How to set up a basic but decent studio for recording voice and guitar?
August 3, 2015 7:05 AM Subscribe
I'm seriously planning to try recording voice and acoustic guitar, and I need help on setting up the most basic, yet decent home studio.
Nothing too ambitious for now, I just want to finally get started with this whole recording thing. But it would be nice to eventually be able to make YouTube videos (e.g. tutorials) without needing equipment upgrades too early down the line.
Right now, I'm referring to this list of recording equipment as the suggestions seem reasonable. But still, I can't buy everything all at once, so I need help on which ones to get first. Also, cheap (or even free) alternatives are very much welcome.
I have also already read previous, similar questions here (like this and that). But I want to confirm if the old advice is still good advice (after all, the technology and costs may have changed since then).
By the way, I only have a Seagull S6 Original (not the Q1) and an old home PC. Not much, I know, but I have to start somewhere.
Nothing too ambitious for now, I just want to finally get started with this whole recording thing. But it would be nice to eventually be able to make YouTube videos (e.g. tutorials) without needing equipment upgrades too early down the line.
Right now, I'm referring to this list of recording equipment as the suggestions seem reasonable. But still, I can't buy everything all at once, so I need help on which ones to get first. Also, cheap (or even free) alternatives are very much welcome.
I have also already read previous, similar questions here (like this and that). But I want to confirm if the old advice is still good advice (after all, the technology and costs may have changed since then).
By the way, I only have a Seagull S6 Original (not the Q1) and an old home PC. Not much, I know, but I have to start somewhere.
Best answer: An Apogee Mic and Audacity (or GarageBand) would get you up and running (if you have a Mac).
posted by doctord at 9:49 AM on August 3, 2015
posted by doctord at 9:49 AM on August 3, 2015
Best answer: Nothing too ambitious for now, I just want to finally get started with this whole recording thing. But it would be nice to eventually be able to make YouTube videos (e.g. tutorials) without needing equipment upgrades too early down the line.
Honestly, you don't need to be asking this question now. Any computer bought in the past 15+ years will be capable of making high-quality audio recordings. Plug in a microphone (if you don't already have some kind of microphone, maybe invest in something like a Shure SM57 or SM58), download Audacity or Reaper and start recording.
It might be that if your ambition is to make YouTube videos this will be all you ever need. If you're not satisfied with this setup, it will be soon be obvious to you, and then you can start to think about what you need next. But actually making some recordings and listening back to them will be a far more accurate and efficient way of finding out than any answers you might get here.
posted by cincinnatus c at 1:31 AM on August 4, 2015
Honestly, you don't need to be asking this question now. Any computer bought in the past 15+ years will be capable of making high-quality audio recordings. Plug in a microphone (if you don't already have some kind of microphone, maybe invest in something like a Shure SM57 or SM58), download Audacity or Reaper and start recording.
It might be that if your ambition is to make YouTube videos this will be all you ever need. If you're not satisfied with this setup, it will be soon be obvious to you, and then you can start to think about what you need next. But actually making some recordings and listening back to them will be a far more accurate and efficient way of finding out than any answers you might get here.
posted by cincinnatus c at 1:31 AM on August 4, 2015
Response by poster: Mac-Expert, thanks for mentioning the room and noises. Didn't even crossed my mind when I asked my question.
doctord and cincinnatus, thanks for pointing me in the right direction. I guess I was over complicating things, when all I needed is a mic and Audacity (which is free!) to get started. I'll just add other equipment along the way if needed, depending on the results that I'm getting.
posted by 30thdegree at 7:13 AM on August 4, 2015
doctord and cincinnatus, thanks for pointing me in the right direction. I guess I was over complicating things, when all I needed is a mic and Audacity (which is free!) to get started. I'll just add other equipment along the way if needed, depending on the results that I'm getting.
posted by 30thdegree at 7:13 AM on August 4, 2015
I recommend getting a USB mic. It doesn't matter what it is, but the computer itself will generate so much interference that the mic jack won't be useful. Most podcasters seem to go for inexpensive/second-hand snowball blue/yeti mics even these days.
The USB cable means that it's digital from the pickup to the computer, making it orders of magnitude more resistant to magnetic interference (to the point where it's practically not there) and you'll be able to keep the mic itself away from any fans.
Blankets are good to muffle echo from a "hot" wall or two, and you can line a milk crate with some kind of heavy cloth and put the mic inside to deaden the room almost entirely for vocal recording.
yes I'm digging through Ask searches to look up studio recording questions right now...
posted by rum-soaked space hobo at 1:25 AM on September 8, 2015
The USB cable means that it's digital from the pickup to the computer, making it orders of magnitude more resistant to magnetic interference (to the point where it's practically not there) and you'll be able to keep the mic itself away from any fans.
Blankets are good to muffle echo from a "hot" wall or two, and you can line a milk crate with some kind of heavy cloth and put the mic inside to deaden the room almost entirely for vocal recording.
yes I'm digging through Ask searches to look up studio recording questions right now...
posted by rum-soaked space hobo at 1:25 AM on September 8, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Mac-Expert at 7:47 AM on August 3, 2015