hi,
im trying to get started on my own home "studio" , and im thinking about spending a 1 grand on equipment.
the thing is that im really scared to buy all this stuff (and possibly more if I continue on this musical path) that
I will have spent a grand and come to find out that im not good enough to make music, but at the same time thinking
about creating music sounds really fun. its a dream of mine to create music, but I've always been scared to find out if im
able to. and im 24 years old....kind of a late start im guessing.
where you scared to start out your musical journey?
where you scared to spend a lot of money?
share your story with me.

If you're just starting out and you want to get serious about creating music..
 
Step 1.  Choose an instrument.
Step 2.  Buy one
Step 3.  Learn to play it.
Step 4.  Learn to play it well...
 
You are now creating music.
 
Making music is all about the playing, not the recording.  There are plenty of free recording programs and dirt cheep audio interfaces to get you started without laying out thousands in gear you might not even need.
 
Programs like Sonar will give you all the tools the professionals use to create chart topping mega-hits except the musicians...
 
 

I think it would be better if you tell us if you play any musical instrument first and what it is.
 

... thinking about creating music sounds really fun. its a dream of mine to create music, but I've always been scared to find out if im able to. and im 24 years old....kind of a late start im guessing.

 
To me that says he/she does not play an instrument.

It's never late to make music. Have fun with it!
 
If your budget makes you anxious, cut it in half. There are awesome musicians with children's instruments.
 
I used recording to measure progress. As you learn songs and forget them, it can be hard to tell if you are progressing or just playing another song just as badly as you played the last one. :-)
 
So making recordings with Sonar or some other tool as you go is a nice way to keep the memories.

Nope....it's never too late to start.   I started playing when I was about 7 with piano lessons. Got a guitar at 14 and jammed in some garage bands through highschool. Stopped for a few years when I was in the military. After getting out, I picked it up again and joined my first working band in my mid 20's.
 
The first question is, do you play now or just considering it? 
 
If you don't play, then yeah, go spend a grand and get a decent instrument. Don't buy a cheap beginner instrument. Buy something a pro would use.  A few reasons.... they hold value better in case you decide a year from now it's really not your cup of tea.... and they are easier to play because they are quality instruments.
 
If you already play and you're talking about recording.... yeah... a grand gets you in the game nicely.  $300 for a set of studio monitors, $200 for an audio interface, $200 for a condenser mic, $50 for Cakewalk Music Creator... and $250 left over for incidentals and other things. The costs above may vary a bit.... but you can set up a quick and fairly decent home studio for that budget. It's a hobby for most folks, and with the internet and advances in computers and software, you can collaborate with folks on the other side of the planet as easily as the guy next door.
 
I work out of the corner of a room. Certainly not a very "professional" set up..... but I can create and write music and then record those songs, so to me, that's all that matters. Click my link below  and listen to some of the stuff I create in this corner of the room.
 
So that's how I got started. It's a very enjoyable pastime and has it's own rewards.
 

duplicate post

Thanks for the reply guys! And yes I play guitar, have been for 6 yrs and play piano on and off. Can also read some music notation.

Hi,
 
I have a different take on it, and no, I do not play an instrument "regularly", and I do not "know" music as well as I would like, though I intend on taking that on as soon as I retire or slow down my work rate.
 
However, there are some things in the "creating a studio" that are impossible and downright bad, and ridiculous and not everyone has the patience to learn it and care for it. You ready?
 
Of all the programs I have ever bought (Ableton, MC4, Miroslav, Jupiter 8V), and a 61-key Midi keyboard and 2 nice computers, and all that (they were my gaming computers before), it all works and such, but getting help is impossible and at that point even a duck around here was not interested in $100 bux!
 
It tells you, that most of these musicians are not geeks, and they only know how to work one program and use one utility to get their part out and that's it. It also tells you that they do not want "competition" in the field, even when it would be so far out past Pluto that they could not possibly compete! It also tells you that some of them will say that I'm mean and rude, but the invitation (I'm a visual person! Important factor in it all!!!!!) has never been accepted.
 
The technical support for all 4 of those companies is the worst scum ever. I still can not use Miroslav and two folks in this BOARD, that list the program in their "knowledge" are not interested in helping. I think that a lot of it has to do with folks not really knowing Midi and the connectivity of things well enough, and I'm OK with that, but at least say it, don't hide it!
 
But show it to you? Get lost!
 
Although I am not a musician, I am probably one of the few folks that has heard and appreciated more music the world over than you can shake your finger at. My wanting to play music is the same thing as my wanting to write a poem (over 400 of them), writing another foreign film review (over 500 of them), and another short story (6 of them), or novel (on my 4th!) ... the difference being that in all of my work I can hear music in it, and I'm merely reaching for a star in the hope of getting closer to it. But these folks will NEVER EVER be able to take away that inner music and shine I have, even if it translates differently for them!
 
Remember that!
 
It ain't gonna happen with minions that are not interested in helping you blast off out of this world! I feel like "the man who fell to earth" already!

Hi,
I tried to help Pedro (Moshkiee or whatever his forum name is) for free.  we talked several times by email, but he could not get his system to work the way I was explaining to him.
 
I have helped hundreds, nay probably thousands of people on these forums get their systems up and running, both on the forums and off.  Do not let anyone tell you that it's not possible to get help or that it's way too difficult to do.  If bapu can get it working, ANYONE CAN!!!
 
so for $1000, you will be able to come up with a really good start on a studio.  much better than MOST people on these forums started with. 
 
the most important part of the puzzle is the audio interface/soundcard whatever you want to call it.  it's the same thing.  you want a quality soundcard designed for recording with inputs and outputs on it for your growth.  look to spend between $200 and $500 on the soundcard.  get specific advice on the soundcard from folks in this forum BEFORE you purchase!  do NOT purchase something from Best Buy, Walmart, Frys or any consumer retail operation.  your soundcard will come from Guitar Center, Sam Ash, or better yet, online from Musicians Friend, Sweetwater, Music123 or other established online professional musicians' store.
 
did I mention that you need to GET ADVICE on your specific needs from someone on the forums before purchase????  if not, I'll mention it again!  I have a website with some recommendations of soundcards.  it's outdated and I need to update it, but some of them on the list is still valid.  Me, Herb, Bapu, many others will be glad to assist you in finding the right soundcard for your needs and growth.
 
the next investment I'd make would be speakers and/or headphones.  I do not believe that headphones should be the only source for mixing.  there are some who disagree with me, but not the majority.  decent near field monitors are NOT cheap.  they start at around $200 EACH, but you might be able to find some cheaper ones for beginners.
 
again - DO NOT buy these without advice and DO NOT buy them from a consumer store!!!  near field monitors are specific to mixing/producing music and will not be found at Best Buy or Frys.
 
after that you'll probably want a decent microphone.  microphones range from $50 to $10k or more.  you can get a decent beginning mic for $100 to $200.  are you going to be recording ACOUSTIC guitar?  you'll need a small diameter diaphram condensor mic and maybe a large diameter as well.  will you be recording cabs?  you might need a dynamic mic for that.  will you be recording vocals?  a large diameter condensor for that.
 
Of course you'll also need recording software if you don't already have it.  I recommend either Music Creator 6 (which is like only $40 or so) or if you have the money, I'd recommend starting out with Sonar Studio X2, then upgrading to Producer eventually.
 
 
all of these things are on my website (see my signature) with recommendations.  again, it needs to be updated because there are new products out not on my list and there are some products on my list which are now obsolete, but the list is still a good starting point.  look at those, then ask questions!  I'll be glad to help more!