Recording for beginners: A basic guide to getting started

Are you interested in learning the ins and outs of sound recording? For beginners, the concept might seem intimidating - after all, there is quite a bit of equipment and cost to consider. 

However, by following some basic guidelines, you can get started creating your own home recording studio for your music recording and digital audio needs.

Here is a quick guide to help you get started:

Create a budget & stick to it

As with all major household projects, creating a budget is a smart first step. For music production, it's especially important to plan financially for your equipment choices, so you don't accidentally break the bank.

Depending on the type and amount of equipment you use, a home studio can cost $300 to more than $10,000. However, when comparing the cost to using professional recording studios, many experts argue that home studio recording is a sound investment - pun intended!

Cables & stands

You will need two audio cable types: a mic cable to hook your microphone into your audio interface (unless you have chosen to use a USB microphone) and cables to connect to your audio interface with your monitor.

A microphone stand can also be absolutely crucial, especially if you don't have a handheld mic or a mic built into your computer. It's easiest to have a sturdy desktop stand, but you can go with floor stands or even ceiling-mounted stands.

A music production computer (laptop or desktop)

From composing to arranging to recording – you'll be doing most of your music production and recording work on a computer. A desktop computer with at least 16 GB RAM is usually a suitable starting point. Laptops are also a great option as long as they have a powerful processor for running your digital audio workstation.

External hard drives & mics

As you begin to work with audio recording, you will need to handle a large amount of data. Your computer storage capacity is important, but audio files are huge - you'll find yourself running out of space quickly.

Luckily, external storage is a beloved friend for music production. Solid-state drives are recommended for speed and safety, and are becoming more affordable every day. Have one or more available for creating backups or transporting files between computers.

While these are only some basics of a home recording studio setup, keep these tips in mind, and you'll be heading in the right direction.