the comfort of their own homes. 

If you want to be one of them but need help figuring out where to start, this article is for you. It covers everything you need to know to build a home recording studio where you’ll make music like a pro.

What budget will you need to create a home recording studio? 

Making music is an expensive pleasure, and you need to know what funds you have and what you need most. 

Here we will recall the well-known maxim: Less is more! Go for less but better equipment. 

The prices vary in a huge range. We understand that cheap tech is tempting but will cost you even more in the long run.

Low prices equal low quality. And the low quality will affect the quality of your music. 

Of course, you also need to consider your goals. 

Are you doing it just for a hobby, or will you do it professionally?

That will decide the type of equipment you’ll invest in. 

Our advice to beginners is to start with a simpler studio. Begin with the essential equipment and gradually add new ones. 

This will help you build your skills with a technique instead of learning everything at once. This way, you will avoid being overwhelmed, which can affect your self-esteem and discourage you.

Which room is best for a home recording studio? 

To be honest: your home is not designed for recording activities. This can make it difficult for you to choose the fitting room. Here’s what you should consider: 

• • If you have an oddly shaped room at home and you’re always wondering how to arrange the furniture in it – Congratulations, you have the perfect home studio space! 

Symmetrical rooms have worse acoustics. They allow sound waves to reflect off walls, and that can interrupt your recording session.  

• • The bigger the room, the better. That way, there will be space for all your equipment, plus: you’ll have better acoustics. 

• • The room should be quiet. Avoid rooms exposed to external noise, such as loud neighbors or traffic. Also, it must be far from a staircase.

• • The room should have few or no windows.

What are the home recording studio essentials?

We’ve created a complete list of everything your home recording studio needs. 

• Computer
• Digital audio workstation (DAW) 
• Audio Interface
• Microphone
• Studio monitors
• Monitor stands
• Headphones
• Acoustic treatment
• Cables
• Desk
• Chair

How to choose the right computer?  

The computer is the most essential part of the studio and perhaps the most expensive. But it’s also the best long-term investment because you’ll make a living from it. A slow computer and the technical problems that can happen with it can ruin any recording, costing you time and money.

What is the role of the computer?

In a home studio, the computer for music production is used for everything – from creating the product to promoting it, including recording, mixing, and mastering. 

What to choose – a laptop or a Desktop Computer? 

Before looking for a computer, you should think carefully about what you will use it for. 

Laptops should definitely be your focus if you travel a lot and want to make music from anywhere.

However, if you will spend more time in the studio, the right solution is a Desktop Computer. These types of computers are more upgradeable and have multiple ports where you can easily plug in your other equipment.

What to consider when choosing a computer?

The entire recording process depends on the characteristics that the computer has. 

The minimum requirements are:

• • RAM – 8GB memory

• • CPU – Intel i3 Processor or equivalent

• • Storage – around 500 GB

• • Monitor – 15-inch screen size 

• • External HDD or SSD – for backup and extra storage

Make sure to check this guide if you wonder what is the optimal storage size for music production.

How to choose a DAW?

One of the most essential parts of your recording studio is DAW. 

What is the role of the DAW?

Digital audio workstation – DAW, for short, is computer software used for recording, mixing, editing, and producing music.  

What are the types of DAW? 

When it comes to choosing a Digital audio workstation, you have an absolute wealth of options. The most famous brands are Ableton, Cubase, Pro Tools, Reaper, FL Studio, and Logic Pro. 

They are all similar in functionality and come in packages with core tools and FX plugins. Still, they have unique features and differ in creative approaches, workflow, and prices. 

What to consider when choosing a DAW?

In order for a DAW to fully meet your requirements, you need to answer the following questions:

• • What will you use it for?

• • What kind of music will you be working on?

• • What is your experience?

• • What budget do you have?

How to choose an Audio interface? 

You can’t set up a studio without having an Audio interface. 

What is the role of the Audio interface?

The Audio interface is the main hardware that connects the computer and other devices. Some models have additional functions and can be used as microphones, digital converters, etc. 

What are the types of Audio interfaces? 

• • Depending on the sizes, they are for desktop and rack-mounted 

• • Depending on the ins/outs, they can range from 1 to 20+ 

What to consider when choosing an Audio interface?

In order for a DAW to fully meet your requirements, you need to answer the following questions:

• • What will you use it for?

• • What features should it have?

• • What will be the connection method?

• • How many signals will be needed?

• • Is it compatible with your DAW?

• • What is your budget?

How to choose suitable studio microphones?

Studio microphones come in a variety of shapes and features. Some models have a more general application, while others are designed for a specific musical instrument. 

What are the types of studio microphones? 

There are three main categories: 

• • Dynamic microphones – they are suitable for use in the studio and live performances

• • Ribbon microphone – fragile microphones with a darker tone, good for high-frequency material 

• • Condenser microphone – this type is best for voice recording

What to consider when choosing a studio mic?

• • What will you record with the microphone?

• • What is the environment?

• • What is your budget?

How to choose the right studio monitors?  

Unlike ordinary monitors, studio monitors are focused on correct sound reproduction. 

What is the role of studio monitors?

The studio monitor absorbs excess vibrations and provides minimal distortion, a high sound, and good stereo imaging. 

What are the types of studio monitors? 

The main types of studio monitors are: 

• • Passive and active monitors

• • Near-field and far-field monitors

• • Ported and unported monitors

What to consider when choosing studio monitors?

• • What is your goal?

• • Where will you put them? 

• • What power watts are you going to use?

• • What is your budget? 

How to choose monitor stands? 

Monitor stands are usually two isolation towers on which the studio monitors are placed. 

What is the role of monitor stands?

They absorb excess vibrations and allow monitors to reproduce the sound of recordings more precisely. 

What to consider when choosing a monitor stand?

• • How big are studio monitors?

• • How big is the room? 

• • Where are you going to put them?

How to choose studio headphones?

Studio headphones, like studio monitors, are designed for accuracy over listenability and work with flat-frequency responses.  

What is the role of studio headphones? 

Studio headphones serve to reveal any flaws in the sound so you know what settings have to make. 

What are the types of studio headphones? 

• • Closed-back headphones – they are closed at the back, making the sound more isolated; suitable for recordings. You can check out our honest reviews about Sennheiser HD 599 and Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro.   

• • Open-back headphones – they allow the air to move and are an excellent choice for mixing and mastering.  

What to consider when choosing headphones?

• • What will you use them for?

• • How flat is the frequency spectrum that the headphones provide?

• • How isolated are the headphones?

• • Which headphones are most comfortable for you?

• • What price can you afford?

How to choose an Acoustic treatment? 

To maintain good acoustics in a room, you must use Acoustic treatment. 

What is the role of Acoustic treatment? 

Acoustic treatment absorbs the excess sound that reflects from the walls and mixes with the sound from the columns. Therefore improving the sound quality. Important for recording vocals.  

What are the types of Acoustic treatment? 

There is a wide variety of Acoustic treatments. Preferred types are:

• • Bass Traps

• • Acoustic Panels

• • Ceiling Clouds

• • Diffuser Panels

• • Acoustic Foam

• • Fiberglass Insulation

• • Helmholtz Resonators

What to consider when choosing an Acoustic treatment?

• • How big is the room?

• • How do you want your music to sound?

• • Will you use one model or combine several?

• • What budget have you set aside for buying Acoustic treatment? 

Cables, desk, and chair 

The meaning of these three is quite obvious.

Cables are necessary because the equipment will not function without them. However, cable management and planning is not that simple. Find more information on the topic here:

Cable management guide for a home recording studio

As for the desk and chair, you’ll be spending a lot of time on them recording and mixing, and it’s important to choose the most comfortable ones. 

Conclusion

If you’ve made it this far, you already know what you need to set up your own personal home recording studio. Now you can go ahead with more in-depth research on the studio equipment that suits your goals and preferences. 

FAQ 

How much does it cost to start a small recording studio?

The cost of building a recording studio varies in a huge range: from $20,000 to $350,000 and up. It really depends on what your goals are and what equipment you’ll be using. Remember that you’ll also have additional costs for documents and licenses, and you may need to use the services of technicians. 

What is the easiest recording software?

For beginners, we recommend:

• • Audacity

• • Ocenaudio

• • Wavosaur

These were the free options. And the paid ones are:

• • Ableton Live 10

• • Adobe Audition

• • AudioDirector

How do you soundproof a room for recording?

The primary way to soundproof a room is by sealing the walls. Don`t forget that choosing the right flooring material for your home studio is also important when it comes to soundproofing.