Building a Home Recording Studio
What’s up, Rockstar! Want to cut your own discs to send to soulless record execs
so you can ‘hit the big time’? Or maybe just playing guitar hasn’t reaped the
romantic benefits you had hoped for. Well, building a home recording studio
can crank your love life up to 11.
Dream Machine
To be the next Brian Eno or whatever, you'll need to have the right space. If your band is already in a garage,
then just stay there. You’ll have enough space for all of your equipment, but
even better, you’ll always have that ‘indie cred’ that seems to stick like glue
these days.
If you don’t have a garage, then be a basement band or even, if you are a one-man
show, build your studio in the closet. Just make sure the space is private.
Hey you could be the first closet rock band.
Rock Your Space
Now that you have your space, you’ll need to look for some soundproofing to deaden the echo. All windows
and glass surfaces should be covered. While the cliché is egg cartons attached
to the walls, rugs or carpet are far more practical. Plus, hanging Persian rugs
will give the room a psychedelic vibe.
Many people often forget to dull the
echo on the ceiling of the room. This can be the most difficult. Something light is highly recommended. After all, if you rock and roll too hard, it could fall down
and crush your precious equipment.
If you think the recording sounds too dead, you can always add echo or reverb
in post-production.
Recording Device
While there are thousands of computers out there that can
help you turn your amateurish sound into studio magic, the four-track
recorder may be the most useful. You’ll have to play through your mistakes and your music will sound
more honest. Other equipment will depend on you. You know the sound you want
to make, so assemble the proper instruments and make sure they are properly stored.
You will also need patch cords and amplifiers and microphones. For some layering
or post-production you can always patch your instrument right into the fourtrack.
Finally,
tapes. Buy as many tapes as you can. You’ll be making mistake after mistake,
so be sure to have plenty of high quality CR02 tapes on hand. Make sure that
the tapes are no longer than 60 minutes. Longer tapes have a tendency to distort
or break.
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Still have questions about building your own recording studio? Head over to our Home Builders forum and consult with other do-it-yourselfers! |
