Here is a huge selection of high-quality, reasonably priced equipment that you can use to set up your own small home recording studio. We think it’s possible to achieve excellent results without having to spend a fortune, while also not settling for anything less than the best.
Of course, you will need a reasonable Mac or PC to get all of this gear working and we won’t go too deep on the requirements and specs, but we will advise you to get a processor that will be able to handle more multitasking like the Mac M1 or M2’s processors or Intel Core’s or AMD’s for a PC as these are getting quite affordable nowadays and there are plenty of websites out there that will recommend all sorts of configurations, so take your time and get what you can afford.
There are many analogies we could make here, but we’ll just get right to the point and look at “Studio Gear Essentials for Recording at Home on a Budget,” which features gear that will help you set up your studio and give you a solid foundation for creating high-quality musical productions.
Microphone: AKG P-120
A condenser microphone with excellent value is the AKG P-120. It is well-built and of high quality. In project studios and for home recording, it delivers a clear sound with precise sonic detail for recording vocals, speech, and instruments.
Expect to pay around $200.00
Learn More About the AKG P-120
Audio Interface: Arturia MiniFuse2
The Minifuse2 comes with bundled software including Ableton Live Lite (an excellent DAW for producing music) along with some of Arturia’s great synths and effects. It also has an extra USB port on the back to connect MIDI controllers freeing up a USB port on your computer. The two inputs enable stereo recording or simultaneous recording of multiple instruments, such as guitar and vocals.
Expect to pay around $219.00
Learn More About the Arturia Minifuse 2
Keyboard Controller: Arturia KeyLab Essential 49
Arturia’s KeyLab Essential 49 is not only a controller but a virtual instrument workstation that’s perfect with multiple hands-on control. This unit provides the total integration to your DAW of choice and comes with thousands of sounds that are included with this controller.
Expect to pay around $379.00
Learn More About the Arturia KeyLab Essential 49
Studio Monitors: JBL 104-BT
The JBL One Series 104 monitors deliver outstanding performance for monitors of this size, reproducing frequencies from 60Hz to 20kHz. The One Series 104 can produce 104dB Maximum Peak SPL without distortion thanks to integrated 60-watt Class D amplification, which is a serious amount of volume. With no deceptive colouration, you can hear how well your mixes perform at loud playback volumes.
The JBL 104-BT come in Black or White.
Expect to pay around $269.00
Learn more about JBL 104-BT Monitors
Headphones: AKG K-92
The AKG K92 headphones offer an extended low-frequency response for a reasonable price that defines kick drums and bass guitars. In addition, detailed frequency response is excellent for acoustic instruments, guitars, and vocals. The headphone’s closed design gives it versatility for use in tracking and mixing.
Expect to pay around $89.00
Learn More About the AKG K-92 Headphones:
So there you have it. For about $1,100, you can start your own home recording studio and have a pretty good setup. For your own “Abbey Road,” this list includes everything you’ll need minus a few cables and a lot of creativity.
