This article covers the basic music equipment we think you need to get started with making music.
Your music equipment will be the foundation of your music-making process.
In the beginning, we all want to be like the big music producers we see online with a room full of music equipment, but you don’t need all that when you are getting started, and here is why:
- Budget – Music equipment is expensive. Many new music producers are on a budget, so limit your spending to the basic equipment at first, and then buy more advanced gear later when you know you need it.
- Time & Learning – The more equipment you buy, the more equipment you have to learn, and less time is spent on perfecting your craft. You want to spend more time on actually creating music and less time on acquiring new gear.
Music Equipment Overview
Remember this:
It’s not about the music equipment or software you are using, but about the person using the equipment. Your ear for music, skill, and talent matters more than the equipment you are using.
Dr. Dre’s music equipment didn’t make him the big music producer he is today. His ear and talent for music did. So don’t think you need a big studio to make good music.
Basic Music Equipment
Here are the very basics of what you need to make music.
1. Computer
A computer is a must to run music software.
2. MIDI Keyboard
Making beats is much easier and more creative when you have a keyboard. MIDI Keyboards
3. Studio Monitors
Studio monitors are great for listening to your beats.
4. Music Software
Music software is essential for making beats and mixing down audio.
5. Headphones
Headphones will let you hear all the subtle elements when making music.
6. External Hard Drive
Hard Drives are important for backing up your work, and they provide additional storage space.
Common Questions:
I don’t have money for music equipment, what can I do?
If you have a computer you can use any of these free music production software programs to your computer and make music for free.
We highly recommend you get a MIDI keyboard, which you can get for as low as $50.
Leave a comment if you have suggestions on picking music equipment for new music producers.
This article is a part of the How to Make Beats series.
What are your favorite pieces of musical equipment?
Describe your music setup in the comments.
Related: Music Studio Desks | 15 Home Recording Studio Equipment Essentials
Man, my set up has changed so much.. I was rockin the Fantom G8 with Logic Pro, Pro Tools, and Maschine.. I learned after spending all that money, that its about keeping it simple and just improving my workflow.. SO now.. I have Mac Pro tower, M-Audio keystation 88 midi, Reason 5, Logic pro/ pro tools, with Akai MPD 32 and a bunch of kits, and vst’s. I sold the fantom, because it’s more for stage performances, even though i miss the weighted keys.
Oh, forgot,, Rockit 8’s monitors and sold the M-Audio Project Mix I/O ( bad faders, and drivers) went back to the M-Audio fast track pro.. I do want that Apogee Ensemble. Great mic pre’s and coverters and overall sonic quality.
Mac Pro, midi keyboad and mic. i setup where ever the money is.lol
KRK Rokit G2’s, HP Elitebook, Studio One Pro, Reason 5, Maschine, Behringer umx610, Korg MicroKey, Saffire 6 usb, audio technica lp120, and a ton of vst’s
My Set Up Is Cubase4, Reason5, Fl Studio, Some Vsts & A Yamaha psr-e 413 as midi keyboard
Akai MPC 5000, Korg Triton Studio, Korg D1600, Mackie HR824’s, & tall rack of old school preamps & channel strips.
My setup is base around powerbook G4 laptop
with Protools 7.4 Reason 4.0 emu proteus 2000 motif rack ,radium 49 key controller,
Ibanez guitar for jazz funk and rock style playing & a old beat up acoustic guitar for slide playing. but all that doesn’t matter its how create with what you have.
Macbook pro
Logic pro 9
Akai MPK49
Focusrite saffire 6
Studio-Projects C1
M-Audio Bx5 D2
At work: ProTools 8 HD. Mostly use MIDI (with a Roland keyboard controller). I also use a Motif Rack.
At home or on the go: ProTools LE, Motif 7, Garageband, and a bunch of iPhone apps (Groovemaker, Nanostudio, iDrum, Beatmaker, Sampletank, Maschine, etc.).
If I get inspired, I just use what I have on hand to get some ideas out and try to flesh it out when I get back to the studio…
Well……..Just my PC, it doesn’t work that fast but it can get the Job Done.
-God Bless everyone-