Getting into music production can be quite a daunting experience. With lots of complex hardware and software involved, it’s sometimes hard to know where to start. Even If you are not a beginner in music production and are just looking to upgrade your current equipment set up, the choices available can become overwhelming.
Either way, don’t let the heavy and complex workload, equipment choices, cost, and the initial learning curve overwhelm you. The process is challenging but as soon as you get everything figured out, music production can be one of the most rewarding hobbies, or even jobs, out there.
Check out the most essential pieces of tech equipment you can use to begin or improve your music production journey.
A Fast and Reliable Computer
First and foremost, you are going to need a fast and reliable computer to work on. Music production requires a lot of processing power, and if the specs in your computer are not up to standard, music production can become an extremely long and tedious process. Software is known to freeze and crash on less reliable computers.
Because of this, it is highly recommended to get a desktop PC. When it comes to choosing the perfect PC for music production, there are different options and factors to consider. First of all, are you on the move a lot? If so, you are going to want a mini-PC tower so you can carry it with you wherever you go and produce on the move. These PCs are very powerful but also small enough to fit in a rucksack.
If you are not mobile, you may want to opt for a larger PC tower. These tend to be more powerful, but they are not very portable and may take up a lot of space. If this is not an issue for you, then this may be the way to go. However, if this is an issue and you lack space, there are viable options available. You can get an all-in-one monitor and PC which saves a lot of desk space, making it easier to fit all your other equipment. These Lenovo music production PCs offer all the varying options discussed above.
DAW
DAW stands for digital audio workstation. This is the software application used for all aspects of music production including recording, editing, mixing, mastering, and creating audio files. DAWs are the foundation of music production and choosing the one most suited to you is essential. It is important you check your PC is compatible with the DAW you choose.
MIDI Controller
A MIDI controller is almost as important as the PC and DAW. Although you can technically produce without one, it makes life a lot easier. It is an essential piece of hardware that allows communication between physical hardware and the DAW. The most common form of MIDI controllers are keyboard controllers.
Studio Headphones
Studio headphones are different from standard headphones and have different tunings specifically tailored for music production. This is because of their neutral sonic balancing. While studio monitors are ideal, headphones are perfectly viable and better for beginners as monitors require more set up, are more expensive, and require more space.
The most important tech required for music production is the PC and DAW combination, ensuring you have a powerful enough PC with enough space to store all your music. Other equipment such as a MIDI controller and studio headphones are less essential yet extremely beneficial.