Keeping your computer streamlined will greatly enhance its performance when recording and editing music. If at all possible, use a computer dedicated to your studio work, but if your budget doesn't allow for this, at least remove or disable any unnecessary programs that use up the computer's memory and hard drive space. Such programs will slow down your computer and can lead to latency problems when recording. Similarly, it is advisable to avoid using this computer for web surfing, to help you avoid the possibility of music files becoming infected with viruses.
A designated recording space is essential if you want to remain focused on the music. Even if you don't have a separate room available for your studio, removing anything unrelated to recording from your immediate recording area will minimize distractions and help you create an environment suited to your musical endeavors.
Check all microphone and instrument cables and jacks to make sure that none of them are damaged. A cable or jack that functions intermittently, or is prone to buzzes and crackles, has the potential to ruin an otherwise faultless performance. Further, trying to identify faulty cables in the middle of a session can quickly kill any creative buzz you may have going on. Checking this equipment on a regular basis and repairing or replacing faulty parts will help keep your recording sessions running smoothly.
While effects like reverb, delay and compression can certainly add an attractive sheen and polish to your music, their overuse can have a detrimental effect. Many newcomers to home recording quickly add racks of effects processors to their studio space, thinking it makes their set up more professional. Unfortunately, the overuse of effects often makes recordings sound amateurish. A good rule is to be subtle in the amount of effects you dial in to a song, and then back off from it a little. A little goes a long way.
Music files are very large, and as you record more songs, your computer's hard drive will fill up quickly. Adding an external hard drive storage device to your home studio, and recording directly to it, will keep your computer's drive free of large files, as well as serving as a back-up should the computer crash. As an added bonus, external drives are portable, allowing you to easily transport files to other studios should you wish to collaborate with other recordists.
Headphones work well for tracking, but when the time comes to mix your tracks, they can leave a lot to be desired. Like home stereo speakers, headphones tend to color the sound due to the boosting of certain frequencies. It might sound pleasant, but it doesn't offer a true representation of the sound of the music. Adding a pair of flat-response studio monitor speakers to your home studio will enable you to evaluate your mixes accurately, making it easier to create mixes that sound good on various playback systems.
A brightly lit room may be suitable for many household chores, but it isn't too inspiring when it comes to creating music. A home studio should be a comfortable place, and creating a cool vibe isn't that difficult. A rug or two will work for decoration as well as sound absorption. In addition, a little music-themed artwork on the walls and some subdued mood lighting can work wonders in making your studio a relaxing yet creatively stimulating retreat.