Setting Up a Recording Studio For Beginners

A few years ago a person who wanted to record a CD would either pay enormous fees for studio time or need to be picked up by a record label. Nowadays when you are ready to record you simply set up your recording space with the equipment you need and start laying down the tracks for those killer sounds you hear inside your head. It's that simple; but, before you start recording there are few things you'll need for your studio.

#1. A computer and software program. Almost everyone has a computer these days, but not just any computer will do. You need one that is optimized for music with a lot of storage, memory and the power to run your music programs. As for software, there are several options available and only you can decide which is best for your needs. Just remember your software and your computer is the brain power of your recording studio. Definitely get the best equipment and software program you can afford.

#2. Sound proofing is a vital requirement in your recording studio as without it your instruments and voices will bounce off the walls, creating an echo when you record. A good medium for this is recording foam.. as it deadens the sound and allows you to record without the echo effect. Anything that absorbs sound will work; I've known some would-be-stars to use egg cartons!

#3. An audio sound card with adequate inputs and outputs to allow you to record all of the instruments at once. Without an audio sound card there is no way for the sound to get from your instrument into the computer!

#4. Pre-amps give your instruments that extra boost of good sound that you don't get if you simply plug your instruments straight into the mixer. By pre-amping your guitars and basses, you will keep their best sound before they go into the mixing board.

#5. Monitors are special speakers you'll need to make sure that you have everything right. With monitors you will be able to hear the highs and lows of your recording so that you can make sure that it all blends together correctly. Recording head phones can work in this capacity as well if noise becomes an issue in your basement at around midnight. Remember, it's all in the mix.

#6. Recording Microphone Equipment is a must-have. Recording mics are not the same as a regular microphone. These are designed especially to capture all of the sounds from the voice on every side. Attached to the recording microphone should be a pop filter, which will stop the hard consonants and hissing from dirtying up the recording with muffled sounds.

#7. Consider getting a compressor. While this is an optional piece of equipment, don't overlook it. Specifically used for vocals, the compressor prohibits the waves in the voice from reaching certain peaks, putting you in the red zone. It equalizes the waves so that you can adjust the voice to match the other instrumentation as you go.

Setting up your own recording studio can be an exciting challenge. These are the