Because we want you to get up and running to make some music, here is a professional recording studio equipment list!
Professional recording studio equipment list
Gathering from my years running from recording studio to studio, I’ve seen what is and is not needed for a professional studio environment. Surprisingly, most of the things were easy enough to find. It’s a very simple list so let’s build this thing already!
Home recording studio equipment list
I’ve included what you’d need for a home recording studio as well as a professional.
Desk or Workstation
Having a place to put your studio equipment is essential. You’ll need space and comfort if you wanna make some good music. A good desk or workstation will do just that. I like to call it the zone! Here, you will keep your studio monitors at ears length. Your PC can hide just under or to the side of the desk to keep things from being too cluttered. Many producers set things up differently so you’ll need to experiment with what makes you most comfortable. Generally, they are kept against the wall. But I have seen people put them the center of the room,
Professional Recording Studio Equipment List and the digital age:
A Computer
It’s already 2022, and it’s pretty safe to say that the analog days are long gone! At least for the home recording studio environment. A few tears in my eyes? Yes. Do I miss them? Yes! But the digital age is here and thriving.
Computers are the center flagship for any professional recording studio. Need I say more? The things you can do nowadays on a good PC are mind-boggling, to say the least. Or Mac OSX! let’s not forget my OSX folks!
Why do you need a computer? It sounds like a stupid question for millennials but I don’t mind playing this game for a few quick sentences!
- A place to save and store your work
- A place to go online and find the best music to be more creative
- You’ll probably be creating epks to send out digitally
- And you’ll need a solid system to make good music!
What to look for
There really shouldn’t be any excuse not to have a good computer. Seeing as the prices have been on a steady steep decline over the past several years.
Here’s what you should look for in a good computer;
- Size does matter so you want something with a large hardrive. More than 500GB storage capacity. I’d go for a 1 terabyte SSD drive. You’ll need this if your’e using any worthwhile virtual instruments!
- Processing power should be equivalent to or more than and intel i5 4th or 5th geration. The i7 is even better.
- Your ram should be at minimum 8GBs. you’ll be running your DAW and effects on it and you’ll need that radom access. Trust me! 16Gb is even better!
- A solid video card. Most DAWs require a minimum screen resolution to work. If you’re playing games like The Division or call of duty on your PC, then you probably already have what you need!
If you go with a laptop I’d grab the Apple Mac Book Pro
For PC users: Get a Razer Blade Stealth 13.3
Your music should be in good hands with either of these! Well on your way with our professional recording studio equipment list.
Your Digital Audio Workstation
If you’re new to the world of music production, you’ve probably heard of DAW. Every YouTube music production instruction emphasizes the importance of selecting the correct DAW software first.
So, what exactly is a DAW, and why do you need one for music production? If you’re having trouble finding answers to these questions, let us assist you.
What is a digital audio workstation (DAW)?
DAW is an abbreviation for Digital Audio Workstation. It is specialized software built to perform a variety of music production activities such as instrument recording, audio editing, audio mixing, looping, and so on.
While many people make the comparison between DAW and audio editors, this is not correct. Audio editors are solely used to make changes to audio files. A DAW, on the other hand, may be used to record many audio tracks and mix them together to create a whole song.
The world’s most prominent DJs and music producers utilize digital audio workstations to compose hip-hop and EDM tunes. Today’s market is flooded with hundreds of Digital Audio Workstations, ranging from entry-level to professional.
These utilities are also accessible for both Windows and Mac operating systems. That is, regardless of your PC’s operating system, you have the freedom to choose the best DAW from a broad range of possibilities.
How to Pick a DAW
Choosing the appropriate DAW for writing music might be difficult since there are so many alternatives to pick from. With so many options to choose from, here are a few golden principles to keep in mind while shopping for a digital audio workstation.
To begin, keep in mind that the final result of every DAW is the same: the creation of music tracks. The features and workflows of these tools are what differentiate them from one other. Some of these tools are simple to use, while others require a lot of time and effort to master. As a result, it’s best to get acquainted with the workflow and capabilities of several DAWs before making a final selection.
An important consideration for first-time users is the simplicity of use of the DAW software they use to let them create songs without too much difficulty. Beginners should look for a DAW with an easy-to-use interface and an efficient workflow.
The free demo is the best way to see whether a certain DAW can meet your needs before you buy it.
Studio Chairs
Why can’t I just use a regular chair? “, many of you are probably thinking. Sorry, but I don’t recommend a regular kitchen chair! Your back is important, and if you plan on spending a lot of time in your studio, I highly recommend investing in a comfortable studio chair. You’ve got it!
The one that swivels and moves around the room like an office chair! You’ll find yourself sliding across the room to another PC, grabbing a cable, or doing something similar. It’s much easier with a studio chair. Getting up every five minutes to grab something from across the room will wear you out! Take my word for it! I used to do it for years.
It’s usually the last thing on one’s mind when constructing a home recording studio. I believe it should be among the first!
If you spend the bulk of your time sitting when creating or mixing, it’s only reasonable to invest in the finest studio chair to be comfortable and free of back strain. Are you a musician? Visit our guide to the best guitar stools.
Don’t overlook your studio chair
Many aspiring producers devote all of their attention to the musical instruments and recording equipment in their home studio. They often overlook the fact that a studio chair is more than simply a piece of studio furniture. It’s also a necessary item for honing your talents as a producer. If you’re in pain, you won’t be able to work in the studio for long. It’s also difficult to be creative and motivated when your lower back hurts.
If you’re putting up a new studio, be sure to purchase the proper insulation, including high-quality bass traps (click here for the guide).
There are several excellent music studio chairs available on the market. To make your life simpler, we spent time researching and evaluating them so you didn’t have to. We’ve decided on a top few, which we’ll show you shortly, along with product reviews. You’ll find a helpful buyer’s guide and answers to commonly asked questions at the conclusion of this article. After reading this article, you’ll be prepared to make an informed purchase.
Let’s get started!
Condenser mic.
Having a good condenser mic is a no-brainer when it comes to building a home recording studio. It’s the first line of defense for a good signal path into your computer. If you want something cheap that sounds good still the same, I’d go with The Blue Yeti USB Microphone – Blackout Edition – 2070.
It’s a great-sounding USB condenser microphone with professional-grade sound. It has a Tri-capsule array – 3 condenser capsules that can record almost any situation. With over 6k reviews no wonder It comes highly recommended for home studio start-ups.
Get it here on Amazon
Alternatively, you can grab something more expensive if you want a step above the Yeti.
The Neumann TLM 102 come’s to mind as a solid step above the USB mic. Neuman has a solid history in the recording industry as one of the most sought-after condenser mics in the business. The TLM 102 has a price of just around 699.00 and with good reason. It’s a Large Diaphragm Cardioid Microphone and handles up to 144dB SPL.
Get it here on Amazon
A CONDENSER MICROPHONE’S OPERATION
They’re known as “capacitor microphones” by the British, and for good cause. Capacitors are made up of two plates of metal that are placed close together. The greater the capacitance, the closer they are.
The construction of a condenser capsule is similar. A thin membrane is sandwiched between a solid metal plate. Electro-conductive membrane or diaphragm must be present on the surface of the membrane or diaphragm. Gold-sputtered mylar is the most frequent material, however, an extremely thin metal foil is used in certain models (mainly older).
The diaphragm travels back and forth in relation to the solid backplate when sound waves contact it. As a result, the gap between the two capacitor plates widens or narrows as time passes. There are a number of reasons why the capacitance might alter in response to sound waves: Voilà, we’ve now achieved electrical representation of sound.
The parts of a condenser mic
Connecting additional pieces of equipment to the capsule’s signal is impossible since it is just too “fragile.” Despite having a high output voltage, the condenser capsule provides almost little current due to the limited amount of energy stored in the small capacitor. Impedance converters, which buffer between the capsule and the outside environment, are required. Because the impedance converter allows more current to flow through the signal, the signal becomes more “sturdy.”
As a result, external power is required for condenser microphones. Today, almost every microphone input delivers P48 phantom power – a Neumann innovation that has become the worldwide standard (see the box under “Powering Condenser Microphones”), which was formerly a hassle.
Mic Stands
You’ll want to make sure you’ve got a good mic stand. One that can hold basic mics as well as pro condenser microphones too!
Bass Traps
These will certainly help with controlling the bass in the room. If you like lots of bass like me, you should grab some bass traps! Plus they’ll keep a reasonable amount of bass from leaking into other rooms!
Acoustic Panels
Guys, please get acoustic panels! They will help keep most of the high-end sound from reverberating in your studio. When it comes to recording vocals, it’s always best to record in a dead-sounding room. Acoustic Panels will achieve this for you!. If you haven’t got the money to fill up your entire room, grab a few from Amazon and build it over time. Buy one or 2 each month. That’s what I did!
Acoustic Diffusor
What Exactly Are Sound Diffusers?
Soundproofing isn’t the only way to create a comfortable listening experience; a sound diffuser may also be an effective solution. However, most individuals are unaware of the importance of sound diffusion in creating a more satisfying aural environment.
The purpose of sound diffusers and whether or not they are appropriate for your home theater will be explained in detail in this article.
Sound diffusers aren’t difficult to comprehend, but first you’ll need to know a little about how sound works. Diffusion is a notion that can be used to both sound and light, despite their very different qualities.
If you shine a light at a disco ball, the varied angles of the glass will reflect the light in various directions. This is an excellent illustration. The sound diffuser, in a similar vein, employs varying depths and angles to disperse distinct sound frequencies in all directions as well.
A room’s ability to disperse sound is critical. It has a 3D openness that makes it easier to enjoy various rhythms and sounds. In concert halls, band rooms, and home cinemas, it enhances the sound quality by combining it with other absorption panels.
What Makes a Sound Diffuser?
Soft, air-filled materials are used to construct sound diffusers, which prevent sound waves from bouncing back. Typically, they are installed in square or rectangular configurations. Wood is a common material for sound diffusers. Because the sound is more evenly dispersed, it sounds better. We’ll find out.
Using the panel’s depth and angles, sound waves may be dispersed in a variety of ways. The wells or forms on the diffuser, which include the height, angles, and depths of the panel, affect the sound frequency accessible for dispersion.
Sound diffusers have the advantage of dispersing sound waves uniformly without canceling out the sound waves that are being directed at them. It’s important to make sure the well is symmetrical to get the most out of sound diffusers. Using the well patterns, the diffusers seem to be works of art.
Studio Monitors
These are quite essential for a Complete Professional recording studio equipment list. Need I explain? LOL! Make sure you set these up correctly if you can. Try not to put them too close to a wall. If you do then you’re sound will most likely be inaccurate due to bass traveling up and down the ceiling.
Headphones
There are several reasons you’d need a good pair of headphones in your home studio. If you’re singing, you wouldn’t want the sound from your speakers to bleed into the mic. Therefore, you need the sound going directly to your ears during your performance.
There are a few things you’ll need to take into account when finding headphones.
- Frequency response and balance. You want them to give you as accurate a picture of your sound without too much color.
- How they feel. Very important since you could be wearing them for hours at a time.
- How Loud they get without distorting.
- How portable they are
- Overall quality. Obviously you want something that can do the work for a long time
Here are some of the best headphones you can get if you’re on a budget. Or not! Best Headphones for the money
Monitor Stands
Lots of folks put their studio monitors on the work desk. If you can manage, I find it best to have actual monitor stands in your home recording studio. They’re nice and isolated plus you can adjust to the perfect height to get accurate mixes.
I’m currently using: Ultimate Support JS-MS70 JamStands Series Studio Monitor Stands (Pair). These are strong and stable at the same time. They also have good overall adjustment too!
Get them here!
Headphone Amp
There are many headphone amps to choose from. Be sure to get one that provides gain without too much noise! Recently there has been a surge of really good compact headphones too. Small and powerful like the PreSonus HP4 4-Channel Compact Headphone Amplifier
The good thing about this one is its size and power. Small and still packs a good punch.
- 4 screaming-loud (130 mW per channel) stereo headphone amps. Probably more than what you’ll need.
- Solid and wide full dynamic range
- Room Control monitor with level control
- You can even add more units in a daisy chain too!
- Compact 1/3U rack-mount chassis
- Mono summing as needed for any good mixing engineer.
Virtual Instruments
You don’t want to be without a healthy library of virtual instruments. If you’re a music producer then this is probably a no-brainer. But if you run a studio that is mostly used for tracking purposes, it’s an easy thing to overlook. I have found myself needing to replace a piano or drum part after my guys left the recording studio. Having a diverse library of sounds saved me. Especially when in came to drum replacement in a pro tools session.
I recommend Native Instruments Komplete 11 Select Software Suite.
It comes loaded with over 2500 sounds and covers basically any music genre. With over 25 Gb of instruments and effects, you’ll have plenty to toy within the virtual instrument world!
See The 5 Basic Things Needed In A Home Recording Studio too!