www.MarkTAW.com/recording/HomeStudio/BuildaHomeStudiononaBudget/SamplePackages.html
(printable version)
Sample Packages
A few months ago, Electronic Musician had an article "Build a Home Studio on Any Budget" but their bottom budget was my top budget. This is my answer to that column.
So let's say you have your computer, or you've selected your computer. What should you buy and how much money should you expect to spend?
- Budget $440
A singer songwriter who needs to get his ideas into the computer, or a small band whose willing to record by mixing down to two live tracks or is willing to record one instrument at a time.
- A/D Converter: Edirol UA-5 - $300
- DAW Software: ProTools Free or Quartz AudioMaster Freeware - $0
- Microphone: (2) Shure SM-57 - $140
- Monitors: Computer Speakers/ Home Stereo / Headphones
- Budget $690
A band who wants to be able to record the whole band at once and overdub tracks.
- A/D Converter: M-Audio OmniStudio - $450
- DAW Software: Cubasis VST - $100
- Microphone: (2) Shure SM58 - $140
- Monitors: Computer Speakers/ Home Stereo / Headphones
- Budget $810
A singer/songwriter looking to put his ideas down with sequenced drums
- A/D Converter: Digidesign M-Box - $450
- DAW Software: ProTools LE, bundled with M-Box - $0
- Microphone: Shure SM-57 - $70
- Keyboard: Oxygen 8 / - $140
- Sequencing Software: Battery - $150
- Monitors: Computer Speakers/ Home Stereo / Headphones
- Budget $1410
A singer/songwriter looking to record an album with a mix of live and sequenced instruments. This option closely reflects my setup.
- A/D Converter: M-Audio Duo - $260 (or Edirol UA-5 for instrument inputs)
- DAW Software: Cubase VST - $180 on eBay
- Microphone: Shure SM-57, Marshall MXL 603, Marshall MXL 2001 - $70 + $180
- Keyboard: Roland ED PC-70 - $140
- Sequencing Software: Reason - $280
- Monitors: M-Audio SP-5B or Event TR5 - $300
- Budget $3350
A band or person looking to start a recording studio capable of producing pro-quality recordings.
- A/D Converter: MOTU 896 - $1250
- DAW Software: Cubase SX - $600
- Microphones: (4) Shure SM-57, (1) Marshall MXL 603/2001 combo pack, (1) Berhinger ECM8000, (1) Rode NT1 - $280 + 180 + 40 + 200 = $700
- Monitors: Event 20/20bas - $800
The above scenarios don't include plugins for the DAW software or sound modules for the sequencing software - usually the defaults are enough to get you started and you can upgrade later.
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page first created on Sunday, December 08, 2002
this site and it's contents copyright Mark Wieczorek