How to assemble a home recording studio

What hardware do I need to create music?

It is believed that the creation of music you can use any computer, released after 2001. This view is partially justified: all modern PCs to cope with multi-channel recording. But there are some nuances.

First, you must determine the size of the device. If you want to use your computer in live performances or plan to make music out of his room, then you will approach the laptop more. If those prospects in front of you is not necessary, it is advisable to opt for a desktop computer with a large monitor.

Imagine your browser with a couple dozen tabs, between which you need to quickly switch. Uncomfortable? With music software will be more inconvenient. Interface software for recording and editing sounds includes a bunch of buttons and controls, and plug-ins window overlap.

The choice of operating system is also not without significance. Worthy Software is everywhere, but not all programs are cross-platform. So if you are impressed by the sequencer Logic Pro X, then choose to be a computer running MacOS.

Note the computer's RAM. Experts recommend the amount of not less than 8 GB. However, and here it is necessary to proceed from the needs of a particular user. Also contribute to speed installation of software on the SSD-drive.

How to choose a sound card?

The expediency of buying a new sound card instead of the built-in can not be doubted, if you want to study music seriously. Features Built-in sound cards are usually enough for games and movies, but for comfortable work with the sound will need a special device.

Note the number of the sound card input channels. From it will depend on the number of tools that you can simultaneously connect. Typically, home recording enough inputs 2-4, so we will not consider the segment of expensive devices for multi-track recording.

It is also an important factor when buying - the presence of phantom power to the sound board. Extra power for the connected device is necessary if you are using a condenser microphone.

Lexicon Alpha

USB-sound card, on-board instrumentation, and two line inputs and XLR-connector. There regulator mixing signal from a computer connected to the sound of instruments. There are significant drawbacks: no phantom power and separate headphone volume adjustment.

Manufacturer Site →

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2

Inexpensive sound card with a nice design, mic preamps, phantom power and function of the direct sound monitoring eliminates the delay.

Manufacturer Site →

Roland Tri-Capture

Sound Card from Roland with three inputs and phantom power on board.

Manufacturer Site →

PreSonus AudioBox 22VSL

This sound card boasts a minimum delay and excellent work as a live sound, and on the MIDI-interface. It has two inputs with phantom power.

Manufacturer Site →

These sound good fit for the start of work with sound and familiarity with the basics information. A choice of a professional card in the higher price segments - an issue which can be devoted to not a single article.

Which columns are needed for the information of the music?

Preference of music lovers the choice of home speakers can be very different. Choice of studio monitors also is individual, but in this case it is due to musical styles in which you want to create.

Remember that monitors for information, music - not necessarily acoustics for listening to her. The main criterion when choosing a studio speakers - their objectivity. High detail the entire frequency range will hear inaccuracies in the information, which can flatten the columns with different uluchshayzer.

The sound that we hear - is not only a speaker, but also the space in which we find ourselves. If you do not want to pay attention to the acoustic properties of the room, the purchase monitors for thousands of dollars is inappropriate.

And do not rush to throw out the old "dzheniusy". You can invest a lot of money in the purchase of acoustics, but the majority of the audience is satisfied with what Hit: built-in laptop speakers, headphones inexpensive vacuum and even a column in smartphone. You need to achieve good sound even frankly bad media, so use the whole range of available devices of different classes to be tested.

mackie CR4

Budget option for those who are very cramped in the media.

Manufacturer Site →

Pioneer S-DJ50X

Cheap Monitors with a nice design.

Manufacturer Site →

KRK Rokit 5 G3

Quality studio monitors with deep bass.

Manufacturer Site →

Note that monitors an acceptable quality, as a rule, are not sold in the kit, and one by one.

A headphone?

By purchasing the headphones, do not forget to try them. Reduction - a painstaking process, requiring many hours of work, so convenience plays a key role.

Make a list of headphones that you liked, and compare the frequency response (this information can be found on the internet): the sound should be as smooth on the frequencies involved.

Grado SR60i

Cheap open headphones with a neutral sound.

Manufacturer Site →

Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 80 Ohm

Canceling Headphones with velor ear pads. Have a nice design and a balanced sound with an accentuated highs.

Manufacturer Site →

Sennheiser HD 600

Open headphones with a nice design and a natural neutral tone.

Manufacturer Site →

What is DAW-software and why is it necessary?

DAW (Eng. digital audio workstation) - a digital audio workstation. It sounds complicated, but in fact it's much easier. DAW - software environment in which there is a record and edit your music.

FL Studio, Cubase, Logic Pro X, Pro Tools, Reaper, Ableton Live, Nuendo - the most famous representatives of several DAW-software, also known as sequencers. It is worth noting that the choice of the software environment is different, however, than the selection of suitable headphones. In any of these sequencers, you can create music of acceptable quality, and then one has to proceed from their own preferences. Download free demo version, try and choose a DAW-program that is right for you.

Image-Line FL Studio

The program sequencer has an intuitive interface. Great for creating and processing lots of virtual instruments, but the function of a live recording in FL Studio is implemented is not very convenient.

Go to the official website of the Image-Line FL Studio →

Ableton Live

Ableton designed as a program for live performances, but has become one of the most popular sequencers with intuitive controls, flexible settings and good quality sewn tools processing.

Go to the Ableton Live → official site

Logic Pro X

Daylight Logic - a natural evolutionary step for advanced users GarageBand. It has in the base steep software synthesizers and effects. Understand the Logic Pro X is somewhat more difficult than in the same of Ableton, but avid users are assured that it's worth it.

Go to Logic Pro X → official site

Keyboard and mouse - not enough comfortable input device, when it comes to programs for creating music. Of course, no one stops to stuff notes and prescribe effects automation with the mouse, but it is not very convenient. Establish an effective communication between musician and computer help MIDI-controllers.

Samson Graphite M32

A simple 32-key MIDI-keyboard.

Manufacturer Site →

AKAI MPK Mini

Octave MIDI-synthesizer with assignable encoders and assignable pads. Cope with the role unpretentious keyboard and drum machines, effects settings simplify automation.

Manufacturer Site →

M-AUDIO Keystation 61 II

Pyatioktavnaya MIDI-keyboard for those who do not fit cut versions of keyboard instruments.

Manufacturer Site →

Cable MIDI to USB

Perhaps you already have a budget synth-samoigrayka. Many of these low-cost "Casio" have 5-pin the MIDI-interface. To connect to a computer synthesizer suitable inexpensive cable from AliExpress.

Buy MIDI to USB cable on AliExpress →

How to use VST- and VSTi-ins?

Our DAW-program is just a shell. To make it resound need to install virtual musical instruments, known as a VSTi. Modern VSTi-ins are able to share with sufficient realism to repeat the sound of both synthetic and live instruments. Number of plug-ins in the thousands, but we will focus on the most popular of them.

Native Instruments Massive

Bulky synthesizer with hundreds of pre-configured presets on board. Especially love the musicians working in electronic dance genres.

Go to the Native Instruments Massive → site

LennarDigital Sylenth1

Synthesizer, no different external feature-rich, but to win the love of the people are sound, which sometimes can be confused with the sound of true analog synthesizers.

Go to the website LennarDigital Sylenth1 →

XLN Audio Addictive Drums 2

One of the best virtual emulators live drums. Also available presets popular drum machines.

Go to the website XLN Audio Addictive Drums 2 →

For the treatment of both virtual and live instruments, we need an additional installed effects - VST-plug-ins. Their selection is strong, but we will give only a few of them as an example.

Antares Auto-Tune EFX 3

Plug-in for those whose love for singing disproportionately higher ability to hit the notes. Auto-Tune helps to clear the track of counterfeit notes by drawing them to the nearest correct.

Go to the website Antares Auto-Tune EFX 3 →

Native Instruments Guitar Rig 5

Must-have plug-in for any guitarist. With Guitar Rig can not only simulate guitar overload, but also various modulation effects, or entire rooms.

Go to the Native Instruments Guitar Rig 5 website →

iZotope Ozone 7

Plug-in for mastering - mixed by post-processing of the composition. For those who interface seems too complicated, in the presence of dozens of preset with optimum settings for different styles of music.

Go to the site of iZotope Ozone 7 →

What to do next?

We dealt with the basic equipment for your home recording studio. At this stage you can start to create. The number and variety of Staffa, which you can supplement your studio is only limited by your imagination and resources.

Remember that high-quality devices and musical instruments can be operated for decades, and musicians - people are exposed to a constant desire to renew their equipment. On specialized forums and groups "VKontakte" you will find not only communicate with like-minded people, but also a lot of offers for the purchase and sale of musical technique. This will help you save considerably in the regeneration of a home recording studio.