7 Things You’ll Need to Create a Home Studio

If you’re a musician, podcaster or vlogger, then you know the importance of where you record. You need to create a home studio that has everything you need to finish your project.

But, there’s so much to that goes into voice recording that there might be a few things that get overlooked. While it might not seem like much, your work won’t be at its best if you’re missing equipment or aren’t in a comfortable space.

That’s where we come in to help. We’ve got a little list of the most important essentials for any studio so you can start producing some of the best work in your career. Let’s get started.

1. A High Powered Computer

When you’re recording audio or sound, one of the most important things at your disposal is your computer. You’ll need a high powered computer for multiple reasons. For starters, the audio software can be very taxing on a computer. Not having enough RAM could cause the program to run slowly and even crash.

You’re going to want a lot of hard drive space as well. While audio recordings aren’t as large as video files, they can start to add up. If you’re recording music or long podcasts, you can find yourself running out of space very quickly. You may even want to consider getting an external hard drive or personal cloud.

Multiple Monitors

While having multiple monitors is a luxury, it makes things a lot easier when recording. If you’re making music, you can have lyrics or a music sheet on one screen and the recording software on the other so you can make sure there are not loud spikes in the audio.

Don’t Forget About the Software

The software you use to record and edit sound and music is extremely important. Computers come with programs such as Windows Movie Maker and Garage Band but both are very limited in what you can do.

If you’re serious about your audio recording, and we know you are because you’re interested in building a home studio, then you’re going to want something a little better. There are free programs available such as Audacity or you can try something a little more advanced like Adobe Audition or Logic.

2. Quality Microphone

It doesn’t matter what kind of computer you have if you don’t have a decent microphone to record with. There are two different types of microphones you can get for your home studio.

If you’re going to be recording in your home, you’ll be able to use a USB microphone. These microphones plug into the USB port on your computer and are extremely easy to use. The Yeti or Snowball are both great choices.

Your other choice is to get an XLR microphone. These are considered the more professional option and are great when you need to record from more than one microphone. Using an audio mixer (we’ll go over more about those later), you can have multiple microphone channels recording at once which is great for podcasts or webinars.

There Are a Few Microphone Accessories You’ll Need

Your microphone is woefully incomplete without a couple of accessories. The first one you should consider getting is a pop filters. Pop filers are attached to the mic’s base and are placed between the head of the mic and your mouth. They’re to soften “P” and G” sounds so there’s no popping in your audio.

You’ll also want to consider getting a mic stand if your microphone doesn’t have a base of its own. Whether you can see it or not, your hands are always shaking. That means, when you hold a mic, you’re not getting the sound you want because its picking up your movement. A mic stand eliminates this problem all together.

3. Audio Interface

The last piece of microphone equipment you’ll need deserves a section all of its own: an audio interface, also known as an audio mixer. Audio mixers allow you to use XLR mics with your PC to give you a more professional sound.

Not only that, but many have multiple channels to plug in multiple mics at once. There are many settings you can change by channel including pitch, column and bass. An audio interface is essential for any home studio.

4. Headphones

When you’re recording, you’re going to need to hear the audio it in real time. That way you can make changes on the fly. Having a high quality pair of headphones is a must.

Listening to sound from a speaker doesn’t give you the exact sound of the audio. This is because sound travels in waves and reverberates off walls. That means it’s not going directly into your ear.

Having a nice set of headphones means you’re getting a clean, crisp sound. A lower end pair of headphones can manipulate the audio and actually make it sound “tinny“. You’re not getting an accurate understanding of what needs to be improved and your podcast/music/project will suffer.

5. A Comfortable Chair

It’s no secret that audio recording and editing is a long process – you’ll be spending hours in your home studio. You might as well have somewhere comfortable to sit while you’re working on your project.

Having a comfortable office chair can eliminate back pain caused by your old, lump chair. No more slouching and looking for just the right position to sit so you can focus on your work. You can find many fantastic office chair options at any furniture or electronic store.

6. Large Windows

When creating a home studio, many people think more about what’s in the room than the room itself. Having large, new replacement windows can make a huge difference in your mood, productivity and your home’s energy efficiency.

Since you’ll be spending a lot of time in your home studio, you don’t want it to be dark and dingy. Artificial light can only do so much because eventually, your body needs natural light. In fact, a lack of sunlight can cause depression.

But, that doesn’t mean you should pick any old window and call it a day. You have a lot of expensive equipment that’s sensitive to extreme temperatures. You need to make sure your windows are energy efficient and will protect your home studio equipment from dangerously high and low temperatures.

First, make sure your windows have double pane, argon gas-filled glass. Argon is a dense gas that moves very slowly, making it difficult for drafts to get into your home through your window glass.

What about the material your windows are made from? Vinyl windows have foam insulated frames that, with the help of double pane glass, creates an air tight seal for your window opening. This will keep your electronic equipment safe from drafts and give you greater control of your home’s temperature.

7. Acoustic Panels

As we’ve previously mentioned, sound travels in waves and can reverberate off walls, causing an echo which makes for a bad recording. Thankfully, there’s a way to kill sound before it can bounce off the walls.

Acoustic panels are foam sheets that go on your walls and ceiling to prevent sound from bouncing back into the mic, eliminating the echo. You’ll have cleaner and crisper sound that you can be proud of.

Not only that, but it prevents sound from leaving the room. Your family or roommates will appreciate not hearing you record music or a podcast while they’re trying to relax or do work of their own. This is because the sound dies when it hits the foam making it difficult to hear when outside of the room.

Creating the Perfect Home Studio is Easy

Creating your own home studio isn’t difficult. Whether it’s a brand new computer or replacement windows, being able to record from home sure beats going out to a professional studio.

Speaking of windows, Feldco wants to help you with your next replacement window project. We’ve been serving the Midwest for over 40 years and have helped over 400,000 homeowners with their exterior projects. Get a free quote now and get started with your home studio today.