Home recording studio equipment for beginners

If you are looking to build your own home studio in 2025, we have the perfect guide for you. We've created a checklist for home recording studio equipment that you will need.

Here you will find all the gear you need to get started recording music right from the comfort of your bedroom.

Wires and cables

XLR cables

You may have a high-end condenser and a good quality audio interface, but with a worn-out XLR cable, you risk having noise in your recording. Mechanical damage, corrosion, and dry cracking can happen easily if you buy a cheap XLR cable.

We recommend Mogami Gold Studio — you can pick between 3, 6, 15, and 25-foot lengths.

• Comes in different lengths
• Recommended for studio recordings

TS vs TRS cables

So what is the difference between the two, and which one do you need? TS cable connectors are perfect for instruments with mono signals — like guitars, mixers, or a receiver.

TRS cables have three contact points. They are commonly used to connect balanced equipment or for running both left and right mono signals to stereo headphones.

Microphones

Shure SM57 Dynamic microphone

The Shure SM57 is one of the most legendary recording microphones on the market. Many award-winning albums have been recorded with just a single SM57, making this the absolute best choice for a versatile mic that can do everything.

The SM57 is best suited for instruments but can also work well with vocals. It gives off a very neutral sound, keeping the voice clean and clear without any pop. If you want to enhance the clarity, consider using a mic stand and a pop filter.

• Perfect price range for the quality of sound
• High loudness tolerance
• Die-cast steel construction

RODE NT1-A

If you want an incredible dynamic range, this is the all-around mic for you. You can mic up your drums or even a quiet talking voice — you can be sure that RODE NT1-A will give you a clear, quiet, and clean sound. It has a one-year warranty that you can extend to ten years upon registration.

It comes with a RODE SM6 shock mount, pop filter, and dust cover.

• Dynamic range
• Reduces hiss from grounded mics
• Comes with a full microphone setup

Audio interface

Audio interfaces allow you to connect and play with professional mics and instruments, making them an essential component of your home studio.

Scarlett USB interface

• Offers great value for money
• Several versions depending on the number of inputs you need
• Easy to set up

Our easiest suggestion is the Focusrite Scarlett Studio. If you want to set up, record, and play back within five minutes — this is the best option. It simply does what it's supposed to do, without fail.

It also comes with a range of software: Avid Pro Tools, Ableton, Softube, and even a three-month Splice Sounds subscription.

If you choose the Scarlett 2i2 Studio, the interface comes with a CM25 MKIII condenser microphone and HP60 MkIII headphones.

DAW

Are you looking for the best value DAW subscriptions or even free ones? We’ve covered almost all of the DAW software available! Check out our in-depth review for DAW tools here.

Great budget monitor

If you are serious about creating quality recordings, mixing, or mastering, having good monitors is a perfect addition to your home recording studio equipment.

Adam Audio T5V

This is a highly affordable two-way monitor, perfect for smaller rooms or a home studio. It has top-end EQ adjustment and is very customizable. It also allows for balanced and unbalanced connections.

Yamaha HS5

Another 5” woofer that we love! This size is perfect for a home recording studio. With the HS5, Yamaha had both professionals and beginners in mind while keeping it at an affordable price. It has excellent build quality and a great frequency response that allows for effective mixing and mastering. Its clean and refined design also gives your studio space a professional feel.

MIDI keyboard

Arturia MiniLab Mk II

At first glance, you can tell that the MiniLab MKII has sturdy and high-quality keys, knobs, pads, pitch, and modulation. Some parts of the case are made from metal, giving it a good heft and solid feel.

It also comes with hundreds of free virtual instruments that you can download. Ableton Lite host software is included, but is limited to creating a maximum of eight tracks.

Read the best MIDI Keyboard