Thursday 17 March 2011

Basic Studio Set-up

If you are into home studio, these are the basic equipment you will need.
1. Software for recording
2.USB / FireWire Audio Interface
3 Microphones
4. Studio Monitors / Monitor Headphones
5. Midi controller or Synthesizer
If you are a beginner, that should suffice. Some other factors to look into include:
Sound Isolation, Room Acoustics, etc.
Sound isolation includes making sure that minimal sound leaks from your room. It is equally important that external sound does not interfere with your recording studio.
"A chain is only as strong as its weakest link"
You can mount acoustic material/padding onto walls to absorb sound. Careful placement of soft furniture and the use of carpets would help.
As for doors, the best option would be to have recording studio doors. They have multiple layers and have a Sound transmission class of >50. They are quite heavy too. That, coupled with a double door "airlock system" would ensure that sound produced would be contained.
This creates another problem----ventilation. If you make your studio airtight, you also need a ventilation system that is quiet enough for use in the studio. If not, having air conditioning and airing the room periodically would work.
Room Acoustic:- Don't use a square room. Square rooms would result in standing waves, not something you would want in a recording studio. Rectangular rooms would be better.
Try to have a high ceiling.That would be better for the acoustics of the room.
Have the studio isolated from other parts of your house
Make sure that the room is big enough ( has length and width)
You can try experimenting with corner absorbers / traps. They are acoustic panels that are placed at corners to reduce echoes. Vary the angle of placement until you get satisfactory acoustic performance.

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