Recommended Gear for Home Recording For Beginners

Now let’s start with Audio Interfaces

1.Interfaces

Recommended Audio Interfaces Around $100	Info/Price
1. PreSonus AudioBox USB 96	This little box has two microphone inputs connects via USB to your Mac or PC and is built like a tank. Great for beginners.
2. Focusrite Scarlett Solo	If you only need one microphone input, this box is a great option as it allows you to record at even higher sample rates than most budget interfaces.
3. Moukey  MSc1 USB 3.0	MSc1 is an entry-level audio processing interface launched by Moukey. Although small in size, it has all the basic functions required.

Last update on 2024-11-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Last update on 2024-11-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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Recommended Audio Interfaces Around $250	Info/Price
1. Apogee One	Probably the smallest interface I’ve ever used, this little 2-channel USB box gives you great sound, portability, as well as a built in microphone!
2. Focusrite Scarlett 8i6	While only having two built-in mic pres, at this price point, you have a total of 8 available inputs so you can hook up additional preamps to it and record up to six tracks at once. Check out how this Focusrite Scarlett 8i6 compares with Komplete Audio 6 MK2 here!

Last update on 2024-11-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Last update on 2024-11-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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Recommended Audio Interfaces Under $500	Info/Price
1. PreSonus Studio 68c	Perfect for being able to track a full drum kit with four mics, this box gives you lots of inputs for the space.
2. Focusrite Clarett 2Pre	This little USB interface comes with amazing sounding pres that even have a second circuit built in so you get two pre sounds in one. Plus it has near top of the line converter specs and super low latency recording so you can track through plugins.
3. Behringer U-PHORIA UMC1820	If you can get over the brand snobbery that comes with mentioning the word Behringer in audio circles, this is the best deal on the planet right now. You get 8 mic pres built in + ADAT expansion for up to another 8 pres all for less than $300. And it records up to 96k. And in case you’re wondering, yes I’ve recorded with Behringer gear

Check out to see how the Behringer 1820 compares with the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 here!

Last update on 2024-11-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Last update on 2024-11-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Last update on 2024-11-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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2.Microphones

All the microphones I’ve listed below are great all around mics that can take you far, whether you use them for vocals, drums, or acoustic guitars. In an ideal situation, you will one day have lots of microphones to choose from so you can match the perfect microphone to the voice/instrument in that situation. But in the typical home studio, most of us start out with one mic and use it for everything.

I’ve built this list of mics to accommodate the one all-around microphone choice. That being said, here are my top picks for your “go-to” mic if you can have only one.

Recommended Microphones Under $100	Info/Price
1. Samson C01	This little guy sounds amazing on drum overheads and vocals. I know because I’ve used it on both with great success. One of the best buys out there, in my opinion.
2. Behringer B1	The first condenser microphone I ever bought! I still own it and use it today. It’s bright, clear, and up front – perfect for vocals. It even has a high pass filter and 10db pad.
3. Audio-Technica AT2020	A classic in the home studio world. Countless students of mine use this mic day in and day out with great success.
4. Shure SM57	This little dynamic microphone is a beast. Great for loud or aggressive vocals, drums, guitar amps, or even the occasional acoustic guitar (I’ve done it) – it is a staple in home and pro studios alike

Last update on 2024-11-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Last update on 2024-11-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Last update on 2024-11-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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Recommended Microphones Under $250	Info/Price
1. Blue Microphones Spark	One of the coolest looking mics I own, it sounds as good as it looks. Vocals sound focused, up front, and amazing. It has an interesting “Focus” button on it that changes the EQ curve of the mic for a different sound.
2. Rode NT1-A (or NT1)	I own three of these mics. They are one of my all time favorite mics for quality, dependability, and low noise. Nothing fancy – just great sound from a great company.

Last update on 2024-11-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Last update on 2024-11-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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Recommended Microphones Under $500	Info/Price
1. AKG C214	Using the same capsule as its bigger brother the classic 414, this is a great all around microphone. I’ve used 414s for vocals and drum overheads with great success so the 214 would work just as well.
2. Rode NT2-A	With that same amazing Rode sound and build quality as the NT1-A, the NT2-A adds multiple polar patterns, a high pass filter, and a pad. This gives you a lot of flexibility in the studio.
3. Shure SM7B	So many rock singers have used this dynamic mic in both stage and studio applications. It has a way of focusing the sound of aggressive vocals while also sounding amazing on melodic singing.

Last update on 2024-11-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Last update on 2024-11-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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3.Monitors

Recommended Monitors Under $300 (pair)	Info/Price
1. KRK Rokit 5	One of my favorite pairs of monitors, the Rokit 5s are a great home studio choice. While no 5-inch speaker will give you a ton of low end, you can get a great mix with these bad boys.
2. PreSonus Eris E5	I’ve mixed quit a few projects on PreSonus Eris speakers and they sound great. Silky smooth and clear. Exactly what you need a studio monitor to be.
3. Behringer Truth B1030A	Another pair of great speakers that I’ve mixed some projects on – these versions of the Behringer Truth line of speakers are FAR better than their older stuff. Very easy to mix on.

Last update on 2024-11-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Last update on 2024-11-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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Recommended Monitors Under $600 (pair)	Info/Price
1. Yamaha HS8	If you have a bigger room (like a basement studio, or larger garage space) and want to step up to an 8 inch speaker then I’d recommend the Yamaha HS8s.  When I think of studio monitors, Yamaha always comes to mind. Mostly because every studio I’ve ever been in has a pair of NS-10s. These HS8s are a home studio version and are quite popular.  I own and mix on these guys as my main monitors.
2. Focal Alpha 50	Focal makes amazing speakers, and to get a pair at this price is stunning. Many mixers I know swear by Focal, and that’s for a reason.
3. KRK Rokit 8s.	Lots of speaker for the price and you’ll get more accuracy in the low end than a 5 or 6 inch monitor.

Last update on 2024-11-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Last update on 2024-11-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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4. Recommended Headphones

I personally don’t recommend investing in any headphones under $100 if you will be doing the majority of your mixing work on them. That being said, you don’t need to spend much to get quality. Here is my top choice:

KRK KNS8400 – My absolute favorite headphones, I use these for tracking and mixing day in and day out. They are clear, powerful, and balanced – and under $150.

Last update on 2024-11-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Turn-Key Startup Studios

Now if you don’t like to pick and choose what you need for your studio, allow me to recommend some complete home studio setups that would pair nicely in different budgets. These setups will get you up and running right away and still leave room for some expansion (via more mics, upgraded software, etc) in the future.

Basically if I were to start over today owning nothing, here is what I would buy depending on my budget.

Complete Home Studio For Under $350	Setup
This home studio setup would be perfect for the singer/songwriter who can play everything him/herself. For the mic cable, stand, and pop filter feel free to go with any brand you like.	● Focusrite Scarlett Solo  – Comes with Pro Tools First and Ableton Live Lite software. So no need to buy an additional DAW to get started. ● Samson C01  ● KRK KNS 6400  ● Pro Co XLR Cable  ● On-Stage Mic Stand  ● Gator Pop Filter

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Complete Home Studio For Under $750	Setup
This home studio setup would be perfect for the band or artist that wants to record more than two inputs at a time and still have some room for expansion up to 4 inputs. You also get two very different sounding and versatile microphones. For the mic cable, stand, and pop filter feel free to go with any brand you like.	● PreSonus Studio 6|8  – Comes with Studio One Artist software, so no need to buy an additional DAW to get started. ● Blue Spark  ● Shure SM57 ● KRK KNS 8400  ● Pro Co XLR Cable  ● On-Stage Mic Stand  ● Gator Pop Filter

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Complete Home Studio For Under $1500	Setup
This home studio setup would be perfect for the band or studio wanting the flexibility to record 8 channels of drum mics or a full band live. You also get three very different sounding and versatile microphones plus we’re adding a pair of monitor speakers. For the mic cable, stand, and pop filter feel free to go with any brand you like.	● Focusrite Scarlett 18i20  – Comes with Pro Tools First and Ableton Live Lite software, so no need to buy an additional DAW to get started. ● Rode NT1-A  ● Blue Spark  ● Shure SM57  ● KRK KNS 6400 ● KRK Rokit 5 ● Pro Co XLR Cable ● On-Stage Mic Stand  ● Gator Pop Filter

And there you have it!