If you don’t have much space or if you’re on the move, virtual instruments can be a fantastic resource – especially when paired with a controller. Acoustic/electric instruments like guitars and keyboards, as well as external electronic instruments like drum machines and synthesizers are mainstays for bedroom producers and large studios alike.
Of course, having all this gear is well and good, but you’ll also need something that makes some noise.
While computers are ubiquitous throughout the music industry, it’s important to remember that they were not designed to be musical instruments. It’s completely possible to get great recordings with a reasonably priced dynamic or condenser microphone, and there’s no need to break the bank at this stage. To get started, try to find the right balance between quality and price. You might be tempted to buy a USB mic that connects straight to your computer, but generally, a mic and an interface together will offer more flexibility and quality. This sensitivity makes them ideal for vocal recordings.īoth of these microphone types will connect to your audio interface using an XLR cable. They require a special kind of power source from your interface, called ‘phantom power’ (often denoted by ‘+48V’). Dynamic mics are great for recording loud things like electric guitars and drums. The two most popular types are dynamic microphones and condenser microphones. So, if you’ll be recording other musicians, look for interfaces with low or zero-latency monitoring. High latency messes with a musician’s sense of timing, and this makes recording live takes difficult, if not impossible. This happens because computers can’t do things instantly they need a small amount of time to convert and process those digital and analogue signals. Latency is the small delay that occurs between pressing a key on your MIDI keyboard (more on that later), or singing a note into a microphone, and hearing the result come back through your headphones. Sure, your laptop or tablet can in fact capture sound using its inbuilt mic and convert it to digital – but those converters were designed for video calls and not for capturing a detailed musical performance! The quality difference you’ll get from using a dedicated interface will make all the difference when it comes time to mix everything together.īeyond audio recording, there is also the tricky issue of latency. If that sounds a bit confusing, just keep this in mind – if you’re planning to record vocals or acoustic instruments then you’re going to need an audio interface. This process is called analogue to digital conversion, and digital to analogue conversion. It also does this process in reverse: when you hit ‘play’ on your DAW, an interface will translate that digital information back into an electrical audio signal that can be played by your speakers or headphones. It’s the go-between that translates audio signals from a microphone into digital data that can be understood by your computer. Audio interfaceĪn audio interface sits between your computer and external devices like microphones or studio monitors. Exactly what other gear you might need depends largely on the type of music you plan to make. While it’s legitimately possible to make a track with nothing more than a computer, a DAW, and a pair of headphones, sooner or later you’re going to want to expand your setup. Specialist gear you may need to produce music
Choosing the right option needs careful consideration and shouldn’t be rushed, take some time to read up on the pros and cons before investing. While monitors are undoubtedly the gold standard for playback, good-quality headphones are an excellent place to start if you have space or budget constraints. Monitor speakers are different from hi-fi speakers because they tend to have a more transparent sound, rather than a flattering one. No matter how good your musical ideas, if you’re creating and mixing on sub-standard speakers then the result is almost certain to be uninspiring. Monitoring speakers are often described as the single most important item in your studio, and for good reason. Monitoring equipment: speakers or headphones Image: PreSonus
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Alternatively, check out our recommendations of the best free DAWs and get started on one of them. So, before making a commitment, take some time to learn about a DAWs individual strengths and weaknesses. Some excel at audio recording, some are great for making beats and others work best as live performance tools. In general, all DAWs feature the same core capabilities – but there are some important differences to be aware of. There are many powerful DAWs to choose from, either paid ( Ableton Live, Logic Pro, FL Studio) or free-to-use ( BandLab, GarageBand).
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