How Build a Budget-Friendly Home Studio for Recording

Music is not a product of luxury but creativity, and it is not always necessary to create an expensive studio in order to create high-quality music recordings. This modern music industry is filled with a ton of independent music artists and groups who have gained success without the help of a record label. A lot of music artists create a home-studio to gain more artistic and creative control of their craft, which allows them to experiment, innovate, and create without anyone supervising.

If you are trying to create a budget-friendly recording studio at home, it does not necessarily mean you should fill your studio with some cheap gear. If you want to look for, you can easily find good instruments at an affordable budget, which allows you to create a professional studio without spending too much. In order to create the studio for yourself, you must have a clear idea of what you are trying have in your studio. For starters, you will need a decent microphone, an audio interface, and a good pair of studio headphones, also known as monitors. Once you get the essentials, you can gradually build your studio by adding more equipment, such as acoustic instruments, a MIDI controller, audio software, and so on. Start small, but make sure to keep it solid for long-term results.

People seem to have the wrong idea of ‘budget-friendly’ as the majority of buyers believe that budget-friendly means cheap products, but in that case, you are only getting what you paid for, and cheap products might not provide you with a good experience or longevity. Instead, you should look for instruments and recording equipment that offer proper value for money, along with 100% satisfaction with seamless functionality. Let’s find what you need to create an affordable and reliable recording studio at home.

Building a Recording Studio at Home on a Budget

• Pick the Right Space for Recording

A studio needs a proper space, and you need to look for that in your home, in a room that is comparatively quiet, comfortable, and free of outside noises. This can work in the attic, a spare bedroom, or even in your basement, where there is enough space to fit your recording instruments. Usually, the rectangular rooms are better in this case, rather than the square rooms, and having high ceilings can be good for the sound waves. It is also recommended to go for soft furnishing touches with curtains, blinds, and rugs, which help to reduce reflection. You should go for a comfortable and consistent place where you can sit and work every day with reliability and familiarity.

• Opt for Studio Furniture

A recording studio needs furniture as well, even though they do not directly add anything to music production. But how will you work for extended hours and create your song if you cannot comfortably sit in your own studio? Make sure to have a long and strong desk that is capable of holding your interface, keyboard, monitors, MIDI controller, and everything you need right in front of you. It should still leave some space for you work, write, and do other activities without needing to move your setup. It is recommended to opt for an ergonomic design that is at your arm level and can be expanded later if needed. Similarly, you should opt for a comfortable chair that comes with adjustable height, strong lumbar support, and a moving base. It is important to stay comfortable when you are sitting for long hours.

•  A Proper Computer

 The computer works like the centre unit for your home studio, where all the recordings will be edited and stored. It is recommended to go for a PC setup instead of a laptop as it can provide more value for money within the budget. But if portability is important for you, a laptop might be suitable. For starters, you would need a 64-bit operating system with Windows or macOS that is equipped with at least 8 GB of RAM. But that is the basic minimum configuration, as you will need more. You will also need an SSD or a larger HDD where you can save the samples and recordings safely without losing them.

• DAW (Digital Audio Workstation)

Opting for the right DAW (digital audio workstation) is crucial for every studio, and there are many kinds of DAWs that you can opt for. Music producers and composers are more likely opt for particular workstations based on the music genres they are working on. For example, FL Studio seems more suitable for artists who are working with hip-hop or trap music, while Ableton Live is a reliable choice for EDM and dance music. A lot of composers and songwriters like Cubase, but if you are looking for a solid all-rounder, then you should go for Studio One. Focus on your style to opt for the right DAW.

• Select an Audio Interface

The audio interface is one of the most important elements for every recording studio as it connects the microphone and all the instruments to your computer. You need to opt for an audio interface that offers clear recordings, low latency, and a lot of flexibility. In order to opt for the right interface, you should consider the inputs and outputs. If you are having only one mic or instrument at the time, having one interface is enough. But for complex sessions, you need to opt for an interface that provides extra channels. The Universal Audio Volt 1 and the SubZero AI1 are the two most recommended options for all.

• Pick Your Microphone

A good microphone can help to capture the character of the voice or the instruments that are used in recording. Along with the right stand and the right pop filter, you can get consistent results without having any passive noise. You need to consider the microphones that are detailed, sensitive, and capable of recording all kinds of acoustic and vocal elements, even in controlled environments. Some of the most dynamic microphones that you can utilize for your studio are the Universal Audio SC-1, the Warm Audio WA-87jr SE, the Rode NT1 Signature Series, and lastly, the SubZero SZM-10 Dynamic Microphone. These options are budget-friendly and compatible with all kinds of instruments.

• Setting Up Studio Monitors

 Studio monitors are much different than the regular speakers as they can offer the exact sound without any boost in bass or color in music. In order to pick the right set of monitors, you need to consider the size of your room as well, which influences the frequency response and connectivity. It is recommended to go for the balanced connections, such as TRS or XLR, for better acoustic controls and fine-tuning for your music. Some of the budget-friendly suggestions are the PreSonus Eris Studio 5 monitors, the KRK Kreate 8, and the Adam Audio D3V desktop system.

• Keep the Headphones Ready

 Headphones are absolutely necessary for home recordings, which help you to do your work without disturbing others. The studio headphones are specially designed to deliver a balanced sound without any flair or exaggeration. You need to decide whether you are looking for an open-back or closed-back design. Studio headphones are quite affordable, and they do not take up much space in the studio. Some of the most affordable choices are the Rode NTH-50, the SubZero HFH200, and the ADAM Audio H200, etc to name some.

• Get Yourself a MIDI Keyboard

One of the most useful tools for a home studio is a MIDI keyboard, which helps to play chords, melodies, beats, and other elements directly to your DAW. It offers more creativity and control than handling all the notes with the DAW. In order to play easily and expressively, you should look for velocity-sensitive keys along with pads for drum programming and assignable knobs, sliders, and everything that makes the process more interactive. You can go for smaller keyboards if your priority is saving space and portability. Some of the most user-friendly and budget-friendly keyboards are the SubZero ControlKey49S, the Akai Professional MPK Mini MK4, and the M-Audio Keystation 49 MKIII, which can fulfill your recording needs with a straightforward approach.

• The Acoustic Treatment

Acoustic treatment is required for taming reflections and eliminating unwanted noises. When you are looking forward to acoustic treatment, you should look for tiles or foam panels that are capable of absorbing mid to high frequencies.

• Cables are Important

Cables are the most important elements that are easy to overlook. Good-quality cables can help to reduce interface and noise even with longer and regular use. For microphones, XLR cables are absolutely essential, but the instruments require jack leads. If you are looking for good-quality cables at an affordable price, the SubZero XLR Cable and the SubZero Instrument Cable can be a good choice for the purpose.

Final Thoughts

Building your home studio on an affordable budget requires smart choices, and if you are beginning on your musical journey now, it is important to talk to a professional recording or music artist who already has a home studio for a long time.