If you want to produce music, studio headphones are essential. Working on songs only to hear them sound mediocre on cheap consumer models can be less than motivating and should only ever be considered an afterthought when creating new work.
Digital audio workstations are essential tools for recording, editing and mixing. Although the best ones may cost thousands of dollars, there are more affordable solutions for beginners.
Mics
A microphone is the core piece of equipment in any recording studio, as it captures sound directly and reproduces it faithfully. Without an adequate mic, no matter what other gear is present, results won’t come. For beginners in audio production, a small collection of quality studio mics should suffice until upgrading can become financially possible.
Considerations when selecting a microphone should focus on two primary aspects: its diaphragm size and sensitivity. As diaphragms become larger, they become better at sensing air vibrations, picking up on more subtle sonic details of sounds that professional producers need when recording nuanced sounds. Sensitivity describes how well microphones register sounds at lower volumes – higher sensitivity models are better equipped at picking up quieter sounds while producing less noise during high-pressure situations such as recording vocals.
As well as a microphone, your studio will require an audio interface and mixing board. An audio interface connects your microphone directly to your computer for recording and playback purposes, while mixing boards allow you to control levels and tone. They may have four channels or twenty depending on what works for your studio’s needs.
Your studio should also feature microphone stands and a basic pop filter, designed to reduce unwanted popping sounds that could compromise recordings. Auphonix makes a good double-layered model which fits onto standard mic stands easily.
At last, you will require a set of headphones for both listening and producing audio. There is an abundance of consumer-grade options on the market; however, professional-grade ones offer greater accuracy and clarity when listening to music. While they can cost more upfront, professional headphones produce far superior results when creating new music.
Microphone Preamps
Microphone preamps are essential pieces of studio equipment when it comes to crafting the overall “feel” and tone of your recordings. A preamp works by amplifying mic signals so they can easily travel through loudspeakers or further processing; they may also help avoid background noise pickup by “cleaning up” sound levels.
Preamps can be found as individual pieces of equipment or integrated into larger devices like an audio interface or mixer, where they serve to free up mic inputs for primary elements like vocals and acoustic guitar recordings while increasing recording quality while saving space in your setup.
Good quality mic preamps typically include features like a pad, low-cut filter and phase switch to facilitate recording sessions. Some even provide tonal modeling based on famous analog preamp circuits while others simply sound great!
Some mic preamps feature line outputs designed to connect directly to amplifiers or loudspeakers; others feature either ADAT or USB outputs for direct connection to computers or digital recorders; some models even feature both output types for maximum versatility.
Professional sound engineers typically have their preferred mic/preamp combo and will tailor it specifically to the type of recording they are making. Therefore, it is not uncommon to see mixing desks equipped with individual preamps for each microphone on the console.
Recording interfaces or USB microphones don’t need a mic preamp, making upgrades like an inline mic booster like Cloudlifter an economical and quick solution for improving signal strength without spending more on an expensive preamp.
Monitors
Sound engineers need reliable speakers in order to accurately listen to their mixes. Low-cost models may cause too loud audio and distorting of sound, whereas studio monitors are designed for flat accurate reproduction that emulates what would happen if played back over speakers in a room.
Audio monitors should generally be placed at ear height and away from all walls to reduce reflections off them that might distort sound quality. They can either be passive or active monitors; with active monitors boasting their own power amplifier and built-in crossover for less gear and increased flexibility but usually being more costly.
Sound quality of monitors can be measured by their off-axis response, frequency range and ability to handle high frequencies. A good monitoring system will have a wide sweet spot so two people can listen simultaneously without hearing any noticeable differences in sound. Furthermore, speakers sensitivity and the range of its tweeter should also be considered factors.
There are various audio monitors on the market, with near-field monitors being the most commonly used by professional studios. Near-field monitors are smaller and more compact than their far-field counterparts used for broadcasting or cinema use; therefore they are suitable for smaller rooms as they can be placed closer to your ears.
Studio monitors designed for optimal use must have more than just an expansive sweet spot; they should also feature low noise floors and extended dynamic range, precise sound reproduction with even bass response, as well as an extended dynamic range.
Studio monitors are also beneficial in aiding mixing because they allow you to compare how your mix will sound on different playback devices – this can prevent artificial bass or treble boosts that might occur from listening on cheaper “consumer” speakers.
Genelec, Quested, K+H, ADAM Focal/JM Labs and Tannoy are among the many companies who specialize in studio monitors. While others like Adam Audio produce both professional studio monitors and hi-fi speaker systems, most distinguish their offerings to create the ideal monitoring solution.
Reflection Filters
Reflection filters (also referred to as vocal isolation shields and pop filters) are an essential piece of equipment when recording in an environment without adequate acoustical treatment. Without one, soundwaves could bounce around and reflect off surfaces before returning into your microphone and creating unwanted acoustic issues. Acoustic foam in a reflection filter absorbs these reflected sounds reducing echo and room ambience so your vocalist can capture clean, clear recordings without echo or ambient sounds intruding on their recording session.
There are two primary types of reflection filters, an open top design where the mic mounts directly on top and less commonly, box type designs where microphone sits inside. Both designs offer distinct advantages and disadvantages but generally, open-top designs tend to produce more natural sounding vocalists while box types may reduce reverberation from behind vocalists more effectively.
Filters are most frequently employed by voiceover artists, singers and podcasters; however they can also be utilized with other musical instruments, including drum overhead mics. Filters may even help minimize drum overspill when recording in live environments.
These panels come in various sizes, some designed for mounting on mic stands or desks and others featuring built-in feet to stand on tables or desks. Most are constructed of high-density acoustic foam while some also include layers of diffusers and absorbers for better sound absorption. Acoustic foam panels are an affordable way to improve the acoustics in spaces without installing permanent treatments and are extremely portable, making them great choices for mobile studios.
Finally, an audio production studio requires cables to connect all its various pieces together. These include digital and analog audio cables, power and data transfer cords as well as data transfer cable kits from various manufacturers that contain everything needed for a basic home studio setup. These kits can save both time and hassle in terms of setting up your studio setup process.