Computers are essential components in any recording studio, serving as platforms for editing, mixing and running software instruments & effects.
An audio interface is another essential piece of equipment, providing high-quality mic preamps and analog-to-digital conversion for fast transport controls and optimal audio performance.
Mics
One of the key pieces of studio equipment is a microphone. With numerous types and models to choose from, finding one suitable for your recordings can make a substantial impactful statement about who you are as an artist. Your mic choice depends on multiple factors including room acoustics and type of sound you are recording; some genres also tend to favor certain mic types over others – for instance rock/metal vocalists typically prefer dynamic mics like Shure SM58 dynamic mics for creating gritty and dirtier tones while other singers prefer using small diaphragm condenser mics to get more precise audio images and “flatter” tones from their performances.
Beginners typically start their studio journey by using a dynamic microphone, as it is both economical and rugged enough to withstand being used live band environments without getting damaged easily. Most dynamic mics feature cardioid pickup patterns which only capture sound coming directly towards them – making them suitable for recording vocals or loud instruments without worry over feedback or unwanted noise being picked up from distant sources.
Condenser mics offer more expensive solutions. Their more sensitive diaphragm and detailed frequency response make them easier to fine-tune to specific sounds sources, creating more stylised and professional-sounding recordings by positioning them to maximize their potential. Some have fixed polar patterns while others offer switchable ones for wider coverage in recording situations.
Handheld microphones are another popular choice among broadcasting and journalism professionals, used both inside a studio setting as well as out on location to capture interviews, podcasts and other forms of content focusing on voices. One such handheld mic option is the RODE NT5, featuring an adjustable omnidirectional, cardioid or bidirectional mic directional switcher built right in.
Amplifiers
Amplifiers’ primary job is to take a weak signal and expand it sufficiently to drive speakers at high volumes, whether hearing aid-powered transistors or large audio amps used at rock concerts. There are numerous different types of amplifiers on the market ranging from those designed specifically for hearing aids to gigantic audio amplifiers capable of powering loudspeakers with rock music concerts blaring out. Most audio amplifiers contain both preamp and power amp components.
Preamps are stages that take an input signal and boost it to an ideal level for a power amp, providing bass, mid, and treble controls so users can fine-tune the sound to suit themselves. Many hi-fi amplifiers and electric guitar amps feature valve (or “valve”) preamps as musicians often consider this to provide better tone quality.
After passing through a preamp, audio signals enter a power amplifier, which amplifies them to drive speakers at high volumes. Amplifier circuits typically incorporate either bipolar transistors or vacuum tubes as power amplification devices; until the 1970s most amplifiers used them. Now most consumer products such as televisions, clock radios and boom boxes integrate both preamp and power amp into one chassis, though many professional musicians still utilize vacuum tube guitar amps.
Quality amplifiers depend on how they connect to speakers and other equipment; in particular, balanced speaker terminals that accept 4mm banana sockets (banana sockets), combined 4mm/binding post or Speakon sockets is ideal. Speaker quality also plays a part – if they sound dull and uninspiring no amount of EQ can make them sound like Marshall stack.
Considerations should also be given to how an amplifier sounds when mic’d up. The choice and placement of mic – such as condenser, ribbon or dynamic — and its type will have an enormous influence on its tone; similarly for speakers themselves which will exhibit their own individual qualities when micked up as opposed to when played solo in an unmiked environment.
Mixing / Monitoring Headphones
No matter if you’re tracking, mixing, or fine-tuning masters we have studio headphones to meet all of your needs. Headphones provide more immersive audio without bleed or distraction allowing you to focus on every nuance in your audio production. A quality set of studio monitors may be essential, yet headphones may prove equally beneficial; some top producers have even admitted to using only them exclusively when mixing.
At our store, we carry both closed-back and open-back headphones that offer a flat, neutral sound. This is important because it ensures the mix you hear in your headphones will accurately represent how others will hear the final mix; otherwise, you risk creating something that sounds great on studio monitors but has serious problems when played back on laptop speakers, cheap earbuds or the audio system in your car. To prevent this from happening, the best solution is using various types of headphones or speaker systems to periodically test for detail, tonal balance and effects placement.
Closed-back headphones are an essential component of any studio environment for many reasons. Their design makes them the ideal monitors, as they reduce spillage from other people listening to your track while isolating it from ambient noise. Their coil cable also prevents tangling as you move around the room while their high-quality sound ensures effortless recording sessions.
If you’re unfamiliar with professional-grade headphones, you might be amazed by how different they sound than the consumer-grade earbuds and over-ear headphones you may be used to. That’s because professional headphones are designed for an accurate yet neutral sound that more closely mirrors how your ears naturally process sound – which allows you to detect details missed by casual listeners like tonal clashes between instruments in the same frequency range, muddy basslines, wayward vocal timings as well as distortion and clipping which might otherwise go undetected on consumer headphones.
Racks
Any professional studio will feature equipment designed to be rack-mounted. Racks allow them to take ordinary desktop gear such as guitar preamps, effects processors or monitor controllers and enhance their quality, functionality and creative potential by simply mounting them together in a rack.
Professional-grade rackmount gear typically fits comfortably into 19″ studio racks. These frames with ears that protrude on either side allow your studio equipment to be securely fastened into place while conserving space and providing convenient access to front panel controls of rackmounted gear from behind the frame. Many racks provide ample room for cabling to run neatly through them – helping keep everything neat and organized!
Most racks offer different aesthetic designs to choose from, giving you more freedom in picking out something that best matches the feel of your room or studio. In terms of size, these racks range from portable options for traveling with gear up to large quality racks designed to remain stationary in control rooms.
Once you have identified where on your rack you want to mount each piece of gear, it is advisable to first line up its screw holes with those found in your chosen rack before proceeding to screw in each item. This will prevent you from accidentally selecting a hole which doesn’t coincide with its respective gear, potentially damaging it as you continue screwing in screws.
Airflow should also be taken into consideration. If your gear is packed too closely together, particularly tube gear that can become hot, this may lead to hot air getting trapped between each piece and possibly leading to damage over time. Therefore, it is wise to leave an additional inch or two between each rackmount unit to prevent this from occurring.
If you’re on a tight budget and still don’t own all of the rackmount studio gear you need yet, an Odyssey starter rack could do the trick for less than 200 USD (see current price). Not only will it keep your gear out of harm’s way while not in use but should still give plenty of space should any future additions to your production setup come along.