When I started getting my first home studio together, some of the most frustrating things were confusingly vague videos about recording equipment on YouTube. “This is an audio interface! You use this to connect your mic to the computer! Okay, have fun recording!”–Wait, what? What are those holes? Can I plug a guitar cable in that? Do all mics plug in via XLR? Do I need a male/female cable or a female/female cable? These might seem like complete givens to recording engineers who are already familiar with their gear, but for absolute newbies like myself from four years ago, they’re crippling questions that haunt the depths of our minds.

In response to this problem I’m sure many people have encountered, I’ve created a video to help those of you who have absolutely zero knowledge of recording equipment! I tried to keep this as clean, simple, but detailed as possible. Check it out:

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE FOR ABSOLUTE RECORDING DUMMIES

WHAT SHOULD I BUY?

In addition to this, I developed flow charts to help you figure out what set of gear will suit your purposes best! They are split up into “Podcaster or Voice Overs,” “Single Artist,” and “Band.” Once you’ve figured out which option you belong under, check out the list below for more information. Assuming that you already have a computer, I did not include computer prices.

FOR PODCASTERS AND VOICE OVERS

FOR SINGLE ARTISTS

FOR BANDS

OPTION 1: The Beginning Podcaster

TOTAL: $83.00

OPTION 2: The Beginning Podcaster with More Money

TOTAL: $239.00

OPTION 3: Interviews on A Budget

TOTAL: $208.00

OPTION 4: “Maybe I Can Get My Own Radio Show!”

TOTAL: $371.00

OPTION 5: No, no, no. Do not buy that twenty-dollar mic.

TOTAL: $139.00

OPTION 6: “Check Out My SoundCloud”

TOTAL: $209.00

OPTION 7: I Honestly Can’t Think of A Title For This One, Sorry.

TOTAL: $384.00

OPTION 8: The Perfect Set Up for On-the-Go Producing

TOTAL: $103.00

OPTION 9: “Check Out My New Launchpad, dude.”

TOTAL: $206.00

OPTION 10: The Indie-Rock Band Recording in A Dorm Room

TOTAL: $240.00 – $260.00

OPTION 11: The Indie-Rock Band Recording in A Dorm Room 2.0

TOTAL: $371.00 – $391.00

OPTION 12: The Garage Band

TOTAL: $589.00 – $619.00

Note that these options are not set rules to follow by. The pieces of equipment listed are from companies I’ve used tools from or have heard exceptional reviews on. Feel free to mix them up to what suits your preference. The prices listed may have changed depending on when you are reading this. Also, used gear is a life saver and a pocket saver!