Getting a great mix has so much to do with tracks that are recorded well. Taking the time to set up your space properly makes all the difference in the final sound.

Find your recording space

It may seem obvious, but picking a suitable location is critical for setting up a recording space. Before you start recording, you’ll want to make sure it’s somewhere you feel comfortable, is convenient, and is easily accessible.

Give yourself more space than you think you need, so there’s room to acquire new equipment down the line. If you’re recording at home, interior rooms are usually best — there’s less risk of outside noise bleeding in.

Once you’ve found your space, test the acoustics. Sound bounces off bare walls, so you may not love how things sound once recorded. The good news is you can diffuse that sound fairly easily — filling the room with soft furnishings like a sofa, bean bag, or cushions makes a real difference.

The benefits are clear: a well-treated room means you mix faster, rely on fewer plugins, free up your computer’s processing power, get a more natural sound, and feel more confident in what you’re recording.

Test your results

Do some test recordings with different sound diffusion setups and see what works best for your space. Every room behaves differently, so it’s worth experimenting before you commit to a final layout.