Choosing which hardware elements to implement into your studio mainly depends on what your objectives are. At a basic level, there are a few essential items, such as your audio interface and monitor speakers. However, different approaches require other specialist items, such as outboard processors, pre-amps and effects units.
A home computer is fine for basic recording, but keep in mind, the more ambitious your project, the more processing power/RAM your computer will need. However, a computer isn’t essential and there are other ways of recording, including handheld digital recorders, multitrack porta-studios and analogue tape set ups.
If you do use a computer you’ll require an audio interface. This will allow you to connect microphones, instruments and other signals to your computer, as well as giving you outputs for speakers and headphones. Here’s a handy guide:
If you’re recording vocals or live instruments you will need microphones. There are many different types of microphones, (dynamic, condenser, ribbon) all with different capabilities and uses. Condenser mics will require phantom power, so be sure your audio interface, pre-amp or mixer can apply this function. There are also USB mics too, which can bypass the need for an audio interface.
USB MIDI keyboards and controllers can be useful pieces of hardware too. They enable you to trigger all sorts of sounds from virtual instruments, program drum patterns and physically adjust parameters on your plugins/DAW.
A good pair of headphones and studio monitors are certainly well worth investing in. Again, try and go for the best you can afford.
Those wishing to add a more analogue flavour to their mix, may want to add outboard processors to their audio arsenal, such as compressors, effects, or preamp modules These can give an ‘analogue warmth’ to proceedings and hybrid mixing is becoming increasingly popular.
UCan Play, the company behind the Interface:Response project, can help secure you preferential pricing on all your technology purchases. Do contact us for further information and advice. Our mentors are here to provide you with free support too as part of the Interface:Response project in the UK.
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