Musical Gear

Musical Keyboards.. Which One to Buy and Why?

Tony — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 09:14:48 +0000

If you’re interested in learning a new instrument or you want to create your own music, then a musical keyboard is an excellent starting place. These electronic keyboards offer a range of features that traditional instruments lack, making them popular choices for both beginners and professionals. That being said, it can be difficult to know where to begin when it comes to buying your own musical keyboard. In this blog post, we’ll outline the most important factors to consider when purchasing a musical keyboard and compare some of the best options currently available on the market.

Type of Keyboard – When it comes to choosing the right type of keyboard, it’s essential to consider your skill level. If you’re a newcomer, then a novice keyboard would be a perfect choice. The keyboard will feature pre-installed song banks, lessons that guide you on how to play, and many musical instrument sounds to choose from. On the other hand, if you’re a professional who wants more functionality, you’ll need an advanced keyboard that features everything from extensive recording and sound editing capabilities to sophisticated synthesis and workstation features.

Keys – The number of keys is what makes a keyboard playable, with many different variations available. A standard keyboard features 88 keys, which is similar to a piano. In contrast, a 61-key keyboard is suitable for beginners, while a 76-key keyboard is great for intermediate players. Furthermore, it’s essential to consider the key’s mechanism when choosing a keyboard. The mechanism determines if the keys will be weight or not.

Polyphony & Sound Quality – Polyphony refers to the number of notes that a keyboard can produce at once. For instance, while a 32-note polyphonic keyboard can produce only 32 notes simultaneously, a 128-note keyboard can produce 128 notes at once. It’s worth noting that polyphony isn’t the same as the keyboard’s sound quality, which you’ll still need to consider separately. Ensure that your keyboard can simulate realistic sounds of a range of instruments, and deliver them with great accuracy and clarity.

Portability – The keyboard’s physical size and weight can affect how easy it is to carry your keyboard around. If you’re a traveling musician or an artist who frequently attends shows, you’ll want a lightweight keyboard that comes with an easy-to-carry case. However, if you’re not leaving your home, then the keyboard’s size isn’t as important.

Price – Finally, price is an essential factor when picking a musical keyboard to buy. While you can find a lot of models that give you an excellent sound and simulated experiences, your budget is key to finding the right option. If you’re a beginner, you’ll want to select an affordable keyboard designed just for you. For the professionals, a higher-priced keyboard will better serve you, offering more customizable features, and improved sound quality.

Conclusion:
The market today offers a wide array of musical keyboards, each with its unique features. As we have covered, it’s imperative to select the best keyboard based on your skill level, the number of keys you want, portability, polyphony and sound quality, and price. While a beginner might want to focus on the pre-installed features that come with a keyboard to learn music better, a professional would demand a more customized experience. Our blog post has provided you with the insights you need to make a wise purchase. Choosing the right keyboard boosts your music-making experience and makes the journey enjoyable.

The post Musical Keyboards.. Which One to Buy and Why? first appeared on Musical Gear.

A Pentatonic Scale: What It Is and How to Use It

Tony — Fri, 02 Sep 2022 11:56:28 +0000

If you’re a musician, then you’ve probably heard of the pentatonic scale. But what is it, and how can you use it in your music? In this blog post, we will discuss the pentatonic scale in detail and give you some tips on how to use it in your own music. Stay tuned!

So, what is a pentatonic scale? A pentatonic scale is a musical scale that contains five notes per octave. The most common pentatonic scale is the major pentatonic scale, which consists of the following notes: C, D, E, G, and A. As you can see, this scale contains all of the notes from the C major scale except for F and B.

A pentatonic scale is a great tool for musicians of all levels. It’s easy to learn and can be used in a variety of musical styles. If you’re just starting out, we recommend using the pentatonic scale to improvise simple melodies. Once you get more comfortable with it, you can start using it to create more complex chord progressions and melodies.

How can you use it?

Now that you know what a pentatonic scale is, let’s talk about how you can use it in your music. As we mentioned earlier, the pentatonic scale is a great tool for improvising simple melodies. If you’re just starting out, we recommend using the pentatonic scale to improvise simple melodies. Once you get more comfortable with it, you can start using it to create more complex chord progressions and melodies.

Another great way to use the pentatonic scale is to add interest and variety to your solos. By adding pentatonic licks and runs to your solos, you can take them to the next level and make them sound more impressive. If you’re not sure how to get started, we recommend checking out some pentatonic scale patterns and licks online. There are tons of great resources out there that will help you learn how to use the pentatonic scale in your solos.

Pentatonic scales are used in many different genres of music including rock, blues, jazz, and pop. In fact, they are one of the most popular scales used by guitarists. If you’re interested in learning more about pentatonic scales and how to use them in your own playing, we recommend checking out a pentatonic scale book. It’s packed with information and exercises to help you get started.

So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about the pentatonic scale. We hope this blog post has been helpful and that you’ll give the pentatonic scale a try in your own music. Pentatonic scales are a great tool for any musician to have in their arsenal, so make sure to practice using them in your music today! With a little bit of practice, you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to create beautiful melodies and progressions using the pentatonic scale. Thanks for reading and happy music making!

The post A Pentatonic Scale: What It Is and How to Use It first appeared on Musical Gear.

A New Way to Have Fun: How to Play the Kalimba

Tony — Fri, 02 Sep 2022 11:45:10 +0000

Do you want to learn a new way to have fun? If so, then you should try playing the kalimba! This unique instrument is becoming more and more popular, and for good reason. It’s easy to learn how to play, and it’s a lot of fun. In this blog post, we will teach you how to play the kalimba. We will discuss the different types of kalimbas available, as well as the best way to learn how to play them. So what are you waiting for? Start learning today!

There are many different types of kalimbas available on the market. The most popular type is the African kalimba, which is also known as the thumb piano. This type of kalimba is usually made out of wood, and it has a series of metal tines that are plucked with the thumbs. African kalimbas typically have between 17 and 21 keys, and they are tuned to a pentatonic scale. This means that they can be played without any prior knowledge of music theory.

If you’re interested in learning how to play the kalimba, then we recommend starting with an African kalimba. These instruments are relatively inexpensive, and they’re easy to find online or at your local music store. Once you have your kalimba, the next step is to find some instructional materials. There are a number of excellent books and online tutorials available that can help you get started.

So what are you waiting for? Start learning how to play the kalimba today! You’ll be glad you did. Thanks for reading! We hope this blog post has been helpful. Now go forth and make beautiful music! :

The post A New Way to Have Fun: How to Play the Kalimba first appeared on Musical Gear.

General Knowledge Questions for the AMEB

Tony — Sat, 13 Nov 2021 11:09:17 +0000

What is the AMEB Music exam?

The AMEB Music exam is an examination of general knowledge about music, which the performer has to pass in order to progress through the grades.

What age can you sit it?

Any age. If your child wants to study for the AMEB Music; firstly encourage them! Then find a good teacher who will teach them well and push them to do their best. The youngest grade available is Grade 3 so they would have to wait until they turn 9 years old before sitting for the exam.

Is there a fee? How much does it cost? Where can I get more information?

Yes, there is a fee of $70-80 per subject depending on school location and discounts are available for siblings. You can get more information from the AMEB website which is www.ameb.edu.au under “exams” tab at the top of the page then select “Music”. Or by calling 1300 697 659 or emailing music@ameb.edu.au

What grade will I achieve?

The Music exam grade will be an indication to how well your child did in their exams and what they should progress to next year, e.g., if they pass Grade 3 piano with 75% they will sit Grade Four next year if they are 9 years old when sitting the exam, otherwise they will move up straight away to Grade Five in October each year once they turn 10 years old (starting in 2014).

Where can I sit the exam?

The Music exams are only available to be sat in Australia. AMEB does not allow certificates to be sent out of Australia, so this must remain where they are sat. The exam is set by the Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB). [Note: Overseas students who need a replacement certificate or wish to have their grade result transferred on an AMEB form should contact our office for further information.]

How long will it take me?

Each subject is two hours and likely to consist of writing some theory questions and some listening questions which you do at home. You will need some basic musical knowledge before sitting them such as copying stave notation, Key signature time signatures etc… If your child has had at least 6 months of lessons beforehand they should be well prepared.

What do I need? Is there a specific exam music book I can get?

Exam Music books are available for Grades 1, 2, 3 & 5 but not 4 or 6&7. The recommended grade exam music books are available on AMEB’s website although this is just a suggestion- it is up to the teacher if they want to use these or not. You can also ask your child’s piano teacher for their recommendation as to which books would work best.

The exam consists of:

General knowledge
Music theory
Sight reading
Choose a piece of music of a particular style

The music theory component of the AMEB Grades 1-5 exams includes analysis; ear training; history; writing skills; keyboard harmony; structure & form; rhythm & notation; scales & keys, chord progressions and sight reading. It is worth noting that this part does not require a ‘talent’ – anyone who practices enough will be able to pass this section.

How much practice is required?

Each musical instrument subject requires about 3-4 hours of practise and homework each week for at least 6 months prior to sitting. The more the better! It is best to start early rather than later, but if your child starts lessons late it’s not too late as they may enter exams starting from grade 1 next year. Please don’t think that they will have to do this every day though as AMEB Music Exam courses are only meant as a guide and you should allow some flexibility in the daily routine depending on the individual needs and readiness of your child.

Can I use my own choice of music?

Yes, you can but AMEB only accepts pieces within their “AMEB Series” which consists of piano pieces chosen by examiners. It is up to the teacher which pieces they want their students to play, so you can choose any piece within their coursebook for AMEB exams.

How many people do sit? How many pass?

Each year about 8,000 students sit the Music exam in Australia. Of these only 10% will obtain an AMEB grade (Pass) and 80% obtain Merit (Merit).

Activities for Practise

It is very important that your child practices at least an hour or two every week with their piano teacher when preparing for the exam. If they are doing theory- they need to read through it all in order to memorize it . Have them write down short notes about each area of music theory so they don’t forget what they learn. They should also listen carefully to music (their own pieces or other people’s) and take note of rhythms, keys, time signatures etc…

Make sure your child knows how many pages there are in each grade book ( music is divided into chapters) and ask them to do a few pages at a time. It will be helpful if your child writes down any information they think is important while reading their theory book or going through the online AMEB website.

Make sure they have plenty of room for writing music- just using lined paper won’t be adequate. It would also help if you get them an advanced music workbook that can be used in conjunction with their piano teacher’s grade books. The idea is that they should not need to go back to the piano teacher each week but read through it once, practice a bit on their own and bring it to the next lesson so they don’t waste too much time going over the same material multiple times. This way your child can enjoy

more of the experience and not get bogged down by too much information.

Where can I order the book and find out more? Check ebay Australia.

I hope this information was helpful to you and I have included some practise questions below:

The post General Knowledge Questions for the AMEB first appeared on Musical Gear.

Top 7 Guitarists Of All Time

Tony — Thu, 10 Dec 2020 10:24:52 +0000

In the 1960’s, the guitar was considered a new instrument that produced, as opposed to music, “noise.” Today, it is one of the most popular instruments around, even spawning video games like “Guitar Hero” that play on the fun of strumming away on the strings.

But it’s worth noting that throughout musical history, some people have so excelled at this particular musical instrument that they deserve their own list.

Without further ado, here are the top seven most awesome guitar heroes.

1. Jimi Hendrix.

Jimi Hendrix is almost universally regarded as the ultimate master of the guitar, someone who introduced new sounds to an entire generation that didn’t realize the potential of the still-young instrument. His version of the national anthem is still considered one of the top individual instrumental performances of all time.

2. B.B. King.

Even if many people today assume that one of the B’s stands for “Burger,” B.B. King is a legend of the guitar, and could perhaps be described as the Jimi Hendrix of the Blues. His familiar twangs and turns are as distinctive as his own style.

3. Jimmy Page.

From Led Zeppelin, Jimmy Page’s name is synonymous with the guitar, as he helped fashion many a rock song and sculpt the modern image of the guitar player.

4. Eric Clapton.

People forget that Eric Clapton was an active participant of the 1960’s revolution in music – not only did he join the popular band “Cream,” he participated in one of the era’s most popular works, the Beatles’ “White Album,” providing a lick of the guitar on the now-famous “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” Need I say more?

5. Carlos Santana.

Many people remember Santana from his profound riffing on “Smooth,” but forget that Santana is an accomplished guitarist of his own right, building a distinctive sound that can’t be mistaken for anyone else.

6. Keith Richards.

Even if Richard’s only contribution to guitar rock was the riff from “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” Richards would be a Hall-of-Fame guitarist. But because of his contributions to the legendary Rolling Stones, he’ll be remembered for much more than that.

7. George Harrison.

Don’t forget who introduced the world to the now-familiar eastern style of the Sitar, a style duplicated by bands like the Rolling Stones. Harrison also penned some of the world’s most famous guitar riffs, including on “Here Comes the Sun.”

Some people don’t agree and here is a more recent list:

1. Jimi Hendrix

2. Eric Clapton

3. Jimmy Page

4. Eddie Van Halen

5. Stevie Ray Vaughan

6. Slash

7. Angus Young

The post Top 7 Guitarists Of All Time first appeared on Musical Gear.

Top 7 Indie Artists of 2011

Tony — Thu, 10 Dec 2020 10:24:51 +0000

Top 7 Indie Artists of 2011

Now that the online music distribution services have made sharing new music a snap for indie artists around the world, building a list of the best music to come out this year has become a daunting task because there are so many great choices.

The following artists, in no particular order, have received accolades on a variety of sites dedicated to the indie music scene such as Pitchfork Media, making them an excellent place to start if you are interested in burning a blank CD-R to give away to friends and family members who are unfamiliar with the popular indie scene.

1. Bon Iver

Founded in 2007 by singer-songwriter Justin Vernon, Bon Iver is one of the hottest indie folk acts to come out recently, and this year’s self-titled album is considered by reviewers to be his best. Vernon has one of the most original voices in indie music, and has an interesting history as well, having recorded his first album in a backwoods cabin in rural Wisconsin after a series of misfortunes. His latest work is more experimental but also more mature.

2. Cults

This indie pop duo fronted by Brian Oblivion and Madeline Follin was formed only last year, yet their music has spread like crazy. After quickly getting picked up and signed by Colombia Records, they released their first self-titled album this June. Cults possesses a pop aesthetic that reminds listeners of teen acts from the 50s and 60s.

3. Arcade Fire

While Arcade Fire has not released a new album this year, they have become one of the most famous indie acts around today, having won the Grammy in 2011 for Album of the Year with The Suburbs. Their latest album attempts to capture the nostalgia that everyone feels about the past as they reach maturity, and is said to have shown influence from Bruce Springsteen.

4. Smith Westerns

Smith Westerns charmed music lovers over a year ago with their “lo-fi” garage-rock sound, and though the sound of Dye It Blonde reflects higher production values, these artists are still considered to capture a youthful form of 90s British pop bands such as Oasis.

5. Destroyer

For those who want to return to the synth sounds of the early 80s, Destroyer’s Kaputt strongly evokes that era with its blend of smooth jazz and new romantic pop. Fronted by Dan Bejar, Destroyer’s latest release successfully captures the glamour and decadence of early 80s nightclub culture.

6. The War on Drugs

Slave Ambient, the second full-length album from this Philadelphia group, represents a more experimental departure from the traditional rock sound that has enabled reviewers to compare them to artists such as Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen. It combines elements from Krautrock and electronica with folk and country sounds.

7. Girls

Christopher Owens, the frontman for Girls, often receives press due to his childhood upbringing in the Children of God cult during the late 60s, and this latest album Father, Son, Holy Ghost reflects some of these religious influences. Indie fans love the way Girls is able to play just about anything, from the surf rock style of “Honey Bunny,” to the heavy metal influences found in “Die.”

The post Top 7 Indie Artists of 2011 first appeared on Musical Gear.

The History Of MTV’s “Unplugged”

Tony — Thu, 10 Dec 2020 10:24:48 +0000

Think ‘unplugged’ and the image that comes to mind is a band or artist playing tracks that had previously been recorded on amplified instruments like electric guitars or synthesizers being played on acoustic instruments or piano. The word became part of the popular MTV series launched in 1989 but the unplugged seeds had been sown 20 years previously.

JAMMING SESSIONS

Elvis Presley and The Beatles started a trend of recognised performers being captured in informal settings or in studio jamming sessions. But, although the sessions were forerunners of the unplugged format, they came about more by accident than design.

By the late 1970s high-profile unplugged performances began to creep in and the first one of note came in 1979 from The Who’s Pete Townshend at The Secret Policeman’s Ball, one of the Amnesty International benefit productions in London. Townshend ditched his trademark electric guitar (a Rickenbacker 360 Fireglo ) to give Pinball Wizard and Won’t Get Fooled Again the acoustic treatment.

HAVING A BALL

That set the unplugged ball rolling and the show’s sequel show in 1981, The Secret Policeman’s Other Ball, featured acoustic sets by the likes of Bob Geldof, Sting and Phil Collins. The trend blossomed throughout the 1980s but the concept had still not been tagged unplugged.

Jethro Tull became the first band to play on MTV in ‘unplugged’ mode on MTV in 1987 when the acoustic trio of frontman Ian Anderson and guitarists Martin Barre and Dave Pegg performed a couple of tracks. XTC gave an acoustic set in spring 1989 and in the same year Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora gave Livin’ on a Prayer the acoustic treatment at an MTV awards night.

The Unplugged tag was applied officially for the first time in November 1989 with Squeeze the first band to play.

NOTABLE NIRVANA

Over the years there have been dozens of critically-acclaimed Unplugged programmes. Nirvana’s set on the MTV show was one of Kurt Kobain’s last TV appearances. It was recorded in November 1993, about five months before Cobain died.

Most bands played versions of their hits and other original tracks but Nirvana bucked the trend by playing covers by the likes of David Bowie and Lead Belly and some of their less well-known material.

The only recognised hits were All Apologies and Come as You Are. This heralded a different approach to other Unplugged performances, where artists usually perform their hit singles and other self-penned material.

IN FINE VOICE

In the same month Duran Duran filmed their acoustic performance after a pause in the band’s world tour caused by wear and tear on Simon Le Bon’s vocal cords. Unlike Nirvana Duran Duran churned out their classic hits and Unplugged, which was well received by critics, marked Le Bon’s return to top vocal form.

The post The History Of MTV’s “Unplugged” first appeared on Musical Gear.

The Epiphone PR5-E Acoustic Electric Guitar

Tony — Thu, 10 Dec 2020 10:24:47 +0000

With one of the most recognizable and distinctive guitar shapes around, Epiphone’s PR5-e Acoustic/Electric Guitar is still considered one of the most popular, versatile guitars available on the market.

Being able to play an acoustic that plugs in and adapts so well to the electric style is a rarity.

But what exactly makes this classic yet unique guitar such a memorable instrument? Let’s take a look at some of the features to find out.

The “Florentine” or Sharp Cutaway

While many acoustic guitars have a double-cutaway, which makes the guitar look like a collection of wooden bubbles, the sharp bottom cutaway of the Epiphone guitar changes how the entire instrument is used.

First, it changes the sound: less space in the guitar means a different resonance. Second, it gives the player easier access to the higher notes on the fret, allowing for more involved electric solos.

What’s more, the shape still retains the classic acoustic guitar look, meaning that nothing is taken away.

The result is an acoustic/electric hybrid that actually plays like an acoustic/electric hybrid, not an acoustic guitar that simply plugs in.

Advanced Electric Controls

Epiphone advertises a “state of the art” pre-amp that allows you a great amount of control when switching to electric mode: master volume, bass, terble, EQ shape, and a Phase switch give you a wide range of options when you’re performing live.

While playing on what looks like an acoustic guitar, you actually get the feel of an electric guitar thanks to the advanced electronic features and similar cutaway shape.

Owning the Acoustic/Electric Guitar

For many guitar players, there’s nothing quite like owning a guitar that manufactures a great acoustic sound but still retains the ability to plug in and rock out. This is especially great for newcomers to the guitar who want the ability to play both styles; not only do you get the classic sound of an acoustic, you get the power of an electric.

Is it the guitar for you? That will be up to the consumer to determine, but if you’re serious about owning a guitar, the Epiphone PR5-E represents a serious option.

The post The Epiphone PR5-E Acoustic Electric Guitar first appeared on Musical Gear.

Telecaster Guitars: Why You Want To Buy One

Tony — Thu, 10 Dec 2020 10:24:46 +0000

Telecaster Guitars: Why You Want To Buy One

If you’ve been on a search for iconic guitars, you might find that it ends at Telecaster guitars – the models of Fender-made electric guitars that have been around since the 1940’s and 1950’s. Through a simple, solid-body design and a sharp electric sound, the Telecasters quickly put their mark on music through artists such as Buck Owens, Eric Clapton, and George Harrison, who played the Telecaster frequently on the Beatles’ “Let It Be” album.

But what exactly makes this such a special guitar, and what made it stand out during the initial releases in the middle of the 20th Century?

The History of the Telecaster Guitar

If you look at at a typical Telecaster guitar, you’ll see that there’s nothing particularly revolutionary about its electric, solid-body design. That’s because this kind of electric look and sound is part of what drove the electric guitar to its current status as king of the rock world.

Produced by Leo Fender and his company, the first Telecaster actually appeared in 1949 – and it would be this design that would bring the solid-body electric guitar out of obscurity and finally make a mark on the world of music.

Through models like the Esquire and the Broadcaster, produced in mass quantities through simple processes – similar in many ways to early automobiles. This allowed for greater popularity of the solid-body electric guitar, and additionally allowed for easy repairs to be made at music and guitar shops.

The Value of Telecaster Guitars

With many brands of Telecaster guitars no longer produced, though playing a significant role in the influence of the electric guitar and on music history in general, you can imagine the value of some of these Telecaster guitars. While new guitars could cost you anything from several hundred to thousands of dollars, you might find that the price escalates for the limited-edition vintage guitars that don’t have a lot of copies.

Finding a Solid Telecaster Guitar Online

If you’re interested in acquiring a Telecaster guitar for yourself, the best place to start is eBay! In fact, you don’t even need to visit eBay, as we’ve brought all the bargains to you right here, on this site. Check out the range of Telecaster Guitars for sale. When you’re comparing offers, make sure you do research on the prices of these guitars so that you know you’re getting a good deal. It’s also a good idea to review seller feedback before you make a purchase.

There are a lot of people out there with Telecaster guitars – why can’t you be one of them?

The post Telecaster Guitars: Why You Want To Buy One first appeared on Musical Gear.

Starting a Home Recording Studio on a Budget Part 1

Tony — Thu, 10 Dec 2020 10:24:44 +0000

So you have a band going, you are playing a few gigs here and there, and you feel as though it is time to get your music out there in a material format!

The next logical step is recording a sweet record that will make you millions, or maybe you just want to lay down some tracks for you to listen back on 10 years from now and enjoy.

Either way, you are going to need a recording studio, whether someone else’s, or your own. If you choose to go to someone else, be prepared to spend at least $5,000 on a halfway decent record of about 5-7 tracks.

What’s that, you say? The price is outrageous, and you might as well do it yourself? My thoughts exactly! Here is how you can set up your own recording studio in the comfort of your own home at a fraction of the cost, and you may get good enough to record your buddies or hire out your studio for some extra cash!

General Assumptions

Before we continue, I am going to make a few general assumptions about you, kind of like those For Dummies books. I will assume that:

You are already familiar with some aspects of music, such as recognizing several different instruments.
You understand how music works in some way, including basic rhythm.
You play an instrument, such as the guitar.
You have a genuine interest in music, not just the money.
You have some money saved up and ready to be used, at the very least several hundred dollars. If you need a new computer, take that cost into account as well.
You plan on recording each instrument individually and putting them all together at the end.
You will not be recording drums at first, but you plan on it later. The reason for this is that it can get very expensive just to purchase all of the necessary equipment for a small drum kit, let alone the extreme detail that must go into placing the microphones correctly. We will talk about this in an upcoming article.

Great! Now that we have out of the way, let’s get to the good stuff!

What’s Involved?

There are actually a lot of things involved with setting up a home recording studio that works.

First, there is the fact that you have to buy a bunch of things. Secondly, you have to put a good amount of work into the home studio.

At first, there will be many frustrating nights where you will not be able to accurately troubleshoot a problem, especially something as simple as figuring out why the microphone was not being recorded. Also, on top of learning how to set up and work your recording equipment, you must also eventually learn at least the basics of audio mixing. There will be a rough patch full of trial and error, but after a while you begin to get comfortable with all of the equipment and settings, and become more efficient.

Once you reach this level of comfort with the studio, you can spend less energy on learning the basics and start developing your own recording style.

The Basic Gear

There are several key components to a successful home studio.

Studio Space – Where will you set the studio up? It should be a room with very little echo. If you do plan on recording drums later down the road, the room should be at least 12×12. If not, a 10×10 room would be sufficient.
Microphone(s) – Depending on which instruments you want to record, you may need only one microphone or as many as 5. They will be used to record vocals, guitar amplifiers, bass amps or keyboard amps.
Amplifiers – If you don’t already have an amplifier, or if you don’t have any friends that can loan you one, this is something you will probably have to buy. Note: There are ways to record guitar and bass without ever touching an amplifier, and we will go over that in an upcoming article.
Recording Interface – Hugely important in determining how your entire studio’s outcome will be, the recording interface is what is going to connect your instruments to your computer, through both hardware and software. This brings us to our next point.
Computer – You will need a pretty modern computer to run everything required for a recording session. You will need a computer (Windows or Mac, it doesn’t matter) with at least 4GB RAM, an Intel i5 or equivalent processor, 250GB Hard Drive, and a monitor 19 inches or larger.
Computer Speakers – It is important to invest in high quality speakers, so you know what your recording sessions sound like as you go.
Headphones – A decent pair is required. If you can’t afford to have both a high quality speakers and headphones, get the higher end headphones instead and settle for lesser speakers. The headphones are absolutely essential to a successful audio recording.

So you’ve read the first part and you now know the basic components that make up a home recording studio.

You’ve got the money saved up, cash is in hand, and you are ready to make the plunge.

Here are my personal recommendations for a hassle free setup without spending too much.

Microphone(s) – If you plan on recording only vocals to put over premade tracks, then you only need one microphone. If you want to record amplifiers of any sort, you will need at least two. To get a great variety of microphones, I recommend picking up an Audix i5, and 2 Shure SM57s. If you don’t mind having used equipment, with a little searching you can easily find these microphones at half the price.

Recording Interface – It can be tricky to find the right hardware for your recording interface, but there are a few fail safe options! If you want great tone, very little lag between what you play and what you hear, I highly recommend investing in the Line 6 Toneport UX2, which gives you plenty of inputs, outputs, and zero audio lag if you do a direct connection to the computer and headphones. If you want to spend a little more, the MBox Mini is a wonderful little interface because it allows you access to Pro Tools, one of the best and easiest recording programs available.

Headphones – Like I mentioned before, the headphones must be high end for you to be an effective audio engineer. My personal favorite headphones are the Shure SRH840 and Audio Technica ATH-M50.

Speakers – Rather than buying regular computer speakers with a sweet subwoofer, we want to get studio monitors. When you listen to any music through these, you will notice that it sounds flat and there will be little bass. This is because it is meant to accurately reproduce the sound coming out of the computer without adding any bias to the low or high end, as subs or tweeters would do. This will let you have a very clear picture of how you are doing on your track mixes. My favorite budget monitors are the KRK Rockit G2s, hands down. These 5 inch little guys pack a punch, and get as loud as you would need.

After you have all of the equipment, set it up according to the instructions provided with each piece of gear. If anything is USB powered, make sure you install the CD drivers before you plug in the device, unless otherwise noted. This is how your connection flow should be once you are all set up and ready to go.

To Record Guitar

Guitar -> Amplifier -> Microphones -> Audio Interface -> Computer -> Headphones and/or Monitors

To Record Vocals

Microphone -> Audio Interface -> Computer -> Headphones and/or Monitors

Basically, the input starts where the instrument is, and the output will be the end result, which gets channeled to the headphones and monitors. The order of how you record each track is equally important, by the way. If you are a vocalist who is just looking to lay down some tracks over prerecorded instrumentals, just record your tracks and lay them over the prerecorded ones.

If you are starting from scratch, however, you always want to begin with the rhythm section first. Set the metronome up and record the drums, either through virtual drums or real recordings that we will cover in a later article. After the drums, the next step must be bass because it lays the groundwork for the guitars to follow. The bass must be on time with the drums to provide a strong rhythm section, and if the guitars are not on time, you will be able to easily tell.

Next, you want to record the guitars, and at the very end come the vocals and keyboards, as well as other sound effects you may want to add. From here the next step is some trial and error as you play with your new equipment on your own.

In a future article, we will cover how to record drums, as well as guitars, and audio mixing!

The post Starting a Home Recording Studio on a Budget Part 1 first appeared on Musical Gear.