Creating a productive studio environment is always a challenge, but with these affordable studio upgrades, you can iron out some of the creases.
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While the individually chosen instruments and pieces of recording gear in your studio steal all the limelight, there are other unsung heroes that deserve a mention. When you bought your workhorse mic, your favourite synth, or your current set of studio monitors, you probably didn’t spend as much time considering the importance of the stands and peripherals that contribute to the experience.
Some items like monitor stands can improve the audio performance in your studio and give you the means to place your speakers with intention rather than simply where your desktop allows. Meanwhile, other items like pop filters can protect your microphone and preserve its condition even with daily use.
Affordable Studio Upgrades: t.akustik ISO Pads
So you’ve got yourself a fantastic pair of studio monitors and plonked them onto your desk, but you start experiencing some issues. While some of the problems can be solved by positioning the speakers away from the wall, this doesn’t prevent the vibrations that occur from low frequencies, and the larger the monitor, the more likely you are to experience this.
Luckily, acoustic decoupling for studio monitors, subwoofers, and guitar amps isn’t massively expensive. With the t.akustik ISO Pads. you can decouple your monitors for less than $20. The range includes four options, with sets designed to fit 5- to 8-inch monitors, as well as letting you tilt them at a 4- or 8-degree angle to reduce surface reflections.
One thing to keep in mind is that monitors come in different shapes and sizes, so be sure to check the dimensions of the base of one of the speakers to match it correctly with the right size ISO Pads. Also, you can find a range of affordable options to decouple your subwoofers and guitar amps. Get it at Thomann.*
Affordable Studio Upgrades: K&M Monitor Stands
Acoustic decoupling and studio monitor stands go hand in hand; while the isolation pads provide separation and tilt in some cases, stands allow you to position your monitors more precisely in your space, matching the height to your seated listening position. This lets you separate the speakers from the walls and desk surface, and optimize the angle to get the best nearfield monitoring for your space.
Of course, transferring your monitors from your desk onto stands creates more desk space, which is in short supply in many home studios. Some options, like the K&M 26754, are fitted with tiltable mounting plates which let you adjust the angle between zero and 12.5 degrees. This adds a degree of precision to your setup, so you can get the most from your monitors.
The K&M range of adjustable floor stands also includes options with different bases for monitors in different weight categories, like the 26740 with its cast iron base for heavier monitors, while the 26722 has a tripod-style base with rubber feet and the ability to run cables internally for a neater overall appearance. Get it at Thomann.*
Affordable Studio Upgrades: sE Electronics Reflexion Filter
The sE Electronics range of Reflexion Filter acoustic shields provides solutions for reducing the amount of reflectivity captured by your microphone. Even though we use cardioid mics in home recording studios for the most part, it doesn’t take much to excite a small untreated room and introduce reflections you don’t want on your recordings.
With a Reflexion Filter, the off-axis region of a cardioid mic is shielded from the rest of the room, so the unintended ambient reflections are nullified considerably. Whether you’re recording vocals or instruments, an acoustic mic shield can contribute towards a more professional-sounding recording, and reduce the time you spend in post-production.
The Reflexion Filter range starts with the lightweight RF-X for under $100, the RF PRO with its six-layer design and punched-aluminium frame for just under $200, and the RF Space with seven vertical bass trap pillars, deeper air gaps, and increased surface area that provides full-bandwidth absorption for large-diaphragm mics. Get it at Thomann.*
Affordable Studio Upgrades: Pop Filters
When you’re recording speech or vocals of any kind in a home studio environment, attaching a pop filter to your microphone is essential. Naturally, its primary function is to reduce sibilance and plosives, but a pop filter also creates a physical barrier between the microphone and the performer, which can ensure they don’t get too close.
This lessens the risk of the voice ever clipping the mic unintentionally, and by maintaining a consistent distance, the recording is automatically more consistent, which cuts down on the amount of editing needed in post. Over time, particularly if you’re using your mic on a daily basis, a pop shield serves as an additional layer of protection for the mic’s diaphragm.
As microphones can be a serious investment, you want to ensure their longevity, and a pop shield will prevent any environmental dust or debris, or saliva from coming into contact with the internal elements of the microphone. Always check if the brand of mic you’ve chosen also offers pop filters, because they are designed with its specifications in mind. Get it at Thomann.*
Affordable Studio Upgrades: Acoustic Calibration Software
Whether you prefer mixing on studio monitors or headphones, acoustic calibration software has become one of the best ways to ensure consistent results in a home studio environment with little or no acoustic treatment. For headphone users, you can match a profile to your specific model of headphones that compensates for any shortcomings in the frequency response.
What’s more, software like LEWITT Space Replicator allows you to simulate the experience of being in a wide range of studios while using headphones, as well as simulate different headphone models. This allows you to reference your mixes in different spaces without leaving your studio chair, ensuring that the decisions you make translate on any playback system.
Meanwhile, the range of speaker calibration solutions continues to grow each year, with tried and tested options like Sonarworks SoundID and IK Multimedia ARC that allow you to quickly map your room and create a speaker profile that compensates for any weaknesses. These systems are also available as dedicated hardware units that take the load off your CPU. Get it at Thomann.*
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