What You Need To Set Up Your Own Home Recording Space
- Sean Spence
- May 23
- 3 min read
Updated: May 28
If you’ve been wanting to record your own vocals or instruments at home but aren’t sure where to start, you’re in the right place. In this post, I’ll walk you through a simple, beginner-friendly setup that makes home recording easy—even if you have zero experience or technical background. Thanks to major advancements in recording technology over the past 20 years, it’s never been more accessible to capture high-quality sound from the comfort of your own space.
What You'll Need:
A computer of some kind - that could be a laptop, a desktop, PC, Mac or even a smartphone or tablet
A USB microphone
Headphones
Recording software
A quiet place to record yourself
Let’s look at each of these individually:
1. A Computer
All you need is a device with a USB port capable of running recording software. That includes most modern laptops, desktops, and even tablets or smartphones.
A laptop or desktop will give you greater flexibility and ease of use, especially for more complex projects, but a tablet or phone can absolutely get the job done for simple recordings.
2. A USB Microphone
In a traditional studio, the microphone is just the first step in a long, expensive signal chain. A USB mic simplifies this dramatically by combining the microphone and all the necessary gear into one plug-and-play device.
While a $15,000 signal chain will sound amazing, a USB mic is a fantastic entry point for hobbyists. It’s affordable, easy to use, and surprisingly high-quality.
3. Headphones
A good pair of closed-back headphones will let you hear yourself clearly while recording and help prevent sound bleed into the microphone.
4. Recording Software
You will need some kind of software that allows you to record yourself while listening to a music track, previously recorded instrument or even just a click track (metronome). This kind of software is called a Digital Audio Workstation (or DAW for short).
For Mac, iPhone, or iPad:
GarageBand – If you own a Mac, iPhone or iPad, your easiest option is GarageBand, a free DAW that is included with your device. More info on GarageBand
Logic Pro – If you want something with more power, Logic Pro (made by Apple) is a powerful DAW used by many in the music industry and can be purchased through the App Store. It includes a vast library of sounds (virtual instruments and drum loops etc) so you can start building your own tracks right away. Read about Logic Pro here.
For PC:
Reaper – Technically free with a generous 60-day trial and an affordable full license. Highly customizable and powerful once you get familiar with it. Great for users who want flexibility without a big upfront investment. Download Reaper
Mixcraft – User-friendly and often compared to GarageBand for its simplicity. Ideal for beginners who want to start recording and producing quickly. Includes built-in virtual instruments, loops, and effects. Explore Mixcraft
Cubase Elements – Entry-level version of a professional-grade DAW. Offers a clean interface, excellent MIDI and audio tools, and great long-term potential. Get Cubase Elements or check out the Cubase Elements Free Trial
Full disclosure: I’m a huge Cubase fan and highly recommend it!
5. A Quiet Place to Record Yourself
This may seem obvious but it is more important than you think. Just because your microphone may be pointing at you does not mean it is recording only you. It is also recording any and all background noises, ticking clocks, distant cars driving by or air conditioning hum. It is also picking up the reverberations from the room you are in.
As as much as possible, I recommend finding the quietest and most dampened space you can to record yourself. Closets filled with clothes are fantastic (and have been used by hit singers on hit songs!). Even just draping some blankets around and putting a rug down can have a big impact on the sound.
Conclusion
These are the essentials you need to get started recording at home. Whether you're brand new or simply doing this for the love of music, this setup is a great place to begin.
In a future post, I’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of actually recording yourself. I can’t wait to hear what you create!
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