Your Music Production Starter Kit (7 things I use)

I started songwriting around 11 years old, but I didn’t start producing music until about 5 years ago. It’s been a journey – at times frustrating, but overall fulfilling.

I can now take ideas floating in my head and turn them into digital things. It’s so liberating.

So if you’re psyched to get started on your own journey, let’s get it.

This is my music production starter kit, a minimalist and to-the-point list.

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TL;DR

7 things you need to start producing music:

1. A computer (I use a 2020 MacBook with the M1 chip)

2. A DAW (I use Logic Pro)

3. A MIDI controller (I use the Alesis V25 for travel and the M-Audio Oxygen 49 at home)

4. An audio interface (I use the U-Phoria UM2 by Behringer)

5. A mic and cable (I started with the Marantz Professional MPM 1000 XLR bundle)

6. Studio headphones (I use the Audio-Technia ATH-M50X)

7. A pop filter (I just use a cheap one with decent reviews like this one)

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Music Production 101 (the what + the why)

Before jumping into my home recording studio equipment list, let’s look at the what and why of music production.

To borrow from Berklee’s definition, music production is the process of creating, capturing and manipulating music.

It’s a modern musical skill that requires practice, patience, creativity and technical finesse.

Like I said in the beginning, it’s an awesome journey, but (like most great things) requires commitment and a willingness to work through the sh*t parts.

But it’s so worth it.

Producing Music In A Home Studio (the benefits)

• It’s a form of personal growth

• You get a strong sense of pride and achievement

• More collaboration and networking opportunities open up

• Become more creative and express yourself in new ways

• Full control over your music and creative vision (musical independence)

• You learn many transferable skills (like software navigation and troubleshooting)

• Boost your creative confidence (because you know, music production is hard)

• Music production is an in-demand skill you can make money from

• It’s creative and it’s fun

Recommended: How to Get Good At Music Production (10 Steps)

My Music Production Starter Kit (7 essentials)

This list is everything you’ll need for your home recording studio kit.

There are so many options out there, but most of the items in this post are affordable and perfect for starting out (but they’re still powerful and will last you a long time).

These are the things I still use every single day to make my music.

1. A Decent Computer

If you don’t already have a decent computer, this will probably be your biggest music production expense (when first starting out).

I use the 2020 13” MacBook Pro (M1 chip).

It’s been amazing and I can confidently recommend Apple products for music production (among other creative projects).

But of course, there are other (cheaper) options when choosing a computer.

So if you’re looking for something other than a MacBook, here are some quick specs and common recommendations to keep in mind:

• At least an i7 core processor

• 64-bit operating system

• Good internal storage (256GB+)

• Decent size screen (which makes things easier)

• At least 16GB of RAM

2. A DAW

The Logic Pro dashboard (and a random project I was working on recently)

Your DAW is where all it goes down. It’s your digital studio.

A DAW, or digital audio workspace, is a software interface for making digital music.

There are tons of options on the market today.

I use Logic Pro (Apple’s native DAW), which costs $199.99.

But I started out with Reaper (which you can try for free), and only switched because I prefer the simplicity of Logic’s interface (and the fact that I use a MacBook).

While I’ve only tested Logic Pro and Reaper myself, there are plenty more options. The best choice really comes down to personal preference.

But if you learn music production from a specific person or YouTube channel, it might be best to use what they use (so you can easily follow along in their tutorials).

For example, Make Pop Music has amazing tutorials and Austin (the main dude) uses Cubase.

Here are some common DAWs:

• FL Studio (from $99)

• Ableton (from $99)

• Cubase (from $99.99 – but there is a trial version)

• Logic Pro ($199.99)

• Reaper (from $60 – but you can try for free)

• GarageBand (beginner DAW – free with Mac computers)

Recommended: Rules for Success In Music (+ Life)

3. A MIDI Controller

M-Audio oxygen 49 (image source: Amazon.com)

Music is audible and we understand it through sound waves.

Computers don’t.

So we need something that can make sounds our computers understand. We need a MIDI controller.

A MIDI controller is a device that sends MIDI (musical instrument digital interface) data to MIDI-enabled devices (like your DAW).

There are so many options and styles of MIDI controllers. But if you’re just starting out, a simple one with just a couple octaves and a drum pad will suffice.

My first MIDI controller was the Alesis V25 (25 key).

I still use this as my smaller, travel sized MIDI keyboard (as I sit outside Tokyo writing this).

I also use the M-Audio Oxygen 49 (MKV).

This is a bigger MIDI keyboard with more keys (and is featured in the image above).

Finally, I use the M-Audio universal sustain pedal.

4. An Audio Interface

The U-Phorio UM2 by Behringer (image source: Amazon.com)

At this point, we have a DAW and a MIDI controller to make amazing sounds with.

But now we need a way to connect live sounds to your computer.

We need an audio interface.

An audio interface is a device that converts microphone or live instrument signals into a format your computer and DAW understands.

Again, there are tons of options on the market.

I use the U-Phoria UM2 by Behringer.

Another popular (slightly more expensive) option is the Focusrite Scarlett Solo (which is actually my next purchase).

Before you buy one, just check to make sure it comes with a phantom power option.

This gives your interface an extra boost so you can live track vocals on a condenser mic without any delay issues.

Recommended: 16 Tips to Stay Motivated As A Music Producer

5. A Mic (+ Cables)

If you’re not tracking any vocals or making exclusively electronic music with samples and loops, you could get by without a mic.

But it’s definitely something worth learning and eventually investing in.

When it comes to music production, there are two main types of mics:

• A dynamic mic

• These are good for capturing loud sounds or live performances

• A condenser mic

• These are good for softer sounds, studio singing and higher frequencies

I have a few mics lying around my room studio, but I usually just use my main one (which suits my usual singing style and goals).

I use the Marantz Professional MPM 1000 XLR condenser mic (cable included).

6. Studio Headphones

Audio-Technica ATH-M50X (image source: Amazon.com)

Admittedly, I dragged my feet on this home studio staple for a while.

But once I finally invested in a decent pair of headphones, everything improved.

Studio headphones will help you hear frequencies and nuances more effectively, so you can make better decisions with your music production mixing and sound selection.

There are many styles and options on the market – closed back, open back, semi open – but ultimately, it will depend on your goals, preferences and budget.

I use the Audio-Technica ATH-M50X professional studio monitor headphones.

Fun fact, these are the same headphones that Finneas uses.

So, if they’re good enough for him and Billie Eilish, they’re good enough for me.

Recommended: 10 Exercises to Become A Stronger Producer

7. A Pop Filter

Pop filter (image source: Amazon.com)

There’s one more small item to complete your music production starter kit: a pop filter.

A pop filter is a mesh screen that goes in front of a mic and reduces the sound of plosives or other harsh, unwanted noises when tracking vocals.

Pop filters also act as a great way to keep singers at a good distance from the mic.

And honestly, there are tons of options out there. IMO, it doesn’t matter too much which you choose (if you’re just starting out).

I just grabbed the cheapest one with the best reviews. For example, this one.

And that’s a wrap for this post.

Let me know in the comments if you have any more questions with anything. Otherwise, happy music-making!

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