Home and Portable Recording
Home recording has never been more accessible than it is today. As the quality of home recording
equipment continues to rise, and the cost continues to decline, the opportunity to produce studio
quality audio recordings in your own home has never been better. Everyone from professional sound
engineers to beginners can find the equipment they need to make fantastic recordings; utilizing
everything from incredibly powerful digital audio workstations to handheld portable digital
recorders.
With all these options available though, it can be difficult to determine exactly what home
recording equipment is best suited for your needs. Fortunately, this Home Recording Buyers Guide is
designed to help you get the equipment and information you need to get your home recording projects
going in no time.
The Three Kinds of Home Recording
Hardware Based-Multi-track Recorders: Multi-track recorders provide an all in one
platform perfect for home recording studios. Depending up the model of the multi-track recorder,
you'll be able to record anywhere from 2 to 24 tracks simultaneously. Additionally, multi-track
recorders feature onboard mixing, mastering, playback, overdubbing and recording capabilities.
Essentially, hardware based multi-track recorders provide all the hardware in one package, all you
need are the studio microphones and cables to get going.
Computer Based: Digital Audio Workstations (DAW): A computer based digital audio
workstation consists of three separate components; a computer, an audio converter and software.
Unlike hardware based units, DAWs typically don't have a physical mixing board (although they can)
and instead use computer software to provide a digital replacement. Digital audio workstations are
considered by some to be the most powerful home recording units available, offering everything from
unlimited variations on virtual instruments to high quality graphical interfaces.
Portable Digital Recorders: Portable digital recorders are not exactly a home
recording studio, but they are a great alternative for those looking to be able to make recordings
wherever they go. With built in microphones capable of recording in stereo, portable digital
recorders pack an amazing punch in a small, light-weight unit. Although you won't need any
additional equipment, some portable digital recorders allow you to connect microphones and record
multiple tracks at a time, giving you even more options wherever you go.
Finding the Home Recording Equipment That's Right for You
The home recording equipment
that's best for you will ultimately be dependant upon what and how you plan on recording. For
example, if you primarily want to record yourself practicing at home, but would like the ability to
record new songs you are working on, then a portable digital recorder will probably be perfect for
you. On the other hand, if you're already experienced with home recording and producing quality
audio recordings is paramount, you will probably want to consider a recording unit with more
versatility and breadth, such as a Digital Audio Workstation, or a digital multi-track recorder.
Once you have a general idea of what kind of capabilities you want for your home recording
projects, it will be much easier to find the home recording equipment that's perfect for you.
