The Most Popular Recording Equipment for 2024
As we move into the exciting year 2024, technology continues to advance by leaps and bounds, offering sound professionals an ever-widening range of tools to perfect their creations. In this post, we’ll talk about the best recording gear for this new year, from innovative audio interfaces to cutting-edge microphones: in short, the technological gems that are defining the standard in the year ahead.
Now, here’s the first thing to consider: setting up a recording studio is a process that demands meticulous planning, research, and budgeting. Understanding what equipment you need and how much it will cost is essential to ensuring the functionality and profitability of your studio. You’ll realize what a noisy world it is when you already have a recording studio.
At that point, as you embark on the adventure of setting up a studio, keep in mind that there are key factors, including the equipment needed, room acoustics, power and networking, a computer, audio interface, comfort, safety, and accessibility. In addition, it is crucial to differentiate between two main types of studios: domestic and professional (or commercial).
Also, remember the basic possibilities. On the one hand, you have the bedroom recording studios, ideal for beginners, with a basic setup including a computer, audio interface, microphone, headphones, recording software, and monitor speakers. On the other hand, you have the exclusive home and semi-professional studios, which offer higher quality and flexibility, with acoustic treatment and soundproofing options. Finally, you have professional studios, equipped with state-of-the-art technology, which are ideal for audio production experts. From high-end audio interfaces to top-of-the-line MIDI keyboards, these studios cater to the needs of studio engineers, producers, and musicians with a high level of expertise.
Regardless of the type of studio you choose, it’s vital to thoroughly consider every component, from the computer to the acoustic treatment. With the right guidance, such as Pirate and Max’s recommendations, you can make the most of your budget and create a recording studio that elevates the quality of your sound productions.
Here are some recommendations.
The choice of audio interface can be the difference between an excellent recording and a disappointing one. For the discerning, the Apogee Ensemble stands out with premium components and an aesthetically pleasing design. With an integrated conversion function, minimal latency, and eight preamps, it offers 30 inputs and 34 outputs for exceptional sound quality. On the more affordable side, the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 is the ideal choice, with 18 inputs, 20 outputs, eight preamps, and a built-in talkback microphone for setting up a home studio without a big outlay.
Consoles are evolving too, and the Harrison 32 Classic combines analog elegance with the versatility of the DAW era. This model integrates space for computers, phones, and screens, along with 64 channels of Dante and A-D/D-A conversion, adapting to modern demands. A versatile solution for contemporary studios that balances classic with digital efficiency.
When it comes to DAWs, the choice depends on your specific needs. Avid Pro Tools stands out as the industry standard, compatible with Windows and Apple, with the added benefit of Avid Cloud Collaboration for efficient file sharing.
The search for exceptional gear continues, and the Pope Audio Pre-BX with its transistor-style saturation and efficient Baxandall EQ is a standout in the 500 series. Electric & Company’s EC5B, classified as a “luxury item” studio outboard, offers rich and surprisingly fast valve compression. Heritage Audio’s Herchild 670, an update of the iconic Fairchild Model 670, excels at splicing mixes with its exceptional audio performance and relative affordability.
Warm Audio’s WA-MPX and WA-2MPX single-valve mic preamps offer a palette of vintage character, while the Sony C80, with its fixed cardioid derivative, provides a refreshing option in the microphone world.
In the studio monitor arena, the distinction is crucial. The Adam Audio A7X, with its X-ART technology, stands out for its high-frequency clarity and extended response. In the budget range, the KRK Rokit 5 offers studio quality with a 1" soft dome tweeter and EQ options.
Since its inception in 1983, MIDI has been central to music recording and editing. Although it does not output sound, it collaborates with DAWs to manipulate data and facilitates editing with MIDI controllers. In the world of microphones, the Rode NT1-A is ideal for home studios, while the MXL 990 is a full-featured budget option.
When it comes to headphones, the Shure SRH1540 provides premium quality, and the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro is the ideal affordable option. For microphone stands, the Latch Lake MicKing 2200 is the quality choice, while the Samson MK10 is the budget option. For monitor isolation, the IsoAcoustics ISO-PUCK is the best, and the Auralex Acoustics MoPAD is the most versatile budget choice.
Choosing a microphone preamp is also crucial for recording quality, and the Avalon VT-737SP is Ledger Note’s top choice. This professional-grade preamp offers three inputs and a discrete Class A EQ, bringing a distinct warmth to recordings favored by experienced users. For more affordable options, the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd generation is ideal for beginners. Compact and efficient, this dual-channel preamp uses USB, ensuring excellent results with low-noise outputs and an included software package.
Headphone amplifiers? The Grace Design M920 stands out as the premium choice, offering a complete monitoring system. For tighter budgets, the JDS LABS Objective2 + ODAC is a DIY quality option with stereo inputs and a power adapter. In addition, optimizing the audio quality in your recording room through acoustic treatment with insulating wadding and fiberglass panels will ensure quality recordings (and peace of mind for your neighbors…).
We hope you found this information useful. If you want to keep up with the latest technological trends in this industry, be sure to follow our blog. At Enhanced Media Sound Studio we want to help you take your audiovisual projects to the next level of quality.
