As a beginner songwriter, artist or music producer, it’s  a good idea to have some kind of recording setup in your home. It’s a great way to get creative ideas out, hear what you sound like, experiment with your style, and cut your teeth in the production of your own music.

It may be awhile before you’re ready to cut some tracks in a professional studio (for some of you, you might be closer than you think). That’s the beauty of home recording technology. It’s cheap, it’s easy, and it can point your music in a direction that saves you a lot of time and money should you decide to professionally record your own project.

Don’t play music or aren’t that experienced with digital audio? No problem. If you know how to use a mouse and keyboard to copy and paste, you have the skills to produce your own music.

There are an infinite number of potential setups. What I’ve included here are the basic recommendations for a complete novice to get started. Be sure to click on the links for more in-depth product reviews on specific items:

Home Computer

Chances are if you’re reading this, you own or have access to a home computer. This is an essential device for a beginner, because most everyone knows how to operate a mouse and keyboard. There is software (reviewed below) that can turn your computer into a virtual recording studio, so no need to go spending money on tape machines, complicated sound boards, and racks of processing gear. Click here to see my post on best computers for music (including ways to upgrade your existing computer).

USB Microphones and Audio Devices

It’s all about USB, if you want to keep it simple (at least on the home front). USB microphones and audio cables transfer the audio data directly into digital format. This reduces a lot of noise, and takes out a lot of the extra processing power a computer needs to convert a signal from analog to digital. Click here to see my post on USB recording devices.

MIDI Devices

Just in case you didn’t know, MIDI (musical instrument digital interface) is a type of computer language.  MIDI converts notes played on a compatible instrument (keyboard, guitar, drum pad, drum machine), and transfers them in digital language. Instead of a waveform, the notes are recorded just as they are played. This is great if you want to see notation, need to correct mistakes fast, or want to program sequences (drum tracks, synths, bass lines, etc). It makes transposing into other keys and tempos far easier too. Click here to see a post on MIDI instruments and devices.

Music Production Software

So this is where your mainframe is. All that complicated stuff that you want to do, can be housed in a single software package. There are many software programs out there on the market. As a beginner, it’s best to choose one that has broad functions (MIDI, digital audio recording, loop sampling, processing/effects, mixing). Click here to see my recommendations on music production software for beginners (includes Windows and Macintosh suggestions).

Headphones/Speakers

You need quality headphones to hear your music mix up close, but also quality speakers to hear the mix out in the “real world”. Click here to see my recommendations on headphones and speakers.

There are plenty of options out there for getting a music production setup that works for your needs. It can be a very economical way of developing your sound, and getting ready for the real deal of professional recording and production.

Peace,

Bret J. Piontek

p.s. You can learn the basics of music production with Music Producer Pro, a course that offers video tutorials online.

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