by Scott Ashley
The recording industry has seen a dramatic transformation over the years. In the past, owning a high-quality recording studio was indeed essential for producing top-tier recordings. The cost of acquiring professional-grade equipment, maintaining it, and operating the studio was significant, often running into millions of dollars. This barrier to entry meant that only well-established record labels or wealthy individuals could afford to create music at that level of quality.
An interesting facts for home studios: Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska (album) released on September 30, 1982, by Columbia Records, were recorded the songs as demos in his bedroom with just a Gibson J-200 guitar and a TEAC 144 (4 track recorder), intending to rerecord them with the E Street Band, but decided to release them as they were. The album went on to receive critical acclaim, including Rolling Stone's 2020 edition of its "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time" list.
Billie Eilish #1 hit song was "Bad Guy" was produced in his brother's bedroom. Billie Eilish's hit "Bad Guy" has been certified Diamond by the RIAA for sales of more than 10 million copies. The song also won Song of the Year at the Grammy awards.
Need a demo or actual recording? You can record music with less than a $500 investment these days for a quick start.
Here an example the equipment you'll need for a budget recording studio (Mac):
1. A Computer:
Refurbished Macbook Air: $500.00
2. Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)
GarageBand: FREE (Mac only)
3. Audio Interface:
PreSonus AudioBox GO $79.99
4. Headphones:
Samson SR850 Studio Headphones: $49.90
5. Microphones:
Samson C01 Studio Condenser Mic XLR: $70.00
6. Speakers:
Presonus Eris 4.5 Studio Speakers: $150.00
Total: $849.89 (Less than $400 excluding Macbook Air)
Also, read this related article: Top 10 DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) For Songwriting.
Here is an example the equipment you'll need if you choose to have a PC version for your home recording set-up:
1. Computer:
Any PC (minimum 16 GB of RAM, 1 Gig hard drive)
2. Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)
Acoustica Mixcraft 10.5 Pro Studio $119.00 (PC Only)
This is an affordable and easy to use; this is a powerful DAW for the PC, with unlimited tracks, VST support, linear and non-linear workflows, and amazing content.
An alternative: try an online DAW: Bandlab.com for Free
3. Audio Interface:
PreSonus AudioBox GO $79.99
4. Headphones:
Samson SR850 Studio Headphones: $49.90
5. Microphones:
Samson C01 Studio Condenser Mic XLR: $70.00
6. Speakers:
Presonus Eris 4.5 Studio Speakers: $150.00
Total: $468.89 (excluding computer)
Here are some additional considerations if you wish to record at home:
1. Speaker Isolation: Mounting studio monitors on purpose-made stands with speaker isolation foam underneath helps to decouple the monitors from the surface they're placed on, reducing vibrations and resonance that can color the sound. Arranging the monitors in a near-field triangle with the listener's head as the third point helps to optimize the stereo imaging and minimize phase issues.
2. Wall Reflections: Addressing wall reflections is crucial for achieving accurate monitoring and sound reproduction. Acoustic treatment foam placed directly behind the monitors helps to absorb reflections that can cause comb filtering and coloration of the sound. Treating the wall behind the listener and the ceiling above the listening position further improves the acoustics by reducing flutter echoes and reflections.
3. Corner Bass Traps: Bass traps are essential for controlling low-frequency resonance and standing waves in the room, particularly in corners where bass energy tends to accumulate. Foam wedge bass traps placed in the corners along the ceiling help to absorb excess bass energy and reduce muddiness in the low end. Additionally, placing bass traps in wall corners can further improve bass response and overall room acoustics.
By implementing these acoustic treatments and optimizations, you can create a more controlled and accurate listening environment in your home studio, allowing for better mixing decisions and producing recordings with improved clarity and balance.
Today, musicians can create professional-level recordings from the comfort of their own bedrooms. With careful selection and budgeting, it's entirely feasible to put together a functional home recording setup for under $500. While this setup may not rival the capabilities of a professional studio, it can still produce high-quality recordings suitable for demos, independent releases, or even commercial distribution with proper skill and technique.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Scott Ashley is a songwriter and graduate of the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. He is a voting member of the Recording Academy (National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences). He is currently working as the Artist Relations director with the USA Songwriting Competition and IAMA (International Acoustic Music Awards). His book "How to Write Better Songs" hit #1 on the Amazon Best Seller Books Charts last year. Click here to purchase Scott Ashley's book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B5PLFGKX
For information on the 29th Annual USA Songwriting Competition, go to: https://www.songwriting.net
