If you are just getting started in video game sound design, there are a few basic pieces of gear that you will need to get started. It may surprise you that nowadays, you can get started with very little money. In fact, you could get started for as little as $200 or less. When I got started I had only 3 pieces of gear. Let’s look into what those 3 pieces of gear were and some recommendations to get you started.
So what basic sound design gear do you need to get started as a video game sound designer?
- A recorder (phone, portable field recorder, other)
- Studio headphones
- DAW
1. Recorder
A recorder is a device that will capture the sound you want to record and stores it as a digital file for future playback. Some recorders will come with a microphone already attached to it ready to record, while others will need microphones to be connected to them in order to capture audio.
My recommendation for recorders is to get the Zoom H1N if you want something really small, portable, and affordable. It comes with stereo microphones, one-touch button controls, a physical gain knob, can record audio up to 96kHz, and it fits right in the palm of your hand. Read more about the Zoom H1N on the Zoom website HERE.
If you want a recorder that is more versatile, a Zoom H4N will suit most of your sound design needs. It comes with stereo microphones, 2 inputs (XLR & ¼”), can record audio up to 96kHz, and it can be used as an audio interface on your computer. Read more about the Zoom H4N on the Zoom website HERE.
For the advanced sound designer, I have found the zoom H6 to be a great recorder for almost all situations. It is a 6-track recorder with interchangeable input capsules including an X/Y capsule and a mid-side capsule. You can also purchase additional capsules such as the shotgun capsule and dual XLR/TRS combo capsule. It can also be used as an audio interface and can record audio up to 96kHz. Read more about the Zoom H6N on the Zoom website HERE.
2. Studio Headphones
Studio headphones are used to listen to the audio you are capturing while doing field recording or while working in the studio. There are 2 types of headphones: closed-back headphones and open-back headphones. Open-back headphones are generally best for mixing music while closed-back headphones are best used for recording instruments and audio. Closed-back headphones isolate the listener from external sounds in the environment making them useful for having a clear picture of what you are recording. This is why sound designers and field recorders will usually use closed-back headphones.
Having a pair of studio headphones is important because they will help you have a clear and accurate frequency representation of your audio that your computer speakers cannot give you. Before I got my headphones, I would think my music and sound design sounded great – and they did…on my speakers, in my room. As soon as I would listen to the audio elsewhere or on a different system, it sounded totally different. That is because my little computer speakers could not represent and reproduce the bass frequencies accurately or even at all. It was only after I purchased my Sennheiser HD 280 Pro headphones that I could start telling the difference in sound. I had to relearn and attune my ear to music and sounds I was already accustomed to.
You could skip buying headphones and go straight to buying studio monitors, but to keep the gear basic and on a beginner-friendly budget, I recommend starting out with headphones.
3. DAW
Having a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) is a must as this is the software where you will edit and mangle your recordings on your computer. It really doesn’t matter which you choose as most DAW have all the same functions and do the exact same thing. Just choose the one you are comfortable with and know well. I recommend beginning with Audacity because it is FREE and will serve your basic needs as a beginner.
What gear Should I Get First When I Am Ready To Upgrade?
If you already have the basic gear mentioned above, then what should you upgrade next to improve your sound design? Before you ever think about upgrading, I would suggest that you consider improving your skills through courses or taking lessons with teachers. Your money will usually be better spent acquiring skills and knowledge than on acquiring gear. Assuming you are already investing in yourself, here are some gear upgrade suggestions:
- Upgrade your microphones to include a shotgun microphone. Shotgun mics are useful because they are unidirectional and record only what is placed directly in front of it.
- Getting an audio interface will give you the flexibility of recording right onto your computer should you need to. You will also have the ability to connect studio monitors directly to your audio interface.
- Studio monitors are nice to have as they can give a more accurate frequency representation than regular computer speakers. Personally, I found studio monitors to be much easier on my ears allowing me to work for longer periods of time compared to headphones.
- Pop filters, microphones stands, monitor stands, and monitor isolation pads are all nice upgrades that can help enhance your studio but are not necessary when starting out. Depending on the type of work you do and the environment of your studio, you may want to consider getting these.
What Other Equipment Would Enhance My Sound Design?
1. Soundproofing
Soundproofing, when done correctly and with real sound rejection panels (not cheap inexpensive foam), can make a huge difference in your recording environment. This is a real investment as professional rejection panels don’t come cheap and can cost around $50 to $75 (or more) per panel.
2. Cables
Having high quality cables can make a difference in your recordings. They can help reduce and eliminate static, noise, and other unwanted signals in your sound.
When Should I Consider Upgrading My Gear?
Please note that what I will suggest here are purely ideas based on my opinion and experience, and choosing when to upgrade and spend money is something you will need to decide for yourself.
Here are a few considerations that I take into account when thinking about upgrading my gear.
- Does my income from sound design support my upgrade? Can I afford it?
- Does my skill level match the quality of the gear I want to purchase?
- Do I have an audio issue, problem, or trouble that purchasing this gear could solve? Can I solve it without upgrading my gear?
- Have I tried increasing my knowledge of audio and sound design before purchasing this new gear?
Conclusion
I will say that these are some basic gear recommendations that you will need to get started; however, I do advocate for using whatever you have when starting out. Whether that is a cell phone or some other recorder, use whatever is available at your disposal. Yes, you will need a computer to work and edit your sounds, but almost any modern computer will do. What is more important than gear is to learn to be creative with what you have. Make yourself more valuable through your knowledge and skills and you can always upgrade your gear later.
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What other gear do you use for sound design?
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