Home Recording Studio Equipment List: The 6 Essential Items

These days we can do almost anything from home, as long as we have the required equipment, of course. One of those things is recording. It doesn’t matter if you are recording music, voiceovers, or a podcast, you must have proper equipment. Today we are going to talk about the gear you can and should use while recording. Therefore, here are the 6 essential items you simply must get for your recording studio.

A Computer

Let’s get one thing straight - you can’t have a recording studio without a properly working computer. This might seem like an obvious thing, but it has to be said. The programs you will use to record your music and other forms of content will require a good computer. We won’t go into specifics when it comes to the features of a computer, but we will say this - it should be a desktop. Why? Even though laptops are mobile, they are not good for your recording requirements. Here’s what a desktop computer can offer you:

• They are faster than laptops. Their larger housing offers room for processors you need to support today’s DAW’s and plugins

• These computers have more IN’s/OUT’s which allow you to use larger, more sophisticated routings to keep up with your setup

• They are good for customization which means you can add extra RAM, hard drives, and additional video cards

DAW/Audio Interface

The DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) is the software used to record, edit, and mix music and other recorded content on your computer. Audio Interface, on the other hand, is the hardware used to connect your computer with the rest of your gear. These items are paramount for your home recording studio and you can buy them separately or as a combo. If this is your first studio, it’s maybe better to buy a combo. It is much cheaper and it will meet your requirements. Also, you should only buy Presonus and Avid devices because they are the best in the market.

Monitor Speakers

Even though many home studios now do the majority of their mixing on open back headphones, it’s maybe better for you to do your mixing on speakers. This is the traditional way and it’s definitely simpler for someone who doesn’t have too much experience in this business. These speakers are also known as studio monitors or nearfield monitors. How are they different from regular speakers? Well, studio monitors have a much flatter frequency response. This provides a more neutral, uncolored sound to objectively judge your recordings. In case you have any questions or don’t know which monitor speakers to buy, GrooveboxStudios.com is where you will find the answers.

Microphones

It doesn’t matter if you are recording music, voiceovers, or a podcast, you won’t be able to do much work without a microphone. If you are recording only vocals, the “classic” large diaphragm condenser vocal microphone is probably the best option. The best one you can buy for this purpose is probably the Rode NT1A. If you are recording “high-frequency-rich” instruments like an acoustic guitar or a piano, the small diaphragm condenser microphone is the perfect choice. The most recommended model for this is AKG P170. However, in case you are recording drums, percussion, and electric guitars, the best option is probably the Shure SM57 microphone.

A Microphone Stand

It’s safe to say a lot of beginners assume that all mic stands are the same. This is a common mistake. However, a good mic stand is one of the most important items for a new home studio. The best mic stands usually cost a lot of money and beginners simply don’t have enough resources for these investments. However, there are some good stands you can get without spending too much money. One of the best examples when it comes to affordable mic stands is DR Pro Boom.

Microphone Cables

It’s important you don’t spend too much on your cables. It’s simple, if the cable works, it is good for your studio. The only thing to remember is this - you have to find a balanced XLR cable. We said you shouldn’t spend too much money on microphone cables, but you shouldn’t buy the cheapest either. You want your equipment to last. The best option is probably the Mogami CorePlus mic cable.

Conclusion

Equipping your home recording studio is not a simple task, especially if you are doing it on a budget. However, these items are essential and without them you won’t be able to record. However, you can find affordable gear on the market, therefore getting the necessary equipment for your home studio shouldn’t be a problem.