Setting up a home studio on a budget. 5 Things to consider.
Are you a musician or producer who's been wanting to set up your home studio but don't know where to start? Or maybe you're on a limited budget, and you're not sure what you can afford. If you're reading this blog, you've probably dreamed of having your home studio where you can record your music or podcasts whenever you want. While this may seem expensive, it's possible to set up a small project studio on a budget. In this blog post, we'll show you how to get started.
First, we'll discuss some essential equipment that you'll need. Then, we'll give you tips for getting the best sound quality possible. Finally, we'll talk about ways to keep your costs down. So read on, and learn how to create your music sanctuary!
1. Decide on the purpose of your studio - will it be for recording music, voiceovers, or video editing?
It would help if you decided on the purpose of your studio before you built it. Music and voiceovers require different tools than video editing software. The purpose of your studio should be clear in advance. The more activities you want to do in your space will increase your budget. A podcasting setup could cost under $100. But suppose you're going to add video to your podcast. In that case, you must spend more on cameras, video editing software, and distribution. If you plan on recording music, the cost increase is in your ability to record multiple instruments simultaneously. Costs would include a multi-I/O (input and output) interface for your computer and various microphones. Each activity has a budget range, and adding multiple activities increases your overall budget.
2. Choose the right space in your home that can be dedicated to your studio.
Before setting up your home studio, it's critical to choose a suitable space. It should be large enough to accommodate all your equipment but not so large that it feels empty and echo-y. The best home studios are typically in the basement or an extra bedroom. Still, a corner of a studio apartment can be just as welcoming as a separate wing of a mansion. The choice of space ensures you have enough room to spread out but not disturb the rest of the household with noise.
Additionally, you'll want to ensure the room has good acoustics. Good acoustics means that it should be well-insulated and free from hard surfaces that can cause sound to bounce around. Finally, it should be comfortable. A studio is a dedicated space to be creative. Remove distractions like TVs, video game systems, and non-creative decorations (you can replace that 1980s flower arrangement in the corner with a lava lamp or something that speaks to you). Curate your space for creativity. Considering these factors, you can set up a home studio that sounds great and is conducive to creativity.
3. Purchase basic equipment such as a microphone, audio interface, and software
Any musician will tell you that the right equipment is essential for creating great music. Whether you're a singer-songwriter looking to record your first demo or a seasoned producer working on your latest album, having the right tools for the job is crucial. When it comes to recording music, there are a few essential pieces of equipment that you'll need.
1) You'll need a microphone to capture your voice or instrument.
Microphones are essential to capturing either your voice or a musical instrument. A microphone converts acoustic energy into electrical energy, making it a critical gear piece. I always tell people to allocate most of their budget to a good microphone. A person might have excellent speakers, but your production will already start with low quality if the microphone is low quality. When selecting a microphone, look at the frequency response chart. You want a microphone that can capture 20Hz to 20,000Hz.
2) You'll need an audio interface to connect your microphone to your computer.
An audio interface converts microphone analog electrical signal into digital data that your computer can capture and manipulate. These are sometimes called Analog to Digital Converters (ADCs). The quality of interfaces has increased over the years in the budget category (Under $200). But the overall factor is how many microphones you will be recording. To budget, you can expect to spend $50 per microphone you want to record. I suggest looking at the PreSonus or Focusrite Scarlett lines.
3) You'll need some recording software to create your recordings.
Software is where the costs are nearly zero. You can get some fantastic, high-quality software for free. Garageband comes preloaded on Apple computers. However, if you want more functionality, you must buy Apple's professional version of the software called "Logic." However, companies like SoundBridge and Reaper have "try before you by" options that never expire or are by donation. These options have full functionality, but the learning curve is a bit steeper than Garageband. However, YouTube has excellent tutorials on how to get around the software and be creative.
4) You’ll need a pair of headphones or speakers.
I again recommend spending somewhere in the $100-$300 range for headphones. You want a pair of headphones that cover your ears (Over ear headphones) and have a range of at least 40Hz to 20,000Hz. The wider the range, the more accurate your headphones typically are. You want to avoid headphones like Beats or Skull Candy because they hype the low end too much. Headphones are for quality control and compatibility. Your music needs to sound good not just on headphones but on smartphone speakers, computer speakers, car stereo systems, blue tooth speakers, etc. Suppose your headphones don't give you an accurate picture of what your music sounds like. When you publish your music, the mix might not be compatible with certain devices. Your mix might have too much or too little bass, for instance.
The calculation is simple if you choose to use speakers to mix. Get speakers that reach down to 20Hz and up to 20,000Hz.
4. Invest in some acoustic treatment to improve the sound quality of your recordings
Any musician who has tried to record themselves at home knows that getting quality sound can be challenging. Even with the best equipment, rooms with poor acoustics can produce muffled and echo-y recordings. Recording studios invest in acoustic treatments, which help improve recordings' sound quality by reducing unwanted reflections. There are a variety of acoustic treatments available, from absorbent panels to diffusers, and choosing the right option will depend on the specific needs of your room. However, even a small amount of acoustic treatment can make a big difference in the sound quality of your recordings. So if you're serious about getting a great sound, it's worth investing in acoustic treatment for your home studio. For example, sound panels are an excellent choice for reducing reflections in small-to-medium-sized rooms. Bass traps can help to mitigate low-frequency noises, making them ideal for recording drums or bass guitar. And diffusers can help to disperse sound evenly throughout a room, preventing hot spots and improving the overall clarity of your recordings. By investing in some acoustic treatment, you can take your audio to the next level. By absorbing or deflecting sound waves, acoustic treatment can help improve your recordings' clarity and focus. As a result, you'll get recordings that sound better than ever before.
"But how do I know where to put my acoustic treatment?"
I teach an entire semester-long course on this subject (people even have graduate degrees in acoustical physics). Still, I will boil it down to 2 simple principles:
Put bass traps in the corners of your room.
Put panels and diffusers on parallel walls.
If your room is square (most rooms are), you will have to deal with standing waves (flutter echo, slapback echo, etc.). You want to break up the reflections of a room, and the best way to do this is to diffuse the sound waves. The goal is to make the room less of a box and more of a trapezoid without construction. There is some tremendous acoustic measurement software out there, but they require a bit of a learning curve. I suggest checking out Sonarworks software.
5. Make sure you have a comfortable place to sit or stand while you work
Most people forget about this one. Working long hours can take a toll on your body, and it's vital to ensure you have a comfortable place to sit or stand while you work. Ideally, your workspace should be at a level that is comfortable for you to reach and use. If you have to stoop or reach up constantly, it can lead to discomfort and even pain over time. In addition, make sure that your chair provides adequate support for your back and that your monitor and speakers are at eye level. By taking these simple steps, you can help to reduce the risk of discomfort and injury while you work.
Another critical factor is the layout of your equipment. You'll want to ensure that you have enough space to comfortably move around and neatly organize your cables to avoid trip hazards. Take the time to test your workflow; your space will pay off in better-sounding recordings and more creative music or podcasts.
So there you have it - a basic guide to setting up your home studio. This list is just the beginning, so be sure to experiment and find what works best for you. Try out different setups and see what works best for you. With a bit of forethought, you'll be able to create a home recording setup that sounds great. And don't forget to post pictures of your studio on our social media pages - I can't wait to see them!
Dr. Mike Testa
