My Home Studio Staples
This is the gear I find myself reaching for when I’m in the studio, just about every day.
Whether I’m tracking vocals, building drum grooves, or just jamming late into the night, these are the tools that have worked for me after a lot of trial and error.
Some are budget picks, some are investments, but they all earn their keep.
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Microphones
Shure SM57 & SM58
The classics for a reason. I keep one of each on hand at all times — the 58 for vocals, the 57 for amps and anything percussive. Cheap, nearly indestructible, and they sound better than they should.
Shure SM7B
My go-to for vocals. Smooth top end, great for untreated rooms, and a surprising amount of versatility when paired with a good preamp. It’s not “budget,” but it’s a staple for a reason.
Monitoring & Headphones
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
Reliable, closed-back, and comfortable for long sessions. I’ve tracked and mixed with these way more than I’d like to admit. They punch above their price point and last forever.
Instruments That Stick Around
Korg SV-2
My main stage piano, but it pulls double-duty in the studio. The feel is unmatched, and the onboard amp sims are great for dirty keys.
Nord Electro 6
For organ, Wurly, Rhodes, and weird sampled stuff. The layout is fast and intuitive — perfect for getting ideas down quick.
Nord Lead A1
My synth brain. Virtual analog with just the right amount of weird. I use it for everything from pads to blips.
Roland TD-07KV Electronic V-Drums Kit
Essential for late-night or apartment tracking. Not as expressive as mic’d acoustic drums, but the control and flexibility are huge for demos or MIDI triggering.
Interface & Routing
Focusrite Clarett 4Pre
Clean, reliable, and enough I/O for multi-mic sessions. I love the Air mode on vocals or acoustic guitar.
Budget pick: If you’re just starting out, the Scarlett 2i2 or 4i4 will get you 80% of the way there for half the price.
Radial Reamp HP Studio
Reamping is one of my favorite tricks — especially when blending DI synths or drums into amps or pedals. This little box makes it seamless.
Cables & Essentials
Extra-Long USB Cables (for MIDI gear)
Don’t overlook this. Having the freedom to move your controllers or drums around the room without janky extenders is a small luxury that makes everything smoother.
SanDisk SD Cards
Fast, reliable, and I use them constantly — for audio, video, presets, you name it. Boring but essential.
Content Capture
Canon EOS Rebel T7 DSLR Camera
Clean video is non-negotiable if you’re making tutorials, music videos, or promo shots. I keep a Canon mirrorless around — nothing fancy, but it gets the job done without drama.
Final Thoughts
This isn’t a “dream studio” or a sponsored list. It’s just the stuff I rely on. Some of it’s pro-level, some of it’s cheap and boring. But it all earns its spot.
If you're setting up your own home studio, don’t get caught chasing gear for the sake of it. Start with what solves problems. And if you’ve got questions, feel free to reach out — I’ve made enough mistakes for both of us.
