So you are a musician and you want to take the next step. You want to record your music, but buying time in a professional studio is very expensive. With the advent of DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations), you can easily create a home studio. With a little persistence and a bit of cash you can accomplish this feat.

First, you need to make sure you have a computer, and if you do, you’re up to the task of essentially running a recording studio. You need to make sure your computer has enough free hard drive space.

Second, you need to make sure you have a sound card tailored for music production. This sound card must have ASIO (audio stream input, output), which will allow your music production to have low latency (delay time).

As for the recording of the music, you will need a DAW as I have already said. There are many DAWs to choose from, and they are basically an aesthetic choice. Some DAWS include Protools (the industry standard), Ableton Live, Logic, and FL Studio (formerly known as Fruity Loops). Some free alternatives include Audacity and Reaper.

If you plan on recording real live instruments, like guitar, you should invest in a mixer, but an inexpensive alternative is an audio interface like Audio Buddy ($50). For vocals, the condenser microphone is the industry standard. Most condenser microphones use “phantom power” (a method of sending DC electrical power to the condenser microphone), so make sure your audio interface or mixing console has it.

Accessories for your studio should include a midi keyboard, like the mid-air 37 or 25. A midi keyboard can control synths in your DAW and assignable controls, sending a signal to your DAW.

These are the essential components for a home studio. Obviously, there is more equipment you could buy, and higher priced equipment, but these tips will get you well on your way to a functional home studio.