Recording music from the comfort of your home has never been easier, thanks to updates occurring in the music and tech world over the last decade.
As an artist or musician, back in the day, your only choices were getting signed by a label or going to a professional studio and paying high prices by the hour out of your own pocket.
Now, in modern times, many singers, rappers, and instrumentalists are recording high-quality songs and albums that are acceptable by the industry standard.
If you’re thinking about getting your own setup in your home, the possibilities are almost endless for you if you have a decent budget!
The great thing about building your own home studio is that it won’t be as expensive as you think it would be.
If you have a huge budget, then you can create a studio that will rival those owned by big labels, but if you have a small budget, you can still get a really great sound that many people will not be able to identify as a home recording.
There are two things you want to make sure you do in order to get great sound out of your home studio. The first thing you want to do is make sure you have all the right equipment in your home.
The second thing you need to make sure you don’t skimp out on is the mixing and mastering process.
If you’re not an audio engineer, you can hire one online with the help of freelance sites like Fiverr and Airgigs.
Since you’ll likely be giving the job of mixing and mastering to a pro, let’s focus on making sure you have the best (and still affordable) studio equipment in your home.
Here are four things you should consider when getting a great sound in your home studio in a very affordable way.
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Acoustic panels can help improve the sound quality of your home studio if you know how to use them correctly.
Panels help the sound deflection that bounces off the walls from your voice and instruments, as well as speakers, if you’re doing mixing in your home studio.
Panels aren’t the main way to reduce outside noise, but they help get rid of the echo in a room that may be picked up by your mic.
You can get a good amount of panels for under $100 to cover your studio. Many can be found on sites like Amazon and Sweetwater.
When shopping online, go for the panels that have the closest to a 5-star rating that you can find. Some panels that are sold online are a bit lower quality, and thankfully other purchasers will tell you that in the reviews section.
The isolation shield used in an affordable home studio is meant to mimic a studio booth and keep unwanted sounds from being picked up by your microphone.
While it is ideal for getting a rather expensive booth once you can afford to, a shield can effectively remove some of the noise that can come from windows, fans, and AC units.
It’s crucial to try and lessen these noises for the quality of your recordings, in addition to getting an isolation shield.
These don’t cost much more than $100 bucks. There are several options available on Amazon for quality shields, so check their selection out!
Pop filters are to be placed in front of a mic when recording. These filters help to block out unwanted sounds that naturally come from your mouth when singing or rapping.
These noises are often called plosives by sound professionals and can really mess up a good vocal take.
In addition to getting a pop filter, staying hydrated and eating apples can also help lessen the pops and clicks that come from our mouths when we record. These usually cost $20 bucks or less.
You can get these anywhere online or in a local music store like Amazon or Guitar Center. Try not to go for the cheapest ones that you can find, and remember that quality is very key here as well.
It’s not possible to block out all of your unwanted mouth noises, but the quality of pop filters can vary depending on the price and retailer.
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Your mic quality obviously plays a huge part in the recording quality. While the best mics for studio recording often cost over $1000, there are a few microphones under $100 that are surprisingly good quality and recommended by audio professionals.
I find that the sweet spot for getting an outstanding mic at an affordable price is around $300-$700, but you can find many great options that cost less. My favorite brands include Audio Technica, Shure, and Neumann mics.
I would suggest testing out the sound differences in these mics at a store in-person before deciding on which product to purchase if you can.
If you are unable to test out the mic before buying and you just want a decent place to start that will give you good quality at a very affordable price, consider buying the AT2020.
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In addition to acoustic treatment and microphones, another crucial component for your home music studio is an audio interface.
An audio interface acts as the bridge between your instruments, microphones, and your computer. It converts analog audio signals into digital data that your computer can process. Having a reliable audio interface ensures high-quality recording and playback.
When choosing an audio interface, consider the number of inputs and outputs you need for your setup. There are affordable options with just a few inputs suitable for solo artists and small bands.
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 and PreSonus AudioBox USB are popular choices in the entry-level category, offering good quality at a reasonable price.
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As a session singer, writer, and producer that has worked with over 300 clients to provide high-quality jingles, singles, and features, Yona spends her time creating and marketing new music and helpful resources for creators. Check out Yona’s latest releases on her Spotify, her Youtube and share if you like it!
If you are in need of singer, songwriter or song producer services, see what Yona Marie can offer you on her services page.
