Building a Home Studio on a Budget

Dreaming of recording from home but short on cash? No problem. You can put together a solid, great-sounding home studio without draining your savings—just focus on what actually matters.

Start with the essentials

You don’t need to go all-in right away. Start with the basics:

1. Computer: Any relatively modern computer with at least 8GB RAM will get the job done. If you’re using a Mac, GarageBand is already installed and ready to go.
2. Audio Interface: The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 is a go-to budget interface for home setups—solid quality, under $200.
3. Microphone: The Shure SM58 is legendary for a reason. Rugged, reliable, and only around $99.
4. Headphones: Try the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x—great sound, honest monitoring, no hype.
5. DAW (Digital Audio Workstation): Beginners can try Cakewalk (Windows, free) or GarageBand (Mac). For something more advanced but still cheap, Reaper only costs $60.

Room treatment > expensive gear

You can have the best mic in the world, but if your room sounds like a bathroom, your recordings will too. Fix your space first:

1. Rearrange furniture to reduce reflections
2. Add rugs or bookshelves for diffusion
3. Build cheap acoustic panels from Rockwool and breathable fabric

DIY Acoustic Panel Recipe

1. Build a wooden frame (2'x4' is the usual size)
2. Stuff it with Rockwool or mineral wool
3. Wrap it in breathable fabric (avoid plastic or vinyl)
4. Hang them on the wall at key reflection points

"The room is your most important piece of gear. No amount of expensive equipment can overcome a poor recording environment." – Bobby Owsinski

Upgrade only when it makes sense

Once you’re rolling, upgrade based on your needs—not someone else's wishlist:

1. Vocalist? Upgrade your mic first.
2. Electronic producer? Prioritize studio monitors.
3. Guitarist? A better preamp or DI box might be the move.

Budget Studio Shopping List

Here’s a breakdown of solid gear choices that won’t wreck your wallet:

Audio Interface:

- Budget: Behringer UMC202HD ($129) - Mid-range: Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 ($169)

Microphone:

- Budget: Shure SM58 ($99) - Mid-range: Audio-Technica AT2020 ($99)

Headphones:

- Budget: Sony MDR-7506 ($99) - Mid-range: Audio-Technica ATH-M50x ($149)

Studio Monitors:

- Budget: PreSonus Eris E3.5 ($99) - Mid-range: JBL 305P MKII ($149 each)

DAW (Software):

- Budget: Reaper ($60) - Mid-range: Studio One Artist ($99)

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Final thoughts

Plenty of iconic records were made with gear that would look like toys today. So don’t stress over your setup—just start recording, stay creative, and improve things as you go.

Pro tip: Spend more time learning your gear than shopping for new stuff.