Technology has made making music easier than ever. Today, success stories such as Clairo is proof that artists can take the DIY route when it comes to becoming a full-time musician. You can now start a career in music from the comfort of your bedroom. That being said, there are a couple of things you’ll need to help you along the way. Read on for the five digital devices that any lo-fi bedroom producer needs.
Speakers
VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ht_109odGRU
It would be difficult to make good music if you can’t accurately listen to the sound you’re making. This is why the importance of good speakers shouldn’t be understated.
We have two suggestions when it comes to speakers. The first being the iLoud MTM speakers that calibrate sound according to the acoustics of your room. If you’re looking for something a little more straightforward, you can also opt for JBL’s latest selection of audio gears. In particular, the JBL Boombox 2 has the added advantage of being portable, all while maintaining good audio quality.
Audio Interface
VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3HZ98oRpBQ
Here’s another piece of equipment that’ll drastically improve your recording process. Audio interfaces can significantly boost your computer’s sonic capabilities. BusyWorksBeats also highlights how audio interfaces allow you to plug in hardware to your computers such as mics, synths, and instruments.
A reliable audio interface is the M-Audio M-Track 2X2, as it comes with all the basics that you’ll need to start recording tracks. It even comes with a software bundle that includes the M-Audio edition of Pro Tools First, the Creative FX Collection by Pro Tools. This is a plugin suite of 20 effects, a Mini Grand piano plugin, the Strike drum arranger and sequencer, and the Xpand!2 virtual instrument.
Digital Audio Workstation
VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVe7l5H1f8Y
Speaking of software, one of the most important things you can invest in as a producer is a good digital audio workstation (DAW). This is where the bulk of the music production process will take place, as you’ll be using the DAW to put the individual parts of a track together.
This part is tricky as your DAW of choice could be attributed to your own personal preferences. To be safe, we’ll be recommending one that’s particularly flexible in this regard: the Ableton Live. What’s great about Ableton is that it allows you to play live sets as well, letting you seamlessly mix tracks on the fly just as a DJ would.
Effect Pedals
VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMk9LtDkQQ0
Sometimes there are sounds that you just can’t achieve using software alone. For instances like this, you should use digital effect pedals to accompany your audio interface. One great thing about pedals is that they give you a wide array of distinct sounds in one device, allowing you to be more efficient with the space you use for your bedroom studio setup. Tonebox’s list of multi-effects pedals shows how the space-saving benefit is further leveraged by single devices loaded with various sound modification options.
The Eventide H9 Core is very popular. This pedal comes with 30 presets taken from the company’s iconic H910 model, while having delay and pitch algorithms for further flexibility. This particular pedal is also one of the easiest to navigate due to the addition of the hot knob, which allows you to quickly switch presets.
MIDI Pad Controller
VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIM_7HU2F6M
Lastly, we can’t talk about DIY music production without talking about MIDIs. MIDI stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface, and it allows producers and musicians to digitise the different elements of music. It has been a core part of music production since it was created by Ikutaro Kakehashi and Dave Smith back in the 1980s.
There are many MIDI-enabled devices to choose from nowadays, but one that comes highly recommended is the Arturia BeatStep Pro. Similar to the Arturia BeatStep, the BeatStep allows for looping and live beat-making. What sets the BeatStep Pro apart is its ability to perform multiple simultaneous sequences with an added drum sequencer. This makes it one of the more comprehensive pad controllers and a worthy addition to your music-making rig.
