This covers everything you need to set up your own home studio and begin making quality music right away.
For your convenience, I’ve even included some links to products for easy purchasing (I’m not profiting from those recommendations).
Quick note, the first thing you’ll actually need is a quality computer, but I am not including this item on my list, because chances are you already have one. And, as long as it’s less than 6-years old, it’ll probably be just fine for what you’re using it for.
So let’s get into the list.
1. Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)
This is the computer program you’ll use to record, edit, arrange and mix your music. There are so many you can choose from too–Fruity Loops, Reaper, LMMS, Pro Tools, GarageBand, Logic Pro, Studio One–and the list goes on. Really there is no wrong choice, but I’d say the biggest bang for your buck is Logic Pro. That being said, if you have a MAC, then GarageBand is free and a great program to start on. GarageBand gets a bad rep, but the fact is many successful songs have been produced with with GarageBand.
You can even check out my Hit Songs Produced on GarageBand post as proof.
Free DAWs include:
- LMMS https://lmms.io/
- Ardour https://ardour.org/
- GarageBand https://www.apple.com/ca/mac/garageband/
- Reaper https://www.reaper.fm/download.php
2. Audio Interface
Now if you want professional quality recordings, you really can’t skip this. This is what will take exterior sound and transport them into your computer for mixing, etc. One end of this device will plug into your computer, while the other will plug into your microphone. And yes, that leads us into our next item.
Product recommendation: M-Audio
3. XLR Microphone, Stand and Cables
There are a lot of microphones you can purchase for under $100, but what you will need to make sure you have is an XLR mic so that it hooks up to your audio interface. The stand itself should only run you about $20, but it’s important to have to keep your microphone sturdy and set at the appropriate level. Make sure your cables are also XLR so that you can hook up your microphone into your audio interface.
Product recommendation: Audio Technica AT2020
4. Headphones
You’ll need a pair of headphones with a 1/4 inch cable so you can plug them into your audio interface. If you can’t afford a new set, then you can always always start with a converter for your earbuds. That will only set you back about $10. However, over the ear headphones will allow you to hear a fuller sound, so definitely swing it if you can.
5. Pop Blocker
This item is only needed if you are planning on singing. It’ll tame your plosives (your ‘p’ and ‘b’ sounds), giving you a cleaner and more professional sound for your recordings. Otherwise you run the risk of having way too much emphasis on certain words and trust me, it will not sound good.
Product recommendation: Aokeo Pop Filter
6. Studio Monitors (Speakers)
You need something to listen to your music through! You don’t need to blow the budget here, but it’s important that you don’t just trust your computer speakers for your home studio. Tannoy has some reasonable ones, which can be viewed here.
7. MIDI keyboard
Lastly, my favorite piece of equipment is the MIDI keyboard, which technically you don’t need if you are fine mapping out melodies and beats directly within your DAW. I just find that process heavily tedious, so a keyboard saves me a ton of time. However, from a budgetary standpoint it is certainly not necessary when starting out.
Product recommendation: I use the Akai MPK Mini.
That is it! Can you believe it? Start off with these basics for your home studio and you can always add more once you have the budget and/or desire to do so.
