By the Zonagirante.com team @spinning zone
Cover art by Zonagirante Studio
Some say there's nothing better than staying home and doing everything there., always have our library, our sound system, our kitchen, our bed close by. Others have decided they want to get away from the city and settle in the countryside (without ever losing their high-speed internet connection, of course). They want to watch the cows, dogs, and bears from their window while breathing fresher air. And then there are those who, even though they live on the eighth floor of a building in the city center, They feel that their favorite corner of life is in their room, from where they communicate with the world and from where they prefer not to leave. This happens to many people, including musicians. Many artists have decided to stay home and not travel during part or all of the recording process for new material, and yet, They have achieved interesting and highly notable productions. Similarly, others have decided to record demos of their brand-new compositions in the comfort of their own homes, ensuring their material is perfect after reviewing it repeatedly in private before heading to a professional studio. For all those considering this but with limited budgets, we've decided to revamp this Digital Destinations section, helping you build your own home studio.
We have set as a reasonable limit a budget of $1,000 USD, in order to assemble a home studio functional and high-quality for recording music or working on creative projects such as sound design and musical illustration. This is a guide to choosing essential equipment without exceeding that budget:
1. Computer ($0 – $500)
If you already have a computer, use it to save money in this area. Otherwise, look for affordable yet powerful audio options.
Used or inexpensive laptop: Look for one with at least:
Processor: Intel i5/i7 or AMD Ryzen 5.
RAM: 8-16 GB.
Storage: 256 GB SSD minimum.
Estimated price: $400-$500.
2. Audio interface ($100 – $150)
It's essential for converting analog signals to digital. Good budget-friendly options:
Focusrite Scarlett Solo (3rd Gen): Average $120
PreSonus AudioBox USB 96Average $100
Behringer UMC202HD: $100
3. Microphone ($70 – $150)
A versatile microphone for vocals and instruments is key:
Audio-Technica AT2020 (Capacitor): Approximately $100
Shure SM58 (Dynamic, more resistant): Approx. $100
Rode NT1-A (Condenser, with pop filter included): $150
4. Studio monitors or headphones ($100 – $200)
If you can't afford both, prioritize a good pair of headphones for mixing.
Earphones:
Audio-Technica ATH-M50X: $150
Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro: $150
Sony MDR-7506: $100
Studio monitors:
KRK Rokit 5 G4 (pair): $300 (if you can invest more).
PreSonus Eris E3.5: $100 (more economical).
5. DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) ($0 – $100)
The software for recording and editing:
Free:
Audacity (essential).
Cakewalk by BandLab (more complete).
GarageBand (if you have a Mac).
Paid:
Reaper: $60 (accessible and professional license).
FL Studio Fruity Edition: $99.
6. MIDI Controller ($50 – $100)
To produce digital music and control virtual instruments:
Akai MPK Mini MK3: $100
Arturia MiniLab 3: $100
7. Cables and accessories ($50)
Don't underestimate these small expenses:
XLR microphone cables: $15-$20.
Microphone stand: $20.
Pop filter: $10.
Homemade acoustic insulation: Build DIY panels with acoustic foam ($30-$50).
Approximate Total Budget: $920 – $1050. If you need to adjust, start with headphones instead of monitors and a free DAW.
Additional Tips:
Suitable space: Use a quiet room with minimal reverberation. You can cover the walls with rugs or thick curtains as an inexpensive alternative.
Optimize the equipmentLearn to use what you have to the fullest before investing more.
Buy usedPlatforms like eBay or Facebook Marketplace have good deals.
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For further inspiration, here are some examples of successful home-recorded albums:
Nebraska – Bruce SpringsteenHe used a 4-track portastudio at home and, although they were demos, the rawness of the result made it the official album.
For Emma, Forever Ago – Bon Iver: Recorded in a cabin in Wisconsin, this intimate and melancholic album launched him to fame.
McCartney – Paul McCartneyAfter the Beatles, Paul recorded this album at home, playing everything himself.
Yeezus – Kanye WestAlthough it was mixed in large studios, many ideas emerged from home setups, with an experimental approach.
Up – REM.They explored new techniques in home spaces, making it clear that technological evolution begins at home.
Odelay – BeckHe mixed simple equipment with a lot of creativity, achieving a fresh and unique sound.
Visions – GrimesHe used GarageBand in his apartment and created an innovative electronic album, all DIY.
Tubular Bells – Mike OldfieldBorn in a home studio, this instrumental album even made it into a movie The Exorcist.
The Glow Pt. 2 – The Microphones: Pure home experimentation that resulted in a unique and hypnotic work.
Colors – Between the Buried and MeThey experimented in their home studio before finishing it in a professional one.
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The truth is, the most important thing is to get things done. Anywhere. The world needs more music. We can record in an exquisite studio next to a volcano in Iceland, or economically in the library of the studio apartment we live in. The important thing is to let the whole planet know (or whoever we can reach) that there are still songs needed to save us. Anyway, I hope this collection of data has been useful to help your local independent scene grow, which it so desperately needs.
