Anyone can learn how to produce music at home. All you need is a laptop and some recording software, which you can get for free or buy for not much money. But even with the most bare-bones of equipment, it’s still helpful to have some key pieces of gear to make the process easier. These are the items that every home amateur producer should have in their studio set up. Knowing what they are and why they’re essential will help you make better purchasing decisions and take your music production to the next level. So, whether you are a musician, songwriter, or producer, read on to find out how to improve your music game.
Studio Monitors
When working in the studio, a long day of recording can wear on your ears. This is why it’s so important to invest in some studio monitors. Studio monitors are speakers that you use in your studio. They’re designed to give musicians an accurate representation of their music so they can make edits before it’s too late.
This way, when you’re listening back to your recordings, you’ll have a good idea if the mix sounds right or if there are mistakes. If you don’t have studio monitors yet, we recommend getting some soon. They’ll be one of the best investments you make for your home recording setup.
Studio Headphones
Studio headphones are crucial for monitoring your recordings, as they provide accurate and detailed sound without creating any noise. Studio headphones also allow you to hear things that others can’t, like spikes in volume or layers of sounds.
Recording Software
The first and most important piece of equipment to get is some kind of recording software. There are a few options out there, but the most popular one is Audacity. It’s free, effective, and easy enough to use that you’ll be able to use it right away, even if you don’t have any experience in audio editing.
MIDI Keyboard
If you’re using a computer to produce music, it’s crucial to have a MIDI keyboard. The keyboard will enable you to input notes and chords, which the computer can then playback. Essentially, the keyboard allows you to write musical parts without knowing how to read or play an instrument.
MIDI keyboards are relatively inexpensive, so they’re one of the first things that should be on your list. They can also be used with software such as GarageBand or FL Studio, making them a valuable tool for any home producer.
For those who want to keep more up-to-date with music technology, you can also try the Akai MPK Mini MK3, which is the successor to the MIDI keyboard. Look at an Akai MPK Mini MK3 review to see if this keyboard will suit your needs better.
Audio Interface
An audio interface is a device that connects your various outboard gear to your computer. It’s important to have one because it allows you to record and playback audio without running it through a sound card. Some interfaces will also enable you to process sounds using effects, which can be handy when making your amateur recordings more professional sounding.
Audio interfaces are a vital part of any home music studio. They give you the ability to connect all of the different types of equipment in your studio together, as well as use effects on them. There are many other audio interfaces available for purchase, so you must consider things like price and features before deciding.
Digital Audio Workstation
Your music production program is your digital audio workstation (or DAW for short). This is the software you use to record and edit your tracks. Programs like Ableton Live, Pro Tools, Logic, and GarageBand are popular choices among home amateurs.
You’ll also need an interface to communicate with your DAW, which can be a hardware controller or USB MIDI device. These are all easy to find on Amazon or other big retailers like Guitar Center and Target. In addition, the interface allows you to plug in external microphones, instruments, and other gear that might not have a compatible input on your laptop.
Sound Card
A sound card is a device that converts audio signals from your computer into sound waves. Your sound quality can significantly depend on what kind of sound card you have and how many inputs it has. If you’re just starting, a basic model like the Behringer U-Phoria UM2 will do just fine.
Mixer
The mixer is one of the most critical pieces of equipment for your studio. It allows you to combine and process multiple channels together and mix in sound effects and other musical elements. The typical home producer will want a 2 or 4 channel mixer to have different sounds playing at the same time. The more channels you have, the more flexibility you’ll have when it comes to layering your tracks.
Microphone
A microphone is a necessity for any home music studio. It captures the sound you want to record and converts it into digital information that you can store on your computer or hard drive. The quality of the microphone will make all the difference in your final product, so if you can afford to spend more, do it. But even a basic, entry-level mic is better than nothing.
Sound Proofing
If you’re recording vocals, you’ll need soundproofing. Soundproofing is a way to make sure your vocal booth is silent so that the mic picks up only your voice and not the construction going on outside or the dog barking next door.
Soundproofing can be as simple as hanging blankets on a wall or as complicated as installing sheetrock in a room. There are many opinions on how much soundproofing a room needs, but most agree that it depends on the size of your studio and what type of music you’re making.
Regardless of how much soundproofing you need, it’s still worth investing in some kind of noise reduction for vocals. It might be worth setting aside a separate room to use as your vocal booth when recording, rather than trying to control noise with just blankets or padding.
