Home Recording Basics: Getting Started

This is my first post in a series that will be about setting up a small home recording studio. I guess there’s no better place to start than with the basics.

I’ve recently had a few friends, with little or no knowledge about recording, ask me for help in setting up their studios.

While trying to help them out, I realized that I have crammed my brain full of recording stuff. To be hones, I live and breathe this stuff – I love music and recording.

Now, I’m not saying that I know everything about recording, because I don’t. I just like being able to share the things I’ve learned with others. Pay it forward, right?

One thing I learned about home recording and music production is there is a lot to learn. There is so much that it can easily be overwhelming.

In this series of posts I’m going to break everything down into bite sized pieces and try to keep it from being overwhelming.

I’m a simple kind of guy and I like things broken down into smaller pieces, so I’ll stick with what I know.

Where to Start?

Chances are you probably don’t know that much about recording or even how to even get started. If you did, you probably wouldn’t be reading this.

Don’t let that bother you – everyone has to start somewhere.

The first thing to think about is what are you going to record with? Most people recording music at home are using some form of computer based recording setup.

In my experience this is the best way to go. Even if you don’t know that much about computers, it’s worth learning.

The other options out there are using a stand alone digital recorder or recording to analog tape.

Stand alone digital recorders can get you get you going and produce nice results, but they are rarely upgradeable.

Recording to analog tape is nice, but can be expensive buying all the gear you need – unless you’re going to use a 4 or 8-track cassette recorder.

I’m not against multi-track cassette tape recorders. That’s, actually, what I got started recording with. Though, computer recording wasn’t nearly as cheap and powerful as it is now.

Whatever you choose is totally up to you. For a small home recording studio on a budget I recommend a computer based setup, but this is just my personal opinion.

What are You Recording?

Before you do anything, you need to think about who and what are you planning to record? You’re answers here will help you in the future when deciding where to set up your studio and what recording gear you need to buy.

Are you going to be recording one track at a time, or are you going to record a band?

I geared this site more toward single artists, but that doesn’t mean I hate bands. Playing in a band is great. I just don’t know enough musicians to form a band where I live.

I’m also a little controlling about songwriting, and that could pose a problem for a band. I guess that’s why I stay a single artist.

You need to also think about the music you intend to be making. Are you going to to do acoustic guitar-vocal-singer-songwriter stuff or are you going to be doing techno-pop-grunge-alternative-indie-electronic music?

Just kidding about the last type of music. Though there are people making music that is mishmash of all different styles. Very cool if you ask me.

Anyway, the type of music you’re planning on making and how many people you’ll be recording will dictate many things about your home recording setup.

Closing Thoughts

If the things I’ve talked about seem dead simple, that’s because they are. I know not everyone isn’t going to find this information useful, but I know there will be others that do.

I’m sharing the very basics, because I believe that once you have a good foundation, other things can be added on easily.

Don’t overlook the “basics”, because doing so can end up costing you in the future.

I’ve been burned in the past by buying things I didn’t need. Though, I thought I needed them at the time. Of course I was a newbie and didn’t know that much.

So, take some time and think about what you’re going to record with, who you plan to record and what type of music you plan on making. It will make the other things flow more smoothly.