What is the budget for building a home recording studio? – Chaka Music Production

I wrote this article for you music producers, whether beginners or pros with a limited budget. So that you don’t make the wrong choice, understand your friends’ needs first, then after that we can calculate them together.

Computer/Macbook

A computer is an important item where all recording activities are carried out in this object, so that you don’t make the wrong purchase, first understand whether you like traveling or prefer to spend a long time in the studio? If the answer is that you like traveling, then a MacBook Pro could be a solution, with a fairly light weight, I recommend buying this object in the price range of IDR 15,000,000-20,000,000. and pay attention to at least 16Gb RAM, i7 3.1Ghz processor, and at least 300-500Gb SSD memory.

With the same budget, friends can also assemble a computer or PC with the same or even higher specs.

Audio Interface

This tool is a device that becomes a portal that transmits/converts sound sources to the computer. Currently, the standard AI is a 2 channel USB model, with a 48V phantom power feature. There are several brands that are commonly used, such as Focusrite, Presonus, Tascam, Mackie, Zoom, Steinberg, Behringer, there are even the latest AI releases such as Arteria. Please check the complete features on the marketplace or watch the review on YouTube.

Standard budget for audio interface IDR 2,500,000-3,000,000.

Headphones

As a monitor function, headphones are very sufficient, remember! Choose flat speakers, for monitor recording. Apart from being light, these headphones will be useful for checking the final mix/master results. Usually headphones are above Rp. 500,000. It’s quite good, I myself have used ISK, Behringer & I’m currently using Samson CR.

Microphone

Once you have a microphone, and three friends on top, you officially have a STUDIO kit, yeah! There are two types of microphones, namely dynamic & condenser, learn about both first. My advice, if you have 1 condenser mic, that’s enough to start recording. pay attention to the specs, high SPL >135 Db, medium-large diaphragm, low self noise, sensitivity, gain. Standard budget in the range of IDR 1,500,000-2,500,000. and look for ones that include cables, because this can save your budget. (cable upgrade can follow, OK)

DAW

Digital audio workstation, is the recording software used, there are several brands that you need to check, these 5 names are logic pro, pro tools, cubase, ableton and studio one. all have the same function, with various advantages of each. Don’t be embarrassed if you can only operate one of them, because the important thing is to START FIRST.

DAWs usually have a stock VST soundbank and supporting plugins such as Compressor, EQ, Limiter, etc.

Budget for DAW Rp. 3,300,000/

MIDI controller

To make it easier for you to “draw” notes in your DAW, you need a midi controller, which can be a 2 octave piano keyboard or a pad which is usually used by electronic/hip-hop music producers. relatively cheap budget, around Rp. 1,500,000.

Speaker Monitor

Sometimes our ears get tired of using headphones, so monitor speakers could be an option for playing recordings. Usually standard 5 inch flat speakers are used. There are several main player brands, YAMAHA HS 5, KRK rockit, ALESIS, ESI near, M Audio, Behringer, Kurzweill. please adjust the budget! There are also tempting products such as the DS 5 and UM audio made in Indonesia which cost under IDR 2,000,000.

Computer	Rp. 20,000,000.
Audio Interface	IDR 3,000,000.
Headphones	Rp. 500,000.
Microphone	Rp. 2,000,000.
DAW	Rp. 3,300,000.
Midi Controller	Rp. 1,500,000.
Speaker Monitor	Rp. 2,000,000.
total	IDR 32,300,000

This is the basic cost, or the minimum. because there are still many more aspects that I haven’t written about. If friends want to consult, or want help with studio design services, please contact contact@chakamusic.com

Author: Chaka Priambudi