MasterWriter Review

MasterWriter review by a fellow songwriter:


I'm a huge fan of Masterwriter. It's made for songwriters to help them write awesome lyrics. This software was created by Barry DeVorzon who is a famous songwriter himself. So he knows what songwriters need. There are some famous songwriters who use MasterWriter: Linda Perry, Gwen Stefani, Babyface and many more.


I used to have bookmarks of an online rhyme dictionary, a dictionary, a thesaurus and some other sites to help me find words that suit my lyrics perfectly. It was tedious to have to visit all these sites and have them open in tabs for a long time. Sometimes I closed all of them accidentally, it was annoying to say the least.


But I don't do that anymore. In MasterWriter all of these tools are present plus many more like a phrase dictionary, word families, parts of speech, pop culture, etc. There are a lot of options too. You can filter words by syllable number, part of speech, intensity… Plus you don't even have to be online to look for words (not that it was a problem these days but it's definitely a plus).


Sometimes when I have idea what to write about, I just find a phrase in the phrase dictionary and go from there. All in all, if I had to choose one tool that has improved my songwriting the most, I would definitely say Masterwriter.


Oh, and before I forget, it works both on Mac and PC. I have a Mac though. Just 'cause they are better :)




Edit: I've written a page about MasterWriter and how you can use it when writing lyrics: MasterWriter for Songwriters

- Eszter

Masterwriter

I've found that Masterwriter is THE most helpful software for songwriters and especially lyricists. It's a comprehensive tool that helps you spend more time with the creative part of lyric writing, instead of desperately looking for words, phrases and rhymes in dictionaries or thesauruses.

Several famous songwriters use this tool, including Gwen Stefani, David Foster, Babyface, Linda Perry and LeAnn Rimes.

My Opinion About Masterwriter

I purchased the software about a year ago. Although it's not cheap, I'm glad I did. It has helped me tremendously to come up with lyric ideas that wouldn't have occurred to me otherwise. Sometimes I managed to take my songs in a totally different and more creative direction just by coming across a special word in Masterwriter. I can't imagine what songwriters who don't use Masterwriter do when they get stuck or need new ideas. They probably collect all the tools that's in this program from different places on the internet, but it's tedious work if not impossible.

Tools in the Software

• Songs: a great way to keep a database of your songs. You can include audio too. There is also a creation-date registration service called Songuard. It comes handy if you need to prove that you own the copyright to your song. (For more information on copyright protection, visit the Copyright page.)

• Rhymes: a rhyming dictionary with over 100,000 entries and 36,000 rhymed phrases, including close rhymes, wider rhymes, x-wide rhymes and perfect rhymes. You can also choose how many syllables you want the word to contain.

• Phrases: there are more than 33,000 phrases, sayings and idioms in the database. This is my favorite part of Masterwriter! There is also a box of related words in this tool.

• Dictionary: this part is obvious. It contains The Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary.

• Thesaurus: this is, again, obvious. The Merriam-Webster Collegiate Thesaurus is included in the software.

• Word Families: it's also a kind of dictionary but it's special because it helps you come up with some descriptive words and phrases for your lyrics. You can set how many syllables you want the word or phrase to contain, what part of speech it should be, what ending it should have (base word, -s, -ed, -ing). You can also filter the results according to intensity, etc. My second favorite Masterwriter tool!

• Parts of Speech: this is a list of descriptive words that you can filter according to several criteria: part of speech, ending (base word, -s, -ed, -ing), intensity, positive-negative words and alliterations.

• Pop Culture: it's a Pop-Culture Dictionary that contains more than 11,000 entries from the American World of Culture. You can choose from several sub-collections, like: The World (Countries, Landmarks, Islands, Peoples of the World, Space, Myths, etc.), The Famous (Leaders, Infamous, Artists, Fictional Characters, Sports, etc.), Food & Drink (Beers, Soft Drinks, Bars, Travel, etc.), Products (Cars, Toys, Books, TV, etc.) and The Bible (Full Bible or Old Testament, New Testament)

• Notes: in this section you can put down and save lyric ideas or whatever you want. You can even format the text.

System Requirements

Masterwriter works both on Mac and Windows computers. I have a Mac so I don't know how well it runs on Windows. But the Mac version is clearly not a native Mac application. That's the only negative thing I can say about this software. It runs on my Mac but I can always feel it's a little "difficult" for my computer. The creators should somehow make the software more light-weight. Or it's just my Mac which is not the latest model but it still works perfectly most of the time.

Mac:
PowerPC G4 1.42 GHz or better or Intel Core 2 Duo 2.0 Ghz or better
OS X 10.4 or better
512 MB or more RAM, 1 GB recommended
Built-in or External Microphone
QuickTime 7.5.5 or better

Windows:
2.4 GHz or better Processor of Intel Pentium/Celeron Family or AMD Athlon / Duron Family
Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7
512 MB or more RAM, 1 GB recommended
Built-in or External Microphone
QuickTime 7.5.5 or better

I'm a huge fan of Masterwriter and I definitely didn't regret my purchase. If you're serious about songwriting, and you write lyrics, I highly recommend it, click here to get it on Amazon!


More Recommendations to Songwriters

More Songwriting Software Programs 

Multi Track Recording Software

What's multi track recording software? The types of programs that let you record separate sound sources to separate "tracks". And when you listen to these tracks simultaneously, you can hear your complete song with all the instruments. Then you can save your work and start pitching your song.

So which multi track recording software should you choose? Below you'll find some information that will hopefully help you make this decision.

Audacity

Audacity is a free digital audio editor and recording application.

Features:
✓ Platforms: Mac, PC, Linux, BSD
✓ Price: FREE
✓ Plug-in support: JACK, VST, LADSPA, LV2
✓ File format support: WAV, MP3, AAC, OGG, AIFF, AMR, FLAC, WMA
✓ Available in more than 20 languages.
✓ You can cut, copy and paste audio.
✓ It supports multitrack mixing. You can zoom, edit single tracks.
✓ Audacity features lots of digital effects and plug-ins.

Although Audacity is amazingly powerful multi track recording software program and the best of all: it's FREE, it does have some limitations. One of them is that it lacks dynamic equalizer controls and real time effects. Also, MIDI files can only be displayed.

Pro Tools

Pro Tools is a digital audio workstation by Avid Technology. It is widely used by professionals for recording, editing, music production, film scoring, film and television post-production.

Features:
✓ Platforms: Mac, PC
✓ Price: about $300-$850
✓ Other versions: Pro Tools M-Powered Essential & SE are stripped-down versions targeted at beginners.
✓ Plug-in support: Rewire, RTAS, VST (partial - via Wrapper)
✓ File format support: OMF, AAF, MIDI, WAV, MP3, REX2, AIFF, SDII (Mac OS X only)
✓ In the Edit window you can view a graphic representation of the audio tracks.
✓ In the Mix window you can set and adjust the pan and volume.
✓ In the MIDI edit window you can work with your MIDI data and view them as score or piano-roll.
✓ You can also add several new features if you use some plug-ins available for Pro Tools.

Pro Tools (as the name and the price show) is a multi track recording software program for serious professionals. If you're a beginner, you should rather start out with something simpler, like GarageBand.

Logic

Apple's Logic is a DAW (digital audio workstation) and also an amazing MIDI sequencer.

Features:
✓ Platform: Mac
✓ Price: about $450-$500 (Logic Studio - a bundle of professional music applications including Logic Pro)
✓ Plug-in support: Rewire, VST (partial - via converter), AU
✓ File format support: OMF (partial), AAF, MIDI, WAV, MP3, AAC, ALAC
✓ Logic will give you all the recording equipment you need in a professional studio, including audio effects, software instruments and synthesizers.
✓ One of Logic's supported files is Apple Loops. You can use these great-sounding loops totally royalty-free.
✓ There are some awesome audio effects included, like delays, equalization filters, dynamics processors and different kinds of distortion.
✓ You can use it with a MIDI keyboard or other control devices.
✓ Other great Logic features include guitar tab support, drum notation, chord abbreviations and musical notation with real-time scoring.

Logic's audio engine is the same as GarageBand's. It's basically a VERY advanced version of GarageBand. Or GarageBand is the stripped-down version of Logic. I don't know. The point is that this multi track recording software program is amazing and a lot of (maybe most of) the professional studios and songwriters use it.

Cubase

Cubase is a digital audio workstation by Steinberg, with the help of which you can record, arrange and edit music.

Features:
✓ Platforms: Mac, PC
✓ Price: about $75-$500
✓ Plug-in support: Rewire, VST
✓ File format support: OMF, MIDI, WAV, MP3, REX2
✓ Cubase creates projects which allow you to edit MIDI files, raw audio tracks and other related information like lyrics.
✓ The software can present them in different formats, e.g. musical scores, editing console, event lists, etc.

Cubase is a serious multi track recording software program, not as well-known as Logic or Pro-Tools though. If you want to be compatible with most other musicians' software, it's not necessarily the best choice.

Sonar

Sonar is a digital audio workstation by Cakewalk. You can use it for recording, editing, mixing, mastering and outputting audio.

Features:
✓ Platform: PC
✓ Price: about $80-$600
✓ Other versions: Sonar Home Studio, Sonar Studio Edition, Sonar Essential Edition, Sonar LE
✓ Plug-in support: Rewire, VST, DXI
✓ File format support: OMF, MIDI, WAV, MP3, AAC, REX2, W64, CAF, SDII, FLAC, AU
✓ With Sonar you can record and manipulate an unlimited amount of multitrack digital audio
✓ Record and edit MIDI data
✓ Apply special effects, like reverb and delay
✓ You can automate the process of mixing audio
✓ You can also utilize virtual instruments, such as software synthesizers, software samplers and software drum machines
✓ Sonar provides limited facilities for video and supports avi, mpeg, wmv and mov files.

Sonar is usually the choice of songwriters on a windows platform. It a multi track recording software program that is just as capable as any other serious digital audio workstation application.

Digital Performer

Digital Performer is a full-featured digital audio workstation and MIDI sequencer by Mark of the Unicorn (MOTU). You can use it for recording, editing, mixing, mastering and outputting audio.

Features:
✓ Platform: Mac
✓ Price: about $400-$500
✓ Plug-in support: Rewire, VST (partial - via converter), RTAS, AU, MAS
✓ File format support: OMF, AAF, MIDI, WAV, MP3, REX2, AIFF (import/export), SDII (native)
✓ Wonderful pitch correction ability
✓ Masterworks EQ plug-in
✓ You can choose from a set of virtual instruments

Digital Performer is one of the more popular multi track recording software programs for Macintosh (besides Pro Tools and Logic). It's most notable users include Hans Zimmer, Dream Theater and Pete Townshend.

GarageBand

GarageBand allows you to create music or podcasts. It's part of the iLife software package.

Features:
✓ Platform: Mac
✓ Price: about $35-$50 (in the iLife package) or about $15 in the Mac App Store
✓ Plug-in support: Rewire, VST (partial - via converter), AU
✓ File format support: MIDI, MP3, AAC
✓ GarageBand Jam Packs: about $100 each (Rhythm Section, Remix Tools, Voices, Symphony Orchestra, World Music)
✓ With GarageBand you can record audio, use virtual software instruments, edit MIDI and learn to play the piano or guitar with the help its music lessons.
✓ It can record and play back multiple tracks of audio.
✓ Effects
✓ Import MIDI files and play or edit them in piano roll or notation-style.
✓ You can download pre-recorded music lessons from GarageBand's Lesson Store for guitar and piano (free Basic Lessons and paid Artist Lessons by Sting, Norah Jones, Colbie Caillat, Ryan Tedder, John Legend and more).
✓ It has a standard multi-track drag-and-drop interface with different recorded sections or loops.
✓ Several software instruments are included in GarageBand (and you can purchase more - Jam Packs).

GarageBand is usually the first step for beginners. You can easily learn how to use a multi track recording software program with Garageband. It's very easy to use but it has some limitations. When you get more serious, you'll want to invest in Logic or some other DAW. But you can still create a perfect demo with this software.

ACID Pro

ACID Pro is a professional digital audio workstation software program by Sony Creative Software. It uses Acid Loops painted out across the screen to create music tracks.

Features:
✓ Platform: PC
✓ Price: about $35-$300
✓ Plug-in support: Rewire, VST, DXI
✓ Other versions: Sony ACID Xpress (free but there is a 10 track limit), Sony ACID Music Studio (simplified, low-cost version of ACID Pro)
✓ Acidized loops sample CDs are available from Sony, as well as third party companies.
✓ It also combines full multitrack recording, mixing and MIDI sequencing.
✓ Professional effects and soft synth support is also included.

ACID Pro is not a single multi track recording software product but features a family of products.

FL Studio

Fruity Loops aka FL Studio is a digital audio workstation by Image-Line Software.

Features:
✓ Platform: PC
✓ Price: about $120-$300 (you can purchase extra plug-ins, instruments, etc.)
✓ Plug-in support: Rewire, VST, DXI
✓ File format support: MIDI, WAV, MP3, AAC, OGG, REX2, XI
✓ FL Studio features MIDI support, editing, mixing, recording and mastering audio.
✓ Your work can be exported to wav, mp3 or the ogg vorbis format.
✓ Different sound processing effects, such as chorus, compression, delay, reverb, equalization, etc.

Something that's very nice about this multi track recording software program is that Image-Line provides users with lifetime free updates!

Ableton Live

Ableton Live is a loop-based software music sequencer and digital audio workstation by Ableton. It's an instrument for live performances as well as a tool for composing, arranging and mixing of tracks by DJs.

Features:
✓ Platforms: Mac, PC
✓ Price: about $330-$800
✓ Other version: Live LE (stripped-down version)
✓ Plug-in support: Rewire, VST, AU
✓ File format support: MIDI, WAV, MP3 (only read), AAC, OGG, REX2, FLAC, AIFF, SDII (Mac OS X only)
✓ Includes audio and MIDI effects, such as beatmatching, crossfading, chorus, eq, phaser, delay, reverb and many more.
✓ The interfaces was designed for use in live performance as well as for production.
✓ There are two built-in instruments: Impulse and Simpler. (You can purchase more instruments if you want.)

It's a great multi track software program for songwriters who also perform.

Reason

Reason is a software program by Propellerhead Software. It includes a collection of virtual instruments. It's basically a digital studio that you can use live or with another digital audio workstation.

Features:
✓ Platforms: Mac, PC
✓ Price: about $130-$400
✓ Reason is a collection of several mixers, sequencers, synthesizers, samplers and signal processors.

Reason is for the songwriters who are not interested in recording audio that much but rather use virtual instruments.

Audition

Audition is a DAW (digital audio workstation) by Adobe Systems.

Features:
✓ Platforms: Mac, PC
✓ Price: about $300-$350
✓ Plug-in support: Rewire, VST, DXI
✓ File format support: WAV, MP3, OFF, WMA
✓ Audition is a multitrack recorder that includes advanced mixing and editing functions.
✓ Audition supports virtual instruments.
✓ It also features a collection of royalty-free loops.

Audition is a popular multi track recording software program but not the most popular one. Whether you prefer it to other software is probably a question of personal taste.

I know that it's difficult to choose a perfect multi track recording software program. You'll probably have to make some compromises. But I hope this little overview helps you. As you can see, multi track recording software programs can in all shapes and sizes. And this list is not complete. I only included the best ones here.

Take your time and try one or two of these amazing multi track recording software programs before you make a purchase.

More types of software for songwriters 

Music Writing Software

Music writing software programs are great tools both for beginners and advanced songwriters. Some of these are for those who can read music. Others are suitable for people who know "only" chords. Whichever category you are in, using music writing software in creating your songs is not only helpful but it also makes the process faster and sometimes more flexible.

On this page you will find the programs I (and many others) found to work the best.

Band In A Box

Band In A Box is an award-winning MIDI music arranger software package. It can create a background for almost any chord progression. Then it plays the song back using one of the thousands of different background styles included in the software.

Features:
✓ Platforms: Mac, PC
✓ Price: from about $100 to $500
✓ Edit or create styles Band In A Box.
✓ You can vary the key and tempo of the songs.
✓ Songs can be saved as either a MIDI or audio file.
✓ Band In A Box is compatible with Finale.

The songs sound very predictable first. However, you can edit them in many ways and make songs that sound fresh and catchy.

Sibelius

Sibelius is a scorewriter program by Sibelius Software. It's mainly used by composers, arrangers, performers, teachers and students.

Features:
✓ Platforms: Mac, PC
✓ Price: $80-$630
✓ Other versions: Sibelius Educational, Sibelius Student
✓ Edit or print scores
✓ Scan and import printed scores for editing
✓ Publish scores on the internet
✓ Play music back using high-quality sounds

The Sibelius music writing software is not only used by professional composers but it's also a great educational tool. Hal Leonard Corporation uses Sibelius for their publications, and Berklee College of Music for education. The company claims their their product is the world's best-selling scorewriter. I like Sibelius but I don't know if this claim is true.

Finale

Finale is a scorewriter program by MakeMusic. It's one of the industry standards for notation software.

Features:
✓ Platforms: Mac, PC
✓ Price: about $40-$600 (there is discounted academic pricing available).
✓ Other versions: Finale Allegro, Finale PrintMusic, Finale Songwriter, Finale NotePad, Finale Reader (this one is FREE!)
✓ Notate anything from a textbook chorale to a cut-out score including new symbols invented by the composer.
✓ It's capable of working with guitar tablature.
✓ Finale includes a jazz font similarly to the one found in Real Book.
✓ All score elements can be adjusted by dragging or using dialog boxes.
✓ Music can be entered using a computer keyboard of a command line window.
✓ It optically recognizes printed music from a scan.
✓ You can import and export MIDI files and Finale plays back the music.
✓ You can export audio files as AIF, WAV, of MP3.

Finale is the other most famous and successful music writing software (besides Sibelius). It was used in films like Polar Express, The Aviator and many more.

SongFrame

SongFrame is "a song development toolkit designed to provide songwriters and recording musicians an integrated and comprehensive set of tools for writing and refining songs".

Features:
✓ Platforms: Mac, PC
✓ Price: about $100
✓ With SongFrame you can develop complete songs, including chords, melodies, lyrics, rhythms and song structures.
✓ It features an Audible Chord Library.
✓ You can choose from more than 500 drum patterns for each song section.
✓ Quickly record ideas using audio or MIDI.

To be honest, I haven't tried this one and I feel that it's too expensive if you consider it's limitations. You can't finish a song in this music writing software but only make a "sketch". But I'm sure there are people who are looking for this type of music writing software.

More types of software for songwriters

Free Songwriting Software

Some free songwriting software programs are available but not many. Paid programs are usually more advanced and updated more often, of course. But if you're just starting out, it's perfectly fine to use some free programs. The following are the best ones available.

Audacity

Audacity (Mac, Windows, Linux) is a piece of open source software for recording and editing sounds. In my opinion, it's the best free songwriting software out there. It might come handy when you write a song and you need to record it to remember the words or melody later. Or you can even do some recording and editing if you need to submit a songwriting demo somewhere.

Features:
• Record with your built-in or any other microphone. You can even make multi track recordings with Audacity.
• Import and export sound files. Audacity supports wav, aiff, au, flac and ogg vorbis files. You can import the files, edit and/or combine them and export the result.
• Edit sound files. You can copy, paste, cut and delete parts. If you do some multi track recording, you can also mix the tracks.
• Use special effects, like echo, change of tempo, removal of noises and many more.

VersePerfect

VersePerfect (Windows) is the next best free software. It helps you write lyrics. This software is very easy to use.

Features:
• It gives you phrases, nouns and rhymesfor the words you enter.
• Famous quotes help you to get inspired.
• Semantic chart to help you find connection between words and feelings.
• You can also easily access online dictionaries, thesauruses and Wikipedia from the program.

Song Sharpener

Song Sharpener (Windows) is a free songwriting tool. It helps you to write songs that are very similar to the ones on the Billboard charts.
Features:
• Techniques
• Word suggestions
• Song starters (very helpful!)
• Instrumental songs
• Songwriting tips
• Pro techniques


I hope you've found what you're looking for. If not, click here for
more Songwriting Software.

Building a Home Recording Studio

Building a home recording studio is not at all that difficult and expensive these days. Fortunately, most of the things you used to need several devices for, can be done with a good computer and recording software today. And the results can be incredible. If you learn to use your equipment well enough, nobody will be able to tell if you recorded your songs in your bedroom or in a professional recording studio.

Soundproofing a Home Recording Studio

Before you start recording your future mega-hits, stop and think about your family and neighbors a little. Will they be happy to listen to you work on your songs? If there is a chance you'd disturb them, I suggest that you soundproof your home recording studio first. It costs some money and you can never perfectly soundproof a room but in most cases it's a necessary step in building a home recording studio.

What will you need in your studio?

Thanks to the amazingly complex and sophisticated pieces of multi-track recording software these days (that do most of the work in the studio), you'll need only a few things for building a home recording studio:

✓ Computer
✓ Recording software
✓ Studio microphone
✓ Preamp
✓ MIDI interface & Audio interface
✓ Studio monitors

Computer

Your computer is probably going to be your biggest expense when you're building a home recording studio. If you already have one (and most of us do), great. If you don't, you'll have to make some decisions now.


There are two main routes to choose from: Mac or PC. Personally, I'm a huge Mac fan. Macintosh computers simply work. And they look awesome. In addition, there are no viruses for Macs. However, they are more expensive than Windows computers. But if you consider that a Macintosh computer comes with its free operating system (including iLife, which contains GarageBand - an amazing entry-level music recording software program). It's not THAT expensive.

If you're serious about building a home recording studio, it's also important that you have a powerful computer. An 80 GB hard drive and 1 GB RAM probably won't do. Your music writing software will be painstakingly slow and most probably crash all the time. I suggest that you get at least a 250 GB hard drive and 2 GB RAM.

Another decision to make is if you should get a laptop or a desktop. A laptop is smaller, lighter and portable. But you can often get a more powerful desktop for the same price. I prefer laptops but it's your call. If you wouldn't like to carry your computer around, go with the desktop computer.

Recording Software

The single most important piece of equipment you have to decide about when you're building a home recording studio is the recording software. There are several of them that could work for your needs. Some pieces of software are made only for PCs or Macs so the type of computer you have will help you narrow down the number of choices. My favorite recording software programs are Logic (Mac), Pro-Tools (PC/Mac) and Cubase (PC/Mac). Click here to find out more about these and other recording software programs.

Studio Microphone

There are as many kinds of microphones as stars. The two main types are: dynamic and condenser microphones.

Dynamic microphones are used mostly on stage and in the recording studio. They are capable resisting humidity, dust, etc. Dynamic mikes don't need a power source of their own. However, their quality of sound is not as good quality as in case of condenser mikes. But they can record intensive sounds coming for people of musical instruments. One of the best and therefore most popular dynamic microphones is the famous Shure SM58.

Condenser microphones are more common in studios. Their output is somewhat louder than dynamic mikes' but they are also a little more fragile and sensitive when it comes to intensive, loud sounds and voices. Condenser mikes often cost more money but you can find some great but cheaper ones. Condenser microphones require a power source. The Rode NT1 is a good quality but not too expensive condenser microphone.

If you want something really cheap, simple but good, I recommend the Blue Snowball USB Condenser Microphone. You just plug it into your computer and you're ready to record.

Preamp

What's a preamp? Preamp is short for preamplifier. Preamps are essential when you're building a home recording studio. The preamp transforms the data coming from the microphone so that you can use them. A separate preamp is often unnecessary because nowadays a lot of musical equipment like audio consoles already contain it. If you learn to use the preamp you can make the recorded music sound even better and more professional. Preamps are quite cheap. I recommend the Behringer PP400 Ultra-Compact Phono Preamp.

MIDI Interface & Audio Interface

Although your computer comes with an audio interface (sound card) built in, for professional sounding recordings it doesn't give you good enough quality. Therefore you'll need to replace it with a more advanced one. I use the M-Audio Firewire Solo US35030 Firewire Audio Interface and it works like charm.

What's MIDI? The word "MIDI" is a short form of Musical Instrument Digital Interface. What does it mean? MIDI is a format that makes it possible for us to connect our electronic instruments, equipment and computer. Then they start talking to each other by sending digital signals that contain data like what note we play, how fast, how loud it is, how long it is, etc. You computer needs a MIDI interface so that it can "speak" this standardized language. I highly recommend the MIDIMAN MIDISPORT 1x1 Multiplatform USB MIDI Interface.

Studio Monitors

When you're building a home recording studio, getting studio monitors is essential. What do you use them for? They help you measure and hear the sound you're creating during the recording process. When sound comes from different sources and different angles, the same piece of sound can be perceived very differently by the human ear. That's where the studio monitors come in. They are quite reliably "show" you what your recording really sounds like. My favorite studio monitor is the M-Audio Studiophile AV40 Powered Monitor Speakers.

Home Recording Studio on a Budget

How much building a home recording studio costs is important for most of us. That's why I created a page where I list the things you should get depending how much you can spend now. Even if you can start out with less than the best equipment now, soon you might be able to upgrade your home recording studio a bit. So don't worry if you don't have $5000 for this purpose right now, you can create professional sounding recordings for much less. Click here for some home recording studio budget plans.

Learn to Use Your Home Recording Studio

When you're done building your home recording studio, you'll need to learn how to use it properly. It's a really fun learning process - provided you like music :) - and there are many ways to go about it. If you can find a mentor, great. But if you can't, the best thing to do is start with a course that teaches all you need to know about this topic. My favorite one is called Easy Home Recording Blueprint. Whether you're a beginner or a professional, you'll learn a lot from this course. It applies a so called "copy-as-you-go" method. You just need to follow the instructions to get great results. You don't even need a lot of extra equipment to do this course. Have fun!

Soundproofing a Home Recording Studio

The most important thing to know about soundproofing a home recording studio is that it's impossible to do it perfectly. What you can do is decrease the amount of sound leakage to a certain degree. And the more soundproof you want your room to be, the more it will cost of course. Below I'm going to tell you about some techniques for soundproofing on a budget.


Location
It's important where your studio is in your home. It should be a place that is far from your family members (like the children's room or your bedroom) and also far from your neighbors. I know that it's usually something you can't control but I'm just saying that if you have a choice, carefully consider where your home studio should be.

When soundproofing a home recording studio, you'll need a place with heavy, thick walls, floor and ceiling. Or if possible, instead of very thick walls, you should have two layers of walls with some air gap in between them.

Floor

The best place for your studio is downstairs. That way you don't have to worry about disturbing your neighbors who live under your apartment. However, if there is a subway or railway line close by, you'll still need to soundproof your floor so that no noise can come in. If you can't afford to call an expert to help you soundproof your floor, the next best thing you can do is have a carpet or even more than one layer of carpet.

Walls

If you're lucky enough to have a family who don't mind listening to your music, the only wall you'll need to soundproof is the one you share with your neighbors. Professional studios use a plasterboard that is supported by a wooden frame. For soundproofing a home recording studio, you might be able to build one yourself or there are some experts who can do it for you. It's much less expensive than soundproofing floors.

Ceiling

If your recording studio is at the top of the building, you don't have to deal with soundproofing the ceiling much. If you want, you could lay one layer of chipboard on the top of the joists and that should be enough. If your studio is downstairs, however, you'll have more to do. Since you can soundproof only from "your side", you'll need to add insulation to your ceiling from below. You can use suspended plaster tiles and/or layers of plasterboard. Since it's not an easy job, you'd better find a expert to do it for you.

Windows

The simplest thing you can do is have double glazing fitted. You can even double or triple this layer. Of course, you must be sure about this, as you won't open that window again. Then cover the glazing with paint. And the last thing to do is cover the window with carpet. Then glue the carpet to it.

Doors

Since domestic doors are light and thin, they aren't effective for soundproofing a home recording studio at all. What you can do is buy a fire door. These doors are heavy so they need a heavy frame too. Sound doesn't only leak through the door but the frame as well. So make sure that your new, heavy frame is fixed to the wall very well.

Ventilation
Don't forget that although now you have a great, soundproof room, you'll still need air every now and then. Although fans and air conditioning are generally noisy, they are your only option. At least I don't know anything better for ventilation. When you're recording, your might turn the fan or air conditioning off for a while.

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Budget Recording Studio

Building a budget recording studio is easy. Studio equipment is getting cheaper and cheaper every year. And the stuff you can buy for relatively little money is often incredibly complex and professional.

When I list the things you could get for your budget recording studio, I make the assumption that you already own a pretty good computer. (Go to Building a Home Recording Studio to find out what kind of computer you'll need.) Even those who don't intend to record songs, often have one. If you're one of the few who don't, borrow one from a friend or family member.

Prices change, of course. The prices I write here are estimates.

$100 Budget

These days even about $100 is enough to start recording your songs. You should get these for your budget recording studio:

✓ a Shure SM58 or a Blue Snowball USB Microphone ($100)
✓ download Audacity (PC/Mac), which is a digital audio editor and recording application (free) or if you have a Mac, use GarageBand (part of the iLife package) for this purpose

$500 Budget

For this kind of money you can get some pretty advanced stuff for your budget recording studio.

✓ Shure SM58 or a Blue Snowball USB Microphone ($100)
✓ Cubase 6 (PC/Mac) or some other digital audio workstation ($400)

$1000 Budget

For $1000 you can build a home recording studio that will easily compete with the professional ones. For this budget, I recommend:

✓ Rode NT1 Condenser Microphone ($230)
✓ Cubase 6 (PC/Mac) or some other digital audio workstation ($400)
✓ Studio monitor: M-Audio Studiophile AV40 Powered Monitor Speakers($150)
✓ M-Audio Firewire Solo US35030 Firewire Audio Interface ($170) to upgrade your computer's sound card and get a more professional sounding recording
✓ MIDIMAN MIDISPORT 1x1 Multiplatform USB MIDI Interface ($40)

$2000 Budget

Wow, you must be really serious about songwriting! (And good at saving for the important things…)

✓ Rode NT2A Condenser Microphone($400)
✓ Logic Studio (Mac) and/or Pro Tools 10 (PC/Mac) digital audio workstation ($450 & $550)
✓ Propellerhead Reason 6 (PC/Mac), it's a virtual rack of instruments and effects ($300)
✓ Masterwriter (PC/Mac) creative software for writing lyrics ($200)
✓ Studio monitor: M-Audio Studiophile AV40 Powered Monitor Speakers($150)
✓ M-Audio Firewire Solo US35030 Firewire Audio Interface ($170) to upgrade your computer's sound card and get a more professional sounding recording
✓ MIDIMAN MIDISPORT 1x1 Multiplatform USB MIDI Interface ($40)
✓ Behringer PP400 Ultra-Compact Phono Preamp ($20)

If you have even more money for a home recording studio, you'll basically get the same stuff but their bigger and more expensive versions. And if you record live instruments, it's a whole new story. Buying the instrument itself, connecting it to your studio, etc. is going to be added to the expenses. If you'd like a reliable, versatile and relatively inexpensive digital piano / MIDI instrument in your studio, I recommend the Yamaha DGX640W Digital Piano ($800).

Having all of this equipment is nice. But you'll also need to figure out how to use these tools to create professional quality recordings. I recommend the Easy Home Recording Blueprint course for this purpose. It walks you through the process step by step. And with the help of the writer of the course, Owen Critchley, you might need less recording equipment than you think!

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