A while ago I wrote a guide to The Bare Essential Home Recording Equipment you need to start your own home recording studio. These essentials, although very important, need even more important parts in order to function.
When thinking about putting together a home recording studio there are many things that are overlooked. When you put a budget together you usually put down the microphones you want, the interfaces and the monitors, just like I did with that guide. But we tend to forget about the things that make our home recording equipment work: the cables, the mic stands and all the other miscellaneous stuff that slips our mind.
So when you’ve put together a budget for your home recording studio, and if you’ve put together your own bare essential list of home recording equipment please don’t forget this EVEN MORE Essential List of Home Recording Equipment.
Cables
I don’t care how expensive your interface and microphone is, if you can’t plug the two together they aren’t worth much. Make sure you get enough cables, and not only mic cables but regular instrument cables as well. And then get a few extra for backup.
Microphone Stands
If you are only recording vocals then one mic stand might be all you need. But what if you have a singer/songwriter that can’t sing without playing his guitar. Then you need to record that performance with at least two mics, and therefore two mic stands. Don’t skimp on the microphone stands. You might not need the most expensive ones, but make sure the ones you get are sturdy and durable.
Monitor Stands
Maybe your expensive monitors are just sitting on your desk since that’s the only place you can put them. What if your desk is too low and you aren’t hearing them correctly. Or maybe they’re too close to each other so you have a very narrow stereo field. Both of these things are pretty bad so the best way to correct your monitoring is to get monitor stands. Not only will they place your monitors at a better level but they’ll also clear your desk, making things less cluttered. And if you can’t justify the purchase just make your own!
Guitar Stands or Hooks
If you have guitar, basses or any sort of instrument that lends itself well to be hung on the wall then you should definitely hang it on the wall. Not only will your room look better with a guitar on the wall but it beats having your guitar be thrown around the couch all the time.
Comfortable Recording Chair
Make sure you have a comfortable recording space. My desk chair has really comfortable elbow rests that work well when I’m working on the computer. But it’s a horrible chair to record acoustic guitar. The elbow rests get in the way and I can’t get comfortable. Make sure you have a chair that’s comfortable to record in.
A Pair of Good Headphones
You need a nice pair of closed-back headphones to record with. Additionally, you can use them to double-check your mixes.
Adapters
1/4 to 1/8 inch adapters, XLR to Jack, Jack to RCA, you name it. There will definitely be a time where you need an adapter and you don’t have it. Plan for that moment.
Oh, and before you forget, make sure you get those cables…
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4 Comments on "The Often Overlooked Home Recording Equipment You Need"
is it necessary to have monitors if i have headphones? i will only be recording vocals and midi piano.
nevermind, i found the answer on another one of your posts
thanks! you have made this so much easier. your info is really organized and easy to understand.
Glad I can help
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