- Free up as much hard disk space on your computer as possible (at least 50%).
- Make sure your computer has at least 4GB RAM.
- Buy a 1TB external Hard Drive (minimum). I currently use Western Digital and Seagate brands, both of which continue to function flawlessly and I've thrashed them. They have never been dropped though.
- Start learning a popular DAW as this will save you time having to learn Cubase, Protools or Logic later down the track.
- Get a midi keyboard. Even if you're not a keys player, one of these will make writing & producing your own music so much easier, especially if you don't have a drum kit!
- You will also need a fairly decent set of headphones. These are the best cheap headphones that I've purchased and they still sound great.
- Avoid using the mic or mic input on your computer for recording your music. Get a recording interface and save yourself the time spent trying to make crappy recordings sound commercial. On the budget end of things you have stuff like this and on the classy end there are these or these.
- Get a large diaphragm condenser mic and don't stress if you can't afford a Neumann. Something like this will be just fine. Buy a bundle pack if you can afford it, as the pencil condensers and pop filter will definitely come in handy.
- Get the best quality XLR cables you can afford. You'll thank me in 6 months.
- At some point you'll find that your shitbox hi-fi speakers just don't cut the mustard when it comes to mixing your tracks and listening to them being played back on various systems. I use these and for the price they are awesome.
- Be patient. It takes time to accumulate enough gear to really get recording and producing your own music. Save up and chip away item by item. Avoid all temptation to steal equipment! Max out your credit card if you have to (I personally don't have any credit cards - but that's another blog).
Thanks for reading,
Luke.
