You Don’t Need a Million-Dollar Studio to Make Great Music

I probably don’t even need to say this, but let’s say it anyway:

You don’t need a fancy studio to make incredible music. It's true. And I will prove it to you in this article.

Billie Eilish recorded her debut album in a bedroom with her brother. That project won Grammys and touched millions, not because of million-dollar gear, but because of vision, emotion they captured.

So before you start thinking you need to spend thousands just to sound “good” - pause.

There has never been a better time to make music than right now. Gear is affordable. Software is powerful. Tutorials are everywhere. You can do more than ever - right from your bedroom.

All you really need to get started is a laptop, a microphone, an audio interface, and a decent pair of headphones. That’s it.

But if you want to go further to really make your space work for you that’s where this guide comes in.

Let's dive in. 🤿

Treat Your Room Like an Instrument

Before you buy any gear, you need to understand this:

Your room is part of your sound. 🔊

It doesn’t matter how good your mic is if you’re recording in a noisy  kitchen.

Doesn’t matter how fancy your monitors are if your space is full of weird reflections.

If you want clean recordings and great mixes, acoustic treatment is necessary.

That doesn’t mean you need to spend thousands.

Here's where to start:

• Place your desk symmetrically in the room (important for stereo balance)
• Use thick curtains to kill window reflections
• Hang blankets, duvets, or even rugs on reflective walls
• Place a rug under your mic stand or desk to soften early reflections
• Add a bookshelf behind you - it acts as natural diffusion
• If you can, invest in a few basic acoustic panels or a reflection filter.

And when it comes to panels avoid cheap acoustic foam - go for proper acoustic panels instead. 💪

A lot of beginner setups rely on those egg-crate-style foam tiles.

But the truth is, they barely absorb low and mid frequencies and because of that your mixes will sound weird.

I speak from experience.

I once mixed a song in room full of foam panels and when I listened back on my headphones it sounded realllyyy wierd, like the whole thing had been mixed on a phone speaker.

So if you’re serious about treating your room, invest in real acoustic panels made of mineral wool.

They’re denser, more effective, and will make an actual difference in how your recordings and mixes sound.

Trust me - these steps can really change the sound of your room. 

If your budget is tight and you have to choose, spend money on adapting your space before buying an Apollo Twin. You’ll get way better results.

And if you want to dive deeper into the specifics of building a home studio,
I put together a full Playbook for recording artists - breaking down the exact steps, gear, and setup tips I wish I had when I started.

You can check it out here.

What You Actually Need and Why

Now let’s talk gear. But not just in a “buy this, it’s cool” way.

I want you to understand why you need it - and how to make it fit you. 

I know a lot of us tend to buy with our eyes, but in this case, we actually need to know what we're doing before making a purchase. 💰

Here’s what every home studio setup is built around:

Audio Interface

Think of this as your soundcard. It converts analog signals (your mic or instrument) into digital info for your DAW, and vice versa.

You don’t need a crazy interface. You need one with clean preamps and low latency.

• Budget: Focusrite Scarlett 2i2/Solo, Volt 176 USB
• Upgrade: Apollo Twin, SSL2+

Microphone (if you’re a vocalist)

This is your voice’s translator - so don’t cheap out.

• Budget: Audio-Technica AT2020, Rode NT1-A
• Upgrade: Shure SM7B, Aston Spirit, Neumann TLM 102

If you’re not recording vocals, skip the mic and invest in other parts of your setup.

Headphones

Whether you're producing, recording, or mixing - you’ll use these a lot.

• Budget: Audio-Technica ATH-M40x, AKG K240
• Upgrade: Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro, Sennheiser HD600

Closed-back = for recording (no bleed).
Open-back = for mixing (better clarity, wider image).

I’ve been using DT990s for years and they’re amazing. I usually reference my mixes on them, and sometimes I even do the whole mix with just those.

Studio Monitors

Monitors help you mix with your ears - not just your eyes.

But let me be real: if your room isn’t treated, don’t waste your money on monitors yet. Get good headphones first.

• Budget: Yamaha HS5 / HS7, KRK Rokit 5 G4, Adam T5V
• Upgrade: Adam A7V, Eve Audio Sc205 / Sc207

I’m currently using Adam A77H but it took years to get there. And I treated my room first.

MIDI Keyboard

If you produce beats or compose chords, this is your sketchpad. It makes your workflow much smoother, and more importantly it lets you feel the music instead of just clicking notes into the piano roll.

• Budget: Akai MPK Mini, Alesis Q49 (I've used this for years)
• Upgrade: Arturia KeyLab Essential, Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol

You don’t need 88 keys. You need something simple that inspires you to play. I use Alesis Q49 and it just works. 

Build Around Your Workflow

Vocalist/Artist

Let’s break it down from the vocalist’s perspective.

If you’re someone who mostly writes and records vocals - whether it’s full songs, demos, or ideas you’ll later send to a producer - your setup doesn’t need to be packed with gear.

What matters is capturing clean, usable takes. That’s the real currency. 

Start with a microphone that sounds natural on your voice. You don’t need to spend a fortune, but make sure it fits you.

Then grab a pair of closed-back headphones. That part’s non-negotiable. You want to avoid headphone bleed at all costs - any noise will be recorded into the audio, and there’s no fixing it in post-production.

Next up is the interface - the little box that brings your voice into the computer. It doesn’t have to be fancy, it just needs to be reliable. Focusrite, M-Audio, Audient, there are plenty of solid options in every price range. 

Now, here’s the part most artists overlook: your space.

Like I said earlier if your room is untreated, even the best mic will capture weird reflections or boxy tones.

So treat the space around where you record. Doesn’t have to be professional - blankets, heavy curtains, bookshelves, rugs. All of it helps.

You’re not trying to sound perfect. You’re just trying to sound clear.

If you’re using FL Studio to record your vocals and want to make your recording process 10x smoother - I built a custom Recording Template that sets everything up for you. Routing, levels, headphone monitoring, recording chain - all done.

Just open the project, plug in your mic, and go.

You can check it out here if you're ready to stop fighting with the tech and start focusing on performance.

I also wrote whole article about how to record in FL Studio, so be my guest.

Because at the end of the day, great vocals don’t come from gear.

They come from comfort, clarity, and capturing the take when it matters.

Producer/Artist

Now let’s flip the script - what if you’re a producer?

(If you're an artist or producer, you might also find some inspiration in this part of the article.)

Your priorities look a little different. You’re not just capturing performances, you’re building the entire foundation of the track.

That means you need to hear clearly and work fast.

Start with how you’re monitoring.

If your room is treated decently, a pair of studio monitors will give you that natural stereo field and depth. But if your room is far from good, a good pair of open-back or neutral headphones might be the smarter move.

Next, get yourself a MIDI keyboard.

Doesn’t have to be big, just enough to get your ideas down quickly. Even a simple 25 or 49-key setup will speed things up. Playing chords by hand instead of clicking them in?

Game. Changer.

You’ll still need a basic audio interface, even if you’re not recording vocals. Low latency, clean playback, smooth workflow.

You can skip the mic if recording isn’t your thing.

DAW

Now let’s talk about the brain of your studio - your DAW.

I personally use FL Studio, and have for years. The layout just makes sense. It's fast, flexible, and super visual - perfect if you’re not deep into technical theory.

If you’re still deciding which DAW to use, or just starting out, I wrote a full article breaking it all down - pros, cons, recommendations.

You can check it out here.

As for plugins - yes, you can make amazing tracks with just stock tools.

But if you ever feel limited or ready to expand, here’s what I personally reach for:

• Keyscape
• Omnisphere
• Kontakt/Komplete - great collection of VST instruments and VST plugins.
• UAD Plugins for mixing
• WAVES plugins for mixing

I used to own Maschine, too. Cool piece of gear, but it didn’t fit my workflow, so I sold it.

No hard feelings.

That’s the point though.

Your setup should work for you, not against you.

Doesn’t matter what’s trending or what your favorite YouTuber is using. If it doesn’t help you work faster or feel more creative, it’s just clutter.

Make it yours.

My Setup

Your first setup won’t be perfect. 

When I started out, I had just an old laptop and logitech speakers.

Then I went to work aboard for 3 months and earned my first big bag. 💰

I bought monitors with sub (Eve Audio Sc204 + Ts107), midi (88-keys midi keyboardwhich I later sold because it was too big for me), microphone (AT-2020) and interface (Scarlett 2i4)

I made full songs. I worked with artists. I built my catalog on that setup.

Now, years later, my setup’s upgraded. I use the Apollo Twin, Adam Audio A77H monitors, the SM7B mic, and DT 990 Pro headphones. I’ve got better gear, better sound and better workflow.

But my mindset is still the same. I upgrade only when I need to.

You can make dope music with just a laptop and a pair of headphones. Add a mic and you’re ready to go.

The truth is, the gear doesn’t make the artist.

Your mindset, your consistency, and your ability to get the most out of your setup - that’s what actually moves the needle.

And if you're already building your setup and looking for production to record on top of, I’ve built a full catalog of high-quality beats for sale that are ready to go.

You can browse the full catalog here.

Wrapping It Up

The goal isn’t to copy someone else’s setup.

It’s to build a space that supports your workflow and your goals.

Start with the basics. Treat your room. Invest in the right tools - slowly, intentionally. 

And always make sure your gear is serving your creativity.

You don’t need everything at once. But you do need to start.

So whether you're a producer laying out your first beats, or a vocalist getting ready to record your first single your home studio is where it begins.

Take your time. Do your research. Build what works for you.

Let your setup evolve with your sound.

And most of all, don’t wait for perfect conditions to create

Because the studio doesn’t make the artist.You do.

Take care,

Baxon 👊