Turns out, many indie artists are interested in home recording. From MIDI to mics, you have questions, and we have answers! Here are some answers to your home recording questions, and further recourses check out for even more information from industry pros.
Q: What’s a good inexpensive microphone?
A: Without a good mic, even the best sounding source will come through poorly. So you’ll
want to start at the source, with a good mic. Luckily, for budget conscious indie artists, there are a number to choose from under $200 that will get the job done without breaking the bank. Here are two options:
The Audix I5: If you have about $100 to spend on only one mic for your studio, get the Audix I5. Versatile and durable, it’s perfect for drums, guitar amps, horns, and more. It’s also made of bulletproof metal casing so if you use it on drums and smack it with your sticks, it will survive!
The Rode NT1: At $199, it’s one of the best values in recording microphones. With its warm, up-front characteristics and low self-noise it’s great for recording acoustic instruments and vocals. It’s also one of the quietest microphones on the market today.
Remember: not every microphone can do everything. As an indie artist, choose a mic that fits your budget, sounds good to you and meets your needs. These two mics offer a great combination of versatility and value so they’re worth checking out.
Q: What’s the best way to build your own baffles?
A: If you record at home, you’re smart to ask this question. Because as eager as you might be to record, you know that you’ve got to set up your gear properly before you start. And baffles are an important part of that set up because they help eliminate leakage, save your hearing and keep the neighbors from freaking out.
If you’re looking for a way to turn your recording space into an acoustically stable environment, you can do it with minimal materials and at a low cost. For awesome step by step directions, check out these instructions by Michael Drost from Tape Op that walk you through the creation of your own acoustic baffling — without breaking the bank.
More questions? Here are a thee message boards/forums worth checking out:
The SongCast Crew
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