This page contains basic advice about how to turn your computer into a recording studio as cheaply as possible. The fact is that a lot of the software you need in order to do this is is available free, and it's legal! The free stuff isn't quite as fancy as the professional and very expensive stuff, but it comes pretty close and it will probably do everything you need.
There are a few options. You could try and do it all for nothing. That's possible, but as you'll read below, there are limitations. Check the various options and only invest in what you need in order to do what it is that you want to do. You can always upgrade later if you need more facilities.
I've included some links to good offers from good companies. But don't blame me if it all goes wrong and you end up addicted to playing with your ... er .... computer at the expense of your career, your marriage and your bank account.
Disclaimer: these are personal notes and there are no guarantees that everything will go smoothly, and certainly don't represent guarantees for anything you buy.
Some important facts to start:
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the audio card on a domestic computer will be rubbish (44khz/16bit). If you just want to play stuff back and record a bit of something basic off a cheap mic then it might just be okay, but if you want to produce anything that might be broadcastable then you need the ability to play and record audio at, at least, 24bit. This means you need a decent audio card.
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you will need a decent mic, a condenser. No point in getting a good audio interface without putting a good signal in.
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you will need a wav. (audio file) editor.
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you will probably want to record layers of tracks so you will need a sequencer program.
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If you want to record synths and stuff like that you will probably need a midi keyboard of some description to play samplers and Vst instruments. If you only want to record audio tracks you don't need one.
The very, very cheap way to do it!
I'd recommend this as a starter to see if you've got the patience and the stamina for learning to make music on a computer.
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Just stick with the audio card that came with your computer (it's worth using the ASIOforall driver – see CM – it's on the CD). You should be able to get basic 44khz/16bit recordings out of it, but you'll have to do some tweaking of your sound card settings to make it work without crackles. Again, see the CM guide on the disc for advice about this.
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Buy a copy of Computer Music (£6) magazine where you will find just about all the software that you need. You also usually get a load of samples and loops to mess about with. And there is a comprehensive beginner's guide in there too - which you should read before deciding to go ahead.
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Get a cheap condenser mic for £20 at Maplins (ask for help). Don't spend any more as really good ones don't cost that much more and you'll want to upgrade sometime. You'll need to get an adapter for the 1/4” jack to turn it into a 1/8” jack so it fits in the mic input in your computer
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Use Reaper ( CM magazine disk). An excellent, high-end and fully featured sequencer. Note that it's not free, although it functions without limitation for ever (it's not a demo that suddenly stops after a month). If you keep using it you might feel it's worth the bother paying up as it only costs about $50.
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Use Wavosaurus. A good audio file editor (edits a sound file one at a time). It has everything you will need to get started.
- You can find lots of free sounds - like drum loops - on the net.
You need:
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Computer Music magazine
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- newsagents monthly |
A cheap condenser mic
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- Maplins maybe
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| A midi keyboard |
- surprisingly cheap - lots of old equipment has midi. |
Reaper - sequencer
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- online for free
- on CM
- tutorials wiki
- loads of videos on youtube
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Wavosaurus - audio editor
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- on CM (maybe)
- online for free inc' tutorials
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| Loops |
- on CM
- on the net
- here (pop music)
- here (acoustic guitar)
- do a search for more - or buy some!
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The Rather more Expensive Route
Soundcard
Get a USB soundcard (see these) These often come with a software bundle, but you could still use Reaper at first as it is usually a lot better than what comes with these bundles - unless there is a nice version of Cubase Lite included which is very sleek and easy to learn. Likewise, Wavosauraus (free) will deal with most of your audio file editing needs to begin with.
Software
Although the Reaper mentioned above is really good, you might be better getting used to using something like Cubase. The problem there is that it is pretty expensive for the full thing. However, there is Cubase Studio which is a bit cheaper than the full whack. It is astonishing what you can do with this piece of software.
A better microphone. Some very good bargains around under £100
All in one! There are some really good all-in-one bargains to be had. There are quite a few cheap packages available that often include a reasonable quality audio input, a keyboard to play software instruments with and a good software bundle to get started with. Do a search of the Digital Village site, or better, Thomann's in germany - very reliable and good prices.
You need:
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| Alesis IO2 USB Audio Interface |
About £120 and comes with Cubase Lite. There are cheaper things around, but this is nice. it will turn your desktop or laptop (it's portable) into a good quality recording studio. |
| Rode M3 Condenser Microphone |
App £80 Very good and economically priced. A pair would be useful.
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| Software, etc for free - see above. |
See above for link.
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The Really Expensive Route
You wish: Steinberg Cubase 5 Producer Pack £2000
But please take note: you still have to learn how to use the expensive stuff - it doesn't do it all for you. One way or the other, you are going to have to learn a few things - and some of it's a bit ... boring!
