If you’re an aspiring musical artist looking for equipment to build your dream studio at home, this buyer’s guide is for you. With a fully functional home studio, you are well on your way to becoming a star. Here, we will cover the seven best music recording equipment along with their features, pros, cons, and price points to help you with your buying decision. These recommendations are great for honing your music production skill at home, so read on.
Comparison Chart
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asus ROG Strix Hero III Gaming Laptop Intel Core i7-9750H | ROG Strix III laptop from Asus is must-have equipment if you’re dreaming of putting up a recording studio at home. | ||
| Image-Line FL Studio 20 Producer Edition Mac/Windows | If you’re looking for the best music recording equipment, you can’t miss having the FL Studio 20 for improving and crisper sound output. | ||
| BEHRINGER Audio Interface (UMC404HD) | One of the best music recording equipment you should have is an audio interface, and Behringer UMC404HD is what you might need. | ||
| Mackie CR-X Series, 3-Inch Multimedia Monitors Pair (CR3-X) | The Mackie’s CR3-X multimedia monitor speakers deliver impressive performance at an affordable price. | ||
| Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones | The Audi-Technica wireless studio headphones offer excellent audio with an accurate response level. | ||
| AKG Pro Audio C214 Professional Large-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone | If you want value for money, the AKG Pro C214 condenser microphone is one of the best music recording equipment you should consider buying. | ||
| Akai Professional MPD226 16-Pad USB/MIDI Pad Controller | Akai MPD226 pad controller takes care of MIDI settings for beginners and advanced users alike. |
Detailed Reviews of the 7 Best Music Recording Equipment
Asus ROG Strix Hero III Gaming Laptop Intel Core i7-9750H
ROG Strix III laptop from Asus is must-have equipment if you’re dreaming of putting up a recording studio at home.
Product Highlights
The ROG Strix III features a lean, medium, and sleek design with a strong computer technology user interface. A 9th Gen Intel Core i7 processor is below the roof, comfortably accommodating the largest and most energy DAWs and audio content and effects. And you’ll get a huge kick out of the ROG Strix III with 16GB of DDR4 memory on top, and you’ll have to wonder about adding more RAM. With space to spare on the 512GB SSD, your operating system and DAW can easily fit.
The Good
Folks prefer the ROG Strix III to be an excellent player, without a misfire, running the most challenging applications. Even installing a handful of challenging softsynths won’t register a hiccup on the CPU device, and most focused power users felt its capacities wonts. For those who rely heavily on media production data, the fast processor and helpfully monitor will make it a perfect option. Even with the setup, for most projects, you get sufficient RAM and hard drive storage.
The Bad
We don’t like this product because you need to keep the laptop plugged into a power outlet when using the device.
PROs
- Large storage space
- Rugged and sturdy design
- 17.3-inches IPS display
- 16GB DDR memory
CONs
- CPU may run hot
- The fans tend to get loud
- Durability is an issue
Image-Line FL Studio 20 Producer Edition Mac/Windows
If you’re looking for the best music recording equipment, you can’t miss having the FL Studio 20 for improving and crisper sound output.
Product Highlights
You can switch files between Mac and PC versions, and both will be unlocked with one license. A visual change benefits from the highly visual design of FL Studio that enables you to use the correct audible modification. Different sampling signatures are now enabled by FL Studio 20, so you can consider specific time signatures within setups. There are now three ways to make MIDI tracks to audio to save the processor from consolidating audio. You can use it per track; choose or make a set of clips within an album, and then substitute a record with Patterns.
The Good
With strong and easy for using multi-track voice recordings, MIDI piano roll manipulation, and more than 80 plugin effects and transition effects now, take complete control of your imagination today. Many of the apps you need to produce today’s most complicated productions, such effect chains, automated audio processes, compensation for plugin latency, and more. To support complicated score updating and editing, it requires a wide variety of resources.
The Bad
Some customers complain they received only a box with trial software, while some say they did not include a USB drive.
PROs
- Excellent piano roll
- Easy to use
- Great synth sounds
- Features 80 plugins
CONs
- Some customers received only a tutorial book
- Some say the software is not user-friendly
BEHRINGER Audio Interface (UMC404HD)
One of the best music recording equipment you should have is an audio interface, and Behringer UMC404HD is what you might need.
Product Highlights
They use real MIDAS microphone amplification engineering, which is renowned for crystal clear sound on the planet. You can attach up to four headsets or instruments to the audio system’s front through the combined input adapters. There are also an extra four inserts in the back, totaling the number of analog interfaces to 8. Production, with lots of options, is just as essential. You can produce audio for reproduction on either 1/4 inch or RCA cables using two stereo ports.
The Good
Many pros and amateur sound professionals are happy to get this product. With an abundance of connectivity and audio from such an affordable audio interface, some call themselves ‘blessed.’ With so many links and possibilities, and for so cheap, it would seem unlikely not to have this piece. The U-Phoria UMC404HD links to your device via the back of its USB 2.0 connector.
The Bad
One major drawback of this product is it’s not USB powered audio interface, meaning you need to plug the device in an AC power.
PROs
- Comes with USB/Midi interface
- XLR or 1⁄4 inch TRS connectors
- Compatible with MAC OSX and Windows XP
- Features 8 analog interfaces
CONs
- Some say the device is not portable
- Durability is a concern
- You need an AC power adapter for connection
Mackie CR-X Series, 3-Inch Multimedia Monitors Pair (CR3-X)
The Mackie’s CR3-X multimedia monitor speakers deliver impressive performance at an affordable price.
Product Highlights
Mackie’s objective to break away from tradition and make a significant difference in the monitor speaker sector with the CR-X Series. The state-of-the-art amplifiers driving the devices have sufficient headroom for prowess and power. The CR3-X has an energy toggle knob setup on the brushed-metal front board for the fast control system. There’s also a rear switch that lets you decide which part you can adjust the intensity from.
The Good
The CR Series blends elegant looks with a futuristic style that suits comfortably in any studio. For optimal warmth and vibration, the all-wood cabinets house quality polypropylene covered woofers and cooled silk-dome tweeters. The use of uniquely built waveguides guarantees the accurate performance of sound across the whole frequency scale. Should you need to adjust to monitoring headphones faster or check anything in the sequence, you can connect them straight into the front of the machine.
The Bad
Some users find the CR-X’s frequency response a bit ‘bloated’ or aren’t flat for a listening experience such as record mixing.
PROs
- Affordable
- Excellent sound quality
- Loud
- Attractive Design
- Front Input Options
CONs
- Durability is a concern
- Lacks bass frequency
- Frequency response isn’t flat
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones
The Audi-Technica wireless studio headphones offer excellent audio with an accurate response level.
Product Highlights
These are quite capable DJ headphones with raises the standard isolation, beautiful and punchy music, and a pocket-friendly price tag. The ATH-M50x offers a range of wires on a positive note – two straight wires and one knotted cable extending. This product is studio-level headphones that enable you to customize your set and plan for a live show. A lot more stable than what you will get from other live headphones is the tonal feature. This product also boasts an extended frequency response.
The Good
The integrated microphone and button control into the ear cup ensure you can effectively track items such as volume and music streaming. Plus, you get a carrying pouch available, which also makes transportation much easier. The ear cups rotate 90 degrees, which ensures that several mixed testing methods can be used. If you’re a novice and not set in your ways, yet this might be very helpful.
The Bad
One major drawback of this product is the narrow soundstage headphones function.
PROs
- Excellent sound
- Accurate response level
- Bluetooth-enabled for fewer wires
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Detachable headphone cables
CONs
- Not the best for bass
- The headphones’ jack has a locking mechanism
AKG Pro Audio C214 Professional Large-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone
If you want value for money, the AKG Pro C214 condenser microphone is one of the best music recording equipment you should consider buying.
Product Highlights
The C214 recording mic is a large cardioid polar template diaphragm condenser device. As a condenser microphone, if used on an acoustic component, it performs the best. The container itself offers fast dynamic stability, meaning that you can hear very nice specifics in detail in the guitar’s picks and strums. The flexibility is due to a fairly flat sound quality, with a small scoop from 1 kHz to 2 kHz and a maximum presence at around 13 kHz.
The Good
The option to create a pad of -20 dB helps you to secure the critical capsule against high dynamic strength. You would find a condenser microphone to be responsive to the subtleties of the voice of a performer. Some have found that this microphone supports the recordings that it produces with a distinctive ‘roundness.’ For music production, the AKG Pro Audio C214 workshop mic is a decent and powerful microphone. If you’d like to get a high-performance studio microphone, it’s a reasonable upgrade option.
The Bad
Some customers report they received a faulty product.
PROs
- High-quality microphone
- Retro design
- Large-diaphragm mic with good sensitivity
- Low self-noise
CONs
- Flat low-frequency response
- Durability is an issue
- It may not produce the perfect sound for female vocals
Akai Professional MPD226 16-Pad USB/MIDI Pad Controller
Akai MPD226 pad controller takes care of MIDI settings for beginners and advanced users alike.
Product Highlights
MPC built the pads specifically, fat and dense, using them to hit without losing anything. It also allows them to be color-coded with RGB ambient lighting, which will adjust when you pick pad assignments around four banks. There are also advanced settings, including sets of dials, faders, and controls that can adjust your DAW configurations. These 36 controls give you a plethora of options compared to the 12 accessible on the original MPD26.
The Good
Producers, musicians, and DJs, both professionals and novices, experts or amateurs, may use the MPD226. With note repetition, it has 16 programmable static pressure-responsive pads. Not only do the pads adjust to how strong you strike them, but to how much force you add to them as well. MPC built the pads specifically, large and wide, making them ideal for hitting without losing anything. The MPD226 MIDI pad device, which also operates the system, binds to your DAW via a USB port and is friendly with both your Mac and PC.
The Bad
Some customers report this product has occasional ghost notes or double voice input.
PROs
- It comes with three bank controls
- Features note repeat functions
- Compatible with most major DAWs
- 4 Q-Link Knobs and buttons
CONs
- The controls are smaller
- Durability is a concern
- A bit pricey compared to other models
Conclusion
You can produce professional-level music in the comforts of your home with the best music recording equipment. Plus, having the best music recording equipment ensures that sound quality won’t be spoiled. Hopefully, we have given you enough information about them so that you will consider adding them to your home studio. Learn more about recording equipment here!