“A professional studio starts at around $50,000 and up” according to Rick Camp, who has produced the music of Dr. Dre, Beyonce and the likes. However, he also asserts that “a home studio, or a project studio, can cost anywhere from $300-400 dollars.” With such a wide range of music production equipment out there, creating your own home studio has never been easier, cheaper and more accessible. Expensive equipment isn’t always necessary to produce top quality work, as many low to mid range products on the market are actually competing with some of the top brands. Here are the top 3 tips on how to start producing your music without spending too much or sacrificing the quality of your sound.

1. Research the best equipment in your price range

When you begin any new practice, research is always key. And with an art form as technical as music production, it’s almost essential to look into what audio interfaces you need and how to use them. If you go in blind, then you risk overspending on unnecessary, fancy equipment. In order to feel at ease with what you’re doing, don’t let yourself feel out of your depths:

• Break down what you need: the interface, a mic/instruments and sound outputs
• Research what both the amateurs and pros use
• Compare the equipment based on quality and price

2. Take advantage of free recording software

Whilst ‘freemium’ software may not always have the advanced functions that paid software does, it’s still useful when you’re starting to learn the ropes. Free recording software’s tend to have all the basic, necessary functions to lay down a track anyway, and provide a good way of learning the technical side of music production. It’s always worth comparing different ones, and choosing the best suited program for your music. You can also try out free trials of better softwares such as Logic and FL Studios, just to learn the ropes. From then on, if you are eventually able to purchase them, you’ll already have some experience with their more complicated tech.

3. Get feedback on your first attempts

Once you’ve got your first tracks recorded, then the only thing left to do is share it with the world. With the advents of the internet, it’s never been easier to get your music out there; and when you’re just starting out, feedback is essential for improvement. Sharing websites such as SoundCloud and Bandcamp are free to make accounts on, and offer a way to share your music with friends, or even helpful strangers who can provide some valuable advice.

We’re lucky in a sense that, with the internet, music production has never been easier. Building a home studio only takes a computer, some free software and a few bits of hardware to suit your musical needs; after that, it’s all you and your creative process.

-Cassie Steele