During February last year, just before the 59th Annual Grammy Awards, the US Census Bureau took it upon themselves to compile various statistics revolving around the US music industry. At the time, there were 1,693 music recording studios in the USA, with 65,350 individuals employed in music-related fields nationwide. Recorded music sales were up 11.4% in 2016. The industry contributed $7.65 billion towards the national economy – a clear indication that the US music industry is again thriving after a slight slump a couple of years ago.
As much as the music industry evolves at breakneck speed, so is how music is produced. Many artists still think of large recording studios as status symbols, but more and more artists are exploring the possibility of home recording. With countless gimmicks and gadgets such as headphones and docking stations available to elevate your home recording sessions to the same level as a professional studio, it is no wonder that home studios are popping up everywhere. As long as you are armed with basic recording know-how and a few essential pieces of equipment, you can easily produce your music right in the comfort of your home.
Computer
Your PC will be your biggest expense when setting up your home recording studio. Your computer will form the brain of your recording operation, the area where you do not want to settle for an inferior piece of equipment. If you already have a computer, chances are you will be able to use it with the help of some peripheral paraphernalia. A top-of-the-range PC or Mac will undoubtedly make for a smoother recording process, but it is unnecessary if you only start with home recordings. The biggest considerations when buying a new computer are a fast processor, at least 2 GB of RAM, and a large hard drive to store your recordings on (an external hard drive is very convenient as it allows you to move your music around with ease)
A digital audio workstation
The digital audio workstation is the basic software to record, edit, and mix your music on your computer. Your recording requirements will determine the software you end up settling for. Pro Tools is just one example of a reliable DWA that has been around for many years. Before spending money on recording software, check whether your audio interface isn’t equipped with any, as many are. You don’t want to spend unnecessary money on a duplicate purchase.
An audio interface
The primary purpose of the audio interface is to provide you with all the necessary connections to send your music into the computer when recording and getting it out during playback. There are countless great-quality audio interfaces available, with your choice being dependent on your budget and the type of music you are looking to record. Modern audio interfaces boast many features, including mic preamps, digital conversion, DI boxes, monitor management, and headphone amps.
Good studio microphone
A microphone is a seemingly obvious recording equipment, but it does not always get all the attention it deserves. As with most of your equipment, your microphone choice will depend on the type of music you want to record. Most professional recording studios will have various microphones that will enable recording different sounds, different instruments, and recording in different situations. Speaking to industry experts or conducting your research before purchasing a mic is recommended, as it is easy to become overwhelmed by all the available options.
Good studio headphones
Good studio earphones are an absolute must-have for any home recording setup. It is important only to buy good quality ones with earphones as you need them to render a crystal clear sound for you to work with. Most recording studios will have at least two sets of headphones – closed back for recording tracks and open back for mixing the tracks. As you become more adept at music recording, you may consider switching to studio monitors, which are much more powerful and versatile than standard studio headphones.
The above merely indicates the fundamental equipment you will need for a home recording studio. Of course, you can invest in countless more gadgets to take your recording to the next level. However, if you only want to delve into basic recordings, the above items will serve you well enough.