The Essential Home Recording Setup
You only need a few pieces of gear to start recording solid vocals:
-
Computer or laptop
Mac or PC — doesn’t matter. Just make sure it can run a DAW smoothly. -
DAW (Digital Audio Workstation)
This is your music software. Popular beginner-friendly options include: BandLab (free, works in your browser or on mobile), FL Studio, Logic Pro, and Ableton Live (if you’re more beat-focused). -
Microphone
A basic USB mic can work if you’re just starting out. For higher quality, get an XLR mic + audio interface (like a Focusrite Scarlett). -
Headphones
Any decent closed-back studio headphones will do. They help you hear your voice clearly while recording. -
Optional extras
Pop filter, mic stand, acoustic treatment — nice to have, but not essential at first.
That’s it. You can be recording tonight with a laptop, a mic, and free software.
What Most Beginners Struggle With
Recording your voice is easy. Making it sound good? That’s where most people get stuck.
Even with decent gear, your raw vocals might sound:
- Too flat or muddy
- Harsh or thin
- Lost in the beat
- Over-compressed or too dry
This isn’t a gear problem. It’s a vocal chain problem.
What’s a Vocal Chain?
Your vocal chain is the set of effects that shape your sound: pitch correction, EQ, compression, reverb, delay — all working together.
If your chain is off (or missing), your vocals won’t sit right in the mix.
Every pro artist — from Future to The Weeknd — is using a custom vocal chain. That’s what gives their voice that polished, styled, “finished” sound.
Why Vocal Presets Are a Great Shortcut
If you’re brand new, you probably don’t want to spend hours learning how to set up compression ratios or EQ curves. That’s where vocal presets come in.
A vocal preset gives you:
- A full vocal chain, ready to go
- Pre-tuned settings using only stock plugins in your DAW
- A mix that actually fits your voice and genre
- Way less guesswork — way more creativity
You can record straight into it, tweak a few knobs, and instantly sound 10x more pro — even without knowing how to mix. At BestOnly Audio, we’ve got presets built specifically for all the most popular DAWs including BandLab, FL Studio, Logic Pro, and more.
Final Thoughts
Don’t let mixing slow you down before you even start. With the right beginner gear and a solid preset, you can start making release-worthy music from your bedroom — today.
You don’t need to be an engineer. You just need a solid foundation, a clean chain, and a little bit of momentum.
Get recording. And let your voice actually sound the way it’s supposed to.