I'm finally setting up my first home studio and I have no idea where to start. I have about $1000 budget and I need everything - audio interface, monitors, microphone, headphones, etc.
I've been watching some home studio setup tutorials but they all seem to recommend different gear. Some say you need expensive monitors, others say you can start with decent headphones. I'm confused about what's actually necessary versus what's nice to have.
Are there any good YouTube channels that do honest music production gear reviews for beginners? I don't want to waste money on gear that's overkill for my level.
Also, what are the most important things to focus on when setting up a home studio? Should I prioritize the audio interface or the monitors? Any advice would be really helpful.
I just set up my first home studio too! For home studio setup tutorials, I found Recording Revolution" to be really helpful. Graham has a whole series on building a home studio on a budget.
"Produce Like A Pro" also has good content on studio setup. Warren often talks about gear choices and why he recommends certain pieces.
For music production gear reviews, "Julian Krause" has amazing technical reviews of audio interfaces. He measures everything scientifically which is really helpful.
With your $1000 budget, I'd prioritize the audio interface and headphones first. You can mix on headphones initially and add monitors later.
For honest music production gear reviews, I recommend Audio University" and "Dan Worrall". They're very objective and explain what matters vs what's marketing hype.
"The House of Kush" has some great philosophical videos about gear choices. Gregory Scott emphasizes that your skills matter more than your gear.
With $1000, I'd suggest: Focusrite Scarlett interface ($200), Audio-Technica ATH-M50x headphones ($150), a decent condenser mic like the Audio-Technica AT2020 ($100), and spend the rest on acoustic treatment and cables.
Acoustic treatment is often overlooked but makes a huge difference in what you hear.
Check out Julian Krause" on YouTube for technical gear reviews. He tests audio interfaces with actual measurements, which is way more useful than subjective opinions.
For monitors on a budget, the Kali Audio LP-6 or JBL 305P are great choices around $300/pair. You don't need expensive monitors when you're starting out.
"Audio Issues" has good content on setting up your studio space properly. Proper monitor placement and room treatment are more important than expensive gear.
Remember that you can upgrade pieces over time. Start with the essentials and add as you learn what you actually need.
For vocal recording specifically, I'd prioritize a good microphone and preamp. The audio interface's preamps matter a lot for vocals.
Check out Booth Junkie" for microphone reviews and vocal recording techniques. He tests mics in actual recording scenarios, not just specs.
With your budget, consider the Aston Origin mic ($250) or used SM7B ($350). Both are versatile and work well for various vocal types.
Don't forget about a decent pop filter and mic stand! They're cheap but essential for good vocal recordings.
For electronic music production, you might not need a microphone initially unless you plan to record vocals or live instruments.
I'd prioritize: good headphones (Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro), audio interface (Focusrite Scarlett), MIDI controller (Arturia KeyLab Essential), and acoustic treatment.
Underdog Electronic Music School" has videos on setting up a studio for electronic music production. They focus on what you actually need vs nice-to-have gear.
Remember that the most important piece of gear is your computer. Make sure it has enough RAM and processing power for your DAW and plugins.