The art of sound recording is one that has been alive since recording devices became reality. There was a time when music could only be heard live, and when the phonograph was finally invented, people were able to hear music in their homes for the first time, even if it wasn’t exactly live quality. Today, recording is a bit more complicated, a bit more intricate, and the equipment is much higher quality.

While it was once the sole domain of recording studios and rich tycoons, it can now be done within the comfort of your own home so long as you are willing to invest the money in the proper equipment. Don’t worry, it’s much easier than it sounds, and there are a lot of home based recording studios out there. Then again, maybe a home based studio isn’t quite what you’re into. Maybe you are simply setting up a commercial recording studio and aren’t sure where to start. Don’t worry, we’ve put together a brief list of the music recording equipment that you will need to get started.

Start with the Preamp

If you have ever worked with record equipment before then you probably know that you need to plug your guitar and microphone in, but one of the most common rookie mistakes out there is plugging the equipment directly into the recording interface. This tends to produce a transparent sound, and it just doesn’t sound natural. This is where the preamp comes into play.

What is a Preamp?

The preamp is a fairly inexpensive piece of studio recording equipment, obtainable for around $50 and it will simply change the way your guitar or microphone sounds. When you are making your purchase, make sure that you look at the types of preamps available. From tube preamps, to hybrids, to solid state, they all provide different benefits, and it all depends upon what you as the recording artist prefer. Also remember that you’re going to need a balanced audio cable like a TSR or XLR if you want to get the best output – many people make the mistake of using a standard instrument cable, and that’s just not the way to go.

Secondly, keep in mind that the output of the preamp will require a balanced audio cable such as a TSR or XLR cable. Don’t try and connect the preamp to your interface with just an instrument cable, even though it will fit into the input.

Condenser Microphones are Key

It might not be a surprise, but you do need to invest in a good condenser microphone when you are looking to buy home recording studio equipment. A condenser microphone allows you to record not only your voice, but also a number of other instruments including your guitar, mandolins, banjos, triangles, tambourines, drums, etc. You don’t have to spend a fortune on a condenser microphone, but you certainly can if you want to.

Software to Master With

In home recording studio equipment for sale, you will probably find that mastering software is a must. Once you record your track, you will probably play it back and find that it is nowhere near where you want it to be in terms of quality, which is why mastering software is so essential. You can use it to edit and modify individual tracks, ensuring that the copy released is the copy that you want people to hear. As an amateur or beginner, you will probably only invest about $200 or less in this type of software, but there is no doubt that you will enjoy the results you get.

Monitors and You

As you seek to buy sound recording equipment you will probably be looking into monitors, but you don’t need to buy the most expensive ones on the market. What you are going to find is that knowing the inner workings and characteristics of your monitor is just as important as the amount of money you invest, so make sure that you get something you can deal with.

As you can see, there are a lot of things for you to think about and consider when you are planning to look at sound recording equipment for sale, and so long as you make the right investments you will find that you can build an amazing home studio – one that you can be absolutely proud of for many years to come. It could just be your gateway to the professional world of sound recording.