Whether your space for a budget recording studio is basically in your home or in your garage or in a small commercial space, this article is primarily for fashioning a music studio that uses a minimum of gear.
The most budget-friendly way to record has become the utilization of a P. C. and software programmes. I suggest Apple’s Logic 9 which comes bundled up with a program devoted to the creation of music. ( The program only runs on an Apple platform. ) Not only is it able to record live performances but it incorporates several software instruments : piano, organ and a couple of great sounding synths. Logic nine also has two other rather unique items – a totally functioning sampler which simply can turn recorded sounds into a playable instrument of your own making. Logic 9 also comes stuffed with loops ; everything from drum beats in every style imaginable to classical slivers to sound fx and lots more. These loops will automatically adjust to your selected speed too. For more info – go to the Apple link and check out all of the features. The reality is you do not want an array of synthesizers and samplers rigged with midi wires which is mostly a headache in the end.
The second thing to consider is the digital to analog converter that transfers the analog sound waves in to a digital format that your personal computer can understand – and back out of the PC so you can hear what you’ve recorded. Most computers have a converter but they really are not as good as a couple of “outboard” and affordable converters on the market. The best ones in my view are manufactured by Apogee. They’re also entirely integrated with the Logic program. If you’re planning on doing just overdubs one track at a time then the “Duet” is the best bang for the buck. The next which is also made by Apogee is the “Ensemble” that has 8 channels vs only 2 on the “Duet”. If you plan on recording a band you would clearly need more than two channels for individual micing of instruments.
Of course you will need microphones and stands.(Check out great deals on microphones!) The best ones for vocals in the recording studio are the cardioid condenser mics. You can buy reasonably good ones for only $200, although the range goes up to $8000. ( For condenser mics you’ll need ghost power which is basically included with many converters with input boxes. ) For instrument micing you can use dynamic mics which are not as sensitive as the condenser mics. The rule for mic placement and as well as all things audio is – experiment until you like the way it sounds.
You may also need studio monitors that hook up to your converters and at least 2 pairs of headphones for doing any overdubs. I suggest powered monitors as they’re quiet and you don’t need the effort of having another power amplifier. The Yamaha powered NS10s are good – but let your ears be the judge. Fundamentally you would like a flat response to get an unhyped image of the music when mixing and powerful enough to not distort when played back at high volumes.
ultimately it’ll be mandatory in most cases to treat the walls of the recording and mixing space to minimise the room tone ( i.e, any live echos or reverberation, regardless of how short the reverb time looks to be ). This important detail will affect the picture of your recording. The surfaces of your walls will probably require something to moisten those artifacts. Foam panels are one solution, covering approximately 30% of the surfaces. Another extremely cost effective solution is the employment of egg cartons to make the surfaces irregular and also absorbent of the sound waves.
I want to conclude with a word about computers. The stronger the processor the better. You will need the most RAM that you are able to afford. This will insure that you will have enough power to run the various synthesizers and effects without balking. It’ll also permit more tracks to be recorded at the same time.
