Home Recording Studio

[joystickjunki3]

The thread title doesn't really say it all, but I'm hoping it was eye-catching enough to interest some people to look this.

Here's the deal: I'm in a position to get a basic home recording studio set up and I'd like to know if anyone else here on the Escapist has also done so.

If so, could you give me a list of basic equipment to work w/?

If not, do you have any suggestions that you've always wanted to try but could not afford or fit in your living arrangement?

Remember, I am on a slight budget of about $500-600 American.

Here's what I have already: MacBook, GarageBand, guitars, bass guitar, some RCA cables, amps.

Here's what I'm thinking of picking up [that I don't already have]: MIDI keyboard (probably a Casio), electronic drum set, 2 microphones (one w/ pop filter for vocal recording) and mic-stands, recording interface.

I had also considered picking up a DSi and Korg DS-10+ just for fooling around w/ (it's cheaper than buying a real synthesizer).

 

[the_dancy_vagrant]

I can't offer specifics, but don't skimp on the microphones. You can have a pretty crappy mixer and be fine but if your mics are cheap then you're likely to have a lot of problems getting your levels balanced.

 

[BonsaiK]

I have a home recording studio and so do some friends of mine. I also work in the music industry. I also have formal audio engineering qualifications. So I'm uniquely qualified to help you here.

Firstly though, I need to know - what sort of stuff do you intend to record.

 

[joystickjunki3]

I can't offer specifics, but don't skimp on the microphones. You can have a pretty crappy mixer and be fine but if your mics are cheap then you're likely to have a lot of problems getting your levels balanced.

Thanks for the tip!

I have a home recording studio and so do some friends of mine. I also work in the music industry. I also have formal audio engineering qualifications. So I'm uniquely qualified to help you here.

Firstly though, I need to know - what sort of stuff do you intend to record.

Mainly metal, but I'd like to experiment a little.

 

[BonsaiK]

I have a home recording studio and so do some friends of mine. I also work in the music industry. I also have formal audio engineering qualifications. So I'm uniquely qualified to help you here.

Firstly though, I need to know - what sort of stuff do you intend to record.

Mainly metal, but I'd like to experiment a little.

Okay, now how much room have you got? Are you just recording all the parts yourself and overdubbing, ro you intend to get a whole band in there and record things together?

 

[joystickjunki3]

Okay, now how much room have you got? Are you just recording all the parts yourself and overdubbing, ro you intend to get a whole band in there and record things together?

Both. I'd be doing a lot (majority probably) of the stuff myself, though.

I have enough room for a couch, some stools, drum set, desk, amps, and stands for the mics and guitars. There's enough room to move around in when all of it's in place, but by no means is it a mansion.

 

[BonsaiK]

Okay, well here's what:

* Software: for overdubbing only, something free like Audacity is fine. If you want to have live bands in, you will need software capable of multitracking. ProTools is the industry standard but it's a bit expensive. Garageband will get the job done cheaper but with less options.

* Mics. The only area where you can't skimp too much on quality. Don't buy cheapo mics from an electronics store, buy good stuff from a music store and XLR (three pin) cables. At the bare minimum get Shure SM58s for vocal recording and SM57s for instrument recording, these mics are really designed for live not studio, but they are decent quality sound, durable and not too expensive. If you have more dosh you could buy condensor mics for vocals, and also for ambient mics but they get expensive. If you are recording live drums you will also want one large diaphragm mic that can handle the amount of oomph that a bass drum puts out, there are several models available, talk to a music store to work out what is best. The AKG D112 "eggshell" mic is industry standard for this purpose but other equally good options exist. If you are only using electronic drums then it doesn't matter, just plug those direct into your mixer or computer. You don't need a proper pop filter for vocal recording - instead, get an old wire coat hanger, bend it into a circle, wrap one layer of very thin fabric over it (a stocking is perfect) and shove the hook upside down in another mic stand, then tape it up and stand it in front of the mic while you do vocals. Works just as well, the only benefit of a professional pop filter over this technqiue is cosmetic. You can never have enough mic stands, by the way.

* MIDI keyboard: anything will do. All MIDI keyboards are the same, they just send MIDI data so it doesn't matter what you get. You can go as cheap as you want here. Just make sure it sends touch-sensitive data (in other wirds, it recognises the difference between a hard hit and a soft hit). Also if you have a MIDI keyboard then you just need to hook that up to your synth module of choice if you want extra sounds.

* Electronic Drums: depends how hard you hit. I had some Roland electronic drums that I absolutely destroyed because I tend to be a basher. Electronic drum technology has come ahead in leaps and bounds recently, so you should be able to get good stuff cheap. I prefer a live kit but live kits are noisy for the home so an electro set can be a lot more practical... also don't rule out drum machines and MIDI-triggered drums, some metal bands record entirely this way!

Let me know if you want more specific info on anything else.

 

[joystickjunki3]

*snip*

Thanks. If I have anymore questions about specifics, then I'll message you if that's cool.

Otherwise, I think that pretty much answers my question. Thanks again.