DO IT YOURSELF - DIY STUDIO
Follow these 6 Steps for a DIY Studio. Not everyone wants to or even needs to spend money to make professional recordings. Truth be told some of us just make music for the fun of it. Not everyone is looking for fame and fortune, but even if you are looking to make it big in the music industry, a DIY studio is a great place to start.
Depending on your budget you can get this done for under $2,000 and if you really want to go cheap, I'm going to show you how to create a fun studio with decent sound for under a $1,000.
Practicality
To be honest, you really want to practice before dropping $250 an hour or more at a legit studio. I'd hate to see anyone waste 5 grand practicing. Plus you won't only bore your producer and waste his time, you'll be making yourself look silly and waste tons of cash and lose credibility in the process. There's nothing worse than an unprepared artist. If you want to pay to talk call a shrink!
If you just want to make music for yourself and your friends, want to build a studio for entertainment, have your very own place to practice and/or even just have the convenience of recording whenever you want without making an expensive appointment, DIY is the way to go.
Here is an efficient DIY step by step way to build your own studio. Let's get started, shall we?
1. Location
Location is key when Selecting a spot for your DIY Studio. Preferably a place that you like. My first studio was in the basement. I've also had one in a garage. The one I had in my bedroom failed miserably the moment my girlfriend left a toothbrush at my house and took over a sock drawer. Next thing I knew there was clothes on my studio station chair and Garnis Fructose on my studio desk. Bottom line, pick a space that there is room to grow and more equipment. A place you are comfortable in that you will have privacy. Man cave studios are the best, even if you are female artist.
2. Seal & Vent
Pretty much self explanatory. You don't want to blast anyone out or alienate your neighbors. Plus cracks not only leak sound and make mixing tougher, it lets bugs in too and who wants to centipede as a studio roomie.
3. Elevate & Pad the Floors
Build up! it's pretty simple. I have another page that shows you how to build a sound proof booth. If not just build a box or buy this sound proof mat from Amazon.
4. Sound Distribution
Nothing kills quality more than concrete. Unfinished garages and basements, although great caves and usually decent spaces, are concrete havens. Here's a list of things that will help with a "brick and mortar" studio, pun intended. Padding or Sound Panels on the walls or blankets/sleeping bags if you have them, carpets for the floors and even furniture such as bean bags or couches.
5. Recording Software & Audio Interface
You want to pick something that is user friendly. Worst thing is to buy software that you can't use. This a DIY Studio! You will have to DIY when it comes to recording as well. So pick a software you can handle. I know protools is awesome but it can get expensive. Pro Tools also requires a ton of updates and plug-ins most people can't afford or even know how to use correctly. I suggest Presonus as a basic program for beginners. Guess who makes it? Yes that is correct, Avid, the maker of Pro Tools.
6. Equipment
Make sure you get a PC that can handle the program. Most programs suggest a PC with a least 4GB. I'm a mac guy myself, however, I'm trying to save you some money here. In addition to the PC, you are going to need some wires, studio monitors, a microphone and a headset.
Take a look at the two options on the home page. Option 1 keeps you well under $500 and option 2 is right under $1,000. Feel free to contact us with any questions, I'll do my best to help you out! Thanks for reading and best of luck with your DIY Studio!
