How to Build a Music Recording Studio for Under 1K

In this video, we learn how to build a music recording studio in your bedroom for less than your monthly rent or mortgage. Don’t panic – the total expense is under a thousand dollars/euros!

A few years ago, I didn’t know shit about producing music. In fact, I didn’t even know what a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) was – until I completed the Berklee music production specialization on Coursera.

After completing that specialization, I had a solid understanding of music production – enough to build a music recording studio. Now, let’s dive into the expense breakdown…

Your Biggest Expense – The Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)

When it comes to music studio expenses, the DAW (if you choose the suite or premium version) is usually the biggest expense when it comes to producing and/or recording music. The total price of building your music recording studio will depend on the DAW version you purchase.

All other equipment expenses will remain the same – the only price difference will be the DAW version. Also, if you’re planning on recording vocals, that will add some additional expense.

There are several DAWs to choose from (I downloaded the trial for 5 different ones), but I chose Ableton because it was the most user friendly. And it’s great if you want to venture into doing DJ gigs.

That said, I recommend downloading the free 30-day trial of Ableton Live to see for yourself if you vibe with Ableton.

Now, let’s explore the breakdown of expenses of other when building a music studio…

Digital Audio Interface – MOTU M2

The second most important item you’ll need on your music production venture is a digital audio interface. I use one of the industry standard audio interface devices for a basic at-home studio, the MOTU M2 USB-C Audio Interface.

For the price and quality, I couldn’t be happier. It has 2 inputs and outputs and I’ve used it to record two microphones at one time. I’ve also used it to record a couple different instruments and an instrument/microphone combo.

This MOTU M2 audio interface is easy to use and seamlessly connects to my studio monitors and headphones.

Listen with Industry Standard Headphones – Sony MDR7506

The next expense is a good pair of studio headphones – especially if you’re recording and listening in your bedroom.

I tried a few different brands and models, but decided to stick with an industry standard, the Sony MDR7506 Professional Large Diaphragm Headphones.

For only $85, they offer amazing quality at a budget price!

Plus, they’re great for apartment living as you can have 1AM jam-out sessions and not disturb your neighbors. But be aware of ear fatigue when using studio headphones for an extended period.

Which is why you should also opt for a pair of studio monitors (speakers)…

Studio Monitors (Powered Speakers) – ProSonus Eris

After listening for too long on my headphones, I like to use my studio monitors. Monitors are just a fancy name for active electrically powered speakers.

They’re better to use than regular stereo speakers (passively powered by the stereo audio signal) because they have a frequency response that is conducive to music production rather than music listening.

I use the PreSonus Eris Near Field Studio Monitor (Pair). They’re small but offer a perfect balance of size and sound for the price. Plus, they won’t annoy your neighbors too much, lol. And they’re only $100!

Although studio monitors are optional, I highly recommend them if you’re going to take music production seriously. Besides, listening on both headphones and monitors will give you a different perspective of the different frequencies.

And that will help you make a better sounding mix.

Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) – Novation Launchkey 25

Next – the MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) Keyboard. You can actually use the keyboard on your laptop for every function and instrument available in Ableton Live. You can even make beats and record vocals using only your laptop keyboard.

However, I find that the small size of the laptop keyboard is quite a pain in the ass to maneuver – especially if you have a song with several tracks and multiple instruments and effects. If you have the same cramped experience using your laptop keyboard, I recommend upgrading to a small MIDI keyboard.

The one I use and highly recommend is the Novation Launchkey 25 MIDI Keyboard for Ableton Live. I love it because it’s compact and extremely powerful.

I’ve created every beat and produced every song I’ve recorded with this thing! And you can’t beat the $140 price!

Microphone Kit and Stand Bundle – The MXL 770 Condenser

And finally – a decent microphone. If you’re taking your music production to another level and recording vocals over beats, you’ll need a studio microphone, stand, and microphone accessories.

To record vocals, you have a plethora of options. Depending on the type of sound you’re looking for, there will be a specific microphone. It too, can be a bit overwhelming. I invite you to do your own research and learn more about the different types of microphones available to produce the sound you’re looking for.

Or you can just do what I did and use the MXL 770 Professional Studio Condenser Microphone Bundle.

This kit has everything you need for recording professional sounding vocals right out of your bedroom studio. It features a condenser microphone, pop filter, shockproof bracket, XLR cable, fixed boom mic stand, and a hard-shell carrying case.

At only $110, the MXL770 microphone bundle is a steal!