Beware! These are being discounted due to a highly prevalent malfunction with the iLok system. I bought this unit new and when I went to set it up, I was required to register my Pro Tools Express license on the iLok License manager. The registrations were completed online, the iLok fob was installed into the Mini Mac in this package, however after repeated attempts, I couldn't open the Pro Tools software. Several email communications with iLok support with no solution. Lastly they provided me a link so I could create a log of my launch sequence for the iLok and Pro Tools, which I then submitted for analysis..after five days received no response. Packed up the studio and returned it, never got the software to launch. I've since heard that the iLoks tend to die after a couple months so you have to buy new ones regularly, this product is not market ready and should not be for sale...they are being heavily discounted to move the inventory thinking people will just use it for the Mini Mac...which functioned just fine.
The Mac Mini has 4 usb 3.0 ports, 2 thunderbolt 2 ports, and also an hdmi connector if you prefer hdmi over thunderbolt. $700 is an incredibly low entry barrier to get a Mac. Of course you also need a monitor. The Complete Desktop Recording Studio with Mac Mini V4 provides all the hardware and software you need to write, compose and record your music from start to finish. With the power of PreSonus Studio One Producer, Slate Audio Virtual Processor Rack, Garage Band, and a collection of compressors, equalizers, mastering plugins, and modeling.
How to choose the right audio and recording equipment for your home studio or mobile rig to match your ambitions, budget and music.
Sep 05, 2015 This weeks featured Mac setup is the awesome home recording studio of Steve Steele, a professional film composer, musician, and band leader, with some very beefy Apple gear and loads of great music equipment.
Best Mac for musicians on a budget: Mac mini. If funds are low, the Mac mini is a reasonably good choice for making music.
I always hear people saying that the Mac Pro is the Mac of choice for musicians but, as a hobbyist, I simply can't justify the expense. I'm tempted by a Mac Mini, as I already have a decent screen, but am concerned that it won't be able to cope with the requirements of audio recording. What are the.
Music recording used to be something that was only done by professionals in large studios full of expensive equipment. To learn the trade, a person generally needed to enroll in a specialized program or apprentice in a studio, giving them access to this equipment. And if musicians wanted to put their songs on record—even just to make a passable demo recording—they needed to shell out some pretty serious dough to buy studio time.
In recent years, that has all changed.
The ever more powerful consumer devices we use—such as laptops, tablets, and even smartphones—are now capable of powering a low-cost recording setup that virtually any musician can afford. With a few well-chosen pieces of recording gear, just about anyone can set up and operate a fully functional home or mobile studio. And that means aspiring producers can get plenty of hands-on experience right in the comfort of their own homes.
This guide will cover some of the most important recording equipment you’ll need to build a mobile or home studio and give you some recommendations for equipment that’s great for starting out. Additionally, you can always browse the complete collection of recording gear at Musician’s Friend for more ideas.
Table of Contents
Computers and iOS devices for recording Recording software and apps Audio interfaces for recording Microphones Headphones for recording Studio monitors Studio subwoofers Audio recorders Recording packages Recording desks—a place to put it all Call us for more advice
One great thing about building a home or mobile recording studio is that you can start with just a few essential pieces of gear, then add or upgrade as you develop your skills and want additional options. This guide will cover the most important pieces of recording equipment: computers, audio interfaces, microphones, headphones, and studio monitors.
We’ll also cover some additional audio gear that can expand your studio to be just what you want it to be.
Computers and iOS devices for recording
Nowadays, most recording setups are based around computers. At one time, it was best to use a high-powered desktop computer for the job, but now, technology has advanced enough that even mobile devices like smartphones can get the job done. And laptops are commonly used as the central unit of a full-scale home studio.
For those who want to create a mobile studio, iOS devices (iPads, iPhones, and the iPod touch) are a great option. There is plenty of gear built specifically for these devices, which makes it easy to plug right in and get started. Learn more with our extensive selection of iOS buying guides that focus on various iOS users from DJs to guitarists.
There are hundreds of apps available to do everything from simply tuning your guitar to creating full-fledged compositions using your iOS device. A good place to get started learning about them is with our Top 10 Music Apps to Help You Make Better Music.
With an iPhone tucked in your pocket and a little extra gear, you can do some serious sound capture. Portable USB mics offer a big step up in sound quality over your phone’s internal mic. And there’s a rapidly growing category of smart phone-friendly devices ideal for nailing everything from a fleeting guitar riff to a complete composition.
When it comes to laptop or desktop computers, many models will work for your recording needs. You might be able to get started with the computer you’ve got at home now. However, if that model is more than a few years old and it’s beginning to seem a bit sluggish, it may be time to consider an upgrade.
While the cost of a Mac computer is typically a bit higher than a Windows PC with similar specifications, many musicians and recording engineers prefer Macs for their reliability, ease of use, and build quality. These Apple computers have a good reputation for handling recording gear well, without creating any unwanted surprises. The vast array of software that has been designed to function seamlessly with the Mac operating system is a big plus.
For an affordable option in a Mac computer, beginning recording artists might consider the Mac Mini—a small, desktop box that connects to an external monitor and delivers all the features musicians love about Macs.
Featuring the OSX operating system, a speedy Intel processor, and plenty of RAM for multitasking power the Mac Mini is your most affordable option for bringing a Macintosh computer into your home studio.
One further advantage of Macs is the fact they come with GarageBand, a basic but easy-to-use recording application with which you can create surprisingly polished music. Read on to learn more about the software to capture and edit your music.
Recording software and apps
Without audio software programs, computers don’t do a whole lot to help you record and mix music. The software that musicians and engineers use for their music production is commonly referred to as a digital audio workstation (DAW) program, and there are a lot of different DAW options to choose from. Ranging from more basic programs such as Ableton Live 10 Intro to Pro Tools—the choice of most professional studios—there is a DAW program that will match your music, budget and skills. For a complete selection of program options, browse the Musician’s Friend selection of DAW software.
Most digital audio interfaces (explained in the next section) often include some basic software that should be suitable for most beginners to create near-studio-quality recordings. Those looking for something a little more powerful—with tools to help compose, edit, mix, and arrange music—might consider a software package such as Image Line’s FL Studio, an end-to-end music production program that’s both highly-regarded and affordable enough for beginners.
FL Studio 20 Producer Edition features a variety of user-friendly features, building on Image-Line's 20 years of development.
Check out our 6 Top DAWs Rundown for more great DAW choices.
Audio interfaces for recording
If you’re using a computer as the center of your recording studio, you need a way to plug in the microphones and other gear you will be recording with. This is where the digital audio interface comes in. Beyond simply offering the types of connections you’ll need, the digital audio interface processes the sound you’re recording and converts it to digital data so your software can work with it. The good news is that most interfaces with USB connectivity are compatible with all the major DAW software titles that work with Mac and Windows computers‹but double-check to be certain.
When looking at audio interfaces, it’s important to find one that has all the connection types you’ll need. You’ll also need to make sure it’s compatible with the type of computer or device you’ll use to record with. So be sure to check the product descriptions for these details.
Built to handle the needs of anyone who records vocals and instrument together, the Focusrite Scarlett Solo (2nd Gen) USB Audio Interface delivers a sweet-sounding preamp and instrument input at a great price. The latest edition improves on the excellent sound of the original with a more even gain structure that makes balancing your mixes easier. The instrument input has been upgraded to handle the hottest pickups. Reduced latency means you’ll perform more confidently and be able to run your favorite plug-ins in real time.
If you need more inputs to record vocals and instruments simultaneously, the very affordable Tascam US-16x08 audio interface allows to you to connect up to 8 microphones and 4 instruments while offering the convenience of USB connectivity.
Read our Audio Interface Buying Guide to learn more about all the options available to match your recording needs and budget.
Microphones
A good microphone is one of the most important items in the beginner’s recording setup, as it makes a big impact on how a recorded voice or instrument will sound. To get started, you likely only need one quality microphone that you can put to use recording lots of different sound sources. So you will want to pick a versatile model that sounds good recording a wide range of frequencies.
There are two types of microphones you’ll work with most often: dynamic mics and condenser mics. While dynamic mics are more rugged and often preferred for live performances, condenser mics usually have a better frequency response range and sensitivity, so they’re often the go-to for studio recordings. Many condenser mics require what’s called phantom power, supplied by an external preamp or interface. Be sure to read specs carefully to make sure your rig will provide any necessary power. For on-the-go recording, USB microphones get their juice from the host computer or interface, making them plug and play. Similarly, if you¹re using a tablet or smartphone for audio capture, then an iOS-friendly mic is the way to go.
Condenser microphones tend to be more costly than dynamics, but in recent years, many good-quality, lower-cost models have become available. The MXL 3000, for example, is a great, multi-purpose condenser microphone that includes a shockmount and a pop filter.
Sql server management studio 2008 for mac. For those recording with an iOS device, the BLUE Raspberry Studio USB/iOS Microphone is another good option. This quality condenser mic can plug right into your iOS device from which it also draws its power and can record a wide variety of instruments and vocals with great results. It also comes bundled with some great software from brands like PreSonus and iZotope.
There are also many dynamic microphones suitable for the beginning studio setup. The Shure SM58 is a good choice for vocals and will also serve double duty in live performance.
The Shure SM57 is a fixture in just about every pro recording studio for capturing instruments and vocals and is often used in both live and recording settings to mic guitar amp speakers.
Take a look at the Musician’s Friend huge collections of condenser microphones, dynamic microphones or iOS microphones for more options.
The Blue Spark SL Microphone provides classic, transparent sound and plenty of versatility, with a high-pass filter and -20dB pad, making it capable of accomodating loud vocalists, instruments or amplifiers with ease.
To learn much more, read our expert Microphone Buying Guide.
Headphones for recording
When you listen back to your recordings, you want the sound to be as accurate as possible so you know what you want to change in your mixes. A good pair of studio headphones is often the most cost-effective option for beginners. Closed-back headphones are essential when you’re recording vocal or instrumental parts over existing music tracks. Their sealed design prevents pre-recorded sound from leaking into the microphone as you monitor the backing track(s) while overdubbing new parts of the music.
Studio headphones vary greatly in price. When you’re just starting out, there’s no need to break the bank. Plenty of good, accurate models are available within an affordable price range. The Audio-Technica ATH-M40x and Sennheiser HD 280 PRO Studio Headphones are both highly rated products that deliver good accuracy at a beginner-friendly price.
Browse the Musician’s Friend collection of studio headphones for more great options.
Learn much more about choosing the right pair with our Headphone Buying Guide.
Studio Monitors
The best way to get accurate playback is through speakers specifically designed for the job. These speakers, referred to as studio monitors, come in different designs for different listening environments. In large studios—where the monitors might be positioned some distance from the recording engineer—mid-field or far-field monitors would be most appropriate, as they are designed to produce an accurate sound at a distance.
Near-field monitors, on the other hand, are designed to be positioned directly in front of a listener, so they are the best kind to use in small home studios.
Dig deeper with our Studio monitor buying guide.
For a beginning recording engineer, a small set of near-field monitors designed for desktop use are a good option, as they fit take up little space while delivering an accurate representation of your recording. Mackie's CR3 montiors and JBL’s 305P MKII monitors are both strong options in this category.
The Mackie CR3 multimedia monitors aren’t much larger than standard computer speakers, but they are built for great sound.
View more options for studio quality playback in the Musician’s Friend collection of studio monitors.
Can you mix using just headphones? Check out our tech tip!
Studio subwoofers
Adding subwoofers for studio monitoring is not always a necessity for recording beginners. However, by adding a more accurate response at low frequencies, subwoofers can enhance the results of your mixes, no matter what type of music you are recording. Of course, if you are planning to record bass-heavy music, such as hip-hop, a subwoofer might be a more essential consideration.
The Yamaha HS8S Powered Subwoofer has an 8” driver that can accurately reproduce the deeper frequencies of bass and drums and is a fantastic match for their HS series studio monitors. If you're looking for more options, browse the Musician’s Friend studio subwoofer collection.
To learn much more, read our Studio Monitors Buying Guide.
Audio Recorders
With all the talk of digital audio workstations and computer-centered recording we’ve been doing, you might think a computer is an absolute necessity to get anything recorded. That certainly isn’t the case. In fact, there are some excellent standalone recorder options that provide great portability, extensive features, and excellent ease-of-use for very reasonable prices.
For a full-scale, all-in-one music recording solution that doesn’t at all rely on your computer, the Tascam DP-24SD 24-Track Digital Portastudio is complete, mobile, and affordable. Or, if you want a straightforward device for on-the-go field recordings, the Zoom H2n Handy Recorder is a perfect fit. You can view all of the different options available in the Musician’s Friend selection of audio recorders.
The Zoom H6 Handy Recorder is a complete six-track recorder in a pocket-sized package.
Recording Packages
Although there aren’t a whole lot of components in a basic recording rig, it still can seem like a lot of work to make sure you are picking the right tools that will all work together well. As an alternative to making individual selections, you may want to consider a recording package. At Musician’s Friend, we’ve created carefully chosen gear bundles that take the guesswork out of deciding what will work together best. These packages also save money on your total purchase price versus buying the separate components.
Take a look at the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Studio Pack or the incredible value of the PreSonus AudioBox iTwo Studio bundle. Or you can browse through all of the different recording packages from Musician’s Friend.
Focusrite's Scarlett 2i2 Studio Pack offers a complete and budget-friendly introduction to home recording with all the essential gear you need to begin capturing your music.
Recording desks—a place to put it all
While an ordinary desk or tabletop might be sufficient to house your beginning home studio, you’ll probably find yourself accumulating gear that can pose a placement challenge. Desks, tables and workstations specifically designed for studio use can be a big help where it comes to routing cables and placing gear and audio/video monitors in the right spots.
At Musician’s Friend you’ll find a huge selection of studio-friendly desks and workstations designed to make your recording work more comfortable and ergonomic. From small workstations designed to hold just the basics to larger desks that can house a full-blown studio’s gear, you’ll find the right one in our selection.
The On-Stage Stands Workstation is a good choice for the beginning studio, providing surfaces to hold your audio monitors, computer display and keyboard, and other recording gear. It can be assembled in two different ways to match your workspace and preferences.
Call us for more advice
Mac Mini For Home Studio
After reading this guide, if you’re still not sure which gear is right for you, we invite you call to one of our friendly and knowledgeable Gear Heads at (877) 880-5907. We’ll help you find the perfect gear to get your recording studio up and running.