Keep in mind the type of recording you’ll be doing and select a room that’s the proper size. For example, if you’re only recording one person, a closet will work. However, if you’re going to be recording an entire band, you’ll need a larger room.
You may want to add a couch and/or comfy chairs for guests, as well as stools for vocalists and musicians.
A hard surface floor will reflect sound waves, just like the walls and ceiling. Unfortunately, however, you can’t install absorption panels on the floor, but you can make sure the floor is mostly carpeted.
Bass traps absorb low-frequency sound, which allows you to hear the bass in your audio recording properly. Absorption panels prevent sound waves from reflecting directly off the walls, whereas diffusion panels redirect the sound waves in different directions. For a starter studio, you may not need diffusion panels.
While there may be a debate within the recording industry, both a Mac or a Windows computer will work in a home recording studio. If you need to upgrade only one item in your computer, upgrade the amount of RAM to the highest amount you can afford.
Some sound recording software is open-source and it’s free to download the full version. Try these options out as well, you may find free software that meets all your needs.
If your budget doesn’t currently allow for studio monitors, you can get by with just a pair of headphones. However, do not consider headphones a permanent substitute for monitors.
Studio microphones do not have to be expensive. There are many good options for less than $150. Be sure to purchase a pop filter that can be used with your specific microphone for voice recordings.
Consider buying an audio interface with an ADAT (Alesis Digital Audio Tape) connection. This type of connection will allow you to link multiple interfaces together as your studio grows.
Look online or at a music store for used cables and accessories to save money.
Ideally, the mass-loaded vinyl would be installed under your walls, between the studs and drywall. However, unless you’re renovating your home, you can install them directly onto the drywall.
If, on the odd chance, your room isn’t square and has more than 4 corners, purchase extra bass traps for the extra corners. Technically, bass traps can be installed along the floor, instead of the ceiling. However, installing them near the floor will take away from your usable space in the room.
Place your chair at the table or desk and take a seat. Make sure the equipment you setup is accessible from your chair’s position. Note that the rest of your studio is going to be setup based on where you put your chair. If you’re unsure about the location of your desk/table, try a couple of options before finishing your set up.
For example, if you’ve placed your studio monitors 10 feet (3. 0 m) apart, your head also needs to be 10 feet (3. 0 m) from each monitor.
The isolation pads will prevent the table or desk surface from amplifying the sound coming from your monitors.
The microphone stand will allow you to move the microphone around (higher, lower, and side to side). If someone else is recording vocals, you can swivel the microphone to them. The microphone stand should also be mobile to a certain extent. If your room is large enough, you’ll be able to move it around your room, as required.
Purchase and use a surge protected power bar for all of your recording equipment. Not only will this ensure you have enough outlets, but it will also ensure a power surge will not damage your equipment.
Your studio monitors are going to direct sound outward, past you, and onto the walls beside and behind you. The sound is then going to bounce off the walls and back towards you, which is going to distort the sound.
The absorption panel kit you purchased probably comes with panels of different shapes. It doesn’t matter which panels are hung on the wall in the various locations. And the panels do not have a top or bottom side.
Do not cover these 2 walls completely with absorption panels. Only cover a maximum of 50% of the space with panels.
