Introduction: Mini Recording Studio

This is how to create a mini recording studio.

Step 1: Materials:

  1. Raspberry Pi 2.0 (Complete with cords and MicroSD Card)
  2. Monitor (with HDMI cord)
  3. 3D Printer
  4. USB Keyboard
  5. USB Mouse
  6. Any USB Microphone with the appropriate cord (A Blue Microphone Snowball USB was used in this tutorial)
  7. Any pair of headphones
  8. Computer with Onshape or any 3D editing software
  9. Foam (optional to put in the isolation chamber)

Step 2: Print Your 3D Isolation Shield

Log on to your Onshape and create an isolation shield: https://cad.onshape.com/documents/cef85980c9a39fcab57859a9/w/615b1f6eaa09debc3aeb89dc/e/bc3cb030ad96f5b93729a0d7

Step 3: Set Up Raspberry Pi

Begin by connecting your Raspberry Pi to your monitor using your HDMI cable. Plug in a keyboard, mouse, and either an ethernet cord or a wifi adapter to the Pi as well. Next, plug in the power source to the Pi. When the Pi boots up, you are going to want to install the default Raspberry Pi software Raspbian. Once the software is downloaded and the machine boots up, you should have a functioning Raspberry Pi!

Step 4: Install Audacity Onto Raspberry Pi

Open terminal on the Pi. We are going to want to install Audacity. Type the command (without quotes), "sudo apt-get update". Once this process is complete, you are going to want to type the command, "sudo apt-get install Audacity". Once this program is installed, you can navigate and open it by opening up the menu icon in the upper left corner of the screen. Audacity should be listed under Sound and Audio.

Step 5: Change the Pi's Audio Output Through the Audio Jack

Now to change the audio settings, you need to open terminal up again. Type in the command, "amixer cset numid=3 1" if you want the audio to output through the audio jack. To set the audio output to the HDMI port replace the 1 with a 2.

Step 6: Plug in Microphone

Take your USB microphone and plug it into one of the Raspberry Pi USB ports. Once it is in, check to see if it is connected with Audacity. You can do this by clicking the microphone icon below the corresponding meter. You can also check it by recording a short audio track. If it is not connected, click Control + P which will open up the Preferences window. From there, you can edit the Playback Device, Recording Device, and Interface. Then, it is just a matter of changing the recording device to the name of your USB Microphone.

Step 7: Record Your Sick Beats!

Now you should be already to record some tracks and make some amazing songs! Hope this was helpful.