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Home recording vs Studio?
Main Post:
Generally speaking, are most people recording their guitar, vox, drums at home or in studio or combination of both? I'm just kinda confused on the process because studio time can be super expensive but I feel like it's hard to get what l'm looking for at home.
For context I record rock music and have been using amp simulators and condenser mics for guitar and vocals and always feel that it never sounds quite professional enough. Is it just a mixing thing or should I invest more time (and money) in going to a studio?
Top Comment: Well, the question is more do you, personally, have the skill and equipment to do a studio-quality recording at home? Because technically yes, it's absolutely possible to produce a release-quality album in your home and sell millions of copies. However, it would require a lot of skill and experience, as well as equipment. If you don't currently have that knowledge, your choices are to either learn (few years work) or pay a studio to record you. It's like asking if people fix their own cars - those who can do (normally), those who can't pay someone else to. No different with recording.
What do I need for a mini home studio?
Main Post:
I have decided to take the leap and start slowly investing in a home studio. I have so much music inside me and I need to get it out. I've played guitar and bass for the last 2 decades and I know I can master keys. I have a very old diploma in music production from 12 years ago but technology has progressed so much since then.
What I have: A classical guitar, an electro-acoustic guitar, a fender telecaster with a bunch of pedals on a classic pedal board, a fender Blues junior amp.
Soon to have: a bass guitar, a bass amp.
What I would like: a keyboard of some description with a drum pad. Or at least, a keyboard and/or midi controller, and some other way in which to lay down a drum track.
Something that will allow me to record my guitar and bass straight into my DAW, plus mics for vocals and other instruments.
A mixing deck? Maybe? I'm not sure what else is out there. I know it'll take me a long time to build up my sample library, and I'll probably feel the learning curve on any new programs. I've used garage band and the like but never got super deep into ableton, reason, logic etc. I'd like to be able to loop and play back multiple tracks, and have my vocal mic connected to synth/midi controller for vocal effects.
Computer wise I have a fairly hefty rig but speakers might not be industry standard (razer nommo chroma)
Intel i9 10900k, nvidia rtx 3090, 64gb ram, sound card, streaming card, blue yeti mic
Thanks in advance for your answers!
Top Comment: Mic, interface, computer, daw, midi keyboard with drum pads. Headphones if speakers are too expensive. Dynamic mic for untreated rooms, condenser if the room is treated or has lots of furniture, rugs, cushions, curtains etc e.g. living room or bedroom. SSD for sessions, SSD for instruments and somewhere to save your samples / loops + backup. Then just your accessories like mic stand, pop filter, instrument cables.
Basics for home recording?
Main Post:
Sorry if this is too basic a question for this sub, but I'm interested in getting more into music production at home and not really sure where to start.
Currently, I just like to play covers of songs on guitar and sing. I think it would be fun to record myself and add drums, multiple guitar parts, maybe other instruments. At some point, it would be fun to experiment writing my own songs (although I would truly have no idea what I was doing).
Does anyone have some basic advice on gear I would need? I currently have an electric guitar, acoustic guitar, and a modeling amp (with a looper pedal). I have a PC laptop that's a few years old now, and I downloaded Audacity for free. I found it pretty confusing -- and the audio just through my laptop microphone was pretty bad. Also, I don't know if the sound card on my laptop is not good enough or if there was another technical problem because sometimes the recordings would sound like I was underwater.
This is just a hobby for me, so I'm not looking to blow a ton of money on professional level gear. But at the same time, I'm willing to spend some money on a decent microphone, audio interface, software or other equipment. What's the best way to add drums? Would I want to use software drum loops or would it be worth it to get a drum machine? Should I buy a Mac (with GarageBand)? I just don't really want to buy expensive stuff and then later I realize I should have bought something different.
Top Comment: If you have a computer and a few hundred bucks you'll be fine. Any computer will do, Windows is fine. It used to be Apples were better a decade ago but not true anymore. I use a Win10 desktop, 3.1gHz, 8GB RAM, dual monitors and I rarely bog it down, only when mixing 100+ tracks and running FX at the same time mixing Industrial music with dozens of parts. Older used gaming laptops typically make great music computers if you need one cheap. You can use any computer but the main things you need are RAM (8GB minimum) and a good processor (3.1gHz is the bare minimum imo). I've seen that older basic quad cores are quite cheap now, that would be preferable though I do just fine on an ancient Dell. And USB ports- the more the better with at least 2 USB 3.0 ports. Interface- used Scaralett 2i2 can be had for <$80, if not $50 online. Interfaces are pretty much all the same until you get into the several hundred dollar price range. Mic- Sm57, $100 all day long. Do not get a cheaper version as there a lot of counterfeit ones out there. Buy from a reputable dealer. Sweetwater is a great website, unparalleled customer service, they often have packages $110 for a new Sm57, cable, and clip for mic stand. Sometimes they have a deal with a mic stand. There are other mics our there but everyone should own a Sm57, they can be found in every recording studio on the planet and have been used on countless recordings since the 60's. You won't do any better for $100 or even $200. It's the quintessential all-purpose mic. DAW software. Again there are a bunch, most are $$$$. Reaper is free to try and only $60 for a license. No limit to free trial, fully functional, there is just a nag screen on start up. It's open source and can do anything any of the other DAW software can do. And their forums are great, best community out there for audio next to reddit of course. And there are a zillion Reaper YT videos, complete courses even. Headphones or monitors. You'll likely want monitors eventually but to get started you'll want a set of good honest headphones. Beats by Dre are not that, stay away from the consumer stuff. I'd recommend a set of Audio Technica ATH-150's, they are honest and comfortable, typically $150 but I've seen them on sale for as low as $130 before. Monitors, anything under $800 a pair all have their own characteristics so it doesn't really matter, you'll learn over time how they translate. I'd just wait until I see a killer deal for some used ones on FB or CL, whatever brand they were and nab 'em. Like a pair of KRK's for $250 or whatever you have saved up, I wouldn't care what they were if the price is right. Drums- EZDrummer 2/3. It's a few hundo but worth every cent, best drum software out there right now imo especially if you aren't a drummer. That's about as bare bones/cheap as you can get and still be able to create professional sounding recordings.