Recording music has never been easier to do: the tools and equipment needed are all available commercially and are rather affordable. This doesn't mean, however, that it is a simple process; in fact, it is quite complicated. Regardless, setting up a basic home music studio is a great way to get started in the field.
Choose a Computer
While there are many digital recorders available, the ease and flexibility of a computer is unmatched. Your computer will act as your central producing hub, allowing you to record, mix, and distribute your music from a single machine. Not only that, computers are becoming more and more affordable, making setting up your own music studio even easier.
The basics of this decision come down to what operating system you wish to work with: Windows or Mac OS X. Models range greatly, but the crux of the decision lies in the software you will ultimately be using. Once you have decided, make sure to purchase a computer with plenty of power. For a bare minimum scale, the computer should have a dual core processor above 2.0 Ghz, at least 2 gigabytes of RAM, and at least a 500-gigabyte hard drive. A large display is always a plus as well.
Software
Depending on what operating system you go with, you have different options. There are many different audio recording applications, but a few stand out from the crowd.
Apple's Logic Studio is considered to be one of the best audio production programs in the industry. The program is chock full of features that allow you to do anything from record a song or track to change tempo mid-edit or even export your files as playable mp3s. The program even has the ability to mimic relief distortion pedals for instruments like the guitar or piano. Logic Studio will cost you $500 from Apple and will only run on OS X.
Another popular program is Record by Propellerhead, which will run on both OS X and Windows. Just as with Logic Studio, Record is a full virtual recording studio, with recording, arranging and mixing tools. Record also fully intergrates with the incredibly popular synth rack program, Reason. Record will cost you $300 from your local retailer.
Equipment
Now that you have a computer and software, you will need two more essential items: speakers and microphones. Speakers should be rated for studio playback, though standard speakers will work, albeit with less accuracy. Microphones are vital, but which kind you purchase depends on what you will be recording, though it is safe to start out with an all-purpose USB mic. Companies such as Samson, Shure and Audio-Techinca all offer a wide range of mics, typically costing around $150.
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