For many creatives, the freedom to create at your own time will always be endearing, but not every artist can afford to book a studio long enough to accommodate his spontaneity. The good news is that owning a professional studio no longer requires you to access an ample amount of space. Professional studios are now so compact they can fit just about anywhere, including your kitchen table. Many people think setting up a home studio is a massive project, but in reality, starting is a lot easier than you can imagine. It pays off in the long run, especially if you are a struggling musician seeking ways to cut expenses. All you need is to have an idea of what the essentials are, have a checklist, be willing to part with some money, and you are ready to start making music like a professional. This article will address how you can set up your home music studio and guide you on what to look out for as you make your purchases.
- Decide On a Location
A studio is a place where you will be spending a good chunk of time, so you must pay attention to the location you pick. It should be accessible, convenient, and pleasant. While the basement is an ideal place for a home studio, if yours is in a poor condition (or you simply don’t have one) maybe you should consider setting up somewhere else or think of ways to revamp it into a more conducive and friendly environment. The last thing you would want to do is set up your home studio in a place that you are not excited to visit. Irrespective of the location you decide on, here are two things to note; first, aim to give yourself more space than required; secondly, interior rooms handle noise better than exterior places.
- Seal Up Cracks
Many communities have sound regulations, and you do not want to be a bad neighbor who has to deal with police visits due to neighbors calling in about noise. To get these challenges under control, you need to seal up all your cracks and aim to soundproof your studio. You can achieve this by adding mass/density, decoupling structures, damping, or filling air gaps. Any of these methods will go a long way in minimizing both external and internal noise.
However, with all that sealing and patching going on, remember to create room for ventilation, so your music doesn’t leave you breathless.
- Diffuse the Room
If you record a talented singer in a room with unwanted resonance, you will most likely end up with an unprofessional sound as output. So, pay attention to the way sounds bounce off the walls of your studio; you may want to reduce the echo chamber effect. The echo chamber effect happens when a room is empty, and this can be curbed by simply adding items like beanbags, pillows, blankets, mattresses, etc. to dampen the space. You can take it a step further by covering your walls with mineral wool insulation and your floors with carpets. However, make sure you use carpets that contrast with your wires to prevent accidental tripping.
- Invest In the Right Equipment
Equipment is usually the first thing musicians have in mind when they think of setting up a home studio, and understandably so. It is crucial you know the right equipment needed to have good sounds. Check out makingmusicpro.com for sound advice about buying musical equipment as they provide a wide range of tips to help you make informed purchases so it’s a smart choice to start from there. The essential equipment you will need include; first, a computer. A computer is your studio’s brainbox, so make sure it is fast, efficient, and in good shape with a great internet connection. Secondly, one or two microphones, and this will depend on what you want to record. Thirdly, headphones. As time progresses, you may find yourself amassing more equipment like a mic stand, pop filters, ear training software, and studio monitors.
- Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)
DAW is the software that you will use to record and edit your music. There are multiple software options to choose from, but remember that they differ in price and features level. As with many things in life, the more money you part with to acquire the software, the more flexibility and features you gain. However, it is possible to lay your hands on DAWs with efficient features at a lesser price. You really do not need to have the best of the best DAW at this stage, so go easy and build up. The important thing is to carry out extensive research and choose a compatible software for your style.
- Install a Solid Audio Interface
Long gone are those days when inserting a new sound card into your machine was the only way to improve your recordings. Now, with a reliable audio interface, you can do precisely that. An audio interface is particularly useful when you need to turn analog sounds (guitars, vocals, etc.) into a digital signal. In simpler terms, an audio interface enables you to connect your microphones and instruments to your computer through a mixer, thereby replacing your computer’s sound card.
Having talent is not just enough; you also need to surround yourself with the right equipment and access. A home studio will go a long way in ensuring that you never have to stifle that brilliant idea that woke you up at 2 am. You can now record whenever the beat strikes within your soul, even if you only have on a bathrobe.