How Much Does a Home Recording Studio Cost?
A home recording studio costs about $350 for a starter setup, $1,100 for a solid home studio, $3,400 for a treated project studio, and $10,900 or more for pro-level gear, at makers' listed prices at the time of writing. All four assume you own a computer and skip stands and cables.
Cost at four levels
| Level | Itemized gear (listed price) | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | AT2020 $119, Scarlett Solo $169.99, ATH-M20x $59, Audacity free | $347.99 |
| Home studio | Scarlett 2i2 $239.99, AT4040 $329 , ATH-M50x $159, iLoud Micro Monitor pair $299.99, REAPER $60 | $1,087.98 |
| Project studio | Apollo Twin X $1,249, AT4050 $769, two KRK Rokit 7 $538, four GIK FlexRange (formerly 242) 2x4 panels $476, ATH-M50x $159, Logic Pro $199.99 | $3,390.99 |
| Pro | Apollo x8 $3,749, AT5040 $3,279, two KRK V8 $2,098, twelve GIK FlexRange 2x4 panels $1,428, ATH-M50x $159, Logic Pro $199.99 | $10,912.99 |
The starter uses $59 ATH-M20x headphones. Swap in the $159 ATH-M50x and it comes to about $450, and a USB mic route (AT2020USB-X plus ATH-M50x) is about $330, matching the two entry tiers in the home recording studio guide.
Every build still needs a stand and an XLR cable. Picks are on best mic stands, and the rest of the list is on home recording equipment. A new computer is extra; see computers for home recording. Building or soundproofing the room is its own bill, covered on how much it costs to soundproof a room, and ways to spend less are on home studio on a budget.
Related questions
How much is a home studio setup for a beginner?
About $350 at listed prices: an AT2020 mic, a Scarlett Solo interface, ATH-M20x headphones, and free Audacity software, plus a stand and cable.
What costs the most in a home studio?
At every level, the interface and the mic take the biggest share. In the $10,900 build, the Apollo x8 and AT5040 are $7,028 of it.
Does the cost include soundproofing?
No. These builds include acoustic panels from the $3,400 level up, but soundproofing walls is a construction cost of its own.
Planning the whole room is in the home recording studio guide.
More answers: Home recording FAQ