Invest in an upgraded computer, if necessary. Recording music requires a lot of space and memory, so your current personal computer may not be able to shoulder the demands of a studio application. The keys are processing speed, random access memory (RAM) and hard disk space. These three elements are critical to the success of your personal recording studio and your budget should be allocated to give them the most weight. For studio recording applications, opt for at least a dual-core processor. A quad core is even better and will be much quicker during sound processing. Four gigabytes of RAM should be considered the minimum with eight being desirable. A terabyte hard drive will ensure you have plenty of space for bulky sound files.
Choose an appropriate sound card. The average sound card that comes with a computer system is probably not sufficient to handle the needs of a personal recording studio. Visit your local computer accessories dealer and look for high-end sound cards to ensure needed digital sound quality. SoundBlaster cards are renowned in this field. Consider a Firepod if you expect to record multiple instruments at the same time. A Firepod has more inputs and distributes the data in a way that allows each instrument to be recorded on an individual track. This is useful if you expect to record live bands as opposed to track-by-track recording.
Examine devices that can help in the recording process. A mixing board with a good pre-amp can make recording easier by applying power to the signal without amplifiers. This is good for straight-line recording. A guitar or vocal mic can be plugged straight into the mixing board and be amplified by the board itself. This eliminates loss-prone microphone recordings because the sound is recorded directly off the board.
Choose a recording software package appropriate for your needs. Popular packages include Cool Edit Pro, Cakewalk and Pro Tools. Cool Edit Pro is a user-friendly, lower-end package appropriate for basic recordings. Higher-end packages like Cakewalk and Pro Tools are normally found in professional studios. These programs offer many more options when it comes to effects, signal processing and mastering, but with that comes the need for more computer processing power. If you plan on using Cakewalk or Pro Tools, consider investing in the most RAM you can afford and don't settle for less than a quad core.
Don't let your budget cause you to skimp on microphone choices. Remember, all the processing in the world will not make up for a bad mic. Mics are designed for specific purposes. Visit your local music store and ask to see vocal mics and instrument mics. If necessary, ask for guidance form a knowledgeable employee. Shure is one of the most popular mics in both categories. Shure mics can cost thousands of dollars, but affordable models are available for personal studio purposes and provide quality sound.
Make your recording studio as soundproof as possible by sealing off windows. Buy some sheet rock and cover them. Use curtains to conceal the sheet rock. This will help keep the music in and extraneous noises out. Soundproofing will also minimize annoyance to others in the house, as well as neighbors. If you plan on recording live drums and bands, consider more extensive soundproofing solutions. This can include extra insulation over the walls and placing egg-crate insulation over windows and areas where the most sound escapes.
Create an isolation closet for recording mic'd guitars through amps or vocals. Isolating this recording from extraneous sound is the most important thing you can do to preserve quality. Isolation means the isolated recording microphone will not capture other sounds from the studio room. This eliminates the need for everyone to be quiet while the recording is taking the place because the "isolation booth" prevents sound from other sources seeping in.