• From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Topic: Working on a home studio

Hey friends, I have sorta aquired a bunch of used stuff from some friends that are trying to free up space but didn't want to sell their stuff.  A lot of it is entry level recording equipment a 8 ch. mixer 2 vocal mics and some studio monitors.  I've got a computer that I'm using that I share with my wife but I put Audacity on it since its free.  I'm wondering besides needing my own computer to run all the time with this stuff what should a good home studio need.  I've got good work space and a nice desk to work on.  I've got nice stools to sit on down there, good lighting, and the acoustics sound pretty good, its a lively room not dead but doesn't have that echo when you clap or shout. 

I'm just looking for suggestions on what should be my next (or my first however you look at it.) purchase.  I'm pretty happy with what I've got.  My friend gave me a Yamaha 8ch. mixer that has USB, I bought 2 vocal mics from a friend for $25 each, and boom mic stands for $10 and another friend gave me his power monitors.  I've recorded a little bit with this setup and it works great with backing tracks.  But I was just wondering if there is something really important on the signal chain I should think about getting?  I've tried recording both mic'd and directly into the mixer with a guitar and a Tube Screamer.  Sounded ok believe it or not.

AD3THREE's Website

  • Devan
  • Devan
  • BONAMETAL
  • Offline
  • From: Darwin, Australia
  • Registered: 2010-04-13
  • Posts: 1,304

Re: Working on a home studio

A couple of decent mics?  Perhaps an SM57 or similar for mic'ing up a guitar amp?  A good vocal mic if you are going to be recording voice... (I'm waiting for my Rode NT1-A to arrive - going to use it for vocals and recording my acoustic)...

Sounds like you already have some good monitors.  A set of *good* headphones also helps for some fine tuning of final mixing work as well.  Not your everyday home stereo headphones - invest in some good studio or DJ quality ones...

JBLP Gold Top #129 - redubbed "#1 in Oz"
  • From: New Hampshire, USA
  • Registered: 2010-12-21
  • Posts: 3,650

Re: Working on a home studio

Devan wrote:

A couple of decent mics?  Perhaps an SM57 or similar for mic'ing up a guitar amp?  A good vocal mic if you are going to be recording voice... (I'm waiting for my Rode NT1-A to arrive - going to use it for vocals and recording my acoustic)...

Sounds like you already have some good monitors.  A set of *good* headphones also helps for some fine tuning of final mixing work as well.  Not your everyday home stereo headphones - invest in some good studio or DJ quality ones...

I suggest Beyerdynamic DT770 great studio headphones but pricy
Cheers Ron

"Joe B saved my soul, forever grateful Ron"
"Some people dream of worthy accomplishments while others stay awake and do them"
Skinner #1,JBLP 145(aged),252, (unaged),#285HM, Bburst #026, Joes 052 BCC black LP, Strat> RT,EC Gilmour,Beck,Lenny LP> PK 83,CC#2,3,4,9,Amps>Carol Ann RAH JB-100 SN 001,JB100 Red SN02,OD2, OD3,Tucana 2&3 Triptix,Twinkle land, Plexi ,JB Jub, Jubs,Plexi,Satch,Two Rock>others
  • Registered: 2008-10-02
  • Posts: 373

Re: Working on a home studio

Man I wish I had your friends. The only other basic thing I would look into is a good Condencer mic and maybe a tube pre amp.

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Working on a home studio

They are great friends.  Basically they bought upgraded stuff and didn't care sell stuff. 

Big E wrote:

Man I wish I had your friends. The only other basic thing I would look into is a good Condencer mic and maybe a tube pre amp.

The mics I got are pretty good they are not SM57's or 58's but in a pinch they would'll do fine.  Condenser mic sounds good though, whats some good choices to go for?  Head phones sound good too.  My wife would like that I'm sure.  Thanks for the ideas everyone.

AD3THREE's Website