Home Studio Recording Setup Guide for Beginners

If you’re a budding voice actor looking to level up your home recording setup, this guide is for you. Let’s dive right in.

When it comes to home recording, there are 3 main elements:

• Hardware 

• Software

• Environment

Since most beginners already have some kind of USB microphone (hardware) and are recording on a freeware like Audacity (software), let’s start with the most confusing element – the ‘Environment’, which happens to be the part that will make the biggest difference in your audio quality.

I’ll be sharing key products that will improve your recording environment, plus my own home studio progression, plus a few other local voice talent’s home studio setups. I also have affiliations with some suppliers, which means you get discounts through my links and codes. So, read on!

Part 1: Recording Environment

‘Environment’ is the physical space you’re recording in. It can be an entire room, a closet converted into a makeshift booth, or a dedicated corner in your bedroom. Regardless of size, there are 2 distinct things to consider:

• Soundproofing

• Acoustic Treatment

Soundproofing 

Soundproofing is what keeps your neighbours from calling the cops even if you’re screaming battle cries for a video game audition. It’s also what keeps festive-season fireworks from sneaking into your mic during a live-directed session.

In short, it keeps your recording inside from getting out and outside noises from getting in.

Total soundproofing is hard to achieve. It requires heavy construction — adding mass, creating air gaps, building double walls, installing extra layers of drywall… basically, building a “room within a room.” 

The good news is, total soundproofing isn’t really necessary. Your goal isn’t to stop a marching band — just to reduce outside noise enough to consistently record clean audio. And if a client really demands absolute silence, they can afford to — and should — book you a professional studio. Now, while you don’t need to remodel your house, some basic efforts should still be made.

Choosing your recording room and space

To minimize soundproofing efforts, pick a room with the least direct exposure to the outside world. This means avoiding walls shared with neighbours or windows that face busy roads.

If you live in a double-storey house, the bottom floor is usually better (in Malaysia, at least), since heavy rain sounds are more muffled compared to upstairs, which is closer to the roof. If you live in a condo, choose a corner in a room whose walls aren’t shared with the hallway (if you’re living with others) or neighbouring units (if you own the entire unit). These spots usually receive the least man-made noise. If you have a basement (in Western countries), that’s even better, as it is often the quietest spot for a recording setup.

Once you’ve chosen the room, decide whether you want to use the entire space or just a dedicated corner.

Ideally, that spot should be away from your air conditioner, or at least positioned so the air isn’t blowing directly at your recording area. If possible, choose a space where you can stand tall and stretch your arms fully. It’s more comfortable for long sessions and better for posture. But if you’re just starting out and space is tight, that’s totally fine — check below for how I started out :p

For windows that aren’t double-glazed or don’t seal well, draping thick blankets over them helps block outside noise.

I have traditional glass panels that do not seal even after closing (this is the only close-up I have of my window haha)

My temporary solution, which didn’t help as much because the blanket was pretty thin

If you can’t drill holes, use a no-drill rod, and hang blankets with grommets to act as a barrier.  

I used a no-drill rod and hung my Producer’s Choice Acoustic Blankets.

Weather stripping along the door frame

The same goes for doors. On top of that, weather stripping can help seal gaps and prevent sound from leaking through cracks — though be prepared to give the door a little push to close it.

Acoustic Treatment

An acoustically treated environment is where, no matter how loud you scream, there’s no echo. Why? Because the sound (i.e. your scream) doesn’t bounce around naked walls — it gets absorbed.

Absorbed by what, you ask? 

Professional Options:

• Acoustic blankets

• Acoustic panels

• Acoustic foams (and base traps)

Budget-Friendly Substitutes:

• Moving blankets (the kind used to protect furniture during a move)

• Comforters and duvets

• Clothes (in large quantities, like your closet)

Completely eliminating echo is difficult, but the less echo you have, i.e. the “deader” your space is, the better your acoustic treatment is, and the less you sound like you’re in a cave.

When choosing a room and space, remember this:

the bigger the area, the more treatment it needs. 

A small space usually requires far less treatment than an entire room. I recommend sectioning off a corner AND having a table to put your laptop and audio equipment. You can put together a makeshift booth with PVC pipes and drape blankets over it (see next post for real-life example), add a few acoustic foams inside, and base traps for corners.

While there is the question about longevity (how long before you upgrade), for beginners, I recommend starting small. It’s cheaper, less overwhelming, and you can expand later.

Question: Can I use egg cartons?

No, they’re too thin and lightweight to make a difference, and they’re combustible — unsafe to stack near one another.

Question: What about this sort of microphone shield?

I’ve never used one, but audio engineers I’ve asked say it doesn’t work. Even with one, you’d still need acoustic treatment behind and around you. Plus, they block your view of scripts, forcing you to read from the corner of your eyes. They also take up space, thus making it harder to do edits on your computer/laptop.

Feel free to do your own research. There are many reviews but here’s my favourite one by Booth Junkie.

Question: What about one of those office meeting / sound booth pods?

I've visited suppliers and tested them myself. They do block out a good amount of sound, but they are not soundproof as some would claim, UNLESS, they seal shut like a freezer, which most of them don’t. 

They are also very pricey. Local options start at RM10K, and though you can find cheaper ones from TaoBao, they come in pieces and require a few strong people to assemble.

Check out the next section — one of the voice talents bought one and is still using it. It’s something to consider when you want to upgrade but I don't recommend it if you're just starting out.

Here is a list of items mentioned so far:

• Blankets – Minimal effectiveness, but better than nothing.

• No-drill rod – Simple way to hang blankets/curtains temporarily.

• Producer’s Choice Double-Door Acoustic Blanket – High-performance option.

• Weatherstripping (rubber seal) – Helps block gaps around doors.

• Acoustic foams and Bass Traps

  • I use Begins Acoustic for dense, high-quality panels.

  • They are a trusted local supplier specializing in acoustic treatment, soundproofing, AV systems, and custom builds. Voice Guild Malaysia members are familiar with them and use their stuff too.

  • I’ve come across cheaper foams sold on Shopee, and they’re significantly softer. Since acoustic foams are something you’ll carry even as you upgrade your space, it’s worth investing in good ones from the start.

  • Use my code SAMYEOW10 to get 10% off on all acoustic foams, panels, and base traps.

• Office meeting pods / sealed “freezer-like” pods – $$$$

Next post: Check out my home studio progress + other voice talents like Su Ling and Azman Zulkiply.