There’s no better time to search for music recording equipment for beginners than now.
Home recording has exploded over the last 15 years thanks to affordable equipment and limitless resources. Just a few decades ago, you needed some serious cash in order to be able to record, but that’s no longer the case.
However, there is also endless and often confusing information on what to buy when you’re just starting out. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place! We’re going to give you the basics to get you recording as well as some essential advice. Without further ado, here is our list of music equipment for beginners.
Roadie Coach
Roadie Coach is our very own wonder tool for musicians. It is a great piece of gear to help you improve as a musician in many ways. You can also record on it, as it features a very high-quality built-in mic and piezo. Roadie Coach stores and organizes all recordings automatically, and you can also use them to receive personalized feedback on your practice sessions.
It’s not only useful for aspiring musicians, but also for those who are more advanced that feel as though their practice sessions are a bit stagnant and haven’t been improving on any skills recently.
Computer
Long gone are the days of recording inexpensive and fragile tape machines. Well, that’s not completely true. A few folks still use them, the same way others might prefer a typewriter for written work. The truth is that computers have taken over, and recording is not the exception.
A computer is where you will run your recording software, the heart, and soul of the process with your DAW (Digital Audio Workstation).
The computer is often the most expensive piece of gear for a home studio for beginners. The good news is that you probably already have one. Start using the computer you have for now, as it probably has what you need to get started.
Software
The software or DAW is where you’ll record, edit, overdub, mix, master, and more. The industry standard for recording software is ProTools. This is a powerful DAW that can be quite frustrating at times and has a learning curve that might be steep for some. The good news is that they offer a free version, so you might as well try it.
Perhaps a wiser choice might be to start with beginner software. Manufacturers are aware of this and tend to include a beginners software DAW on the interfaces designed for those that are just starting out. What is an interface? Glad you asked!
Recording interface
Simply said, a recording interface is what takes an analog signal and transforms it into digital so you can manipulate it on your software. It then takes that digital audio and transforms it back to analog so you can hear it in your speakers or headphones.
In other words, a recording face is where you plug in your microphones and cables to record and take that information into a tangible form for your DAW.
Companies like PreSonus and Focusrite have popular beginner recording interfaces that do a great job and come with recording software to get you started.
Speakers and headphones
You need these to hear what you recorded and how your mix sounds. It is preferable to have them both, although headphones might suffice to get started.
It would be wise to get smaller speakers, as they fit better in smaller spaces and tend to offer better results for beginners in small rooms. Companies like Yamaha, KRK, and Behringer offer speakers that can get the job done at a low cost.
Microphone and cable
If you’re going to sing or record anything acoustically, you need a microphone. You also need a cable to plug that in your interface. Companies like Audio-Technica, MXR, and Shure offer great options for beginners. You will get a mic that gets the job done at a low cost, and lets you get going with recording.
There are plenty of options for music recording equipment for beginners. There are also many options of bundles, where you can save some money. The key is to start somewhere and get a feel for how recording works. With time, you’ll develop criteria regarding which gear works for you. Beware of GAS when searching for gear, as it is bound to happen.
As always, spend some quality time in your new home studio and have fun with the process.
