sharp21
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 2, 2009
- Messages
- 181
- Reaction score
- 0
I am moving house soon & have a small room that I am going to build a recording studio / music room in. After a bunch of searching on what to get & how to do this or that I have come up with the following conclusions about it all.
When searching for "beginner studio" or the like you invariably get threads with all kinds of specific budget gear recommendations. While this is fine it doesn't really address the beginner portion of it. I can appreciate the "get the best you can afford" sentiment, but many of us are just looking to get our feet wet & don't really need a lot of the fancy gear recommended. Check my soundcloud page for a few songs I mixed down last year using nothing but garage band & an interface to plug my uke into.
I'm going to be building my studio as follows. I welcome any comments & suggestions.
Computer
My 2 year old MacBook. Its already been upgraded to 4gb of ram & it just got a new hard drive, so I'll be installing everything fresh & keeping it uncluttered.
If I was starting from scratch & on a budget I've seen some nice Mac Mini's go for as low as $250! If I ever go stand alone that will be the route I go.
External HD
I've read that you want a good drive to write to initially, so I am going to get a 7200rpm external that connects with a fire wire. 1TB is around $250
Software
GarageBand! Yes there are more powerful applications but I'm betting that the majority of us are going to first lay down a rhythm track, then solo over the top of it. Add some drums and job complete! Gband does all this just fine.
When its time to upgrade I'll go with Logic from Apple. More powerful but still a familiar interface & the GBand files will port straight over.
Check out this EXCELLENT article about how Lyle Ritz, famous bass man & ukester, made his "No Frills" album at home with nothing but a uke, a Mac & Garage Band. Really puts it into perspective.
I/O Device
I bought a firebox type unit last year so I'll keep using that. Can't remember the brand right now but it allows me to plug my uke into it, then runs a USB into the computer. It is fully supported by GBand, is self powered & has 2 inputs so that I could hook up a mic as well.
If I was starting again I might go with a small mixer, or a firewire connected box, but this won't slow me down at all.
Midi Controller
I'd like a midi keyboard & drum pad unit but for now I'll just get a cable to run from my electronic keyboard. Its a nice Casio so if it works well I'll just leave it at that.
Monitors
2 channel computer speakers. Likely some logitech ones with the sub. Basically whatever I can find on kijiji
Headphones
No idea. Whatever decent ones come my way.
Mic
Some type of condenser mic. Probably a shure. Again, whatever I can find for a deal on kijiji
Besides all the above I'll build some bass traps in the corners & do my best to soundproof the room on a budget.
I'll also need a computer desk, nice comfy chair, music stand & stool. Once thats all together I'd also like to get a used bass to put down some proper bass lines.
Is there anything else that I should consider?
S.
When searching for "beginner studio" or the like you invariably get threads with all kinds of specific budget gear recommendations. While this is fine it doesn't really address the beginner portion of it. I can appreciate the "get the best you can afford" sentiment, but many of us are just looking to get our feet wet & don't really need a lot of the fancy gear recommended. Check my soundcloud page for a few songs I mixed down last year using nothing but garage band & an interface to plug my uke into.
I'm going to be building my studio as follows. I welcome any comments & suggestions.
Computer
My 2 year old MacBook. Its already been upgraded to 4gb of ram & it just got a new hard drive, so I'll be installing everything fresh & keeping it uncluttered.
If I was starting from scratch & on a budget I've seen some nice Mac Mini's go for as low as $250! If I ever go stand alone that will be the route I go.
External HD
I've read that you want a good drive to write to initially, so I am going to get a 7200rpm external that connects with a fire wire. 1TB is around $250
Software
GarageBand! Yes there are more powerful applications but I'm betting that the majority of us are going to first lay down a rhythm track, then solo over the top of it. Add some drums and job complete! Gband does all this just fine.
When its time to upgrade I'll go with Logic from Apple. More powerful but still a familiar interface & the GBand files will port straight over.
Check out this EXCELLENT article about how Lyle Ritz, famous bass man & ukester, made his "No Frills" album at home with nothing but a uke, a Mac & Garage Band. Really puts it into perspective.
I/O Device
I bought a firebox type unit last year so I'll keep using that. Can't remember the brand right now but it allows me to plug my uke into it, then runs a USB into the computer. It is fully supported by GBand, is self powered & has 2 inputs so that I could hook up a mic as well.
If I was starting again I might go with a small mixer, or a firewire connected box, but this won't slow me down at all.
Midi Controller
I'd like a midi keyboard & drum pad unit but for now I'll just get a cable to run from my electronic keyboard. Its a nice Casio so if it works well I'll just leave it at that.
Monitors
2 channel computer speakers. Likely some logitech ones with the sub. Basically whatever I can find on kijiji
Headphones
No idea. Whatever decent ones come my way.
Mic
Some type of condenser mic. Probably a shure. Again, whatever I can find for a deal on kijiji
Besides all the above I'll build some bass traps in the corners & do my best to soundproof the room on a budget.
I'll also need a computer desk, nice comfy chair, music stand & stool. Once thats all together I'd also like to get a used bass to put down some proper bass lines.
Is there anything else that I should consider?
S.