A couple years ago I decided that I wanted to start getting all the ideas out of my head, and onto CD’s. So I started looking for the cheapest way to set up a recording studio right here in my home. I think everything ended up costing me around $250 all together, though I’m not 100% sure.
With just some software, you can have piano, drums, tuba (ha), bass and just about every instrument you can imagine right at your finger tips. Now you can have “full band” recordings all done by yourself.
Before I continue, here’s a couple examples of my own music I’ve recorded with this gear. Take note that these are examples!
Now for the setup. The first and most important thing you’ll need is a PreSonus Inspire 1394 FireWire Audio Interface. I choose a Firewire interface simply because it’s better than a USB interface. This Presonus is just a small box with two microphone inputs and 2 instrument inputs (so you could have 2 mics and 2 instruments all recording at the same time if you wanted) and this is plenty enough for me, and probably enough for you too as long as you aren’t trying to mic drums or something. The interface comes bundled with recording software which is Cubase LE I think. Don’t let anyone tell you that you need more than that for what you’re trying to do.
Price: $149.00 at MusiciansFriend
The second thing you need is a Firewire card to hook up to your computer, because the Firewire interface needs to hook up to it to work. These are pretty cheap. I got mine from Newegg.com for about $5 - $10. I forgot which model I purchased. But just go to Newegg and do a search for firewire cards and pick out something decent in that price range.
The third thing you need is a MXL 990 Condenser Microphone. It’s actually on sale right now. Don’t let the price scare you into thinking you’re about to get a piece-o-shit. It’s actually a very good mic at an extremely cheap price.
The 4th thing you need is actually pretty high, and if purchased new, you would for sure go over our spending limit here. It’s Reason 4.0 (I use 3.0 because 4.0 wasn’t out). This is the software I use to piece together all the drum tracks and other instruments I don’t own right into my songs. It’s simply an amazing software. You can find some used Reason 4.0 software at Amazon starting at around $120.
The last things you need are just small things. Mic stand, cable and a pop filter for the microphone. Here’s some links to some of this stuff that’s decent, affordable and gets the job done.
Pop Filter
Microphone Cable
Microphone Stand
The total is $373.00 as long as you can get the used Reason software for $120 from Amazon. I was lucky enough to have it given to me a couple years ago. Unethical, yes. But no one was hurt or injured. Another way to acquire this software would be to go warez, but I’m not gonna point you into that direction!
August 24th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
Not a bad little beginning set up. Be careful with buying a firewire card. I’ve found that some interfaces can get a little finicky about which firewire card they’ll talk to. Across the board the FW chipset that seems to have the least issue is any card with a Texas Instrument controller.
Some of the newer USB interfaces are pretty sharp too. Depending on your recording needs I wouldn’t discount them as an option.
The 990 is a decent little mic (I still own one), and if you back it up with a good dynamic (like an SM57) there’s really nothing you can’t record well.