DO NOT spend $$$$ on recording gear.

Today we're going to talk about why you don't need to spend a ton of money on huge recording setup with lots of options to get great recorded tones. I am using a very simple set up. I use this on songs no one will ever hear all the way up to Master sessions for major label artists. Like any other gear, it's how you use it that matters. We'll talk mic techniques and how I think a good mic pre can be an optional piece you may add later (or not). Enjoy!

HOME RECORDING SHOPPING LIST:
**I will make a small amount of money if you order through the links below, at no extra cost to you**

GREAT mics for speaker cabs:

My acoustic microphone:

Mic cables (mic to pre, pre to interface OR mic to interface):

Audio interface:

Monitor cables TRS-XLR male

Monitors:

If you do want to go ALL OUT, here's my mic pre:

==GEAR I use EVERY DAY==
**I will make a very small amount of money if you order through these links below, at no extra cost to you**

Support the channel:
Venmo tip jar: @justinostrander

My guitar setup guy:

My favorite studio headphones:

0:00 Welcome, my home recording rig is much simpler than you might think
1:22 This is what my ultra simple rig is capable of doing
2:51 Let’s go downstairs and check out my mic’d speaker cab
5:20 There is at least a little bit of method to the madness
6:06 I do have a little patch bay on the wall
7:09 How to mic your speaker cab
9:27 If you’re used to “live” tone, studio tone may take some getting used to
10:18 There’s no room interaction here…
10:43 You’ll realize there are some speakers you just don’t dig
11:52 Let’s create a small shopping list
13:52 Is a mic pre optional???
15:06 The rest of my signal chain
17:33 A good sounding acoustic mic placement
18:05 Why do I only use one mic on acoustic?
18:50 Back to our signal chain
19:49 Shopping List recap
20:09 But the Twin has preamps…are you running a preamp into a preamp?!
21:08 Good parts, good tone. That’s my concern!
23:08 I’m not trying to commit the mix engineer to my choices
23:44 What about plug-in preamps/compressors/etc?
25:10 LAST THING: Pro Tools vs Logic vs …?
27:31 Check out the links in the description and please SUBSCRIBE
Thanks for hanging out!

[Mutley]

What a great episode. So refreshing to escape from the gear lust others try to promote or instill! Keep it simple. Play good parts. Have good tone. Thanks for the reminder of what’s truly important. 👍

[danthegeetarman]

As an audio engineer, I agree 100%. As long as you give us a recording that’s not clipped, we can make it sound great. Just get it into the DAW cleanly, we can take care of the rest. And even the cheapest interface’s preamps are fine. All the mojo can be easily added by us after the fact. Just don’t clip and you’ll be good

[dooleyfan]

I have to use that line with my wife…all the things lying around in my studio aren’t junk, they are diffusers.

[jsket]

This is invaluable because it’s actually how you work. It’s not a producer speculating or someone at a retailer opining on the new stuff. Thank you.

[BoProSound]

I truly appreciate Justin opening his home to show us the setup in his garage and back up in his studio. For someone who has been a part of the Nashville country scene and sound for so long, your humbleness and ability to share ideas and techniques is really refreshing and I've learned so much with every episode. You're really a stand up guy and very talented. Thank you for sharing your experiences and knowledge.

[jeffscott]

I'm an old man with M.S. The only reason that I record is to be able to write music and capture my music for future listening when I can't make music at my present level. I absolutely hate spending crazy money on musical equipment at this point. Thanks for validating my choices😂😂

[billymcguiremusic]

This is such a great video, and it's great insight on things! The bit at 21:00 ish where "no one has ever said..." is so true. The professionals are focused on good parts, and it always seems to be the hobbyists who say "Oh, but your gear. You're not using the most expensive gear? Oh my god."

I definitely agree about having a great sound and capturing it right at the source.

[gdawgs]

This is a really amazing resource for the learning musician! Recording seems super intimidating and not to mention expensive for the self-taught guitar player trying to learn the ropes of actually making music, and this video makes it seem much more approachable

[buzzfretwear]

This is one of the most helpful, down to earth and sensible videos I've watched in a long time. It's refreshing to see a pro at your level taking such a no-nonsense approach. This video really inspires me and reminds me that even in my little modest bedroom ordinary-average-guy hobbyist home studio, I have everything I need (almost! haha) to make music. And making music is why we're all doing this, isn't it? Thanks Justin. I'm a new subscriber and after watching this video you can be sure I'll be here often. Cheers to you my man!

[BlugubriousMusic]

You said "dangerously unprofessional", but the truth is knowing how to get the most out of less is probably the height of professional. I hate to admit how much even as a spare timer I have learned that money rarely if ever yielded more than learning and application of knowledge. Very much appreciate your candor and transparency. Seriously, it is inspriring to have imaginary walls taken down. Thanks for this video JO. No need to respond.

[noahhardin]

Just upgraded my entire system on a budget, and this is exactly what I done. Thanks for the confirmation! Love the channel!

[Andrew]

I'd love a video comparing how much of a difference your TG2 makes compared to just running through the stock Apollo Twin pre

[mariodriessen]

In april of this year I built a small recording studio at my home. A long-cherished wish. Simple, relatively cheap, but reliable equipment. But one of the most important choices I made, if I may say so, was to turn it into a place where I wanted to be in ALL THE TIME. I spent a good sum of money on wall paint, lots of colorful indirect lighting, a comfy couch for my friends, nice stuff on the walls, a closet with most of my gear and I’m even thinking of buying a tiny fridge and a coffee machine. And lots of fake plants. 😬😬😬

I just don’t want to be anywhere else. It makes me feel young and inspired. I used to have my gear in my living room. That didn’t work for me. Having a nice inspiring place that makes you feel good really made a huge difference. I was stuck in a rut for a long time and I couldn’t understand. This was the answer. I’m happy again. 😊

[mudnducs]

I like that you focus on simplicity and how it sounds to your ear. You do a wonderful service to your fellow guitarists and musicians. Nice job young man.
God bless you

[seanzinger]

Thanks for showing us your garage set up. That tone at the beginning was undoubtedly killer.

[rebelred]

I used to be a analog snob. Tracking on an 8 track tape console, mixing down to an old reel-to-reel. Lots of maintenance and fussing. Now, I use a cheap digital 4 track machine that fits in my pocket. It has two onboard mics that sound fine and the unit mounts on a mic stand. I record acoustic guitar, percussion, and vocals with the onboard mics, and go direct in with electric bass and keyboard. I have a pair of small studio monitors and a decent set of headphones. It takes me about 10 seconds to go from an idea to laying down tracks, which was my goal. Of course, I'm not doing any real professional work with this gear but the quality of recording I achieve with this simple setup blows me away. At times I wish I had some form of limiter or compressor because digital clipping is terrible but mostly I get by just fine. I am always fighting the urge to add a preamp, mics or other outboard gear. I have to remind myself of what my goals are: To put as few barriers between my idea and a finished track as possible. Fiddling with cables, turning dials and trouble shooting problems takes me out of a creative state of mind too fast.

[jaygallamore]

Thanks Justin! I’m preparing to acquire my first recording gear and this video informs me that if a simple rig works for a professional it will absolutely work for me. Keep up the good work, I enjoy and learn a lot from your videos.

[liontone]

That Matchless is the most expensive amp stand ever… Great video!

“I’m not trying to back the engineer into decisions I’ve made….” Gold

[SurfRockitt]

Thank you for the ground level explanation and walk through!!

[jonbdan]

So true! I’m so used to hearing my amp on the floor behind me reverberating around a room, close mic’ing is so hard to get used to!