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Music Production Essentials

23 items

Wayne Dalton

Interested in getting a start in music production? Maybe already an advanced producer who's looking to upgrade your gear? My list has all the essentials every producer needs.

Sections

INTERFACES

MIDI CONTROLLERS

MICROPHONES

DAWs

STUDIO MONITORS

ROOM TREATMENT

INTERFACES

An audio interface is vital for a music producer because it ensures high-quality sound by converting analog signals to digital with great clarity. It minimizes latency, allowing for real-time monitoring, and provides the necessary connections for mic...

This is the bundle that I personally used when first learning how to produce/mix music. This bundle comes with a Scarlett 2i2 Audio Interface, which has two high-quality mic/instrument inputs, which makes it perfect for recording vocals and instrumen...

Scarlett 2i2 Studio [3rd Gen]

This interface is affordable, beginner-friendly, and delivers professional sound. It offers clear preamps, 24-bit/192kHz resolution, ultra-low latency, and simple controls, ideal for solo producers with basic recording needs. One reason I love this i...

Focusrite Scarlett Solo 4th Gen USB Audio Interface

While the Apollo Twin is undeniably expensive, it is the gold standard of audio interfaces, and worth every penny. Created by Universal Audio, one of the top brands in the industry, the Apollo Twin has controls for virtually anything you would need t...

Apollo Twin - Personal Favorite Audio Interface

MIDI CONTROLLERS

A MIDI controller is essential for creating melodies, chords, and beats. It offers hands-on control for playing virtual instruments, improves workflow, and adds expressiveness, making music production intuitive and dynamic.

This MIDI controller is a staple for people looking to start producing, and is the first MIDI controller for many producers, and for good reason. I personally use this controller, and the pads on it are shockingly good for the price of this controlle...

MPK Mini mk3 MIDI Controller - Akai Pro

While I believe the “best bang for buck” title goes to the AKAI mini controllers, Novation would be my second choice. Novation makes controllers as small as 25 keys, and as big as a full 88 key controller. I think that Novation does make higher quali...

Novation Launch controllers

MICROPHONES

A microphone is essential for recording vocals, instruments, or sounds, enabling unique, high-quality audio. It provides creative flexibility, allowing producers to add original elements and personalize their tracks, especially in genres like hip-hop...

The Shure SM57, trusted by U.S. Presidents while delivering speeches, provides unmatched clarity and reliability. Good for vocals and exceptional for recording instruments, it’s versatile, rugged, and a must-have for any producer or musician.

Shure SM57 - Dynamic Microphone

The Rode NT1 is an excellent first condenser microphone due to its exceptional clarity, low self-noise, and affordability. It captures vocals and instruments with studio-quality precision, making it perfect for beginner and professional producers ali...

Rode NT1 5th Gen Condenser Microphone with SM6 Shockmount and Pop Filter - Black

Commonly referred to as the most popular microphone of all time, the Shure SM58 is a classic microphone due to its legendary durability, versatility, and consistent performance. Renowned for its warm, clear sound and ability to handle live vocals and...

Shure SM58

DAWs

A DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) is essential for music production, as it’s the central hub for recording, editing, mixing, and mastering tracks. It offers tools for creating beats, arranging compositions, and adding effects, making professional-qua...

Logic is my personal favorite DAW. It's UI is very similar to GarageBand, which is free on all MacBooks. I would recommend checking out GarageBand before purchasing Logic, which I consider to be the premium version of GarageBand. One downside of Logi...

Logic Pro X for Mac - Apple

When I want to create beats quickly, FL Studio is the first program I open on my computer. It's UI may look a bit more complex than Logic, but the FL community is huge and there are countless tutorials on YouTube for free.

FL Studio: Create Your Best Music

Known as the industry standard, Pro Tools has been innovating the game ever since it was released. If I was recording a paying customer in my studio, I would 100% use Pro Tools. The workflow in this DAW is unmatched.

Pro Tools

STUDIO MONITORS

Studio monitors are essential for accurate sound representation, allowing producers to hear their music as it truly is. Unlike regular speakers, they provide a flat frequency response, ensuring precise mixing and mastering decisions for professional-...

The KRK GOAUX4 monitors are perfect for beginner producers, offering clear, balanced sound in a compact, portable design. With built-in EQ, Bluetooth connectivity, and KRK’s trusted audio quality, they’re ideal for creating professional tracks in any...

KRK GOAUX4 4-inch Powered Portable Studio Monitor Pair

The PreSonus Eris 3.5 is a great choice for beginner producers due to its affordability, compact size, and clear sound. With a balanced frequency response, front-panel controls, and versatile connectivity, it’s perfect for home studio setups.

PreSonus Eris 3.5 - Studio Monitors

ROOM TREATMENT

Acoustic treatment is essential for a music producer as it minimizes sound reflections, echoes, and external noise, creating an accurate listening environment. This ensures precise mixing and mastering, so tracks sound consistent across all playback ...

Sound diffusers are one of my favorite ways to acoustically treat a room. Built to reduce echoes and reflections, they scatter audio waves in every direction. Diffusers can get pretty expensive, but these ones are a pretty good deal for an entry leve...

Sound Acoustic Studio Diffuser 20"x20"x6"

Absorbers are similar to diffusers, in the sense that they reduce unwanted sound reflections. The difference is absorbers soak in and trap the audio waves instead of scattering them. This specific seller offers many different sized panels, ranging fr...

Sound Absorbers

Sound proofing is definitely not as important for acoustically treating a studio compared to other treatments like diffusers and absorbers, but it is a considerate thing to add if you are not living alone. Producing can get pretty loud sometimes, esp...

Sound Proof Padding

CABLES

Cables like XLR and instrument cables are essential for connecting microphones, instruments, and audio interfaces, ensuring clear signal transmission. They’re the backbone of any studio setup, enabling seamless recording and production workflows. Wit...

Sweetwater is a personal favorite company of mine to purchase from. They offer free shipping, a lifetime warranty, and they always put some fun sweet treats in with your package. $60 may sound like a lot just for a cable, but you will never need to b...

Gold plated XLR Microphone Cable - 6 foot

An instrument cable is essential for connecting guitars, keyboards, or other instruments to audio interfaces and amps. It ensures clean signal transmission, enabling high-quality recordings and seamless integration of instruments into music productio...

Instrument Cable

OTHER GEAR

This section is for gear that you might not normally think of buying, but are very much essential for production.

Cable management can get tricky as a producer have many things that they need to plug into outlets, whether it be interfaces, MIDI controllers, your computer,etc. Having a surge protecting power strip is essential to make sure your electronics don't ...

Surge Protectors / Power Strips

Recording vocals without a pop filter can be a disaster. Who knew such a small piece of foam can make such a difference in recording quality? If you aren't sure about what they do, they reduce plosive sounds like "P" and "B" during recording, ensurin...

Foam Pop Filter - Slip on Style

I personally like the boom mic stands the most. They offer great versatility, whether you want to record sitting or standing, you are able to position the neck however you need.

Tripod Boom Microphone Stand

In my opinion, desktop stands are better for ease and comfortability while recording, but way less versatile than a stand-up tripod stand. Both are good and have their own uses.

Desktop Boom Mic Stand

Microphone stands are necessary for recording. They provide better quality and consistency as opposed to holding the microphone, where you risk subconsciously moving the microphone and creating unwanted noise, and don't forget the risk of dropping yo...

Microphone Clip - Shure