So that you don't build a booth in your closet lined with eggshells, we have listed the best studio equipment for beginners that you can get for your money - of course in real studio quality!

● Directly to the landing page on Thomann

COMPUTERS & LAPTOPS FOR MUSICIANS

For professional and digital music production, you first and foremost need a computer or laptop. The minimum requirements of music software on a computer for music production are often:

● Intel i5 processor
● 8 GB RAM memory
● 250 GB hard disk space

Such a laptop or Computer is ideal for singer/songwriters and rappers to make their own recordings.

Choose a processor that has as many GHz per core as possible. Since samples and plugins can quickly take up a lot of storage space, it is worth investing in a large hard drive. With more hard disk space or an external HDD like the LaCie Rugged, you are well prepared for new software and future projects!

DAWS (DIGITAL AUDIO WORKSTATION FOR BEGINNERS

In electronic music production, the abbreviation DAW stands for "Digital Audio Workstation" and is a computer program for composing and/or editing audio material.

Some of the most popular digital audio workstations are: Ableton Live, FL Studio, Cubase, PreSonus Studio One.

A DAW emulates the signal flow in the recording studio and is required to record vocals or record instruments and produce electronic music.

How do I find the right music software?

Changing DAWs afterwards can be a lot of work. Before buying a DAW you can often download a free demo and see for yourself. Many DAWs have a special workflow – there is sure to be something for you too! If you want to get acquainted with the functions of a DAW first, you can also install a free DAW. Here are the 6 best free DAWs:

● PreSonus Studio One Prime

● Ableton Live Lite (comes free with selected hardware & software products)

● Cubase AI 11/ Cubase LE 11 (included free of charge with selected hardware & software products)

● Avid Pro Tools First (no longer available since December 2021)

● BandLab by Cakewalk

● Audacity

AUDIO INTERFACES FOR MUSICIANS

With an audio interface, you connect your studio speakers and microphone to your laptop or computer so that you can control the volume and input level. In addition, an external audio interface often processes audio signals with less interference than the sound cards preinstalled in the computer.

There are many different models with different numbers of inputs and outputs, but we still recommend using a simple audio interface at the beginning. Two XLR or TRS outputs for studio loudspeakers and an XLR input with 48V phantom power for a microphone are usually completely sufficient at the beginning!

All the models recommended here have the above technical data and have additional an input for an instrument. Here you will find the three best audio interfaces under €150:

● Audient iD4 MK2

● Steinberg UR22 MK2

● Focusrite Scarlett Solo

STUDIO SPEAKERS (MONITORS)

In a professional recording studio you will find many different sizes and types of loudspeakers (so-called monitoring monitors). Audio engineers and music producers compare their mix on different studio speakers and headphones so that they can better detect and process interfering frequencies.

If you still produce music on ordinary hi-fi speakers, then you should urgently get studio speakers. Such loudspeakers reproduce a much more unadulterated sound.

There are different types of monitoring monitors (so-called nearfield monitors, midfield and main monitors as well as subwoofers), which are almost self-explanatory from the name. In a home studio, you usually only find near-field monitors because, as the name suggests, they are close to the listening position. Midfield and main monitors are found in professional recording studios, sometimes even built into the wall. Subwoofers are special woofers that emit very low frequencies and can also be found in recording studios or at concerts.

It is not easy to give a uniform recommendation for studio loudspeakers (near-field monitors, studio monitors or simply called monitors), because the The sound of a loudspeaker depends heavily on the room acoustics and your own listening habits. If it is possible for you, then listen to a few loudspeakers in the specialist shop of your choice or try them out at home and optimize your room acoustically. Give yourself some time to really get to know your speakers and your room.

● KRK Rokit RP7 G4

● Yamaha HS 5

● Adam T5V

MIDI AND DAW CONTROLLERS FOR MUSICIANS

The transmission standard for notes, velocity, etc. is called MIDI. The advantage of these controllers is that you can control and play all your virtual instruments. So you can play guitar sounds on your keys, for example, and play your own drums using the sensitive pads.

You can also play drum shots with the keyboard and even the computer keyboard. Real beatmakers, hip hoppers and finger drummers naturally use special drum machines (also called drum machines, samplers or pad controllers) from AKAI, Roland or Native Instruments back.

As a beginner, don't think too much about choosing a MIDI controller, because experience has shown that faders and additional functions are not used that often by beginners. Find a controller that suits you! By the way.. most controllers come with several free VST plugins and sound packs - don't miss out on the free stuff!

Here are the best MIDI controllers for beginners:

● M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3

● Arturia KeyLab Essential 49

● Arturia MiniLab MKII

● Akai Fire Controller

● Native Instruments Machine MK3

STUDIO HEADPHONES FOR MUSICIANS

If you want to be mobile or don't want to disturb your neighbors at night when producing and mixing, you should use studio headphones! The sound of such headphones is very linear and ideal for music production or the final mixing of your track.

In addition, you need closed headphones for singers and rappers so that they can record their vocals without interference. A clean vocal track is an important requirement for post production. So make sure you use a closed headphone design for recordings.

Here you will find the best studio headphones for home studios and a simple and understandable explanation with all the differences between the headphone designs.

A little tip more: For some producers or DJs the cable routing is relevant. Right-handers usually prefer a left-handed cable. Therefore, take a close look at the scope of delivery if you prefer a flat, long cable instead of a coiled cable.

STUDIO MICROPHONES FOR MUSICIANS

For recording vocals and rap, we strongly recommend using a pop filter to absorb, for example, P and S sounds and hissing (so-called explosive sounds). A microphone screen and acoustic elements optimize the room acoustics and reduce reflections in the room.

● Rode NT1-A Complete Vocal Recording Bundle

● AKG P220

● Aston Microphones Origin

Note: Phantom power (+48V) only needs to be turned on for condenser microphones and active ribbon microphones. Passive ribbon mics, dynamic moving coil mics, and specialty types such as digital or USB mics do not require phantom power.