Home Recording Studio Equipment You Will Need to Work From Home

For those of you who wish to work from home in the recording industry you are going to need to have home recording studio equipment. What home recording studio equipment you will need to get started will vary based on the type of recording you plan to do from home. For example, if you only plan to record narration for online videos or podcasts you will need less equipment than if you were trying to record music. Another thought is how much you plan to record at one time, one or two tracks and adding vocals in layers requires less equipment than if you plan to do more than two tracks or recording a full band.

One of the most important pieces of home recording studio equipment that you will need to have is a microphone (or microphones). While that might seem obvious to most people, some people do miss it. Without the microphone you will not be able to record anything. To start out, I recommend a USB mic like the Samson Q1U. If you plan to only do voice-overs or simple solo-type music, this just might be enough for you. There are several more advanced models of USB mic as well that you can upgrade to. If you have the budget though, I highly recommend a large diaphragm condenser mic like the Rode NT2-a, along with a computer audio interface box like the M-Audio Fast Track. Again, if you're planning to record a band, you'll need more mics and a larger interface capable of recording several sources at once.

Along with the microphone you will need to have a computer. Most folks reading this will already have one, so it won't be much of an issue. And these days, most normal computers with sound cards will work just fine.

You will also need recording software. Most computers nowadays come with some basic form of recording software, but that isn't going to be quite enough for those wishing to make some money from recording. Rather than spending money on professional recording software many professionals use Audacity, which is available to download for free. Audacity has an amazing array of features and capabilities for the price, which, as I mentioned in case you missed it, is FREE. I would also suggest adding a program called Reaper for $49 (unless and until you start making 10-20 thousand clams a year using it. Then you are asked to spring for the commercial license for $150).

This next bit of studio equipment stirs up quite a lot of controversy. I refer to studio monitors, as in loud-speakers. I've written before about how our ears lie to us at the best of times, but even the most honest of ears can be easily tricked by things like the room you mix in, and the loud-speaker response. In an ideal world you would do your critical listening and mixing in a room that doesn't mangle several frequencies before they get to your ears (Google the term room acoustics for more detail on that fun little topic), even if reproduced on perfect speakers. Also, you would have perfect response from the speakers in this perfect world. If your mixing room is a bedroom, as it is for most home recordists, just know that what you hear is already mangled in several ways. You can improve that situation, if you have really good speakers, but it isn't easy (I refer you again to the topic of room acoustics).

Another way to monitor is through headphones. To start out, you don't need anything special in that department as long as you can hear clearly what you're recorded. For music, you'll want at least one pair of closed-back headphones for overdubbing so that the sound coming from the headphones doesn't bleed down your cheeks into the microphone.

What is the best monitoring solution then? Should you buy special monitor speakers? My heretical advice is that if you're recording music, yes you should. Mixing while listening to sound coming through the air is too critical when recording several instruments and vocals, etc. If you're merely recording voice-overs and narration, then I say you can get by with the speakers on your computers along with your headphones, at least to start out. In order to compensate for audio-mangle-age, do your final listening on both your headphones and your computer speakers. Then listen in the car, you iPod, and perhaps a few other systems, to make sure your final product sounds good on all of them. That's the trade-off for not having monitor speakers in a treated bedroom.

So what kind of monitors should you buy? Well there are two main types, active and passive. I'd say that active monitor speakers are better to have than passive speakers. The reason is that they have the amplifier built into them, where as the passive speakers do not. And the reason this is a good thing is that passive speakers require you to also have an amplifier as a separate piece of gear altogether, which will drive the cost up, as well as adding other logistical and electrical complications.

So in a nutshell, in order to outfit yourself with the basic home recording studio equipment, you'll need:

A computer with a sound cardRecording SoftwareMicrophone(s)Monitors (both headphones and speakers)

No matter what equipment you purchase the most important thing to remember is that knowledge of the key audio fundamentals is far more useful than expensive equipment. If you lack basic knowledge you will always end up with poor sounding audio, no matter how expensive the equipment is. Remember this mantra: knowledge trumps gear. There are gazillions of people making crap recordings every day with really expensive gear. But if you have some basic knowledge, you can make great recordings with very modest equipment. Therefore, never let an employee talk you into the most expensive equipment in the store, in most cases the $50 USB microphone will provide you with the professional sounding results.

Learn to record and produce professional sounding audio from home. With fun and short video tutorials we'll show you how to start with a $0-$5 budget, and then how to improve your studio for a few dollars at a time as your knowledge and confidence increase. If you would like to start doing home recording on computer in the next hour, visit us here: Home Recording.

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A to Z Glossary of Circus Skills and Juggling Equipment Prop Definitions

This glossary contains simple descriptions of props you are likely to find if you attend a Juggling / Circus Skills Workshop. "Juggling" in a general sense can refer to all forms of object manipulation such as diabolo, devilsticks, spinning plates etc, so it is more than just the art of throwing multiple objects in the air at the same time!

Astrojax - A toy that contains 3 balls on a string. One ball is fixed to each end of the string and the middle ball is free to slide between the two end balls. This skill toy allows you to do a combination of juggling, yo-yo and lasso tricks. It was invented in 1987.

Bar Flair - The practice of bartenders entertaining their guests while mixing drinks (such as cocktails) using bottles, cocktail shakers etc. "Flair" can include juggling and flipping the bottles, catching in the shaker cups etc. This skill became popular when seen on the 1988 film "Cocktail" starring Tom Cruise and on Britain's Got Talent where the Bar Wizards made it all the way to the Grand Final in 2007.

Beach Flingo - A game where you pass a small ball between yourself and a partner using a bib that is made of trampoline type fabric. Very addictive and you can use these bibs to play volleyball or for a massive group game of keepy-uppy's!

Bounce (Floor) Juggling - The art of bouncing balls off the floor in various juggling patterns.

Cigar Box Manipulation - Three rectangular shaped boxes which resemble cigar boxes but are much more solid. They are usually padded at the edges with a felt-like material. The basic tricks involve holding the two outer boxes, trapping one box in the middle (known as the "home position") and then manipulating the middle box in various directions. W. C. Fields popularised this prop, and it gained popularity in the UK when Kris Kremo performed expertly with them on TV's The Generation Game Christmas Special in 1993.

Club (Juggling) - One of the main juggling props. It consists of a handle and a body. You throw from the handle so that the club completes one or more spins before you catch by the handle once again. Referred to as "pins" and "skittles" by our American buddies or "torches" if they are set alight!

Club Rolling - When you roll a club on the floor, it will roll in a perfect circle. This allows many fantastic and interesting patterns to be created with 3 or 6 clubs.

Club Swinging - The swinging of two clubs around the body, arms and legs. This is a form of Contact Juggling as the props stay in contact with the performer at all times.

Contact Juggling - a form of object manipulation where one or more objects stay in contact with the body (hands, feet etc) at all times. The most common form of contact juggling is using a ball (usually an acrylic or stage ball). This was made popular in the film Labyrinth. Other props you can contact juggle with include Poi Spinning, Club Swinging & Pen Spinning.

Diabolo - A large hourglass shaped object which can be spun and caught on a string between two handsticks. The name is derived from a Greek verb meaning "'to throw across". Multiple diabolo's can be spun on a string, and the possibilities for this prop keep on expanding every year with new people pushing the boundaries!

Devilstick (also known as devil stick, rhythm sticks, lunastix etc) - This consists of 2 handsticks (coated in rubber/silicone) and a larger stick in the middle which is manipulated in hundreds of different ways. Flowersticks have tassles on the end which allow it to move a bit slower in the air (making tricks easier to learn).

Feather Balancing - One of the easiest objects to balance as they move so slowly in the air. Peacock and Ostrich feathers are ideal. Try balancing on your hand, finger, chin, nose etc.

Fire Juggler/Juggling - Many of the Circus Skills props featured in this glossary have versions with wicks you can soak in fuel (such as paraffin) and light on fire. The main fire props include Fire Poi, Fire Staff, Fire Devilstick, Fire Diabolo, Fire Clubs and even Fire Balls (you may need kevlar gloves to be able to juggle these!)

Giraffe - Tall unicycle (usually between 5-6ft) where the pedals & wheel are connected by a chain. It can actually be easier to ride than a normal sized Unicycle as long as you aren't scared of heights!

Glow Juggler/Juggling - Many of the Circus Skills props featured in this glossary have versions which you can light up. The more expensive glow props will even let you programme light sequences! Most common glow props include Glow Poi, Glow Balls, Glow Diabolo, Glow Devilstick, Glow Rings, Glow Clubs & Glow Staff.

Hat Manipulation/Juggling - Throwing and catching one or more hats using hands, feet, body and head. Tricks usually finish with the hat being thrown or placed back on the performers head.

Jitter-Ring / Gyro Ring - The Jitter ring is really just 5 little tops of slightly unusual design which are strung onto a metal ring so that they can freely spin. The discs can spin up to 1000 rpm! Makes a very pleasing rattling spinning noise.

Kendama - Traditional Japanese toy which consists of a ball on a string, a spike and several different sized cups. It bears some resemblance to the classic cup and ball game but is much more difficult!

Parasol - The rolling of an object such as a ball, coin, juggling ring or box on an Oriental parasol (which looks like a very delicate umbrella).

Pedal Racers / Fun Wheels - Fun toys with wheels that are great for learning balance.

Pen Spinning - If you have ever been bored at work/school & started turning a pen (or pencil) between your fingers, then you have been pen spinning! Lots of skilful tricks can be learned. This is a form of contact juggling, as the object stays in contact with your body at all times.

Plate Manipulation - the manipulation of plates all around the body with hands, arms, feet and body.

Plate Spinning - The art of spinning a plate (or bowl) on a stick (or pole).

Poi Spinning - Poi is a weighted object (such as a ball or beanbag) suspended from a rope or chain. You hold the other end of the rope/chain and can swing the poi in many different directions. This originates from the Maori people of New Zealand where "poi" simply means ball.

Rings (Juggling) - Flat circles of Plastic with a hole in the middle. A common item to juggle with and is considered easier than club juggling when it comes to learning with more than 3 as the rings are so thin that they are less likely to collide with each other and they are easier to stack/hold in your hands.

Rola Bola (aka Balance Board, teeter board, bongo board, rolla-bolla etc) - This consists of a round tube (such as a PVC pipe) and a board that is strong enough to hold your weight when placed on top of the tube for you to balance on. It is like a one man see-saw! Once you master the basics, then you can learn to juggle on top of the rola-bola to add a bit of danger and excitement to your performance!

Scarves (Juggling) - A square of fabric (such as chiffon). This can be the ideal way for a child/beginner to learn the basic tricks if they are having problems learning using juggling balls. This is because the scarves float gently in the air, and you have more time to put your hands in the right place to catch them (and you can catch any part of the scarf)! Simple tricks include blowing the scarf back up in the air, letting the scarf land gently over your head!

Shaker Cups - Shaker cups are also called nesting cups, as they are cups that are designed in such a way so as you can catch (nest) them inside each other. They are designed in such a way as not to stick or wedge themselves together when caught, so the inside cup is ready for release again. This is possibly the noisiest prop in a jugglers performance bag, as they are made from metal and make a huge noise when they clatter together!

Speedcups (aka Flashcups) - 12 brightly coloured cups which can be stacked in a variety of different patterns and sequences. There are Sport Stacking competitions where people compete against the clock or another person. The patterns are usually with pyramids of 3, 6 or 10 cups.

Toothbrush Twirling - Using a rubber/silicone devilstick handstick, you can hang the toothbrush from the stick and twirl it round. You can use multiple toothbrushes on one stick and have a stick in each hand. A fantastic & extremely silly activity that is a great warm-up at the beginning of a Circus Skills workshop. A toothbrush with an angled head is best! Toothbrush can also be spun on the finger, but it is best to wet your finger and the toothbrush first to give it a bit extra grip!

Unicycle - Looks like a bike but with only one wheel and no handlebars! Most likely heckle if you are riding a unicycle will be "where's the other wheel". You can always reply "it's on back order" unless you are two tyred of such puns!

Walking/Balancing Ladder - An extra wide ladder which you can balance on, and then learn to walk along the ground moving the feet of the ladder (one step at a time)! You can also balance on the top rung (one leg at each side of the ladder) and start juggling while walking along.

Walking Globe - Large ball that a performer balances on top of. Various gymnastic and juggling stunts can be performed while the ball is kept moving. You have to walk backwards to roll the ball forwards!

Yo-yo - Pocket-size toy that consists of a length of string attached to a flat spool. The spool moves up and down the string allowing you to attempt several well known tricks such as "walking the dog" and "cat's cradle". The yo-yo has been around since the time of the Ancient Greeks.

Steve Thomson is a professional juggler based in the UK who can perform and teach with many of these props. He has an online juggling store (UK only) called Jugglingworld.biz.

His Jugglingworld Website has tricks pages and beginners guides for over 30 different skills-based props (such as all the ones listed in this A to Z Glossary!) If you ever want to learn a new skill, this is the place to start! Tricks Section.

Twitter name is @stevejuggler

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