The Best Budget Gear to Start Producing Your Own Music
Embarking on your music production journey doesn't always require breaking the bank. In fact, there's an array of affordable gear available that can help you record high-quality tracks and bring your musical vision to life. Let's explore the best budget-friendly gear to start recording yourself and begin crafting your first record. Keep in mind I’m not just recommending the cheapest option (although sometimes it does work out that way!), rather I’m recommending affordable gear that I have used myself on major label releases
1. Audio Interface:
A reliable, great sounding audio interface is your gateway to the digital recording world. Focusrite Scarletts are ubiquitous, but I’m instead recommending the Behringer Uphoria UMC204HD. I used one of these for several years and later upgraded to the UMC1820 for more i/o. The preamps sound beefier than the Focusrites, the drivers are solid (on mac anyways, no experience with pc here), and they come in MUCH cheaper than anything comparable. This was the centre of my personal studio for a long time until I upgraded to something much more high end, and I used these units on several major label releases!
2. Microphones:
Condenser Microphone: Check out the Oktava MK-319. This is a fantastic large diaphragm condenser that can be found very affordably both new and on the used market. I’ve used mine to record vocals, acoustic guitar, drum rooms, strings, brass, percussion and much more. There are also plenty of popular mods for this mic. It sounds great stock, but mine is modded with the FET from a U87 and it sounds wonderful.
Dynamic Microphone: The Shure SM57. $100 but you know how they sound. This will sound great for literally anything that the Oktava does not work well with. Guitar cabs, snare drums, certain vocals, acoustic instruments. And the meme is true. You can actually use these as a hammer. When humans are gone, only the cockroaches and SM57s will remain.
Oddball Extra Mic: Sometimes you need something to sound a bit less pristine, a bit more lofi, a bit less plain and a bit more funky. Time to check out the Electrovoice 635. It’s an omnidirectional dynamic mic. I believe it was originally designed to be used as an interview mic in the 60s. It has a very midrange forward sound that can be useful on certain vocalists. Works great to add vibe to an acoustic guitar - try blending it with the Oktava! Or put it anywhere near a drumkit and put a distortion plugin on it. Instant vibe.
3. Headphones:
The only pair I would recommend before spending a fortune are the Sennheiser HD280s. Very accurate sounding, and they fit very tight to combat headphone bleed.
4. DAW (Digital Audio Workstation):
It really doesn’t matter what you use. Just pick one and learn it inside out. Personally I use (and LOVE) Pro Tools, but if I had to start all over again, I’d probably pick Ableton. Most modern DAW’s have a free or starter version, so you can try a few out and see which one makes the most sense for you.
5. Studio Monitors or Speakers:
If possible, invest in good entry-level studio monitors like the Kali LP6 or Adam Audio T7V. I can’t recommend anything that is notably cheaper than these. If these are out of budget, consider working on headphones until you can splurge.
Creating your first record on a budget is entirely achievable with these carefully selected gear options. Remember, what truly matters is your creativity, passion, and dedication to perfecting your craft. Invest wisely, learn continuously, and let your music speak volumes.
Ready to embark on your recording journey? If you have any questions or need assistance in selecting the right gear for your specific needs, feel free to reach out to me. Happy recording!