Our studio and recording tips offer insight on acoustics, microphones, producing, gear, plug-ins, and everything in between.
This post was updated September 2018.
Ready to learn how to record your music in your own home studio? Looking for advice on recording equipment, acoustics, and being a recording engineer? We’ve got a ton of home studio blog posts we’ve published over the years, and we’ve collected most of them here for you. Dig in to interviews with great music producers, tips on how to build your home studio, and recording insights from the pros.
Home Studio Handbook
Our newly revised and expanded hands-on guide to home audio recording, The Home Studio Handbook: Get Great Acoustics and Killer Mixes From Your Home Studio covers a wealth of topics that newbies and those of you with studio chops can learn from. The 37-page Home Studio Handbook is free and available for download now!
Tips from the Pros
Choose moderate volume when mixing music
Budgeting for your recording session
Vocal recording advice for the experimental at heart
Seven things to consider when shopping recording studios
Consider this when mixing with headphones
Mix with your song structure in mind
How to overcome the challenges of mixing in a home studio
Five mistakes that can lead to a muddy mix
Improve your EDM production skills with close listening
Actively test – and improve – your listening skills
Tips from a veteran mixing engineer
Audio mixing fundamentals with engineer Graham Cochrane
Prepping for the recording studio, Part II
Preparing to record in a professional recording studio
Introduction to Audio Mastering
Mixing on headphones in your home studio
Stereo width and audio mastering
Stage and studio advice from a vocal producer
Avoid these common mistakes to get the most from audio mastering
What is the difference between loudness, volume and gain?
Are you ready to work with a vocal producer?
Audio mastering basics for your home studio
A record producer’s pre-recording prep work
Are your home studio acoustics killing your mix?
How to choose a recording studio
Butch Vig on record production
Twelve EDM production tips for producing massive and original dance music
Psychology and the Music Producer – an audio engineer often has to do it all
A study in record production: Miranda Lambert and Beck
Limit your takes and make better recordings
Audio repair and restoration: tools of the trade
Virtual synths and the art of imperfection
(Irreverent) Recording tips from Mitch Easter
So this guitarist walks into a recording studio…
Panning adds width to your audio mix
The four essential elements of EQ and your audio mix
Producing great hip hop vocals
Don’t boost – reduce! Subtractive equalization and your home studio mix
The Mantra of a Successful Recording Studio
SNL Drummer Shawn Pelton Shares Recording Session Performance Tips
Using Auto-Tune in Your Home Studio
Audio Mastering – The Mysterious Post-Production Art Form
Ear Fatigue and Mixing Music – Know the Signs, Avoid Mistakes
Food and the Recording Studio – A Serious Recording Tip
Dithering – Adding “Good Noise” to Improve Your Home Recordings
To capture the tone of Eric Clapton, George Harrison, and Tom Petty – stay out of the way
Home Studio Tips from a Big Studio Designer
Quincy Jones: Tools For Success
In the Studio with Michael Jackson
In the Studio with Trevor Horn
Analog Recording in Digital Times
Creating a Great Composite Vocal Recording
Behind the Glass with Joe Chiccarelli
From Your Project Studio to The Sound Machine
Behind The Glass with Daniel Lanois
Drum Tuning Advice for Recording and Gigs
How To Record
Getting great results when you’re the singer AND producer in your home studio
10 ways to lay the groundwork for an amazing vocal recording session
Three easy fixes to improve your guitar tone when recording
Prepping for an audio mix: Get your session, tracks, and notes in order
Recording vocals in a home studio
Seven tips for recording great keyboard parts in the studio
Seven music mixing tips to help you maintain perspective
Mixing bass guitar in your home recording studio
Mixing vocals in your home studio
How to make better audio mixes with panning
EQ and your audio mix: Five tips for spectral success
Add a little jelly to your home studio recordings
Add clarity to your audio mix using pre-delay
Mixing rap vocals to cut through the music track
How to get a great vocal sound in your home studio
Music production basics – Part 1: amplitude and automation
Home recording tip: save samples to speed up noise reduction
The record producer and pre-production
Fixing your audio mix: how to tweak that problem bass note
Mixing Drums: How to mix drums and percussion in your home studio
Getting the best from your live music recording
Five tips for recording vocals at home
Home recording tips – 9 mic placements for recording a snare drum
Pre-production tips for recording drums
10 Mixdown Tips for the Aspiring Audio Engineer
Home Recording Tips – 10 Mic Placements For Acoustic Guitar
Home Studio Recording Tips From a Pro Studio
Your Home Studio Mix – Recording Tips For Better Results
How To Record A Great Vocal Take
How To Record a Snare Drum in Your Home Studio
Signal Processing For The Home Studio Owner: Part 1, Compressors, Limiters, and EQ
Signal Processing For The Home Studio Owner: Part 2, Gates, Delay, and Reverb
Quick tips for recording better tones in your home studio
How to Record Piano in Your Home Studio
Re-amping and Your Home Studio
How To Record Bass Guitar – Recording tips for the home studio and beyond
How to Record a Saxophone – Recording tips for the home studio and beyond
Using compressors and limiters
Gear, software, and equipment advice and reviews
Choosing a signature vocal mic for your studio
Going mobile: A look at music making apps
Virtual synths and musical instruments on your mobile device
The B-3 in action: Five examples of Hammond organ done right
Six tips for adding Hammond organ to your music
Remote collaboration: Nine tips for sharing music tracks
Mastering Gear and The SoundLAB at Disc Makers
Acoustic treatment and your home studio
Virtual instruments – the secret ingredient of film, TV, and video game music
Pros and cons of the Figure 8 mic pickup patternl
The recording equipment you really need for your home studio setup
Making Beats With the Akai MPC
A quick buyer’s guide for your home studio microphone
My six favorite home studio accessories (this year)
Format options for your audio master
Choosing the right audio interface for your home studio
Isolation headphones and your home recording
Recording Studio Microphones: Good, Better, and Wow!
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