Thanks to the internet and modern technology, the world of recording is changing fast and for the better. Musicians and podcasters no longer rely on old gatekeepers like record labels or radio stations for access to recording studios. They are taking control of their recording process, booking studio time and using home setups to make a career independently. 

This is a major shift in the music and podcasting industries, opening doors for new and small creators. If you’re just getting started in music or podcasting, it’s a great time to dive in. But before hitting record, there are some things you should do to stay grounded in the shifting recording landscape.

Build a Home Recording Studio

Hopefully you’ll end up recording in multiple studios during your career, but learning how to record music or podcasts at home is essential. No, you don’t need to break the bank to do it.

Start with the basics. Get a decent microphone, a reliable audio interface, and free or affordable recording software (like Audacity, GarageBand or Reaper). Then treat your recording space with rugs, curtains, and foam panels to reduce echoes. Hell, even a closet full of clothes could work as a vocal booth. You can upgrade later.

Learn Your Tools

You will know your preferred recording software, or Digital Audio Workstation (DAW), like the back of your hand eventually. Until then, play with how DAWs let you record, edit, and produce audio.

DAWs can be a lot to take in, but start simple. Experiment with how to record tracks, adjust levels, and use basic effects like EQ and compression. Test your vocals and instruments on the mic in your new recording space. Make sure your proximities and acoustics are right, and that input levels don’t “clip” (go into the red).

Know Basic Rules to Recording

Wear close-backed headphones. They isolate what you hear from what you're recording by preventing sound from bleeding into your microphone, especially during podcasts or vocal tracking. 

Save and back up your projects! Use cloud storage (like Google Drive or Dropbox), external drives, or both. There’s nothing worse than losing hours of work if a computer crashes.

Edit well. Remove background noise, cut out awkward pauses or mistakes, balance levels between tracks, add effects. Good editing brings out your personality while enhancing your content to make you sound more professional and, in some cases, audibly recognizable. Craft your sound.

Don’t stop learning. You will improve over time. Watch tutorials, join online communities, listen to your favorite creators and study how they sound. The more you experiment, the more confident you’ll be in shaping your own sound.

All in all, recording like a professional is about knowing how to use what you’ve got and be intentional with the process. The industry is changing, but there’s never been a better time to build a recording career. Practice at home, learn your tools, and follow the rules to recording. Whatever the industry becomes, you’ll be ready to face it.