How to start a home studio

When I started, I had a laptop, a cheap interface, and a pair of headphones I bought used. That was it. The truth is you don’t need much to begin — you need enough to finish songs. Finishing songs is the only skill that compounds.

The four things that actually matter

1. A room that doesn’t fight you. Treat the worst reflections. Foam isn’t magic; placement is.
2. One good mic and one good chain. I used the same condenser for my first two years. Learn it.
3. Headphones you trust. Mixing on speakers in an untreated bedroom will lie to you.
4. A DAW you’re not going to leave. The grass isn’t greener. Get fluent.

What I’d skip if I were starting today

Plugins. The factory plugins in any modern DAW are way better than they need to be. Don’t spend money on tools — spend it on time.

I’ll write a follow-up about my actual signal chain. For now: stop scrolling Reverb and finish the demo.