Are home studios any good?
Why a home studio?
Building a personal home studio has become increasingly feasible due to advancements in technology and accessibility. Many artists favor the utilization of a smaller studio for various reasons, including cost-effectiveness, enhanced accessibility to studio sessions, and the comfort and familiarity of creating in a familiar environment, resulting in greater creativity and artistic expression.
What do you need?
Main Gear:
1- Computer: the center of the studio. A powerful machine to host software applications.
2- Software: a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), virtual instruments, plugins, etc.
3- Audio Interface: to manage input and output audio sources.
4- Monitors: to hear the music.
5- Microphone: to record vocals, instruments, foley, etc.
Optional Gear:
6- Midi Controller: to trigger sounds and record midi notes.
7- External Instruments: guitars, drums, strings, etc.
8- External Audio Processors: analog and digital channel strips, compressors, effects, etc.
9- Mixer: analog/digital, or control surfaces.
10- Acoustic Treatment: to improve the acoustic quality of the studio by absorbing and diffusing sounds.
How much does it cost?
The cost of a home studio varies greatly depending on one's budget. The range can span from $1,500 to over $1,500,000 taking into account various factors such as the size of the room, computing power, analog versus digital preferences, plugin quality, external instruments, and acoustic treatment. Based on my personal experience building three home studios for myself and five for friends and clients over the past six years, I would estimate that an ideal budget of $5,000 USD would provide sufficient coverage for the essential components of a semi-professional home studio.
Example of a similar setup: (price rounded to the nearest dollar)
Computer: Dell XPS 15 (2,000$)
Software: Cubase Pro 12 (600$) + Fabfilter Mastering Bundle (440$) + Native Instruments Komplete 14 Standard (600$) + Stock plugins (Free)
(Read a blog I wrote about some of the best free VST instruments and plugins: Blog)
Audio Interface: Scarlett 2i2 3rd gen (160$)
Monitors: Yamaha HS5 (400$)
Microphone: Dynamic Shure MV7 Price: (250$) + Condenser: Rode NT1-A (200$)
Midi Controller: M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 (120$)
Cables: XLR Cable (30$) + Instrument Cable (20$) + 2x TRS Cables (40$)
External SSD: Samsung T7 1TB (160$)
Conclusion
Upgrading both hardware and software should be considered a priority. As projects become more complex and as skills progress, it may become necessary to have greater computing capabilities, and updated technology to meet the evolving nature of this industry and ensure effectiveness.
This is just my opinion based on my professional experience with home studios. I really believe that having such setup on top of possessing the necessary production skills and knowledge are enough to embark on a successful music-making journey.
Below are photos of some of the studios that I have built
