Trying to build my own music studio at home

  • Thread starter Thread starter A.D.Ryan
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A.D.Ryan

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Hey guys,
I love writing songs, so I`ve decided to record my own songs at home. I`ve got about 1200 bucks to spend. Anybody out there who can help me spend the money wisely, on stuff that works? I`ve got a good computer, a Shure 58Se mike and an Ovation guitar. That`s what I have. Now... what else do I need?
Thank you in advance,
A.D.Ryan
 
Well I dont know how new you are to recording but I'll give you some basics. You will need:

-Obviously a computer (Mac or PC) with recording software [cakewalk(low end $30), pro-tools (high end $250), or anywhere in between]
-Interface or Soundcard this will process your sound into the computer effectively. Most people choose an interface, the price will vary depending on how many inputs you want (1-2 inputs=$100, 12 inputs=$500. The interface will send each input to an individual track in your software for editing.
-You might want a preamp which will boost the signal of things such as mics and guitars to make warmth and clarity more noticable. This will greatly improve quality and tone depending on how much you dish out. I payed about $300 for mine, you can get them for $100 up to $1000. An art preamp is something to look into.
-Next you'll need Mics. This is one thing that totally depends on what style of music you are playing and what sound you want to achieve. The two main types of mics are a condenser whish uses phantom power usually from your interface and usually recieves a great vocal/acoustic sound. A dynamis powers itself and can be used on things such as guitar cabs, toms, etc..
-Soundproofing this isnt stressed enough and youll be amazed by the sound improvements.

All of the above are suggestions and some will come before and after but all will eventually be needed. What I suggest is telling us what you intend to play, and what instuments you want to record EXACTLY, and we can tell you just what you need instead of basic overviews :)
 
My obligatory standard reply-for-newbies that I keep in Wordpad so this is just a paste (I don't want to re-type this all the time):

First off, immediately get a good beginner recording book (spend $20 before spending hundred$/thousand$) that shows you what you need to get started and how to hook everything up in your studio:
Home Recording for Musicians by Jeff Strong - $15
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/04...mp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0470385421
(Wish I'd had that when I started; would have saved me lots of money and time and grief)
You can also pick up this book in most any Borders or Barnes&Noble in the Music Books section!

Another good one is: Recording Guitar and Bass by Huw Price
http://www.amazon.com/Recording-Gui...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215734124&sr=1-1
(I got my copy at a place called Half-Price Books for $6!!)

And you can get a FREE subscription to TapeOp magazine at www.tapeop.com

Barnes&Noble or Borders are great places to start --- they have recording books and you can go get a snack or coffee and read them for FREE! Don't pass by a good recording book --- this is a VERY technical hobby and you REALLY want to start a reference library!!!

Good Newbie guides that also explains all the basics and have good tips:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm
http://www.computermusic.co.uk/page/computermusic?entry=free_beginner_pdfs
http://www.harmony-central.com/articles/
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/tips-techniques/168409-tips-techniques.html

21 Ways To Assemble a Recording Rig: http://www.tweakheadz.com/rigs.htm

Also Good Info: http://www.theprojectstudiohandbook.com/directory.htm

Other recording books: http://musicbooksplus.com/home-recording-c-31.html

Still using a built-in soundcard?? Unfortunately, those are made with less than $1 worth of chips for beeps, boops and light gaming (not to mention cheapness for the manufacturer) and NOT quality music production.
#1 Rule of Recording: You MUST replace the built-in soundcard.
Here's a good guide and tested suggestions that WORK: http://www.tweakheadz.com/soundcards_for_the_home_studio.htm
(you'll want to bookmark and read through all of Tweak's Guide while you're there...)
Another good article: Choosing an audio interface - http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/sep08/articles/audiointerfaces.htm


Plenty of software around to record for FREE to start out on:

Audacity: http://audacity.sourceforge.net (multi-track with VST support)
Wavosaur: http://www.wavosaur.com/ (a stereo audio file editor with VST support)\
Kristal: http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/
Other freebies and shareware: www.hitsquad.com/smm

Another great option is REAPER at http://www.cockos.com/reaper/ (It's $50 but runs for free until you get guilty enough to pay for it...)
I use Reaper and highly reccomend it...

Music Notation and MIDI recording: Melody Assistant ($25) and Harmony Assistant ($80) have the power of $600 notation packages - http://myriad-online.com
Demo you can try on the website.

And you can go out to any Barnes&Noble or Borders and pick up "Computer Music" magazine - they have a full FREE studio suite in every issue's DVD, including sequencers, plugins and tons of audio samples. (November 2006 they gave away a full copy of SamplitudeV8SE worth $150, November 2007-on the racks Dec in the US- they gave away SamplitudeV9SE and July 2009 issue they put out Samplitude10SE. FREE. It pays to watch 'em for giveaways...)
 
Thank you for your help! My PC has a good sound card and I`m using my friend`s recording software, so I don`t have to spend money on that. My best friend who happens to live in a different country will be recording the instruments in a studio. That leaves me with one task: the vocals. So, I guess I would need a good microphone, right? This Shure looks alright, but I guess I can spend more money on something a lot better. Let`s say... 1 or 2 hundred bucks.
http://homerecording.about.com/od/microphones101/ss/fivegreatmics_4.htm
The interface is also a must. I found this. It`s expensive but it looks alright. Do you think it`s ok? Zoom R16 An interface with 3 to 5 inputs is more than enough
http://www.thomann.de/index.html?partner_id=97926&page=gb/zoom_r16.htm
I probably need some headphones. I understand I shouldn`t spend too much money on them, right? Would this do?
http://www.thomann.de/index.html?pa...990d.htm?sid=4b5453d2b038db9fa902c45fd8cfa36d
And... some studio monitors. This pair costs about 250 bucks. Is it not enough? Should I invest more money in them?
http://www.thomann.de/index.html?partner_id=97926&page=gb/alesis_m1_active_520.htm
I`m not even sure I know what a preamp looks like....

I write soft rock songs. This is something I wrote a few years ago. Now i only write in English https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-I2IUPGGQ4
Thank you again for your help!
 
Tim, that`s a lot of information. I`ll check it out now! Thank you.
 
Those are some decent choices to get you started. Don't worry about a pre-amp or your PCs soundcard, the interface takes care of those things. Now spend some time in the studio building forum and check out everything you can about room treatment. You're at least going to want to get some bass traps for your corners and absorption panels for your first reflection areas. Also read about speaker placement and such. After that you'll be ready to make some good recordings, good luck!
 
Thank you, Lewis! I`ll wait for a couple weeks before I buy the stuff I need. That will give me some time to learn more about all this. Cheers!
 
TimOBrien said:
My obligatory standard reply-for-newbies that I keep in Wordpad so this is just a paste (I don't want to re-type this all the time):

First off, immediately get a good beginner recording book (spend $20 before spending hundred$/thousand$) that shows you what you need to get started and how to hook everything up in your studio:
Home Recording for Musicians by Jeff Strong - $15
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/04...mp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0470385421
(Wish I'd had that when I started; would have saved me lots of money and time and grief)
You can also pick up this book in most any Borders or Barnes&Noble in the Music Books section!

Another good one is: Recording Guitar and Bass by Huw Price
http://www.amazon.com/Recording-Gui...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215734124&sr=1-1
(I got my copy at a place called Half-Price Books for $6!!)

And you can get a FREE subscription to TapeOp magazine at www.tapeop.com

Barnes&Noble or Borders are great places to start --- they have recording books and you can go get a snack or coffee and read them for FREE! Don't pass by a good recording book --- this is a VERY technical hobby and you REALLY want to start a reference library!!!

Good Newbie guides that also explains all the basics and have good tips:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm
http://www.computermusic.co.uk/page/computermusic?entry=free_beginner_pdfs
http://www.harmony-central.com/articles/
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/tips-techniques/168409-tips-techniques.html

21 Ways To Assemble a Recording Rig: http://www.tweakheadz.com/rigs.htm

Also Good Info: http://www.theprojectstudiohandbook.com/directory.htm

Other recording books: http://musicbooksplus.com/home-recording-c-31.html

Still using a built-in soundcard?? Unfortunately, those are made with less than $1 worth of chips for beeps, boops and light gaming (not to mention cheapness for the manufacturer) and NOT quality music production.
#1 Rule of Recording: You MUST replace the built-in soundcard.
Here's a good guide and tested suggestions that WORK: http://www.tweakheadz.com/soundcards_for_the_home_studio.htm
(you'll want to bookmark and read through all of Tweak's Guide while you're there...)
Another good article: Choosing an audio interface - http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/sep08/articles/audiointerfaces.htm


Plenty of software around to record for FREE to start out on:

Audacity: http://audacity.sourceforge.net (multi-track with VST support)
Wavosaur: http://www.wavosaur.com/ (a stereo audio file editor with VST support)\
Kristal: http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/
Other freebies and shareware: www.hitsquad.com/smm

Another great option is REAPER at http://www.cockos.com/reaper/ (It's $50 but runs for free until you get guilty enough to pay for it...)
I use Reaper and highly reccomend it...

Music Notation and MIDI recording: Melody Assistant ($25) and Harmony Assistant ($80) have the power of $600 notation packages - http://myriad-online.com
Demo you can try on the website.

And you can go out to any Barnes&Noble or Borders and pick up "Computer Music" magazine - they have a full FREE studio suite in every issue's DVD, including sequencers, plugins and tons of audio samples. (November 2006 they gave away a full copy of SamplitudeV8SE worth $150, November 2007-on the racks Dec in the US- they gave away SamplitudeV9SE and July 2009 issue they put out Samplitude10SE. FREE. It pays to watch 'em for giveaways...)
Click to expand...



.Also take a look at the 2nd sticky under the forum recording techniques.



:cool:
 
How many instruments are you going to record at one time? Vocals & guitar?


Here's a rough suggestion:

$200 on a decent interface. A USB interface will do for a couple of tracks at a time.
$200-$400 on a good microphone. Probably a condenser, but that's up to you.
$200 on room treatments. Post a layout of your room in the Studio Build forum and you'll get lots of help.
$500 on monitors. These are for mixing.
$100 on headphones. These are for tracking.

Download Reaper for free that way you have your own software.

What operating system are you using? You'll want to make sure that your interface has the drivers for your OS.

And don't forget cables and mic stands. Those should've been figured in above.
 
Dastrick. Thank you! So you think that monitors are more important than the interface? I only need to record guitar and voice at the same time. Even one at a time should be alright
I was also thinking a condenser would be better. The computer room is very small. 2.5X4meters. It has the size of a bathroom, and on the right side we keep about 20 jackets, 50 towels and 7 blankets etc. That should "swallow" the sound, right? Maybe when I start recording, I can also cover the left side with clothes. I`ll see what other stuff I need for the room to help with the sound.
I`m using windows XP
For some reason, I always thought that the interface was more important than the monitors!
 
Hey Ryan,

Congrats on starting up your own studio. I'm sure your experience will be as rewarding as mine has been.

As for your studio, it's hard to give too much advice without knowing some more details. Most importantly, what are your overall goals for the studio? Is this something just to play around with or do you want to create demos, radio ready music, etc? This is the first thing you should decide before you buy anything. Let us know and we'll be able to give you some better answers.

For a quick tip, I would advise you to start with just the essentials and let your studio grow with your abilities. Also, on a limited budget the one thing I wouldn't skimp on would be your mics.

If you want some general recording info, you can check out my article on home recording basics.

Keep Jammin,
Mark
 
A.D.Ryan said:
Dastrick. Thank you! So you think that monitors are more important than the interface? I only need to record guitar and voice at the same time. Even one at a time should be alright
I was also thinking a condenser would be better. The computer room is very small. 2.5X4meters. It has the size of a bathroom, and on the right side we keep about 20 jackets, 50 towels and 7 blankets etc. That should "swallow" the sound, right? Maybe when I start recording, I can also cover the left side with clothes. I`ll see what other stuff I need for the room to help with the sound.
I`m using windows XP
For some reason, I always thought that the interface was more important than the monitors!
Click to expand...

Monitors and room treatment would be my top priority. Then the microphone/s. Then the interface.

Go to the Studio Building forum and post up a diagram of your room with the dimensions and the things that you have in there (like the jackets, etc). There are some VERY knowledgable people that will help you out. Be as detailed as you can.

Your recording vocals & guitar. Is that acoustic guitar or electric guitar. If it's an electric guitar, are you going to mic an amp or use an amp simulator?

Interface.....something like this M-Audio Fast Track would suit you fine. Or this Presonus Audiobox.

The microphone.......check out the threads in the Microphone forum. Lots of suggestions over there.
 
Thanks mate! I`m surprised how friendly and helpful are people here. I mean, hell, I got more help from some people who never met me, than from my best friend who knows a lot about music studios,sound etc, but who was too busy to help. I`ll leave a message in that forum. You asked me some details about how I`m going to record, and about the mike! I have no idea. I don`t know anything about recording. I have to start from scratch. I can only tell you that I bought a NT2A condenser mike. Starting tomorrow, I have to start doing some research:)
 
Are the songs for commercial release? Do you plan on mastering them yourself?

Do you plan to record other people on deadline, or just yourself?

What is your expectation of quality in the results? For instance, if your guitar can't hold a tune, making a pristine recording of it doesn't make any sense.

By way of example, you'll want a condenser microphone to record an acoustic, and that will highlight deficiencies in your room because of it's sheer sensitivity.

Many things work together to make a recording: The room, the instrument, the talent, the engineer, the microphone, the preamplifier, and the converters.

Being able to hear a recording accurately is another matter entirely, relying heavily on your ears, your room, and your speakers.

One cannot purchase fancy speakers to make up for an ear deficiency, or use a supremely expensive microphone to make up for the fact that the talent sucks.

Hopefully, that gives you some direction as to where to spend your money.
 
Title

Supercreep said:
Are the songs for commercial release? Do you plan on mastering them yourself?

Do you plan to record other people on deadline, or just yourself?

What is your expectation of quality in the results? For instance, if your guitar can't hold a tune, making a pristine recording of it doesn't make any sense.

By way of example, you'll want a condenser microphone to record an acoustic, and that will highlight deficiencies in your room because of it's sheer sensitivity.

Many things work together to make a recording: The room, the instrument, the talent, the engineer, the microphone, the preamplifier, and the converters.

Being able to hear a recording accurately is another matter entirely, relying heavily on your ears, your room, and your speakers.

One cannot purchase fancy speakers to make up for an ear deficiency, or use a supremely expensive microphone to make up for the fact that the talent sucks.

Hopefully, that gives you some direction as to where to spend your money.
Click to expand...

Thank you!
The songs are not for commercial release. I`m planning to make some OK demos and see what happens. I have to master it myself, unless my wife volunteers to do it:D No deadline, no other people. Just me. I know the quality won`t be perfect. ok quality will do for now! I guess my M-Audio Ultra track 8R doesn`t have a preamp. Don`t laugh, but I just googled preamp to see what it looks like :drunk:
 
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