No matter your level of musical knowledge or experience, having the appropriate home studio equipment can make all of the difference in creating your ideal studio environment. In this article we cover essentials as well as desirable add-ons that can help get your studio underway.
XLR cables are often used to connect microphones to audio interfaces and provide a balanced signal, while 3.5mm (AUX) cables may be more appropriate for use when connecting headphones – these may or may not provide a balanced signal.
Microphone
Microphones are essential tools in any home studio, and making decent recordings requires quality equipment that provides great value. Although any kind of mic may work, for optimal sound quality and value, opting for one with more expensive models may provide better value.
Beginner studio setups should incorporate condenser microphones, which are ideal for recording vocals. While these mics tend to cost more than dynamic mics, their superior sound quality justifies this extra expense. We suggest starting off with something like the AKG C214; its high-quality vocal condenser also excels at recording instruments like acoustic guitars, pianos and loud drums.
Home recording equipment that’s essential to any professional studio is a preamp, which serves to boost signals. A preamp can help any audio signal, especially vocal recordings. While you might get by without one for initial recordings, investing in quality preamps should always be prioritized.
As well, you will require studio cables to connect the mic/interface/computer setup with monitors and speakers. We suggest purchasing at least one XLR cable and two RCA cables (for connecting microphone stands and interfaces to speakers).
Pop filters are essential components of any home recording setup, as they help reduce plosive sounds like P and B that may ruin vocal recordings. We suggest the Neewer Professional Studio Broadcasting and Recording Microphone Pop Filter which is attached directly to any standard microphone stand. Although not technically necessary, we suggest purchasing some acoustic foam to further minimize noise reduction and reverberation issues.
Audio Interface
An audio interface is the center of any home studio, connecting microphones or instruments directly to your computer and translating digital ones and zeroes into analog voltage for speakers to convert into moving air. Many interfaces also come equipped with built-in preamps that help amplify incoming signals – depending on the size and number of inputs your studio requires, you will have various types of interfaces from which to choose.
Most audio interfaces will include stereo outputs and headphones jacks, in addition to various connection types for microphones such as XLR cables and TRS connections for guitars and keyboards. A high quality set of XLR cables is essential to maintaining signal quality; studio stands are also highly recommended to ensure proper positioning of your mics; pop filters should also be considered essential when recording vocals due to plosive sounds (“p” and “b”) which could potentially create peaks in recordings.
An essential component of a home studio, a powerful computer should have the processing power and storage space required to run your production software efficiently without slowing down or degrading sound quality. A MIDI controller allows you to play your software instruments by manipulating their sounds with your fingers rather than typing or clicking your mouse.
Home studio owners who want to expand their setup may add a mixing board and other outboard gear, like compressors, synthesizers and equalizers, into their setup. This gear can add additional complexity to your music while fine-tuning sounds you create. These items typically mount in racks but some models can even sit on desktops; often used for advanced functions like reverb and delay effects as well as compression, EQ or other effects.
Monitors
Monitors play an integral part in how your music sounds. They should be sonically flat, not boosting or cutting frequencies, making them perfect for home studios as their sound won’t be colored by room acoustics. A pair of high quality studio monitors will make a significant impactful statement about your mixes if you plan to master and release consumer versions of music later.
Monitors typically consist of two main drivers – a woofer and tweeter, amplified separately – each designed to address different frequencies: the woofer handles low frequencies while the tweeter specializes in midrange and highs. Many monitors come equipped with built-in EQ adjustments so as to match your particular listening environment; you may even come across ones with three-way configuration, with an extra midrange speaker added into the mix.
Home studio owners seeking near-field monitors should purchase near-field models – near-field refers to speakers designed to sit close to your ears – for optimal audio output. While lower priced near-field models will suffice at first, as soon as your music production becomes professional it’s wise to upgrade with more sophisticated near-field units.
Near-field monitors designed for smaller rooms typically require careful positioning to work effectively. You should aim to position them so they form an equilateral triangle with your head, with each monitor facing straight at you (known as “toeing-in”). In addition, most near-field monitors include an adjustable bracket on their back that allows users to angle them further (known as “toe-out”) in order to reduce reverberations from walls and corners.
Your first order of business should be to obtain monitor stands that can hold both monitors comfortably while also being padded to reduce vibration from your desk, have a mount for holding mic, are adjustable in terms of height and angle, and provide enough height and angle adjustments to be suitable for mic placement. Furthermore, invest in high-quality cables – 3 will cover your mic, audio interface, monitors as well as being there as backup in case damage or noise arise over time XLR or balanced TRS cables provide superior interference reduction as they feature thicker insulation to prevent damage or noise accumulation over time ensuring optimal operation of each device over time.
Speaker Stands
When mixing music, quality studio monitors that give an accurate depiction of your mix are essential to making precise adjustments to its sound. Good studio speakers feature flat frequency response for use with various home recording setups.
Assuring your speakers are secure and properly positioned is key when editing tracks to achieve balance, and studio monitor stands can also reduce vibrations that could hinder hearing the finest details in tracks.
Different speaker stands are available to meet every space and budget requirement, from desktop-mount stands like IsoAcoustics’ ISO-155 studio monitor stands to ones designed specifically to elevate speakers off desktop surfaces while decoupling them from vibrations at higher listening volumes.
Other stands, like Gator clamp-on monitor stands, feature a more compact footprint that’s ideal for home studios with limited space. Clamp them directly to the side of your desk, holding up to 28 pounds each – tiltable so you can fine-tune audio performance of speakers as well as helping isolate monitors from physical vibrations caused by computers or other equipment.
Your stand can be easily created out of wood, MDF or even concrete blocks; however it’s always recommended to invest in a professional-grade stand to guarantee stability for your studio monitors without becoming wobbly over time.
Headphones
Just as the quality of your microphone, audio interface, and speakers has an effect on how well or badly your recordings turn out, so too do headphones play an integral part. When recording or mixing, it’s essential that the music can be heard clearly without background noise intruding – which is where quality studio headphones come into play.
Your regular hi-fi or iPod headphones won’t give you optimal results; to get an effective mix and pick up details like cymbal crashes, vocals and strings you require studio headphones capable of going low-end and mid-range frequencies as well as comfortable wearing for long duration. They must also go loud enough so as not to interrupt a drummer or guitarist when performing solos or making other noise.
Audio-Technica’s wired over-ear headphones represent excellent value for those on a tight budget. Their sound is balanced across a variety of musical genres and closed back design allows you to block out ambient noise, so that your focus remains solely on work; plus their coiled cable keeps things neat as you move around in your home studio.
The ATH-M50x headphones have quickly become one of the world’s most beloved studio headphones for good reason: their versatility and durability make them an invaluable asset in tracking, production, and mixing environments. In particular, their unique feature stands them out among Bluetooth wireless headphones – you can switch into low latency mode to reduce delay to 16ms for studio work – which enables immediate feedback of sounds as they occur (such as hitting drum pads or strumming strings) rather than hearing about changes afterward when it may already be too late to make adjustments or changes before making changes once too late!