Q&A for How to Make a Cheap Recording Studio

Yes, but headsets with mics generally don't have very good quality. You'll get better sound if you use a real microphone and separate headphones.

Yes. The bass drum (aka the kick drum) is the big drum on the floor in front of you, and you use a pedal to create the sound. The snare drum is the main drum in a kit, next to the crash cymbal and hi-hats.

As long as the computer you're using has roughly 4GB of RAM or more, you should be fine.

Put videos of yourself on YouTube to promote your music and get people to listen to it. Make your own website or Facebook page with information on how people can buy your record. You can also sell the record during live gigs that you play.

Download the software of your choice online and you will get an option to use it as a trial version or purchase the full edition.

A budget under $600-700 would be possible. There are actually some really good cheap microphones. The budget you will need depends on what you want to buy.

If you are working with more than one instrument, it is necessary since you want to be able to change the tone of each instrument so it does not out-sound another. If you are planning to use one instrument, such as a guitar, you might need a guitar mixer, which take cares of all the sounds and tones of a guitar. There are different mixers for different instruments, including voice. So, if you are using more than one, then definitely consider buying one. If you are using only one instrument, you could still get one but it's not necessary.

Audio interface is the most important part, what isn't necessary is the audio mixer.

It depends on the brands you get. A budget under $1,000 is feasible.

Yes, as long as they are studio headphones, you don't have to have monitor speakers right at the start.

Some audio interfaces have microphone inputs into them, in that case a mixer would not be necessary.

Yes, usually you can import them as Mp3 files and edit them with software such as Audacity.

Advertise online using social media and/or sell it at your performances.

The most essential instrument has got to be the Midi keyboard. If you have any money to spare, you can also get a drum kit.

You can use a sound cancellation material, like star foam or the package your eggs come in.

You can record an instrument and mix it together with other audio tracks. That way you can play original music in a song.

You can do it on Sound Cloud, which is a popular way of recording songs that you are singing. You can get on your laptop/PC or phone. You may also decide to have a microphone if you want your voice to be picked up clearly. A Carol Dynamic Microphone would work for this, as it is a basic, easy-to-use wired mic. This may need to be plugged in to a mixing desk. If you are using any instruments, they can be plugged into a mixing desk also. You may need to purchase any necessary cables if you do not already have them.

Around 40000-60000. It all depends on the brands you choose. Some good stuff might need to be imported, so the cost may go up.

Not much space is needed if you're just starting with a small studio. It could even be inside your bedroom.

No, I wouldn't recommend this. Windows tablets suffer latency problems when recording multiple tracks in my experience.

It depends on how good the karaoke machine is. Since it may need to be connected to a computer, a mixing desk may be better. You might want to invest in a decent microphone. Carol, Shure and AKG are good brands. A dynamic or condenser recording mic on a mount may also work. This would need to be plugged into a mixing desk. You may need studio monitors/speakers and assorted cables as well.

Not a monitor specifically, but if you don't have a monitor, you should get some headphones.

It totally can, just do your research. What you can also do is buy everything but the mixer and the monitors. You can mix with headphones and then later upgrade.

No way, sorry. To achieve any kind of decent sound, you should invest in a quality microphone.

Set up acoustic foam around your microphone/recording area and stay around 4 inches away from the microphone. Use a condenser microphone for the best quality recordings. You might need a power supply with it, though, as they use too much power for a computer alone to power it.

Audio interface, more microphones, a studio mixer and software that can record several voice at a time.

Yes. Most software options will have mixers in them anyway, so analog mixers are pretty unnecessary for small recording sessions.

Yes the audio interface can work without the mixer. The mixer helps when you're recording with different instruments, but the audio interface can be used for one instrument.

Amazon, Guitar Center, Sweetwater, Musician's Friend, Kraft Music, American Musical Supply (AMS) and zZounds are all good places for gear.

You can, but software like Pro Tools and Logic Pro should come with faders and EQ bands.