Context: If you are a singer or recording enthusiast, then this article is for you. Ever though that it takes lakhs of rupees to setup your own “recording studio” and hence stopped thinking beyond. Well, its not over. The solution exists!
Requirement: It all boils down to what you want to do with the recording studio. Its not always “return of investment” but “satisfaction on investment” (read mental peace) which differentiates artists with business people. There are only few on this planet who can balance this while others enjoy one side and consider other side as @#$% J
Be sure of why you want this studio for. You may choose step wise upgrade as well – being wise.
Basics: To record your song you need following:
1) Karaoke track – a song track without voice (get tonnes of them free on youtube OR just get it from some professionals who give it for few hundreds)
2) Recording device (mic)
3) Mixer to mix the karaoke track and your voice to “make” your own song.
Categorisation as per Budget and User Level (Idea is that you keep getting better at what you do!):
Novice (Budget = Rs 0): First category of people, who don’t worry about quality but all for free. Given this communicative world, you would already have a smart phone with you. There are multiple apps to record voice (probably a native app already available to record voice). There are few apps like “AudioDroid”, where you can play a native file (karaoke track) and additionally record your voice too. The mixing is a little tedious job given that its on mobile. Once you get used to the mixing, its good option. Caution: I used AudioDroid once and uninstalled it. I didn’t like the mixing.
Simply, use Apps like “Smule” with utmost simplicity and a very nominal cost.
Requirement: It all boils down to what you want to do with the recording studio. Its not always “return of investment” but “satisfaction on investment” (read mental peace) which differentiates artists with business people. There are only few on this planet who can balance this while others enjoy one side and consider other side as @#$% J
Be sure of why you want this studio for. You may choose step wise upgrade as well – being wise.
Basics: To record your song you need following:
1) Karaoke track – a song track without voice (get tonnes of them free on youtube OR just get it from some professionals who give it for few hundreds)
2) Recording device (mic)
3) Mixer to mix the karaoke track and your voice to “make” your own song.
Categorisation as per Budget and User Level (Idea is that you keep getting better at what you do!):
Novice (Budget = Rs 0): First category of people, who don’t worry about quality but all for free. Given this communicative world, you would already have a smart phone with you. There are multiple apps to record voice (probably a native app already available to record voice). There are few apps like “AudioDroid”, where you can play a native file (karaoke track) and additionally record your voice too. The mixing is a little tedious job given that its on mobile. Once you get used to the mixing, its good option. Caution: I used AudioDroid once and uninstalled it. I didn’t like the mixing.
Simply, use Apps like “Smule” with utmost simplicity and a very nominal cost.
Intermediate (Budget = Laptop + Rs 0): Second category of people, who want OK quality with least money (almost free). BTW, I started with this as my first setup.
Setup requires:
1) Laptop/Desktop
2) Headset with microphone (as you get it in mobile). You may choose to get a better quality speaker/mic set. Go for Sennheiser which will cost around Rs 1000.
3) Audacity software (freeware)
Options to help you choose:
Pros: Its for Free (given you have a laptop with you), Easy to use Audacity options, editing (pitch, tempo, cut/copy/paste) of karaoke track and voice possible.
Cons: Lots of options in Audacity makes you feel tired. Ok Quality recording.
Note: There are two types of mixer in market – Analog and Digital. Analog are easy to use and handle, but Digital ones provide flexibility to “edit” tracks as well.
Expert Recording: Using Analog Mixer (Budget = Laptop + Rs 13000): This category of people want a good grade of quality over money spent
Setup requires:
1) Laptop/Desktop (for recording only)
2) Analog Mixer. Better to get a good make of Mixer. There are multiple “port” mixer. Port in simple terms means how may multiple recordings can happen in parallel. Get a 2 port mixer. I will suggest “Yamaha” over any other mixer to start with. You can go for “Studiomaster” which is also good. Estimated cost = Rs 8000
3) Microphone. You can get a good mic starting Rs 4000. I will suggest to go for Sennheiser which are very good as compared to other similar costing mic.
4) Headset (as you get it in mobile). You may choose to get a better quality speaker/mic set. Go for Sennheiser which will cost around Rs 1000.
5) Audacity software (freeware)
Options to help you choose:
Pros: Mixer knobs easy to handle. Very easy setup. Use the setup for small “music show” as well. Editing of sound track possible via Audacity.
Cons: Quality of recording is dependent on mic/mixer/surrounding noise. Editing of sound track limited to “mixed” tracks (cant be don’t individually on karaoke track and recorded voice. You don’t hear the recorded voice.
Proud Owners: Using Digital Mixer (Budget = Laptop + Rs 25000): This category of people want a professional grade of quality and worry little about money. This is first “true” recording studio.
Setup requires:
1) Laptop/Desktop
2) Digital Audiobox (Mixer). Best way to record/edit the voice. I will recommend ProSonus 2 port AudioBox USB. Easily it fits into laptop USB and best part is that the Professional Software comes free with this AudioBox. Estimated cost = Rs 15000
3) Microphone. You can get a good mic starting Rs 4000. I will suggest to go for Sennheiser which are very good as compared to other similar costing mic. For better quality recording, go for condenser mic, which cost around Rs 15000. Mic Accessories (mic Stand, music stand) are excluded from this price, which may cost another Rs 1000 each.
4) Headset. This is used by singer to hear the track while recording. You can get a good headset starting Rs 3000. I will suggest to go for Sennheiser which are very good as compared to other similar costing headset.
5) Monitor Speakers. This is required if you plan to record for others. You need to listen to what singer is listening to. This needs to be good quality speakers, but to keep the cost low, use another headset.
Options to help you choose:
Pros: Mixer knobs on AudioBox are easy to handle. Multiple options to edit and “mix” track offline. Some software provide option to tune your voice (Autotuner).
Cons: A little tricky setup. Quality of recording is dependent on mic/surrounding noise. Professional Software is tough to learn.
Note: Sound Proofing is used to reduce noise during your recording. I have not covered this here as it’s common for all the setups. The simple rule is – better the mic quality (sensitivity), you need better sound proofing.
Enthusiast: Manish Khare (available @ manishkumar.khare@gmail.com)
Setup requires:
1) Laptop/Desktop
2) Headset with microphone (as you get it in mobile). You may choose to get a better quality speaker/mic set. Go for Sennheiser which will cost around Rs 1000.
3) Audacity software (freeware)
Options to help you choose:
Pros: Its for Free (given you have a laptop with you), Easy to use Audacity options, editing (pitch, tempo, cut/copy/paste) of karaoke track and voice possible.
Cons: Lots of options in Audacity makes you feel tired. Ok Quality recording.
Note: There are two types of mixer in market – Analog and Digital. Analog are easy to use and handle, but Digital ones provide flexibility to “edit” tracks as well.
Expert Recording: Using Analog Mixer (Budget = Laptop + Rs 13000): This category of people want a good grade of quality over money spent
Setup requires:
1) Laptop/Desktop (for recording only)
2) Analog Mixer. Better to get a good make of Mixer. There are multiple “port” mixer. Port in simple terms means how may multiple recordings can happen in parallel. Get a 2 port mixer. I will suggest “Yamaha” over any other mixer to start with. You can go for “Studiomaster” which is also good. Estimated cost = Rs 8000
3) Microphone. You can get a good mic starting Rs 4000. I will suggest to go for Sennheiser which are very good as compared to other similar costing mic.
4) Headset (as you get it in mobile). You may choose to get a better quality speaker/mic set. Go for Sennheiser which will cost around Rs 1000.
5) Audacity software (freeware)
Options to help you choose:
Pros: Mixer knobs easy to handle. Very easy setup. Use the setup for small “music show” as well. Editing of sound track possible via Audacity.
Cons: Quality of recording is dependent on mic/mixer/surrounding noise. Editing of sound track limited to “mixed” tracks (cant be don’t individually on karaoke track and recorded voice. You don’t hear the recorded voice.
Proud Owners: Using Digital Mixer (Budget = Laptop + Rs 25000): This category of people want a professional grade of quality and worry little about money. This is first “true” recording studio.
Setup requires:
1) Laptop/Desktop
2) Digital Audiobox (Mixer). Best way to record/edit the voice. I will recommend ProSonus 2 port AudioBox USB. Easily it fits into laptop USB and best part is that the Professional Software comes free with this AudioBox. Estimated cost = Rs 15000
3) Microphone. You can get a good mic starting Rs 4000. I will suggest to go for Sennheiser which are very good as compared to other similar costing mic. For better quality recording, go for condenser mic, which cost around Rs 15000. Mic Accessories (mic Stand, music stand) are excluded from this price, which may cost another Rs 1000 each.
4) Headset. This is used by singer to hear the track while recording. You can get a good headset starting Rs 3000. I will suggest to go for Sennheiser which are very good as compared to other similar costing headset.
5) Monitor Speakers. This is required if you plan to record for others. You need to listen to what singer is listening to. This needs to be good quality speakers, but to keep the cost low, use another headset.
Options to help you choose:
Pros: Mixer knobs on AudioBox are easy to handle. Multiple options to edit and “mix” track offline. Some software provide option to tune your voice (Autotuner).
Cons: A little tricky setup. Quality of recording is dependent on mic/surrounding noise. Professional Software is tough to learn.
Note: Sound Proofing is used to reduce noise during your recording. I have not covered this here as it’s common for all the setups. The simple rule is – better the mic quality (sensitivity), you need better sound proofing.
Enthusiast: Manish Khare (available @ manishkumar.khare@gmail.com)
Very nice Manish!! Thanks for sharing..
ReplyDeleteGood article Manish, way to go .... Kiran
ReplyDelete