With companies across the country telling their employees to work from home amid the Coronavirus outbreak, now is a good time to beef up our in-home studios. Luckily with affordable USB mixers and the improvement of audio transmission over IP, the barrier for entry to create a professional home studio is much lower than it was just a few years ago.
If someone is trying to match up their audio with the station’s studio audio the best option would be to use the exact same mic processors and microphones that are used in the station’s studios. Otherwise, here are some of our equipment suggestions for building a home studio.
Microphones: For broadcast and podcasting we’d suggest an Electrovoice re20 or Shure SM7B with a pop filter. Either of those work well for voice-tracking, production, station voicework and podcasting. However, someone that’s looking to get high-end voice work might want to step up to the Sennheiser MKH-416 or, of course, a Neumann.
Mic Processors: In my home voiceover studio I use a Symetrix 528e, which they don’t make anymore. But personally, I’ve been happy with every Symetrix mic processor I’ve ever used. A cheaper alternative is a DBX 286s. I’m also considering stepping up to a Wheatstone M1. A workaround for podcast studios that need several mics but can’t afford to buy a processor for each mic, is to run multiple mics into a mixer and then run the output from the mixer into the mic processor. Obviously going that route means each mic would be processed the exact same, minus whatever tweaks can be made through the mixer EQ, but it saves a lot of money.
Mixer: There are several quality USB mixers that basically act as a replacement for the $1,500 sound card most radio automation and production computers have in them. The two I use are the Alesis Multi Mix 8 USB and the Behringer Xenyx X222. They are both plug and play for any computer with a USB input. The Alesis has plenty of inputs (4 XLR inputs for mics) and EQ capabilities for broadcasting and it’s half the price ($150). Alesis even makes a MultiMix 4 USB now that’s $50 less with 2 XLR inputs. The Behringer is really overkill for most home broadcasting and recording. For someone that’s looking for something that’s closer to a typical broadcasting console the RodeCaster Pro Podcast Console might be a good fit but it’s a little pricier. A lot of people skip the mixer and mic processor all-together by getting a USB mic but personally I haven’t been able to produce broadcast-quality audio doing that as of yet.
Sound Proofing: The reason most of the studios we’ve all broadcasted in have sounded so good is because they’re technically rooms within a room. They are built using sound isolation clips so no metal or wood is directly touching another wall and transferring sound between rooms, staggering studs, using acoustical insulation and, if possible, quiet rock instead of regular sheet rock. The best way to recreate this scenario at home is to use an interior room, with little-to-no windows, use a towel or blanket to better seal the door and a couple of acoustic sound blankets to create a small studio. The sound blankets are inexpensive and they have a better NRC, noise reduction coefficient, than most sound proofing you see in professional studios. I always add the grommets so they’re easier to hang. Closets work great because they already don’t have windows and they are easier to sound-proof because of their size.
Cables: Other than the power cables that come with the processor and mixer, along with the mixer’s USB cable, the only other cables that are needed are two XLRs for each mic (One to the mic processor first and then one from the mic processor to the USB mixer).
Audio Over IP: Turn it into a live studio by adding a codec that uses audio over IP like a Comrex Bric Link, Comrex Access, or TieLine. A much cheaper alternative is a Barix Instreamer, but that will cut down on the audio quality.
For production and imaging work where headphones might not be sufficient, powered speakers can be added for playback and there are several good options in the $100 to $200 range. Personally, I use a pair of Tannoy Reveal 501a powered speakers. An equipment rack helps to house everything and make it easier to transport if you’re moving it into and out of rooms (Mic processors will last a lot longer in a rack.) Plus, a few boom or tabletop mic stands and an audio editor like Adobe Audition will also be needed.
Especially if we’re willing to buy used the basic home studio can be built for under $800 (Plus the cost of the audio editor). However, it can get pricey quick depending on the mics and processors we choose. But it’s well worth it after about the hundredth time you can re-voice something instead of driving into the studio.
Comment below with your thoughts or email me with any questions at andy@radiostationconsultant.com. Pic designed by macrovector for www.freepik.com.