Deciding on the best home recording studio equipment will take some research. To avoid purchasing anything you don’t need, make sure to do your research before you’re at the check out line of your favorite audio store. Take into consideration what you can afford and what kind of equipment you are looking for. Check out the internet, trade journals, or your local audio store to find the different equipment. Don’t be afraid to try out the demo equipment to make sure it feels right. Also, it is a good idea to talk to other people who already have the item and see what they think.

One piece of equipment that has changed the recording world is the Digital Audio Workstation, or “DAW”. The DAW is a computer based hardware system that offers a lot of production features such as multitrack recording, editing, midi and audio interfaces, support for plug in virtual instruments, mixdown capabilities, and much more. The DAW is affordable and that’s what makes it so great! There are a few items to keep in mind when picking a DAW. The first thing you would need to consider is if you have a MAC or PC. Some software programs work only for PC and others are only for MAC. You can also find a program that works well for both. You will also need to consider your needs, and preferences. Additionally, determine if you have enough ram and if your computer is fast and powerful enough for the job that you are going to take on.

One piece of equipment you might want to consider getting is called the “Studio in a Box” or SIAB. The Studio in a Box is affordable and easy to use. Fortunately, there’s no need to be a computer whiz to use this system, just turn it on, get the basics down, and begin recording. The awesome thing is that this system is portable, so you are not restricted to one location. These recorders use little power and work on a battery, or you power them with a solar panel. The popularity of SIABs has created many options in both brands and prices. SIABs can be bought for under a grand.  You can choose a SIAB with 4, 8, or 16 tracks. Some brands of SIAB systems are Roland, Boss, Yamaha, Tascam, and Fostex.

Some people prefer the stand alone recorder, which can range from about 1,000 to 2,000 dollars. When you get a stand alone recorder you also have to buy mixers and a signal processor. Modern recorders have helped to revolutionize the home music studio, beginning in the early 90′s, an increasing amount of hits came from these devices. However, stand-alone units are becoming less popular with home recordists because of the extra equipment you have to buy. Make sure to check out the demos of each brand before you buy this product as the output can differ slightly from unit to unit.

A cool trick to make your recording session even more fun is to have a midi-intensive studio.  Your midi-intensive studio can include a keyboard, synthesizer, sound module, or sampler. These can be nice to have because you can get drum sounds without having a live drum set or drummer.

Once you have the basic equipment taken care of, it’s time to setup your mics and instruments, and get ready to rock. Remember that there are endless possibilities in the types of equipment you can have, start with the basics and in time your little studio will grow with your needs.

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