Starting a Small Home Studio on a Budget

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Chad Anderson

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So, I'm new to recording music, but I would love to start learning how to do it. I've been doing much research through the useful tool known as Google. It's still a little confusing though. This is what I've learned I need: audio interface, music production software, studio monitors, and a condenser mic for vocals/acoustic guitar, including a pop filter. I don't plan on recording any live drums yet, but later on I know I'll have to get like 5 mics for that. Also, I'm not sure if I need a mixer, or if the software will provide the same options. Also, I just read the thread about audio interfaces so I'm a little bit more informed about those. This is the best list of things I could come up with on a budget that would still produce a great sound. Please give me feedback on things I'm still missing, if any of these products are terrible, or if you know of something better that is around the same price. Thank you.

*All products found at the guitar center website. Please just copy and paste the name into the search, since the thread won't let me post links.*

Audio Interface (needs phantom power for condenser mic):
Akai Professional EIE I/O Audio/MIDI Interface With USB Hub

Music Recording Software:
Acoustica Mixcraft Pro Studio 6

Studio Monitors:
M-Audio StudioPro 3 Desktop Audio Monitors

Condenser Mic:
AKG Perception 120 Condenser Mic with Cable and Stand

Mixer (if needed):
Yamaha MG102C 10-Input Stereo Mixer with Compression

I would be using a Samsung Series 7 laptop with 8 gb RAM and 1 tb hard drive. Thank you very much for taking the time to view this thread, and I will take everything you say in to consideration since I'm a beginner. I am open to any other suggestions that I should know when recording music besides the equipment. Please share your knowledge!
 
Well here is a start. Down load Reaper HERE for free as your recording soft ware (DAW) and read the manual thoroughly.

Then let the questions fly.
 
Welcome to the site.

You did your homework!! :) I'm not familiar with that particular interface. I have found that most 1 man bands can easily get by with a 2 channel interface if they aren't recording drums. I personally have never needed to record more than two channels at once for my own stuff.

You don't need a mixer. Instead of spending money on that, you can purchase a VSTi for drums like EZDrummer or Addictive Drums. You'll get a lot of mileage out those until you start recording real drums.

The next big thing to consider is the space where you will record and mix. Room treatment will go a long ways to getting a great sounding recording.

Have fun!!
 
The reason I'd like at least 4 channels is for when I do record drums in the future. So, instead of upgrading the interface, I'll already have one that works. And thanks for the input on the mixer. I would for sure need to get some sort of virtual drums. I will be recording a small carpeted room. I read somewhere that it's better to record in a place with carpet. There is no echo, which I think is important. Thank you for sharing!
 
The only thing I am unsure of is that it's free. I've read many things that said free software isn't the best thing to use. Someone said that they would recommend Pro Tools or Mixcraft.
 
Chad Anderson said:
I will be recording a small carpeted room. I read somewhere that it's better to record in a place with carpet. There is no echo, which I think is important. Thank you for sharing!
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Quick!! Edit your post before the No-Carpet factions see it!! So, carpetting does very little good and a whole lot of bad to a recording. It will stop mid-high to high freq from bouncing around, but does nothing to mid-lows and low end stuff. That's the range where we don't usually associate with echo, reverb, flutter, etc, but it's there and it will ruin your mixes if not controlled properly. The other big no-no is egg cartons.

There are tons o' threads that talk about how to treat a room in the Studio Build forum > Here.

You can spend days reading and learning. You've already done a lot, so a little more will help a lot.

Eh, it's a huge and steep learning curve. You're starting out good!!!
 
Haha wow thanks! Yeah I focused a little too much on what was needed and not necessarily where to do it. I also have another room with wooden floors, and another with tile. So, I'll go check out that side of the forum and see what I can dig up> real quick though, do you have any dislikes about those products? Do you have any recommendations for other products that would fit a budget? Thanks for all this information!
 
I've heard good things about Mixcraft when it came out, but I have never used it.

I don't know the interface nor the monitors. I have crap monitors and bookshelf speakers for my monitoring system. I always say it's a gamble to buy monitors because no matter how much you listen and compare in the store, they will sound different in your studio. The best advice I'll give (and others might disagree) is buy a popular brand then learn their characteristics in YOUR studio. That means listening to a lot of songs on them and focus on different frequency ranges and see how they respond. Get your songs to sound similar to commercial releases by A/Bing your mixes to a song like that sounds like yours.

I do not have the Perception mic, but I think it's pretty low grade. I understand budget and I'm guessing it will work for a while. When you get going and know what you want, you'll probably experiment with new and different mics. Doesn't hurt to read other opinions and buy based on that. Or by listening to other people's tunes and asking them what mic/micpre they used. It's so difficult to buy a mic that's right for you. Gotta keep looking until you find YOUR holy grail.
 
Chad Anderson said:
The only thing I am unsure of is that it's free. I've read many things that said free software isn't the best thing to use. Someone said that they would recommend Pro Tools or Mixcraft.
Click to expand...

Well it's not free. It will eventually coast you $60. but there is a free unlimited time to use it for free until you decide wither you like it or not. You should.
 
Chili said:
I've heard good things about Mixcraft when it came out, but I have never used it.

I don't know the interface nor the monitors. I have crap monitors and bookshelf speakers for my monitoring system. I always say it's a gamble to buy monitors because no matter how much you listen and compare in the store, they will sound different in your studio. The best advice I'll give (and others might disagree) is buy a popular brand then learn their characteristics in YOUR studio. That means listening to a lot of songs on them and focus on different frequency ranges and see how they respond. Get your songs to sound similar to commercial releases by A/Bing your mixes to a song like that sounds like yours.

I do not have the Perception mic, but I think it's pretty low grade. I understand budget and I'm guessing it will work for a while. When you get going and know what you want, you'll probably experiment with new and different mics. Doesn't hurt to read other opinions and buy based on that. Or by listening to other people's tunes and asking them what mic/micpre they used. It's so difficult to buy a mic that's right for you. Gotta keep looking until you find YOUR holy grail.
Click to expand...

Thanks very much! I guess I might go with this setup and see how it goes. I'm still going to keep looking for mics though. I appreciate everything you've shared. As soon as I get everything, it'll be my face down in manuals for probably an entire week. And I'm sure I'll be back on here, too!
 
Chad Anderson said:
Thanks very much! I guess I might go with this setup and see how it goes. I'm still going to keep looking for mics though. I appreciate everything you've shared. As soon as I get everything, it'll be my face down in manuals for probably an entire week. And I'm sure I'll be back on here, too!
Click to expand...

Yeah man, hope it helps. There's a lot to learn. Be sure to post up some tunes when you get going.

peace,
 
moresound said:
Well it's not free. It will eventually coast you $60. but there is a free unlimited time to use it for free until you decide wither you like it or not. You should.
Click to expand...

Alright, I appreciate the information. I'll try it out once I get my equipment and see how it goes!
 
Believe me it's a great DAW. Download it tonight and read the manual.
 
DAW - Reaper (dont read a book by its cover)
Interface - Focusrite 2i4 $200 (focusrite has GREAT! sounding stuff)
Monitors - Umm Not a fan of M-Audio Monitoring system, try Yamaha 50's, or Reveals, or Adams A5's all round $200-$500
Mic - Good to go on the AKG
Mixer - dont get one, you dont need one your DAW is your mixer safe your money.
 
You may want to look at a Shure SM57 (or GLS es57 - inexpensive version of the same) for a second mic besides a condensor. Condensors typically pickup a lot of the room sound and until you get things nailed down regarding acoustic treatement, that may be less than ideal.
The Perception 120 is a low end condensor, I have the 220, 2X the money, but worth it.

I'll echo the use of Reaper - full featured, full manual, great forums on the mfr website, and $60 to register.

M-Audio monitors - the ones you reference have 3" woofer (how can 3" be a woofer?!) - I have an old version of the same thing. If you learn to interpret the sound from them, you can use them for mixing, but the standard way for anyone with any inexpensive monitors to do it is to do a mix, burn a CD (or load the WAV onto a USB stick) and then listen to it on as many other systems as you can - your car stereo, home stereo, a friend's system, etc. I have my system wired up so I can listen on the monitors, computer speakers and some old bookshelf speakers powered by an old Sony receiver - when you listen on different systems things will "pop out" or disappear from the mix in a way you will never notice when you listen on one set of speakers. Also, load a commercially-released song you know that has great mixing into your DAW and listen to it through your monitors, this will give you a better idea of how they change/represent the real sound.
 
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