Home recording checklist: 7 fixes before you buy new gear
Most “bad sound” problems are setup problems. This list gets you 80% better with what you already own.
Quick note: We’re publishing regular updates to keep the site active and useful.
1) Gain staging
- Aim for healthy peaks, not a hot waveform. Leave headroom.
2) Room noise
- Turn off fans/AC when tracking, and listen for hums before you hit record.
3) Mic placement
- Move the mic 5–10cm and listen again—placement beats plugins.
4) Performance
- Do 2 takes, comp later. A great take needs less processing.
5) Monitoring level
- Mix quieter than you think; check a short loud burst occasionally.
6) Reference tracks
- Pick 2 songs and A/B frequently to avoid “drifting”.
7) Simple processing
- High-pass where needed, gentle compression, then stop.
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