Setting Up Your Home Recording Studio

Tools & Equipment you'll need to get started:

Digital Audio Workstations - You'll need a computer running music software. I personally own an iMac (Garageband comes free & I used this software for years!), but you'll need to choose whichever DAW you prefer that works with your home computer. Many if not all DAW's have trial versions, which is what I'd recommend taking advantage of before you commit with your wallet. My recommendations are:

1. Ableton Live 10 Suite 30-day Trial - this is a free trial, full features option

2. Abelton Live 10 Standard

3. LMMS - free cross-platform option

4. Reaper - functional without payment

5. Garageband (free for Macs)

Headphones - Over the ear headphones will help you hear more of the frequency spectrum. If you're serious about producing, a good pair of headphones is important. Below are my recommendations.

1. Audio Technica ATH-M50xWH - my personal favorite; choose black or white

2. Sony H900N Noise-Cancelling

3. Bose Quiet Comfort Noise-Cancelling

4. Sony MDR7506 - this is a great budget-friendly option & are the first pair of headphones I owned!

MIDI Keyboards - A MIDI keyboard isn't necessary, but it's a nice addition for easier musical expression! I want to preface by saying initially, I purchased the Arturia Mini KeyLab MKII, however, once I started really diving into playing keyboard, I realized not having at least a 49 key was holding me back. I now own my top choice, the Arturia KeyLab 49 MKII & I love it!

1. Arturia KeyLab 49 MKII

2. Arturia KeyStep

3. Komplete Kontrol A25

4. Akai Professional LPK25 - budget option

FREE Virtual Instruments - Instruments/packs I've started messing around with!

• Komplete Start Full Production Suite

• Spitfire Labs Virtual Instruments

• Helm Synthesizer

Audio Equipment - If you want to record your own high-quality audio, at a minimum, you need the mic, XLR cable, and one of the audio interfaces I've listed below. I want to mention the mic I use (M-Audio Luna II) is no longer in production; I purchased it many many years ago, so I've listed a different mic for that reason.

• Shure SM7B Cardioid Dynamic Microphone

• XLR Cable for Microphone

• Focusrite Scarlett Solo

• Universal Audio Apollo Twin

• Neewer Microphone Suspension Arm (black or white)

Icing on the Cake! The Extra Pro Gear

Studio Monitors - Studio monitors will help you hear your productions with even higher fidelity.

1. Yamaha HS8 - my top choice in white

2. KRK RP5G3-59107 NA Rokit 5 Monitors - budget option

Room Treatment - These materials help eliminate reverb, echoes & unwanted sound in your recordings.

• Foam Bass Trap - professional grade

• Acoustic Sound Blankets - professional grade

• Pyramid Acoustic Foam - professional grade