Here is my basic home studio listing to get setup and started making music in your home. This is bare bones as I could make it. I have some links to gear, sites, channels all sorts of things to help get you started.
5 Things
Computer – In the past I might have said that you need an Apple/ Mac to do anything creative, but that is no longer the case these days. Windows has improved enough as an OS, that I have had much success with it in my Home Studio. The 2 main components are the CPU, or Central Processing Unit, and the RAM, or Random Access Memory, in your machine. Definitely the more the better, and this is where you want to go ahead and spend your money. High end graphics are nice, but are really not needed with today’s typical music software. Hard drives, or Storage is something to think about. If you are going to be working with large audio files, like a full band recording, I would strongly recommend a solid state hard drive.
Sound Interface – These are the devices that will convert a microphone or instrument signal into digital formats that your computer will be able to recognize. This is not strictly required, but if you are an instrumentalist of any variety, you will need one of these devices in order to record yourself playing. You could use the in-built microphone of your computer if you were really hard pressed, but for most recording projects this will simply not be good enough.
Recording Software – Today this is simply know as a DAW, or Digital Audio Workstation. The industry standards these days seem to be Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Ableton, or Cubase. There are some free or open source applications like Reaper, Garage Band, and Audacity that could be worth checking out. Some of the paid for programs also have free versions or free trials to get you started. I personally use Ableton in my Home studio, but have been playing with Acid in the basement drum room lately.
Monitoring – For most people getting started this is going to mean headphones. Sony or AKG make some good brands to get started with. Just look for any with a flat response and good isolation. A huge important factor is also comfort. You will be wearing these for many hours. Unless you are recording a group of musicians you will be good with a single set. Sometimes a second set of headphones will help in the mixing phase, to give you some other perspective on your mix. (In other words don’t buy 2 of the same pair.)
You – Now this does not just mean you, but a place for you to create music. A place where you can keep all of this gear and be able to come back to it, when inspiration strikes. Sometimes it strikes and you get stuck and wind up nowhere. Other times, you think this is just a passing musical idea, and next thing you know 4 hours have gone by. It can and will happen to you too!
Conclusion
Now, obviously this is a very simple setup. Very Simple. There are lots of places to expand on this setup, but this is the very least you need to get started. Will you make the next banging summer hit on this rig, probably not, but everyone starts somewhere. Every famous artists has plenty of beginner horror stories. We all go through the process of learning and making mistakes. You can’t learn without them.