April 8, 2016 7 Things You Need To Build A Portable Studio
A Musician that’s always in transit but needs to express himself will need some sort way to record or edit his music. In today’s day and age we have all of these Apps for our tablets and smartphones which are very handy. But sometimes we really need a computer based portable solution to a real studio setup.
1. The Laptop or Macbook
Why choose tablet when you can use your Laptop or Macbook? A serious musician will definitly pick a Laptop indeed. The main reason for it is because you can use your favorite Digital Audio Workstation and programs.
Almost all computers these days will be fast enough to run the programs that you need. If you don’t have enough Ram memory you can always upgrade it. So that’s a nice thing to know.
But when it comes down to storage, it’s best to choose an Solid State Drive for the task. These hardrives are much better since they have no moving parts within them. The only downside is that they are still very expensive!
2. A buss powerd Audio-Interface
The traveling musiscian will need an audio interface to record signals into the computer. In this case a buss-powerd usb Interface will be the equipment of choice. Because it is powered by USB you will have no need for an extra power cable. When choosing one make sure it has al the inputs and ouputs you need.
3. Digital Audio Workstation
You can use your favorite DAW in this case. But if you really wanna be sure your computer can handle it, try to install a light version if there is any available. If not, make sure you don’t install any VST or program onto your computer that you don’t need. For those who are not familiar with DAW’s here are a few: Protools, Cubase, Logic and Studio One.
4. Midi Controller
The traveling producer will need some way to dial in his midi notes and tracks when not using a mouse. The 25 key Controller Korg Taktile could really be your next purchase. This little tactical controller has enough keys, switches pads and buttons you will need to get the job done. This midi controller is also buss powered so your good to go.
Monitoring with Closed Back Headphones:
Yes, over the ear closed back headphones are the ones you need as a traveling musician. There has often been said that mixing on headphones is a bad thing. This could be true and more so for the closed back version. But you need something to cancel the noise around you. Closed back headphone are also great to get a recording going, because they don’t leak any signal into the microphone and onto the signal.
Make sure you take at least a five minute break after every 30 minutes when using headphones. Your ears will fatigue very fast listening to those ear cans.
The Microphone:
If you are a singer or need to record some vocals. If you need to record a guitar or any live signal you will be needing a microphone. If you would ask me, I would say pick a Shure SM57! Why you might ask. Because it’s sturdy build and will get the job done! This microphone has been praised by many and you can find everywhere around the world on a podium. It’s even being used in the Whitehouse for speeches but has also been used by famous guitar players to record guitar amps. You just can’t go wrong with this one, it should be a producers first mic anyway.
We got the Computer, the Audio Interface, the controller, the headphones and the microphone. This is the bare minimum you need to get your music going while being in transit to who knows where.
Recording tagged audio, gear, microphones, mobile recording, recording
Reader Comments (1)
The blog post provides a concise yet comprehensive guide on building a portable studio for musicians on the go. It covers essential equipment like laptops on rent, audio interfaces, DAWs, MIDI controllers, headphones, and microphones, offering practical advice on each component. The emphasis on choosing reliable and versatile gear, such as a sturdy microphone like the Shure SM57, adds credibility to the recommendations. The inclusion of tips on monitoring with closed-back headphones and taking breaks for ear fatigue management shows a consideration for the musician's well-being. Overall, it's a valuable resource for musicians seeking a portable studio setup. Great job!