​Things You Should Have in Any Recording Studio

It is a dream of many people to be able to record audio and have a home studio or own/rent a studio space. While it might seem like an unattainable goal for some people, it really isn’t all that hard to get started. Sure, you will have to drop a little money at the beginning, but it’s not like you need to be a millionaire to have a good home studio.

In fact, there are only a few things that you need in order to get started and most of them are relatively affordable. In an effort to help you know what to get and why to get it, this article will look at things that you should have in a recording studio. While you don’t need all of the items we mention in this article to actually record the vocals, they all provide a lot of value and will make your recordings sound amazing.

So without any further ado, let’s look at a couple of things which you should make sure to pick up and have in your home or professional recording studio.

A Computer

In the modern day, most studios are largely digital and thus, having a computer is an absolute necessity if you want to do audio recording. The good thing about computers is that most of them out there are capable of being your studio hub, so there is a good chance you won’t need to buy one.

If you do, however, need to get a new computer, you should look to get one with as much RAM and as speedy a processor as you can comfortably afford. The programs that you run to record and edit audio and music can be very taxing on your computer’s processing, so with an old or slow computer you might experience some difficulties from time to time.

A DAW and Audio Interface

A DAW (which stands for digital audio workstation) is the primary type of software used to record, mix, and edit music and/or audio on your computer. They were created to look like and mimic the traditional analog mixing boards, but are completely digital and thus easier to use.

There are many different DAWs out there that you can choose from and use, and most will work fine as long as they are compatible with your computer. The most popular out there is called Pro Tools, but there are several others with a ton of users. The price on DAWs can range from free to up to over a thousand dollars, so be sure to do your research and see which is right for you.

In addition to a DAW, you should pick up an audio interface, which is how you can send and receive your music to and from your computer during and after recording.

A Microphone

Of course, to record any audio or vocals, you will need a microphone. There are literally dozens of different options for which microphone you will use. Your choice will ultimately depend on your own needs and situation, and how much you are willing to spend. Some are better at certain things than others, so definitely research which one fits your specific needs.

In fact, you could easily use multiple different microphones in a single studio to be able to capture different vocals or different sounds throughout the recording. Because of how many different types of microphones are out there, there is a lot of competition for customers, so most microphones aren’t too crazy expensive.

A Pop Filter

If you want to keep your microphone in good condition and want the smoothest audio possible, you need to invest in a pop filter. A pop filter is a noise protection filter or shield for microphones. They attach to most microphones and in addition to reducing the “popping” of fast-moving air through the mic during speech (saying words starting with P or B), they also protect your actual microphone from saliva and other bodily fluids.

They are often made of metallic mesh or nylon and range in size, style, and price. If you are asking the question of “how to find the best pop filter”, the answer is to check out some online reviews and ratings. The internet is full of knowledge on topics like these and you should be able to find out which will work best for you.

A Good Pair of Headphones

If you don’t want to wake up everyone in the house when recording and mixing your vocals and audio, you should invest in a pair of quality headphones. We have all used headphones at different points of our lives and you are likely well aware of the hundreds of different types on the market. So, you have many choices and should seek out to get the pair that gives you the most value.

If you are not a fan of headphones, be sure to pick up some studio monitors (not just regular old speakers) as they will give you the true, raw and flat sound that you need when recording and critiquing your audio.

The Acoustics of the Room

Recording good sound is something that can’t be done in any old room. The room needs to have the right acoustics to get the highest quality sound. Thankfully, there is no need to go out and rent a studio or build a new room, as there exist many acoustic treatments you can add to your walls to improve the sound quality.

These include acoustic panels, bass traps and diffusers; and they can be purchased for a relatively affordable price. While these aren’t totally needed for a pet project or home studio, they will definitely increase the sound quality.

While there are infinite numbers of other accessories and additions you can have in your studio, purchasing them will depend on how serious you want to get with recording. But, for most people just starting out or who are simply recording audio semi-casually, the items included in this article should suffice.

In conclusion, if you are interested in (or have) your own studio for recording vocals, the items you learned about on this list are great to have. These will help you get the best possible audio, without needing to shell out an excessively high amount of money. Recording audio and vocals can be finicky, so having these accessories and pieces of technology will help the recording sound as crisp, clean and smooth as possible.