Music production is an art. It’s one of those things that can’t be learned in a day, and it takes a lot of time and dedication to become good at it. But that doesn’t mean you need expensive equipment to produce great music. You can pick up a ukulele and learn easy ukulele songs.
That’s why we’ve compiled a list of affordable pieces of technology which will help you get started on your journey to becoming an acclaimed producer. These are all products that won’t break the bank, and some are even free.
The Importance Of Sound
Sound is one of the most important aspects of music production. It’s a crucial part of mixing, mastering, and creating a professional-sounding song. But what if you don’t have a sound engineering degree? What if you can’t afford expensive studio equipment? The good news is that there are tons of affordable tools out there to help you make your own music from home or in the studio.
Take, for example, an app called iZotope Ozone 8. This powerful software helps us produce high-quality sound and has many different features such as analyzing sounds and making adjustments, setting individual levels, editing vocals, and more. And, it only costs $199, which is affordable for just about anyone.
Or how about this affordable piece of technology called Studio One Artist 3? All it takes is purchasing this software ($99) with a download link on their website, and you’ll be able to create complete projects without having to invest in any gear. All you need is your laptop!
You Don’t Need Expensive Equipment To Produce Great Music
Music production is an art. It’s one of those things that can’t be learned in a day, and it takes a lot of time and dedication to become good at it. But that doesn’t mean you need expensive equipment to produce great music.
All you really need is your ear, some knowledge, and the right technology tools to get started on your journey towards becoming an acclaimed producer. The best part? Most of these tools are free or very cheap.
Music Production Software
This is one of the most expensive resources on this list, but it’s also one of the most important. There are plenty to choose from, but we recommend Reaper for beginners because it offers the most features for the lowest price. It has an excellent piano roll and drum editor, making it easy to create from scratch. You can use this to record vocals and edit them on your computer.
Logic Pro X or Ableton Live 9 are excellent choices if you’re just starting out. These are digital music production programs used by some of the most prominent artists in the world. Plus, they’ve both got a ton of features to help you make something extraordinary. Both programs offer trials that you should use as they give you a chance to figure out what works best for you before committing.
Studio Equipment
Once it’s time to lay down some beats, you’ll want equipment that supports your vision. Again, thanks to modern tech, there are loads of options on the market for you to choose from. For example, you have MPC’s which you can check here. But to get started right, you’ll want at least these 4 pieces of equipment in your arsenal.
Microphone
Before you can produce, you need to record your instruments. To record an instrument at home, all you really need is a microphone and a computer with the right program. If you want to step up your game, there are plenty of microphones available on the market that will make your recordings sound better. However, if you’re looking for something affordable and easy to use, a USB condenser mic will do the trick.
The most important thing about recording is capturing a decent sound quality. You don’t want anything too expensive or too cheap as that could take away from the quality of your music. A budget of $100-$200 should get you started with recording equipment.
Headphones
To make listening to music even better, headphones are a necessary tool, especially for an aspiring producer. You can use them as a mix tool or monitor what’s recorded during tracking sessions. And you don’t have to fork out for good-quality ones. Even the cheaper ones on the market will produce a great sound.
Audio Interface
An audio interface is an integral part of your digital studio because it converts analog sound signals into digital audio files so they can be processed by your computer software and turned into melodies, harmonies, rhythms, and more! These interfaces start at around $150 and go up to $500 when it comes to price range.
Computer
If you’re looking for an affordable way to produce music, then all you really need is a computer (and maybe some headphones). Many modern laptops come with great sound cards that provide premium sound quality without breaking the bank – perfect for starting out on a tight budget.
But if you’re not sure whether or not you want to put your trust in your laptop’s built-in speaker system, then spending $200-300 on external speakers should do the trick. The only thing is that computers are one investment that will require regular updates. This means that spending more money initially may actually save you money in the long run.
Virtual Instruments, Plug-Ins, And Effects
One of the most important aspects of music production is the use of virtual instruments, plug-ins, and effects. To create a track, you will need to sample sounds and edit them on the fly. This can be done with a few pieces of software that you might already have, but there are also some affordable options on the market. Popular choices include FL Studio, Logic Pro X, and Garageband.
You can also use a MIDI keyboard to produce a massive variety of sounds. There are tonnes of affordable versions that come with all the bells and whistles. You can even find ones that are portable like the one Akai has. Check out a review of Akai MPK mini MK3 here for more information about everything you can achieve with this bit of tech.
Audio Editing Software
Audio editing software is an essential part of a music producer’s arsenal. You can use this software to edit and polish your track, making it sound professional and ready for release.
There are many different types of audio editing software out there, but if you’re on a tight budget, Audacity is a great option. It’s free, open-source, and easy to learn how to use.
