Do it. Learn by doing.-David Sherman
I am still on a quest to build up my own home studio, seeing as this post will be released a week or so after the last it is safe to say that my own journey is still pretty much where I left off last time.
In order to try and get a greater understanding and advice from other home studio aficionados, I put the feelers out on Facebook for anyone with their own home setup to share their own experiences.
The first to get back to me was David Sherman, a friend of a friend who was willing to put up with my nosey ways and allow me to ask him about his own experiences, set up and work as a home studio producer and engineer.
David Sherman is a Manchester based musician and sound engineer active from 1992-2006. Under the guise of Transfiguration, David has been involved in a number of recordings both for other artists and his own work (see The Alpha Tapes) all of which was recorded, produced, mixed and mastered in varying degrees from his own home studio in his flat in Manchester.
I sent David a few questions to answer regarding his experiences as a home studio producer to get his opinions and advice on setting up a home studio.
How did you get into recording, what did you specifically focus on in your recordings?
I started playing the guitar originally, inspired by Manchester bands such as Joy Division, New Order & The Smiths. I was also interested in electronic music such as Kraftwerk and New Order (again). At that time, sample-based electronic music was beginning to emerge and I fancied having a bash at it. I also realised that my musical ambitions outweighed my abilities with a guitar, so I decided to invest in some music production gear.
What was the reason for you setting up your own home/bedroom studio?
Initially the idea was to facilitate song writing, developing musical ideas, and demo recording before taking them into a professional studio. After going into a semi-professional studio for the first time, I realised that studio time costs many £’s per hour. The same money spent on studio gear gives a better return in terms of hours per £ spent.
How much was your initial set up costs?
My initial outlay was for a Commodore Amiga running Music-X sequencing software, a Midi controller keyboard, and a Roland D110 sound module (second-hand from an ex band-mate in 1992). It cost about £300 at the time. I already had an electric guitar, amp & pedals etc.
What did your studio comprise of? (equipment)
The studio was built up over a long period of time when money permitted.
Final set-up consisted :
Sequencing – from Commodore Amiga, to Atari ST & Cubase, to Apple Mac & Cubase, finally to Windows PC running Logic Platinum.
Audio recording – various 4 track cassette recorders, to Alesis ADAT XT Digital 8-Track, and Disc based audio recording via Logic and PC sound card. DAT machine for final mixdown.
Sound sources : Roland D-110, Roland Vintage Synth sound module, Novation Bass Station, Akai X-7000 Sampling Keyboard, Akai S-950 sampler.
Outboard : Alesis Quadraverb, Alesis Midiverb, Behringer Compressor, Alesis Compressor.
Sync : MOTU synchroniser unit.
Mixing Desk : Soundcraft Spirit Folio SX
Monitors : Soundcraft Spirit Absolute 2’s & Samson Servo 170 Studio Amp.
Peripherals : Rack-mount units & boxes, patchbays, recording snakes, SM58, mic stands, DI boxes, Digital-to Analogue converters, Analogue to Digital converters, shielded 4-gangs, every kind of lead imaginable (guitar, mic, jack, phono, xlr, midi, optical …), every kind of adapter imaginable (phono to jack, stereo to mono …), headphones & headphone amp.
What would you say were the limitations of recording in a home studio and not a professional studio?
Noise : Not being able to record real drums, not being able to record a Rickenbacker 330 played through a Vox AC30 turned up to 11; I was surprised at just how loud a Saxophone is when you’re a couple of feet from it. Making noise may not be an issue in a detached house etc., but in a block of flats it certainly was.
When you have easy access to your home recording equipment, great self-discipline and focus is required to finish things off – paid time in a studio is always limited and can provide an impetus to get things finished.
What advice would you give to people starting out in recording, what things should they look out for?
Do it. Learn by doing.
Buy the most comfortable pair of headphones you can find. It’s unlikely you’ll do a final mix on a pair of headphones, but you may end up wearing them for 4-5 hours on a through-the-night writing session (ouch).
David unfortunately is not involved in audio production anymore but he has a number of credits to his name and it is inspirational that with patience, perseverance and persistence you can build up a catalogue of work without having to rely on booking studio time.
Transfiguration-The Alpha Tapes
Other work
The Montgolfier Brothers- Seventeen Stars- Spotify
George- The Magic Lantern- Spotify
At Swim Two Birds- Quigley’s Point- Spotify
Maddison AV 
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