At-Home Recording On A Budget

  • 7 min read
  • Mar 4, 2024
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We know what it’s like to be a passionate artist.  You sacrifice your time, stability, energy and so much else to create.  But one thing you shouldn’t have to sacrifice is good sound.  Through Disctopia our commitment has always been to empower dedicated artists, podcasters and content creators like you to be their most authentic selves and let their creativity thrive, without always having to break the bank.  No at-home studio is complete without an audio interface, headset, and of course, microphone; so here are our bes t affordable equipment suggestions to take your sound to the next level, just like you’re in the studio!

Microphones - Our Top 4

Whether you're a podcaster or a singer, you owe it to your fans to deliver high-quality sound! Here are our top Microphone recommendations to ensure voice clarity and diction Shure SM 58: Arguably the most recognizable performance microphone of the bunch, the Shure SM 58 is our top pick for simplicity, durability and superior sound!  Using its pneumatic shock mount, the Shure SM 58 is designed to handle noise and keep your voice free of vibration.  For less than $100, this choice is hard to beat. Price: $99 USD AKG C636 If you've ever held the AKG C636, chances are, you won't ever want to hold any other microphone. The AKG C636 features a double-shock suspension system that filters out any unnecessary feedback and has proven durability. Price: $429.90 USD Rode NT1-A Anniversary Vocal Cardioid Condenser Microphone Package This Anniversary Package includes everything you need to get a truly professional vocal recording, making it ideal for a home studio.  Along with the studio-grade microphone, it includes a pop shield and shock mount, a premium 20-foot microphone cable, dust cover, and even an instructional package with recording tips. Price: $249 USD Rode NT1000 Studio Cardioid Condenser Microphone Another fan favourite from Rode is the NT1000 Studio Cardioid Condenser Microphone.  The "tube" style of this mic will give your vocals a bit more of a vintage edgy vibe, ideal for indie artists trying to curate an authentic sound, or for folk singers looking to croon the night away. Price: $329 USD

Audio Interface - The Best 3

If you're looking to create your at-home studio with superior sound quality, an audio interface is a must!  An audio interface allows you to record to your computer software using microphones, guitar or your keyboard.  These are our top Audio Interfaces to fit within every budget. Audient iD14 High-Performance USB Audio Interface The Audience iD14 High-Performance USB Audio Interface is our pick for simplicity, professionalism and a cool sleek design.  It is designed to deliver ultra-low noise and low distortion with classic analogue warmth. Price: $299 USD Native Instruments Komplete Audio 2 Two-Channel Audio Interface We like the Komplete Audio 2 Two-Channel Audio Interface because it is exceptionally user-friendly with different ways to plug in and playback.  We love that you can connect to studio monitors or plugin on stage! Price: $139 USD Audient EVO 4 USB Audio Interface Whether. you are creating a podcast or producing a beat, the Audient EVO 4 provides an advanced and versatile feature set for a budget-friendly cost.  The intuitive feature set allows you to get incredible sound quality and can be used by both beginners and pros alike.  Not bad for less than $150! Price: $129 USD

3 Headsets That Won’t Sacrifice Your Comfort

When looking for the perfect at-home studio headset, you want to consider not just sound and budget, but also comfort.  If you are podcasting long episodes or trying to finalize an entire album, you could be wearing your headphones for hours at a time, so you do not want to have to sacrifice the comfort of your ears! Sony MDR7506 Professional Large Diaphragm Headphone For less than $100, the Sony MDR7506 gets our top pick for high quality and great value.  It has been engineered with comfort in mind and designed to wear for extended periods of time. Price: $99 USD Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Professional The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Professional is a professional grade headset with swivelling earcups designed for one-ear monitoring.  They are comfortably designed to fit hours of wear and the collapsable design allows for space-saving in your studio making this our choice for comfort! Price: $150 USD AKG Pro Audio K371 Over-Ear, Closed-Back, Foldable Studio Headphones These foldable studio headphones are the ideal balance between comfort, sleek design and studio-quality sound! The sturdy, but foldable design allows them to be easily transported when you are on the go, keeping up with your mobile lifestyle. Price: $120 USD   Now that you have the basics of your at-home studio, there is no better place you will want to submit your music than Disctopia.  Passionate creatives and indie artists alike are the heart and soul of our platform, and we do whatever we can to nurture raw talent. Sign Up as an artist today!