Also In This Issue: Building a Home Studio  Mic Characteristics  Getting it Down  Product Spotlight	Issue #1 February 2003

	Building a Home Studio on a Budget: How to Get Started Essential Tips for Quality Recording If you're setting up a home studio, you probably have a lot of questions. How much space do I need? How do I control the acoustics to get a good sound? What kind of microphones should I use? Can I use my computer? What's it all going to cost? Hey - you've got questions and we've got answers. SPACE... the first frontier The fact is, these days, you can fit everything you need for a great home studio in a 6' x 6' closet. Of course, you'll never get the whole band in there, so if you can find a little more space - a garage or good sized basement are the classic examples - you'll be in great shape. Ideally, what you want as part of your studio set-up is a small, isolated area for recording vocals (a closet or bathroom will do in a pinch), and a larger area for group recording.
	ROOM ACOUSTICS... the deader the better Though there are times when you'd like to have a big room sound, for most studio recording you'll want an acoustically neutral space. This is especially true for vocals. Ambient sound, like reverb and delay, can be added easily using effects either while recording or afterwards. Dampen any reflective or hard surfaces (such as glass windows, concrete or tile floors) with acoustic foam, carpet or blankets. This should help take care of the dreaded "basement ring" or "garage echo" sound.
	THE STUFF... what you'll need and what it costs Here's a list of the basic equipment you'll need to actually start recording, mixing and listening back:

A 4-track (or more) recorder, either new or used, cassette or digital. You can pick up used Tascam or Fostex 4-track machines for around $150 or less. Some new digital machines are selling for around $600 but haven't been around long enough yet for there to be much of a used market. Of course, there's also the computer-based digital recording option. Assuming you already have a computer (at least 166 MHz Pentium with 64 MB of RAM and 4 GB of free hard disk space), you'll need to add a high quality sound card and some software. A good quality sound card runs around $500 and is usually bundled with all the software you'll need to record audio and store it on your hard disk in the same 44.1 KHz resolution used by DATs and CDs.)

You need something to mix down to, like a cassette tape deck or a boom box (around $100 for a decent unit). Just check to see that it has external line inputs with RCA jack connectors.

Microphones. At least one for vocals and for miking an amp, a sax, the drums, etc. If you can afford to buy both a dynamic mic and a condenser mic, you'll have a wider range of recording capability. Mic prices vary widely, but you can get a high quality dynamic mic for a storeprice of around $100. Lower cost dynamic mics are available, but we recommend stepping up in quality if you're using them for recording. It's also a good idea to invest in a good boom mike stand (about $30). You'll find it invaluable for setting the mic in just the right spot for instruments or vocals.

Cables, lots of cables. And adapters. You'll wind up with an assortment of XLR cables, 1/4" cables, RCA adapters, 1/8" to 1/4", 1/4" to 1/8" adapters, mono to stereo splitters, etc. About $100 worth should get you started. Make friends with the guys at Radio Shack; you'll be seeing them a lot from now on.

Tapes, lots of tapes. If your deck is a multi-track cassette unit, you'll probably want some CRO2 tapes, no longer than C-60s (the 90s are just too thin and give the rewind motor fits).

Finally, a good stereo with good speakers for use as a "monitor" or playback system. We're assuming you have one and won't need to spend extra money. A good set of headphones is also handy, but if money's tight (and isn't it always) you can probably make do with your WalkmanŽ headphones and a 1/8" to 1/4" adapter. So there you have it; a working home studio for under $600. If you have a little more that you can spend, go for the two mics. After that you can start looking to upgrade the recorder, add an effects rack, get a better playback system, and hire a horn section to make it funky. But the main thing is to just get started. Good luck!

Also In This Issue: Building a Home Studio  Mic Characteristics  Getting it Down  Product Spotlight Email this article to a friend. Subscribe to Shure Notes.