Are you needing some equipment to lay down your tracks? Or perhaps you’ve got studio time booked and want to arrive with some of your own gear.
Find the best places in Southampton to buy recording kit. This will help to give you the best sound possible. From second-hand items to bespoke manufactured equipment, the city and its surrounds have plenty of specialist stores that’ll enable you to get set up.
In this article, we’ll list the top places to stock up on your own recording kit.
Best places in Southampton to buy recording kit
If you’re a local musician looking to record, you may want to source equipment nearby – rather than online or travelling many miles.
Here are the best places in Southampton to buy recording kit, whether your budget is large or small. Choose between individual items to complement your existing setup. Or buy a bundle to get going from scratch.
Facebook groups
Word of mouth can be a useful way to pick up a bargain. And these days, much of that happens online. By joining groups such as the Hampshire UK Musicians community, you can network and keep an eye out for anything you desire. Or create a specific post to ask if anyone’s selling what you’re looking to buy.
Recording equipment for beginners
If you’ve never recorded before, don’t pay out lots on your first kit. Build up some knowledge of brands and functionality, so you know whether you’re making the best choices, before splurging the cash. Should you be really green, you’ll also need to familiarise yourself with the recording studios essentials. This will help you understand what each piece does and how it can help you.
Gumtree and Marketplace
For a secondhand kit, this will probably be your first stop. No, they’re not specialist websites in terms of music gear, but almost every musician uses them. Find out what you need, then create a search for that term. This can be saved so that the website notifies you if one comes available. The more niche your item, the more useful the notifications – as you waste a lot of time trawling pages waiting for it to come up. Similarly, eBay often has sellers offering local pickup. To find them, set your filter at a reasonable distance from Southampton.
The DJ Shop
This emporium in Shirley covers all things production. It is also one of the longest-running DJ equipment suppliers in the UK. There are over 400 items to purchase from its music production range, which includes USB MIDI Keyboards, Samplers, Pad Controllers, Audio Interfaces, Studio Monitors and Acoustic Treatment options. And with a five-star rating on Trust Pilot, you’re reassured of a safe and secure shopping experience at the DJ Shop. You can also delay payment for up to four months on purchases of over £99.
Recording studio kit Southampton
Going into a local shop can be very useful. Chat to the knowledgeable staff who can provide recommendations. By building relationships, you’ll have a starting point next time you need help and advice. Here are some of the stalwart music shops of the Southampton scene.
Hobgoblin
If you’re based in the city centre, pop into Hobgoblin Music on East Street, to check out their range of amps, mics and pro-audio. The six-year-old store provides interest-free credit for 18 to 25-year-olds as part of the Arts Council’s Take it Away scheme.
RPA Sound
In addition to audio system rentals, RPA Sound offers sales and repairs, manufacturing some of their own equipment and cable systems. The brand has three decades of international experience and supplies kit for arenas, festivals and tours. You can buy used equipment, as well as new items here. RPA is based in the Curbridge area, on the very outskirts of the city, so you’ll ideally need your own transport (especially to bring it all home).
Recording studio package
We’ve already mentioned the option of a package. Not only does this save you time sourcing each item individually, but it’s also often more cost-effective.
Mix Direct
Found in the City Commerce Centre, Mix Direct has some great deals if you’d prefer to purchase a music production package. It sells audio interfaces, keyboards & synthesizers, music production software, pad controllers with workstations, studio mixers and studio monitors. You can also buy speakers, effects systems, DJ equipment and mics At Mix Direct.
Do consider whether it’s worth investing in your own kit. Any quality recording studio will have its own gear – and very likely far better versions than you can afford by yourself. If you want to record a number to a professional standard and don’t plan on producing your own music longer term, then this is likely to be a more economical and effective option. In this article, we’ve covered a recording kit, but you can also find out where to buy musical instruments in Southampton, if you’re in the market for those.
Related Questions
How much does it cost to buy recording equipment?
You can fashion a basic setup for under a hundred pounds. If you want to create more advanced effects and edit, mix and master your own tracks, with complex arrangements, you could be into the thousands. Recording a solo singer with a backing track is the cheapest and simplest.
How much does it cost to record a song UK?
If you’re aged between 16 and 30 you may be eligible for a completely free recording session, via the MAS programme. Otherwise, an entry-level recording experience will cost you around £50. For a full song, with the opportunity for retakes, a day’s session is more realistic and comes in at £300.
How do I record my own songs?
You can just use your smartphone, or buy some kit and do it at home in spaces like your bedroom, closet or garage. Or you could book recording time and get a professional demo/track down. If you’re unsure, contact your local studio who can help advise the best option for your particular project.