How To Build A Home Studio Setup For Beginners?

If you want to become a singer or record music of your own at home, you can do that, but you should have a proper home studio setup for that.

Many beginners think that building a home studio is not easy, as there are many things involved in it. But you are wrong here, creating a home studio setup is very easy, you just need the right equipments, space and a talented team.

We will guide you in creating your own home studio setup for singing. We will tell you about the right equipment to understand the right acoustic treatment for your home studio. We will also tell you the average cost that you will incur so that you can plan accordingly.

Choose the right setup

This is the first and most important step in your home studio setup. If the right space is available, then only you can record your voice or music peacefully. 

So select a space that is quiet, small, or big (as per your requirements) so that you can focus on your music. Ideally, the room should be:

• Be quiet so you don’t have to worry about outside noises ruining your recordings.

• Have a decent size, not too big (to avoid echoes) and not too small (so the sound doesn’t feel too cramped).

• Be a room where you can control the sound easily. This means you might need some acoustic treatment for your home studio to make sure the sound quality is just right.

If you have a space with hard surfaces like bare walls or windows, you’ll want to soften it with thick curtains, carpets, or foam panels. This will help absorb sound and cut down on echo, making your home studio setup sound more professional and clear.

Home studio equipment

Now you have selected your space, next step is to get the equipments, these will help you to record and shoot your music.

Here is the curated list for you:

Microphone

• A good microphone is the heart of any home studio setup. For singing, you’ll want a condenser microphone since they capture a lot of detail in your voice. Some great options include the Audio-Technica AT2020, Lewitt LCT 440 pure, Rode NT1-A. You’ll also need a pop filter to reduce harsh popping sounds from words that start with "p" or "b."

Audio interface for home studio setup

• The audio interface is what connects your microphone to your computer and turns the sound into something your computer can process. It also makes your recordings sound better. A couple of solid options are the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 / the Focusrite solo or the PreSonus AudioBox, or Audient id4.

Headphones

• You’ll want a good pair of closed-back headphones. These will help you hear your vocals clearly while keeping out background noise. The Audio-Technica ATH-M20x / ATH-M50x  is a popular choice for many home studio setups.

Studio monitors

While headphones are great for recording, you’ll also want some studio monitors (speakers) for playback. Monitors like the Yamaha HS5 or KRK Rokit give you a true representation of your sound, helping you mix and edit your vocals properly. If you are on a budget, you can go for the Presonus Eris or JBL 104.

DAW (Digital Audio Workstation)

Your DAW is the software you’ll use to record and edit your music. There are free options like Audacity and GarageBand, or more advanced ones like Logic Pro X, FL Studio and Ableton Live, depending on your budget and needs. Most DAWs are pretty user-friendly once you get the hang of them.

Cables and stands

Don’t forget about the small stuff! You’ll need XLR cables to connect your microphone to the audio interface, and a sturdy mic stand to keep everything in place.

How to make a studio at home- acoustics treatment

Once you have essential home studio equipment, you’ll need to focus on the sound quality in your room. 

Good acoustic treatment for a home studio is important to make sure your recordings sound polished and professional. Here are a few simple tips:

• Foam Panels: These absorb sound waves, especially higher frequencies, and cut down on echoes. You can easily attach foam panels to the walls. You might have seen it in many studios and YouTube videos as well.

• Bass Traps: To handle the lower frequencies (which can be trickier to control), you’ll want to install bass traps in the corners of your room.

• Diffusers: These help scatter sound waves, preventing too many reflections in the room, which can make your recordings sound muddy.

If you are just starting your studio and don’t have a big budget, then you can DIY some soundproofing by hanging thick blankets or rugs on the walls. Anything soft that can absorb sound will help improve your home studio setup.

How much will it cost?- Home studio setup price

Now you might be thinking about the total expense or have a question in your mind: What’s the home studio setup price?

See the cost will depend on you only, as it is on you that how you want your home studio setup to be like. Here is the rough breakdown of expenses that you may incur:

• Microphone: $100 - $300 (INR 8366 to INR 25,100)

• Audio Interface for Home Studio: $100 - $200 (INR 8366 to INR 19,000)

• Headphones: $50 - $150 (INR 4183 to INR 12,550)

• Studio Monitors: $150 - $400 (per pair) (INR 12550 to INR 33,467)

• DAW Software: Free (like Audacity) to $200 (for something like Logic Pro X)

• Acoustic Treatment: $50 - $300 (INR 4183 to INR 25,100) (depending on how much you need)

In total, you can expect to spend between $500 and $1,500 for a proper home studio setup. 

Recording and mixing your vocals

Now that your home studio setup is ready, it’s time to start recording. Here are a few tips for getting the best possible sound:

• Mic Placement: Place the microphone about 6-12 inches away from your mouth, and use a pop filter to reduce any harsh sounds.

• Take Multiple Takes: Don’t be afraid to record several versions of each part of your song. This gives you more to work with when it comes time to edit.

• Mixing: In your DAW, you’ll want to clean up the recordings by applying effects like EQ (to remove unwanted frequencies), compression (to even out volume levels), and reverb (to add depth).

Conclusion

Setting up a home studio for singing is a lot easier than it sounds, and the benefits are many. 

Once you’ve got the right home studio equipment and the proper acoustic treatment for home studio, you’ll have a professional-sounding space and you can record the music easily.

Now that you know how to make studio at home, it’s time to start recording! With your new setup, you can experiment with your vocals, perfect your sound, and ultimately bring your music to life from home.