Setting up a home recording studio? Please help!?

Question

Okay so I just got permission to set up a home recording studio in our spare room. I know absolutely nothing about studios. I am a singer/songwriter and play the piano, & usually record any of my songs on garage band. I've decided that I want to move on to something completely professional with better sound, better quality etc... I've watched many videos and did a lot of research as to what I should buy, what's the best quality and everything I've found falls into my budget. The only problem is, I have no idea how to connect any of it, or what to do. Basically, I just want to record myself playing the keyboard and singing...so this would all be live. I know I need a good microphone, keyboard, headphones and obviously, a computer/laptop. (I have a macbook). My question is, why do I need things like an audio interface (if I do need one at all, and what's the purpose of it if I have a laptop), and studio speakers? What does all this stuff do and is it needed if I'm just going to be recording myself live? Also, if I DO need all this stuff, what kind of cables would I need to connect all this?! How would I connect the microphone and keyboard to the audio interface, what cables would I use if any at all? I'm just so confused and would appreciate the help..thank you soo much for your time for those of you that answer! I will post the links to the equipment I have found so far that way it would be easier for you to tell me what is necessary and what cables I would need to connect this stuff to each other. Also, I will pick a best answer dw I appreciate the hard work :)
*Does Christina Grimmie record live? Or does she playback? B/c I know in some vids she uses her computer, but if she is just recording straight to her camera, what does the DAW software on her comp have to do with anything?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00167UQLO/ref=ox_sc_act_image_9?ie=UTF8&smid=A364KLI3BZY8MZ -microphone

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002NCW7G8/ref=ox_sc_act_title_6?ie=UTF8&smid=A1BJKMXB3ECNAY -keyboard

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00187PRFC/ref=ox_sc_act_title_5?ie=UTF8&smid=A304D686EJ3MRJ -headphones

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004W95TA6/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&smid=A1FJWL61I7RNHX -audio interface

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001BM4PTI/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&smid=A1VNZKGKM8EL8U -speakers

Sincerely,
Confused Musician

Answer 1

Bro you should talk to geek squad or get cool with a nerd I'm cool with this one nerd and he's always fixing everything. I mean watching porn like 5 times a day on this old lame pc I got too many viruses if I weren't for that kid it would be long gone. Nerds are very useful when it comes to technology. It is very hard to tell what to do by looking at pictures. Need to see it to know. I bet you could even figure it out yourself too

Answer 2

This is a hard one to work out. When you say acoustic music what exactly do you mean? Acoustic guitar and vocals? Live style music with no amps but basically a full band? Or just the vocal tracks layered over ready made music? Even if you give us that much information then we would have to hear the type of music that you are playing and know how competent you are with equipment. I have tried several different options with my band but we ended up wasting a vast amount of money before recording our first CD due to random advice. I'd say ignore all comments on here and go to your local music store and talk to them about equipment. They can gage what you want and give you pro advice and get your response straight up. You will only waste money if following tips from us and my studio wouldn't suit your type of music without more money being invested. If you want a simple recording of a lowish quality then you can buy pretty much anything on the market. If you want it to sound good then you either have to build your studio to your style or invest on a whole professional set up. Personally I'd go with the former rather than the latter.

Answer 3

I've written a free guide for setting up your home studio at my website you should check out. The URL is in the source box below.



Hope this helps!