Help me build a home studio from scratch?

[Ambientsounds]

I’m looking to set up a home studio. I have an iPad Pro & MacBook Pro, that’s it.

I’ve been looking at kit & see so much crossover. Keyboards with drum pads and Sequencers and sliders, and then dedicated Drum Machines & Sequencers & Mixers. And I see these functions can all be done in DAWs too……
I really don’t know where to start?

The only thing I do know is I don’t like mini keys! From a couple of visits to shops, I’m shocked how even big reputable names sell keyboards with really cheap nasty plastic keys. Why?

Budget is flexible. Say £2000 (not including monitors), but more if there’s better to be had. I want stuff I will keep a while, not be upgrading in a few months.

So if you had to start again, how would you set up?

Thanks in advance.

[Sam Spoons]

From your forum name (welcome BTW) and the gear you mention I'm guessing you won't be recording acoustic sounds or vocals? In which case you'll need some kind of audio interface, headphones or monitors and some kind of input device. A stereo USB interface, some decent open back headphones and a keyboard controller with drum pads will get you started and most of the well known brands will serve well.

Inside the computer you'll need a DAW and a collection of virtual instruments, if you have experimented with Garage Band and want something more sophisticated Logic is the... er... logical choice and comes with enough VSTis to be getting on with. £2000 will be more than enough for an 'in the box' setup and probably some half decent monitors too*.

Beyond that, tell us what experience you already have, for example you mention sliders (faders) so are you thinking of mixing with physical faders? After that you could ask specific questions when you see something you like the look of and somebody with knowledge of your genre and the bits of kit will probably pop up with some more useful answers?

* I am going to say it if you get monitors to mix on you will need to get some acoustic treatment in your mixing space, it can be difficult if that is also a living room but it can be done and the difference even some fairly basic treatment makes is huge.

[The Elf]

If I was to give you a list of what *I* would choose on a fresh start, then I doubt it would truly help.

My only suggestion is to be patient and take time with that money. If you blow that budget in one kick you *will* regret it. Start simple and build your knowledge such that *you* understand what *you* need and want.

Other than a controller keyboard there's no need to go spending that money until you understand what you are getting into. Grab a cheap (full size - I share your hatred of minikeys) controller keyboard, download a few DAW trials and see how you feel about them. Most DAWs will have at least a couple of virtual instruments. Between these and the plethora of free softsynths available I doubt you'll be wanting for anything for a while.

For a controller keyboard I would start the search with the budget-friendly iRig Keys 2 (they do a full-sized keys 3-octave version), or iRig Keys I/O (4-octave, but lacks 'traditional' mod and pitch controllers). If you aspire to more keys, maybe look at something like the Novation Launchkeys, or Arturia KeyLab range. None of these keyboards have aftertouch, but this may not bother you. All of these options I've mentioned have some form of knob/slider/button controllers on board, which you may find useful in future. the iRig keyboards even have some basic audio interface features (no audio *inputs* in the iRig Keys 2).

All of these keyboard options will come with a smattering of bundled software, so you can begin your learning process there. Ableton Live (Lite) seems to be ever-present in these kind of bundles, which is not my thing, but it would get you started.

After this you may need to start thinking about an audio interface, but your computer's own audio will suffice to get started.

[Ambientsounds]

Thanks @Sam Spoons

- Yes, I will want to record Analogue. I didn't mention that I have guitars (limited playing ability , but..). So yes, guitars & vocals.

- Experience : I'm really starting from scratch. Never recorded anything. I've been playing with Garage Band on my iPad. Obviously limited without a keyboard or any input device.
The question about the Faders, my understanding of recording is you need a Mixer & multi tracks. I know they exist in DAWs, but I also see Keyboards with Pads & knobs & sliders as well as separate Mixers and hardware sequencers. So much crossover. I don't know where to start?

- Yes, I am definitely aware of the effect of a room & need for Treatment. My first priority is try to get going recording.

Thanks @The Elf

- Interesting you mention iRig. My internet research pointed to iRig & Arturia as models I wanted to try. The shop I went to didn't have iRig, so I wasn't able to try it.

- Yes, I will definitely download some DAW trials. See which one I can get my head round.

So if you guys were starting again, would you not have a physical Mixer to control your DAW?

[Sam Spoons]

I have a physical mixer and would do so again as my background is in live sound with recording being very much a hobby for me. But in your case I'd buy a mid price USB interface with 2 mic inputs and at least one instrument input from Focusrite, MOTU or similar and then try demos of Logic Pro and Reaper. Logic will be most similar to Garage Band and has, I believe, a good set of virtual instruments included but is fairly expensive compared to Reaper*. Whichever DAW you choose will have a learning curve so it may be better to make a decision early on and then learn to use what you have rather than spend the next two years trying out different DAWs.

* I use Reaper but I don't really use virtual instruments so that may be a deal breaker for you. If not it is very good and several forum members use it.

[RichardT]

I don’t have a physical mixer. Some people do, though.

I would start with the bare minimum and see how you get on with that, as outlined by the Elf. The bare minimum is pretty close to what I have myself, though I do have an audio interface.

I work 95% of the time on phones and listen on monitors just during final mixing. To get a good sound on monitors you need to spend a good chunk of money and acoustically treat your room. On phones it’s much simpler and cheaper to get going, though most people do listen on monitors at some point.

[ajay_m]

You might want to take a look at the Akai MPC key 61. At just over £1,100 from Thomann you get a decent 61 note keybed, some drumpads, a very nice crisp clear large multi-touch touchscreen, and in my opinion about the best sounds I've heard from a keyboard, along with sequencing, sampling and the ability to connect external audio inputs (2 channels) PLUS it will connect class-compliant external audio interfaces.

I have its sibling, the Force (keyboardless of course) and it works brilliantly with both a KA6MK2 and a KMI K-Mix effectively giving you a pile of inputs and you can multi-track record and mix right on the device itself, no need for a DAW at all. (the two devices share a lot of DNA, but the key 61 has twice the RAM (4G) and I think a four core processor instead of two cores.

It will also accept a low-cost SSD which you can fit into the bottom of the unit, so given a 512G SSD costs very little, this gives you a huge amount of storage for samples and projects.

Akai include a bunch of plugins on the key 61 which are extra cost on their other devices (e.g the Force) and these include a superb set of acoustic pianos, electric pianos and a terrific organ with drawbars you can move in realtime on the touchscreen.

The only significant negatives I can think of are that sequencing in non-4/4 times is a bit tricky, the Akai range just doesn't really do non-standard time signatures, nor do they have tempo automation currently. Both of these are long-standing requests from the community and since the Force was first released, an enormous amount of functionality such as disk streaming has been added by Akai in the form of firmware updates - so who knows?. But then if you do decide to set up a DAW, Akai offer fairly good interoperability, particularly with Ableton, so you can export stuff out to the DAW and then work on it there if you wanted.

[Ambientsounds]

Thank you guys. Some reassuring advice here, I now realise I don’t have to rush out & buy a load of gear to get started. Rather try out a few DAWS first, using the on screen controls and decide what I need from there.

I just found out I’m being “re gifted” a keyboard I bought for my daughter years ago. Roland Fantom X6. That looks like it has most of the features I need.

I should mention I’m currently working away from home in Germany, so I can’t get stuck in yet. I was originally looking for a small portable keyboard so I can get going with my iPad. I went to a massive Dv247 place to buy one, but was put off by the cheap plastic mini keys, so decided to wait till I’m finished. Probably 6-8 weeks time.

So what about when I buy Monitors, do I not need a Mixer then? The Monitors don’t have Volume control do they? So need a Mixer?

[RichardT]

You can control the volume in your DAW, or your audio interface if you get one.

[Ambientsounds]

You can control the volume in your DAW, or your audio interface if you get one.

Thanks Richard. So the Audio Interface is a 2-way thing.

[RichardT]

Yes, it handles audio in and out.

[The Elf]

So if you guys were starting again, would you not have a physical Mixer to control your DAW?

A thousand times NO! Mixers are a choice, not a requirement. The last thing I want between *my* sound sources and my DAW is a mixer adding distortion, cross-talk and noise. Some mixers also reduce their multiple inputs down to a stereo pair into the DAW (after all, 'mixers' exist to 'mix') - you need to avoid that.

But are you talking about a 'mixer-like' *control surface* for a DAW? If so that wouldn't be a priority for me. Useful, yes, but waaaaay down the list. All of the keyboards I mentioned above have some controller functions and these can be pressed into service as basic DAW controllers.

[Sam Spoons]

I think it's fair to say that if you haven't used a mixer* then you definitely don't need one, the DAW will do all that stuff. And while you can manage without an audio interface you will find recording with 'proper' mics is impossible without one.

* I definitely prefer working with a mixer but I have been recording since the days of tape before computer audio was even a twinkle in somebody clever's eye. Even if I had not my live sound experience means I'm more comfortable with 'real' faders.

[Drew Stephenson]

And if you do subsequently decide you want some hands-on control you can buy a control surface. But as the Elf says, that should be waaaay down the list of priorities.

[Aled Hughes]

I'd agree, forget about I mixer unless you find out down the line that you need one.

I work at a commercial studio, and we have a massive 56-channel* Amek mixer. It only ever gets switched on if we need to record more than 8 mic channels at a time, because it's the only way we have of doing that. Even then, it's only used as a collection of microphone inputs. Of course it's there if we need it, or should somebody wish to do a full analogue mixdown or use the tape machine or something... but I would never want one in my home studio!

*In fact, it's not 56-channel anymore - we cut it down to 24 as we had better use for the space.

If you find a cheap-ish audio interface with all the inputs and outputs you'd need to use simultaneously, you'll be in a good place to start learning. Of course, there will extra kit you want down the line, but learn to use what you have and you'll be better placed to judge what to spend your money on.

Don't fall into the trap of not learning to use what you have, or you might find yourself spending a load of money on something that does what you already had... only you didn't know!

The only thing that really make the recording I do at the studio (with a huge mixer, expensive preamps, "legendary" mics and hardware etc) markedly better than the ones I do out and about with a 2in / 2out audio interface are the room acoustics, more available time, and perhaps a space that aids concentration and performance.

Also, the only things that really makes a marked improvement between the location recordings I do now with a £700 RME Babyface Pro compared to the ones I did years ago with a £50 M-Audio Fast-Track is experience.**

**I'm not saying my recordings are good. It's just that they're better than they were!

[tea for two]

I’m looking to set up a home studio. I have an iPad Pro & MacBook Pro, that’s it.

You've got ipad pro : acquiring Logic proX on subscription I pay £4.99 a month via paypal on my 2018 ipad pro, a headphone I would recommend £30 Superlux Evo Hd681 my desert island headphones (I've auditioned £3K headphones, purrchased couple £300 headphones) hopefully your ipad has headphone port, a usb Class Compliant MiDi keyboard I have a £50 oxygen mk3 49full size keys by maudio to plug into ipad pro usbC port.
Thereafter just use Logic proX bundled sounds to make albuume on ipad pro there's so many quality sounds in Logic proX including ambient ethnic orchestral keys pianos synths percussion drums.
iPad touchscreen makes Logic proX straightforward.

::

Just before lockdown I purrchased a £50 macbook pro 2010, Logic proX, during lockdown £30 Superlux Evo Hd681 headphones plugged into headphone port of macbook, Korg Nano mk2 MiDi keyboard.
I did an albuume 10pieces mix of styles from pseudo orchestral to ambient to edm using Logic's bundled sounds, 1 piece a hard rock I'd done years before.
I handed this albuume over in person to a Grammy winning mastering engineer : engineer enjoyed the albuume happy with the mix happy to master it : I couldn't afford the amount, my usb stick albuume is still with the mastering engineer lol.

[James Perrett]

I'd say that a single fader control surface is actually quite useful - it means that you can adjust the level of something without looking at a screen which, for me, can produce better results.

I have a big mixing desk in the studio but I use very few of the facilities on it these days.

[The Elf]

I'd say that a single fader control surface is actually quite useful...

I agree completely with this. I still do miss my old AlphaTrack. It was much more useful than any of the multi-fader controllers I've had and used, always there under my left hand.

[Arpangel]

My advice, based on many failures, is to build your studio around your monitors, and work from there.
Get some acoustic treatment, and let monitor placement take priority.
If you don’t get this right, you’ll always be uneasy, moving stuff around.
There are basic rules that are easily found, avoid corners, give your monitors room to breathe, away from walls.
As far as recording equipment goes, I'm not going to say anything, a lot of it is personal, all I'd say is try out anything you intend to buy. Advice here about definite technical issues is fine, and magazine/Youtube reviews are OK to get a vague idea, but treat those as a rough guide only.

[James Perrett]

I'd say that a single fader control surface is actually quite useful...

I agree completely with this. I still do miss my old AlphaTrack. It was much more useful than any of the multi-fader controllers I've had and used, always there under my left hand.

The Alphatrack is what I have here - I find it very handy. There are various other single fader controllers like the Presonus Faderport but I don't know how they compare with the Alphatrack.

[Ambientsounds]

Thanks for all the brilliant advice so far!

I must stress this is initially just a intended as a hobby for me. I'm neither musically talented or IT literate. Nor am I bursting with artistic imagination, so can't see me producing any smash hits just yet

So the Monitors & Room Treatment can wait.
I first need to get my head round the process & make some tunes..

My plan is to start trying to recreate tunes, to learn how it works.

So..say I want to recreate the classic Giorgio Moroder, I Feel Love, which is the best DAW to do that?
I can't seem to do it in Garageband. I can create Drum patterns/loops, but can't find any similar interface to do it with Synth notes.
I want to input the note, start the Arpeggio, then trigger the key changes.

What is the best tool to do this?

Thanks again!

[James Perrett]

While it may be a little geeky, my lad has been having fun recently with VCV Rack

https://vcvrack.com/

which is a virtual modular synth and appears to be good at producing those old 70's synth sounds.

I would say that the key to learning is just to experiment and gradually add things to your setup. If you try to add or change too much at once things will just become very confusing.

[The Elf]

So..say I want to recreate the classic Giorgio Moroder, I Feel Love, which is the best DAW to do that?

There isn't 'a best'. You could do that in any DAW, including the one you have. It'a all about learning to use your tools.

There are oodles of free synths out there that would do what you want. Some of my favourites are from Full Bucket Music - this one would do the 'I Feel Love' pattern - as long as you understand how to create the sequencer pattern and time the echo:
https://www.fullbucket.de/music/monofury.html

Take a look at their other stuff - they would keep you busy for months.

That said, one of the reasons I like Cubase is that it comes bundled with a few synths that are perfectly capable of providing the basic tools to create an entire song - including Retrologue, which would do a decent job of all those analogue synth sounds.

[Arpangel]

I would say that the key to learning is just to experiment and gradually add things to your setup. If you try to add or change too much at once things will just become very confusing.

My modular has been growing since 2012, and I’m still confused.
I still buy modules and sell them, I was down in the basement tonight rearranging cabinets, it never ends, it goes with the territory, I would say to anyone, if you don’t like that prospect, stay away.
I still do it, because I can't get my sounds from anything else, in the same way, with one knob per function on such a large scale, with the degree of randomness that's possible, nothing else comes close.
You can start small, or big, it makes no difference, whatsoever.
You will eventually gravitate to where your musical spirit takes you, and where you are destined to be, albeit by a mysterious route, just go with it, and stick to your guns.

[tea for two]

say I want to recreate the classic Giorgio Moroder, I Feel Love

Possibly the most famouse sequence in Dance Electronica. Giorgio said he was inspired to make this sequence after hearing JmJarre Oxygene5 sequence : at 27min57sec.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5ab7tIZNp ... JyZQ%3D%3D