Home Studio Equipment List

   Your interested in having a home studio to record, mix and master your music and you don't know what you need.  Well, let me shed some light.  If you're a musician wants the world to listen to your music, you're at the right place.  

     Getting equipment isn't that complicated and you probably already have a few or all the items on hand.  This is a link that shows you a list of what I have in my studio but let me explain in details.

     First, you need a reliable computer fast enough because when you're mixing a song, it's like multiple wave files playing at the same time that requires CPU usage.  I truly recommend using a Mac computer because they are fast and they actually come with a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) which means software.  All Apple computer comes with Garage Band which is fabulous to start recording solving the first "need".  There's also a few DAW out there compatible with Mac or PC:  

List of DAWs

From sources across the web


Secondly, an audio interface.  This unit capture the analog signal from all analog instruments like a microphone and converts the signal to a digital format so that your DAW can understand it.  There is many brands and qualities available.  Here are a few brands.

Popular Brands:
  • Known for its high-end Apollo series, which offers superior sound quality and built-in DSP for low-latency plugin processing. 
  • A best-selling brand, particularly for their Scarlett series, which are well-regarded for their intuitive design, quality preamps, and value for home studios. 
  • Offers the most affordable entry-level interfaces, providing excellent features for a lower price point, making them popular for beginners. 
  • Praised for its high-quality Class-A preamps and robust build, as seen in their iD series. 
  • A premium brand known for excellent sound quality, especially for its professional-grade interfaces. 
  • Offers a range of interfaces suitable for both musicians and streamers, such as the popular AudioBox series. 
Thirdly, a good pair of studio headphones or studio monitors. Here are some product ideas.

Common Studio Headphones
Here are some well-regarded models often recommended for studio use: 
Closed-Back (for isolation and recording)
  • A very popular choice known for a strong bass and good value, making it great for tracking. 
  • A classic, reliable closed-back option offering good isolation for tracking vocals. 
  • Another strong choice for isolation, preventing sound from bleeding out during recording. 
  • A long-standing industry standard relied on by many producers and artists for decades. 
Open-Back (for mixing and critical listening)
  • Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X: An open-back option with a wide frequency response, suitable for mixing. 
  • Sennheiser HD 600: A well-regarded, open-back headphone for critical listening and a wide soundstage. 
  • Audio-Technica ATH-R70x: A lightweight, open-back headphone known for detail, clarity, and a balanced sound profile. 
Higher-End/Specialized Options
  • An audiophile-grade headphone with a flat, neutral sound signature, ideal for accurate mixing and mastering. 
  • An open-back studio headphone from a respected audio brand, offering a reference-grade experience. 
Key Considerations
  • Open-Back vs. Closed-Back: 
    Open-back headphones allow sound to pass through, creating a more natural and spacious soundstage, which is good for mixing, while closed-back headphones isolate sound, preventing bleed into microphones, making them ideal for tracking. 
  • Budget: 
    Studio headphones range from very affordable options to high-end professional models, so consider your budget when making a choice. 
  • Purpose: 
    Determine if your primary need is accurate monitoring for mixing, or isolation for recording. 

Studio Monitors
From sources across the web


    At this point, if you are a musician, you may be ready to record.  All the other items are on a
not really need list but they help.

Not a must list

1.  Desk (But it helps a lot)
2.  Acoustic treated room

Basically, you have all the information here to start making music.  If you want to see my setup please click here to see my video.


Sylvain Rochon


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