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Equipment Needed for Audio Recordings - and Software Too


So, you want to make a decent audio recording of some music, or speech and want to know how? There are lots of blogs and YouTube videos out there on this, but some have way too much equipment listed. Here are the bare essentials:

  1. Condenser microphone as per the picture
  2. Audio interface
  3. Cables - XLR, USB, etc.
  4. A pop filter (for speech and vocals)
  5. A DAW - digital analogue workstation - which is the software you need
  6. A room or booth ('yurt') that has been sound-proofed and acoustically deadened
None of this will cost very much, in fact the software (the DAW) can be obtained for free. Some people swear by Audacity, but I prefer Cakewalk by Bandlab. The other option is just to look for an audio interface that has free software bundled with it. I got a very basic version of Ableton bundled with my Komplete Audio 2. Ableton does way more than you need it to, as it can be used for live performances, but is easy to use for recording. Another popular audio interface is the Focusrite Scarlett. 

In terms of getting your room deadened - pick a room that already has soft furnishings - then put mattresses over the windows and door. Or create a 'yurt' by hanging blankets over a structure you can sit inside. You might not want to do your recordings in 40 degrees C (104F) or more temperatures though!

If you want to use any electric instruments you'll also need a jack-to-jack or 'instrument' cable. Most audio interfaces will take these as well as XLR inputs from mics.

It's important that your audio interface has an option to output 48V phantom power for your mic, if you use a traditional condenser mic.

USB mics aren't a good idea if you want to use them with DAWs, but with audacity you could just use something like a FiFine USB mic and do away with the audio interface, if you want to keep things really simple.

So, have a look at some of the other YouTube videos, blogs etc. on this topic, but don't forget most of them are aimed at people who want to make home studios. If you just want to make occasional ad hoc recordings, this is the blog for you - and all the best with your recordings - but don't forget to get your levels right (see my other blog on this topic).

Oh, and by the way, if you want to record a synth, the best option is probably to buy a Midi Controller keyboard. These are also fairly inexpensive, but you'll need Cakewalk or Ableton or whatever to create the virtual instruments you'll use to make the actual sounds. There are lots of free VST (virtual instrument software) plugins out there you can use.

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