The buyer’s guide to a band studio setup for less than £1,000

This month we’re in recording mode so let’s see if we can kit out an entire band with a studio for less than £1000. That’s a studio, for a band, with a grand…

Interface

We’ve chosen some interfaces with mixers included so you get more hands on flexibility when recording…

Allen & Heath ZED 10

Price £189 (for ZED 10FX)
Contact www.allen-heath.com

We say: ”Straightforward, cheap, rugged, easy to use, what more does a band need?”

PreSonus Studio 1824

Price £446
Contact www.sourcedistribution.co.uk

We say: “The price is warranted as you get a DAW thrown in, plus plenty of I/O for your band’s needs.”

Soundcraft Signature 12

Price £291
Contact www.soundtech.co.uk

We say: “A great mixer and interface that brings all your studio worlds together with ease.”

Focusrite Saffire Pro

Price £299
Contact www.uk.focusrite.com

We say: “Oldie but a goodie with lots of ins and outs and Firewire interfacing – solid band interface.”

Microphone

There are some obvious mic choices to make if you are a band strapped for cash (to be Shure, there are!) but there are others…

Audio-Technica AT2020

Price £85
Contact www.audio-technica.com

We say: “Incredible sound quality for the price and a very flexible microphone overall.”

Shure SM57

Price £92
Contact www.shuredistribution.co.uk

We say: ”Shure SM57s for your instruments, a Shure SM58 to keep your vocalist happy. Sorted.”

Aston Origin

Price £249
Contact www.astonmics.com

We say: ”Stunning clear quality, with plenty of depth and a smooth, natural high-end on vocals. And instantly useable on guitar.”

Shure SM58

Price £92
Contact www.shuredistribution.co.uk

We say: ”Shure SM57s for your instruments, a Shure SM58 to keep your vocalist happy. Sorted.”

Monitors

We’ve reviewed less of the cheaper studio monitors of late so our low cost recommendations are quite old but still good…

Fender Focal Passport Studio

Price £357.20
Contact www.scvdistribution.co.uk

We say: “A great set of monitors you can transport around to different band member’s houses.”

M-Audio M3-8

Price £279 each
Contact www.m-audio.com

We say: ”They are very well spec’d for the price, which has dropped considerably since we reviewed them.”

IKM iLoud Micro

Price £235
Contact www.ikmultimedia.com

We say: “These are probably the smallest monitors out there that you can call proper studio monitors, great for traveling musicians too.”

Focal Alpha range

Price from £225
Contact www.scvdistribution.co.uk

We say: ”The clarity, accuracy and audio quality this provides is rare indeed at this price point.”

DAW

Some great DAWs for your desktop plus one great DAW for the band on the run…

Apple Logic

Price £199
Contact iTunes or www.apple.com

We say: ”Whenever we do an ‘on a budget’ piece, it’s hard not to mention Logic as you get so much for your money, so here it is again…”

Wave MachineLabs Auria Pro

Price £23.99 or £49.99 with all IAPs
Contact auriaapp.com

We say: ”The most ‘pro’ app here – and is the ideal choice if you want to record your band on the move.”

Tracktion Waveform

Price $259
Contact www.tracktion.com

We say: ”One of the newer kids on the DAW block is now packed with power versus its price and a great option.”

Acoustica Mixcraft

Price $179
Contact www.acoustica.com

We say: ”Another great DAW for the money, this is packed with features for all producers.”