Hey there friend!
Navigate the Site!
- Headphone Reviews & Comparisons
- Microphone Reviews & Comparisons
- Amps, DACs, and Audio Interfaces
- The Budget Kings Series
- Studio Monitors
- Beats, Production, & Turntables
- Gaming, Movies, & Pop Culture
- Build a Home Studio Guide (You Are Here)
- Best Of
- Resources
Table of Contents
Part I: Intro & Setup (You are here)
Part III: Microphones & Accessories
Part V: Headphones & Monitoring
Part VII: Turntables & Sampling
Building a home studio can seem like a daunting task.
Whether you’re a vocalist, a beatmaker, or a musician, you’ve probably thought about what it would be like to have your own equipment.
A studio to call your own.
I too dreamed of having my own space filled with all of the musical things that make me tick. Over the years, I have accumulated a lot of stuff. Some of it I still have, some of it I sold because either I upgraded, or didn’t need it anymore.
The setup I have now suits me very well and is meant to show beginners that you don’t need any fancy pants state-of-the-art equipment. You can derive great sound from affordable products.
Never before has it been easier to get up and running, and today I’ll show you how.
Let’s get started.
[Setup]
First things first.
You’ll want to choose a comfy place to record your sounds or craft your beats.
Back in the day, I was in my old bedroom at my folks’ house. When I moved out, I still used my bedroom in my apartment until 2023, when I decided there was an even better spot in the dining room..
- My Studio in different stages!
Furniture
Take it from me, there’s nothing worse than being uncomfortable in your studio space. I’ve experienced some of the worst seating in the business.
The feeling you get from sitting in a crappy chair for 6 hours is like sleeping on concrete.
I’d recommend going with something similar to my super awesome, extra comfy, uber-soft executive chair that you see to your immediate right. 😛
Next, I would decide on a desk. I’ve had an L-shaped desk for a long time (seen above), and it’s pretty incredible.
You could also opt for a regular desk with tiers. I’ve been thinking of trying one out, but the corner spot is just so damn cozy. xD
De-Fi is a great source for custom-built tiered desks. These are excellent for organization, and they look awesome as well.
My next chair purchase will certainly be from Titan Labs; fantastic studio/gaming chairs that get rave reviews everywhere you look.
Regardless of what you go with, when you plop down to make a beat, you should feel like a king.
I can’t recommend my own desk since I got it so long ago, but you should definitely go with something that makes sense for your particular setup.
Always keep in mind the type of room that you will be using.
(Storage)
I have a desk with drawers, but if I didn’t, I would probably invest in some plastic storage containers. I currently just use cardboard boxes for all of my miscellaneous wires and cords.
They’re a great way to keep things organized and can be had for cheap. In addition, you may want to add an over-the-door coat hook.
I can’t even begin to tell you how much time was wasted in the past untangling chords and trying to figure out what’s what. Save yourself the trouble.
Before we get into Part II, let’s go over what you’ll learn:
What you’ll learn:
- ✅ Understanding a DAW – What a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) is and its essential components
- ✅ Computer Specs – Key computer specifications for music production, including RAM, hard drive space, and processing power
- ✅ Soundcards vs. Audio Interfaces – The role of soundcards and audio interfaces in recording and playback
- ✅ 48V Phantom Power – What 48V phantom power is and why it’s important for microphones
- ✅ DACs & A/D Converters – The difference between soundcards, audio interfaces, and DACs + The importance of A/D converters, microphone preamps, and phantom power in an audio interface
- ✅ MIDI Cables – When and why MIDI cables are still useful in modern music production
- ✅ Choosing an Audio Interface – How to choose the right audio interface based on inputs, power output, and compatibility
- ✅ Direct Boxes – The function of direct boxes for recording guitars
- ✅ Studio Monitors & Headphones – How to properly connect and power studio monitors and headphones
- ✅ Recording Software (DAW) – The importance of selecting the right recording software (DAW) and popular options
- ✅ Hardware Mixers – The role of hardware mixers in home studio setups and how to connect them
26 comments
First of all, your website really impressed me on the first glance. Awesome layout and feel to it. Certainly fits your niche.
Second of all, very good article with even better internal links.
Keep it up! 😀
Thanks Roman! I really appreciate the kind words. I will be updating it so keep checking back!
-Stu
Hey Stu,
Love the look of your site! I have to admit I know nothing about home studios but I wanted to set one up I know where to go. You have everything layed out nicely and easy to follow with so much excellent information.
Nichole
Thanks Nichole! yeah I’m actually in the midst of editing and adding to it as well. Keep checking back!
-Stu
I have to say your website looks fantastic. It is weird my daughter was just playing me something she mixed for school. I am sure she will love this site you have some great content but I have a feeling it is going to cost me a fortune. 🙂
Nah not a fortune Ship! Fortunately, you can obtain the necessary gear all for around $1000. When you take into account that there are single pieces of gear costing a grand, it’s not that bad. 🙂
Hey Stu,
I love the site. I love the graphics and short paragraphs.
Keep up the good work!
Lindsay
Thanks Lindsay.. I appreciate it! 🙂
-Stu
You have a lot of good information on setting up a home studio! I’m definitely going to be checking back often since I’m looking to set one up in my spare bedroom
Please do Brad! Seriously 🙂 Thanks for stopping by
-Stu
ay good stuff brotha! im going to be picking up a new computer this summer and i might need to come to you for some advice
Thank you sir, don’t hesitate to reach out!
-Stu
Wonderful. Very clear and well explained each step. Thank you!
Thank you Carrie!!
If you have any questions contact me!
Thanks for the amazing and helpful info you’ve been sharing with us and btw I too had gazllion tabs opened when i started bro xD .. it’s all for the sake of what we love .. Thanks again
SanTa
Hey there!
Thanks so much for the kindness and love. I really want to show people that building a home studio isn’t as hard and daunting of a task as people make it out to be. I’m really glad you are enjoying the site. Please don’t hesitate to reach out again, or Contact me!
All the best,
-Stu
I stumbled upon this website in an effort to find out which mic I should buy and was given so much more information about, well everything!! This is actually really helpful since I’m trying to start my at home studio.
Thank you much!
Please let me know if you need specific help with anything down the road or whenever!
Blessings,
-Stu
You have been really helpful Stu! Thanks bro do you have any other social media? Definitely want to keep in touch I’m always gonna have questions! Again thanks
Yeah man the links are all to the right! I’m on Instagram more so than Twitter though. Definitely check me out on YouTube as well. Got a lot of good stuff coming. Thanks so much for stopping by..
-Stu
Stu I really appreciate you writing all these unbiased reviews and articles so a newbie like myself can learn! They are all very clear and straightforward. May I know if you would also have recommendations on in-ear earphones that are more neutral/balanced/honest? I have tried the Westone UM Pro 10,20 and 30 and I really like them as I can hear everything but the bass is not heavy at all. But I personally like the Sennheiser brand. Recently I also bought the Nexum Aqua+ wireless dac+amp. Thanks for your time and again, you got an awesome website, keep it up!
Hey bud! Hmm I like the Shure SE215 have you heard that one? It’s incredibly clean, detailed, and crisp. I don’t have as much experience with IEM’s but I would take a look at the Etymotic ER-4S as well. That would be an example of something more balanced. Let me know if that helps!
Thanks so much for the warm comment. Let me know if I can get permission to put it on the front page! 🙂
-Stu
Hey Stu, I am relatively new to the audiophile world, and your site is one if not the best sources of info I have run across. I love your analytical approach, and matter of fact review and tutorials. Thank you very much. I do have some questions regarding headphone cables and would appreciate your input.
I have the Senn HD 700, but for my uses I need a shorter cable with either the 2.5 TRRS balanced, or the standard 3.5 mm to use with the FiiO x5iii, and also through a DAC and my computer. The DAC uses a 1/4 connector. My first question is do higher quality cables, really make much of a difference as marketed through the other websites, or it basically just snake oil? Do the $30 ones on Amazon deliver the same sound as the $300 high end ones? What would recommend?
Also what terminal ends would you recommend? I will need adapters to use the TRRS balanced (or is not really worth it?) and the 3.5mm connectors for my amp, and also the 1/4 plug.
Also, I don’t understand the significance of balanced cables (4 connectors) when you have to use a 1/4″ adapter which only has 3 conductors. Wouldn’t it defeat the purpose of the separate ground wire, if they are just both terminated to a common ground through the adapter? So much to learn. Thank you in advance for your input..
Hey Phil!
Thanks for the kind words!
1) I would just go with the cheaper cables to start. You’re not going to hear much of a difference. I’ve heard an Optical cable in the thousands and yeah it sounded fine, but there’s no real perceivable difference between it and a cheaper cable. Just my opinion. I would recommend just getting a cheaper cable.
2) I like 1/4″ but it’s just preference. It doesn’t really matter, and mostly depends on what I have in front of me. If the amp requires a 1/4″ plug I just use an adapter. So for you if I’m understanding correctly, just use a 1/4″ to 3.5mm for the X5.
3) Not too sure what scenario exactly you’re referring to in your question. I use TRS to XLR in my Studio Monitor set up and the balanced cables cancel out any noise from reversing the polarity. That’s really the only experience I have with it.
Let me know!
-Stu
No 6xx and you’ve spent hours making posts arguing they’re your fav ……
huh?