There was a time when, recording equipment was expensive. It was too expensive for the home recording enthusiasts. So they would have to pay the big studio owners every time they wanted to record. And it was so costly, they couldn't do it wheneve they liked. In the later part of the 70's, they started coming out with tape decks. Reel to Reel were the first ones, then the 4 track tape decks came out.

This was a welcome change to home studio recording enthusiasts because they could record at home and even carry it to other places. Then dat machines came along and for the first time they could have real studio quality.

Now only a little more than 10 years later we have access to even better quality recordings along with an unlimited number of tracks we can record. We can do a lot more with that. At even the standard recording software packages.


If you have more to invest right now, it will be better for the short term. But if you don't have a lot, don't let that  stop you. There are only two things that are important enought that you need right now. And one of those you can find free online!

1. Software you can use to record and edit recordings
2. You need an audio interface.


Home Recording Studio Setup


The software is for recording and editing your recorded tracks. And the audio interface is for  getting your audio into your computer so your software can record it.

If you're only interested in recording your self and you don't have a band you want to record, you only need 2 recording inputs, maybe only 1.

If you're in a band though and want to record as a band, you're going to be needing a lot more inputs, making it more complicated and expensive. If you have a four peice band, you're  going to need at least 8 tracks if you're all going to record at the same time. You'll put a mic on the snare(usually a sure sm57), one on the bass drum(you could put an sm 57 on there if you want to start with one), and two overheads to record the rest of your drum kit.

You will need another free track for the bass guitar player because he'll probably want to record direct to the interface.

Depending on the guitar player, he might want to use a plugin to simulate an amp, if he does,  he'll go directly into the interface as well.

The singer will need a free dedicated input and will need a microphone. It's usually recommended to record the vocalist with a large diaphram condinser mic, but if you don't have one right now, you can use whatever you have right now.

So if you're planning to record a band, you're going to need at least a computer, which you  probably already have, software, which you can get for free online. An audio interface, you  can get some inexpensive ones at amazon.com, and a condensor mic.

If you have to record drums, that's the biggest issue for right now. You're going to  need at least 4 mics for that. If you have a bunch of Sure SM57's you're all set.

After a little time, and some saved up money, you can get a couple of small diaphragm condensors.
The important thing is you don't have to get all this stuff at one time. You'll start to  understand two years down the road and look at all the equipment you'll have then. Because  you've saved up money, and just like any tool, you get them when you need them. This will help  you with your home studio recording setup.