Home Studio Equips

[twk]

Okay... I understand there are thousands of threads like this... But I demand a thread of my own Just kidding but really, I tried searching and searching on google for the past few days (which clearly isn't enough time) and I'm tired now, so I decided to depend on you guys for help lol


So like I said, I tried searching things on google. I get the general idea behind each equipments for starting a home studio, but I just don't understand what to get and what goes with what.

My budget is ONLY around... I don't know, $500-600 INCLUDING a microphone. So my question is, as general and unlimited combinations there may be, what are some good starters equipments I can get under that budget for my home studio recording?


I am a hip hop rap artist, and I'm just a poor college boy trying to make his own music with the given budget. I won't be recording any instruments, just vocals. Oh, and I would be recording in a booth (a walk in closet with as much soundproofing I can afford lol).


My main focus is on preamps/interfaces/mixers/other essentials... I just don't understand what to get. My head literally hurts, it's harder than science classes and I've failed science before. I know they're very, VERY important in producing a good quality sound but... I'm just so lost



So yes, if you guys can give me some recommendations (including recording softwares lol!)... They will be greatly... GREATLY... appreciated and I will remember your name until the day I die under "saviors" besides Jesus.


I will continue looking around the forum.... Thanks guys!

 

[Armistice]

Hi..

Don't google, just search around the forum and you'll find your question has been answered many times... just in case no-one jumps in and helps you, that is.

What is it about people converting closets to "vocal booths"? I just don't get it...

 

[moresound]

Down load "Reaper" as your DAW (recording software) into your computer. It's a free trial and if you like it. It will cost you about $60.

Look in the microphone forum here at home recording and find the thread titled "microphones for under $100." ---So maybe a MXL V67g would be nice or maybe just a Shure SM58.

Then aside from all of the cabling that your going to need that's left is your Analog to digital converter that has to have a built in microphone preamp.

everything else is just talent from the artistic stand point and a recording/mixing engineer.

 

[moresound]

Oh and hey TWK.....welcome to HR!

 

[Kingofpain678]

Oh, and I would be recording in a booth (a walk in closet with as much soundproofing I can afford lol).

Sound proofing or acoustic treatment?

 

[guitaristic]

Down load "Reaper" as your DAW (recording software) into your computer. It's a free trial and if you like it. It will cost you about $60.

Look in the microphone forum here at home recording and find the thread titled "microphones for under $100." ---So maybe a MXL V67g would be nice or maybe just a Shure SM58.

Then aside from all of the cabling that your going to need that's left is your Analog to digital converter that has to have a built in microphone preamp.

everything else is just talent from the artistic stand point and a recording/mixing engineer.

Beat me to it

OP, welcome to Homerecording! Good luck with your future music-making endeavors!

 

[PDP]

Do you have a computer or does the 600 include needing a computer? or are u thinking of a standalone. If you have a computer already then 600 can set you up pretty good.

 

[Chili]

Hey, welcome to the site.

Are you looking to make beats also, or just rap to pre-made beats?

If just rapping, you don't need too much. Mic, pre-amp and interface. Most interfaces will have a preamp built in, and most don't excessively suck. A lot of interfaces will come with some version of a popular DAW prgram like Cubase or Sonar, so be sure to look at that when shopping around.

Your monitors and listening environment are going to be your most essential facets. Get a decent pair of monitors and treat your room acoustically so you know what you're hearing. My advice on monitors is to search around and see what is the most popular. Shopping for monitors is kind of a crap shoot, even if you're listening side by side in a music store. You just aren't going to know how they will work in your room. Buy what everyone else is buying. Sorry, that's the best advice there is on that. lol.

Acoustic treatment gets discussed a lot on this site. Check out the Studio Build forum to learn more. It's not expensive to get good results.

peace,

 

[twk]

Thank you guys so much for the replies!! Like I promised, I shall remember your names under my "savior" list after Jesus

The $600 (my maximum of maximum) includes a computer. At the moment I'm using Windows but I am thinking about getting a Macbook Pro for garageband, which leads me to another question... Is that a stupid move? The whole "getting a MBP for garageband" move, that is (well obviously that's not the only reason, I've been eyeing it from before since my laptop is dying now).


What are your guys' opinions on garageband?


And Chili, I am just rapping to premade beats, my friend is the one taking care of the beats, so man am I glad to hear I don't need so much. So are you saying I should get a mic then a decent interface that includes a preamp and use mixers that come with programs such as Reaper/Pro Tools/Garageband? What do you think about the Behringer Xenyx 802 ($50 on Amazon, which is the only reason I'm asking with absolutely no knowledge lol), if it's trashy then what would you recommend?


Sorry for so many questions! I really am, but I'll try to be more responsible next time and look into it more before asking.

And thanks for the welcome guys, what a great website you guys have going on here. I'll be sure to become a normal active member instead of a member who only registered to ask a question *cough.. guilty*

 

[Seidy]

...At the moment I'm using Windows but I am thinking about getting a Macbook Pro for garageband, which leads me to another question... Is that a stupid move?

I would say, YES.

What do you think about the Behringer Xenyx 802 ($50 on Amazon, which is the only reason I'm asking with absolutely no knowledge lol), if it's trashy then what would you recommend?

You don't actually need mixer outside the computer so it would be waste of money. And yeah, behringer mixers aren't so great(tend to be noisy).

 

[Chili]

You don't need a mac if you already have a pc.

Don't buy a hardware mixer, just get an interface. Here's a list to look at. Start around the $80USD range.

http://www.sweetwater.com/c695--USB_Audio_Interfaces/low2high

Be sure to browse and search through the Newbies section here. Most, if not all, of your questions have been answered.

peace,