🎙 9 Things You Actually Need to Start Your Home Recording Studio

Good morning, everyone! This one is made for the beginning or aspiring recording artist.

The Indie Musician/Podcaster Start-Up Studio

I was 12 years old when I told my mom I wanted to live in the woods someday and have a recording studio. Fast forward many years later, and that dream is now a reality. But along the way, I’ve always found a way to record my ideas.

I first started recording my own music at 13 years old with a simple tape recorder. The following year, my parents enabled me further by getting me my first 4-track tape machine. It was an absolute game-changer! Suddenly, new levels of creativity were unlocked in me, and I quickly began traveling through the rabbit hole into a lifelong obsession with recording and capturing my songs in the best way I could afford.

It didn’t take long for me to notice that my first recordings… well, did NOT sound like the records I was falling in love with. By the time I was in high school, I was getting into bands with friends and co-writing songs with other musicians. The logistics of recording became more complex as more people got involved in the songwriting process, so we began booking studio time at local studios to record with professional engineers, producers, and session musicians. Through this process, I learned an incredible amount about songwriting, rehearsing, recording, and producing records.

In college, I got my first MacBook Pro, which came with GarageBand—another game changer. I now had the basics of a recording setup and could demo songs at a higher level. From there, I moved on to Logic Pro, and the rest is history!

Getting Started with Your Own Recording Setup

Building a recording studio setup can be a VERY expensive endeavor depending on your budget. That said, there are budget-friendly ways to get started, and with diligence and practice, you can begin recording your own music at a high level. So, what are the bare essentials?

Here’s what I recommend to get started, whether you’re recording your own music or starting a podcast:

A Computer

You’ll need a laptop or desktop computer. I recommend Apple products (like a MacBook Pro or iMac) because of their reliability and ease of use, but you can record on any modern computer. You can even use a tablet or smartphone, but a dedicated computer is the easiest option for most people.

Price Range:

• MacBook Air: Starting at $999

• MacBook Pro: Starting at $1,299

• PC Laptops/Desktops: Starting at $500

Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)

A DAW is the software you use to record and edit your audio. I use Logic Pro X, but there are many excellent options, including:

• GarageBand (free with Mac)

• Logic Pro X ($199)

• Ableton Live ($99-$749, depending on version)

• Pro Tools ($299/year or $29.99/month)

Audio Interface

An audio interface allows you to connect microphones and instruments to your computer. I recommend the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (2-channel interface) because it’s affordable, clean-sounding, and widely available.

Price:

• Focusrite Scarlett 2i2: $179

Microphone

For vocals and general recording, I recommend:

• Shure SM7B ($399)

• Shure MV7 ($249)

• Universal Audio SD-1 ($299)

• Neumann TLM 102 ($699, condenser mic upgrade)

• Neumann TLM 103 ($1195, condenser mic upgrade)

Headphones

You’ll need a reliable pair of studio headphones. Avoid consumer headphones like Beats or Bose.

• Sennheiser HD 280 Pro ($99)

• Sony MDR-7506 ($99)

Cables

• Two XLR cables (25ft) for microphones ($15-$30 each)

• One 1/4" TRS instrument cable (25ft) for guitar, bass, or keyboards ($15-$25)

MIDI Keyboard

A MIDI keyboard allows you to play and record virtual instruments. Look for used options to save money.

• Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S49 ($599)

• Arturia MiniLab MkII ($119)

An Instrument

If you’re a musician, you’ll need your primary instrument: guitar, ukulele, bass, drum kit, etc.

Aptitude and Dedication

Recording your music is an incredibly dense and complex topic, but don’t let that scare you. If you truly want to do this, you’ll make the time to develop the necessary skills. Allow yourself to feel overwhelmed but stay committed to learning.

Ready to Get Started?

This list contains everything you need to start recording your music or podcast. If you’re ready to dive in, like and subscribe to my YouTube channel for more tips. Sign up for my newsletter, and I’ll send you a free checklist to help you unleash your creativity and start recording today!

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Stay inspired everyone!
Josh Schroeder
Founder, Thousand Echoes

P.S. If you've read this far, you're definitely my people. Like and subscribe to my YouTube channel for more unfiltered conversations about songwriting, creativity, and building a sustainable career as an independent artist. Can't wait to see you in the next video!