5 Amazon Finds For The Ultimate Music Production Starter Kit

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As someone who has spent years creating music, I can tell you that making your own can often be far more rewarding than simply listening to it. Whether you're curious about how to develop certain sounds or there's a song in your heart you need all the world to hear, having your own music production studio can be pretty easy with the help of modern tech. Along with gadgets that can upgrade your audio setup, there are some devices for the production side of things.

For guitarists, IK Multimedia makes a device that's great for connecting the instrument to MacBooks, but a MIDI keyboard controller from Akai can really expand your instrumentation options. For those in need of a microphone, Shure makes one that catches the attention of some rather famous musicians, and naturally you'll need to hear everything with a good set of headphones from Beyerdynamic. There's also the issue of connecting certain hardware to a computer, but the Focusrite Scarlett can be suitable for beginners.

Along with my own experience as a musician helping with this selection, we also took cues from what those on the internet have to say, and we tried to look for well-reviewed products. Like building your own at-home arcade through Amazon, you don't have to buy everything on this list to get started, but many of the devices listed below should give you an idea of where to begin. If you've been wanting to produce your own music, there are some ways to build your own starter kit.

Being a quasi-professional guitarist (sometimes I'm paid for it), I would consider the IK Multimedia iRig 2 Portable Guitar Audio Interface essential for guitar players or handy for those interested in music production on Mac. Having owned this item for years, I find it great for connecting my guitar to my M4 MacBook Air through the headphone jack, and Amazon customers gave it 4.4 stars out of 11,831 reviews. For me, where it really shines is its compatibility with Apple's GarageBand, but it also has some additional perks.

I would go with this model over the newer USB model that supports PCs simply because it has a price tag under $50. The iRig 2 can help users utilize multi-effect processors with a guitar or bass, and it even comes with the free edition of AmpliTube CS for trying different amplifier models and effects. It also offers the ability to switch between processed and clean signals, meaning it can support instrument tuning through the signal (though you will need a USB-to-AUX converter for iPhone/iPad).

Amazon users appreciate its simplicity and versatility. Finding it to be a good addition to a home studio, Android smartphone users will unfortunately need to do some research regarding compatibility. Users may also need to experiment so that it doesn't sound incredibly noisy. For me, I'd consider this a solid, cheap MacBook accessory for a guitarist of any skill level.

Going with another item I personally have in my arsenal, the Akai Professional MPK Mini MK3 25-Key MIDI Keyboard Controller is a good starting point for those interested in hardware. With 25 velocity-sensitive keys, a four-way thumbstick for pitch-shifting and modulation, and eight drum pads for programming beats, the MK3 can be a good entryway into producing a variety of musical sounds, and Akai promises the whole thing can fit into a backpack.

Offering 2GB of content and over 1,500 sounds for producing, the MK3 also comes with a variety of software to get started, including MPC Beats, a digital audio workstation (DAW). Though software is included, the MK3 will also work with any DAW that's compatible with Windows or macOS. Users can also program the knobs and joystick through the MK3 Editor, and the eight included 360-degree hardware knobs allow for additional plugins and controls.

In my experience, getting started with the MK3 is relatively simple — I was able to use the included software to get the keyboard functioning in no time (and the thumbstick is a stupid-fun time). Holding a 4.6-star rating with over 13,290 reviews on Amazon, many users agree with my sentiments, stating the device can be good for beginners, but the learning curve with the software can be daunting. Some also had issues with the included software in general. It's also USB-A rather than Type-C, which may irritate some. However, it's under $100, so just remember it can matter what type of USB port you use on your computer.

Venues and recording studios around the globe have relied on the Shure SM57 Pro XLR Dynamic Instrument Microphone, or at the very least, someone working at one is likely to have some strong opinions about them. The SM57 in particular is largely regarded as a staple in pro audio for its durability and versatility, and its 4.8-star rating with over 6,820 reviews helps back up that claim. Though the mic is labeled for recording instrumentation, it can still tackle vocals, as well.

With a cardioid pickup pattern (picks up sound only from the front of the mic) to help with room-noise isolation, the design also helps prevent audio bleed from other instruments. Built for both live sound and studio recordings, the SM57 has a 15,000Hz frequency response alongside a 40Hz to 15kHz frequency range. It's also worth mentioning that the SM57 requires no external power, so users don't need to worry about batteries or drawing power from something else (some may dislike that it has no on/off switch, however).

For music buffs, this microphone has been utilized by artists like Daft Punk, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Fleetwood Mac. Along with being an Amazon's Choice item, customers appreciate this one for its crisp sound and overall value (with a typical price of around $110). As popular as the mic may be, it's not perfect, as several users do have issues with the mic's overall gain. For what it's worth, Shure also makes a good podcasting microphone that may fit certain budgets.

Just as a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) is useful for converting digital music into analogue signals (even if some question whether it really improves audio quality), an audio interface helps convert analog sounds into digital data. If you have any plans for hardware like professional microphones or instruments, it's going to be a necessity, and the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Fourth-Generation USB-C Audio Interface is a solid choice for a variety of skill levels. It also helps being an Amazon's Choice item with a 4.5-star rating with over 2,660 reviews.

Capable of connecting professional microphones or a variety of musical instruments that rely on quarter-inch inputs, the Scarlett 2i2 also features a 120dB dynamic range (so it can handle quiet and loud sounds) while also including Auto Gain options for audio leveling alongside Clip Safe for protection against audio distortion. Intended for recording, mixing, and mastering, the Focusrite also includes a variety of software to get started (including Ableton Live Lite), and USB-C support ensures it works with Mac and PC.

Along with the Focusrite Scarlett being highly recommended by Reddit users, Amazon customers give this one marks for its plug-and-play capabilities and versatility within a home recording studio. Though some do find it to be good for beginners, at least one user found the included software difficult to operate. Some also report clipping/popping issues with high-output instruments or gain. At almost $230, it's pretty pricey, but 90% of Amazon customers rate it four stars or higher.

In an ideal situation, those producing music would have different headphones for tracking (recording) and mixing. With tracking, you want to block outside noise from bleeding into a microphone, whereas with mixing you want headphones that will give you a flat, natural response so you can pick up the nuances of your recordings. Someone getting their start may not have the resources for two pairs of headphones, so we tried to split the difference with the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro Closed-Back Studio Headphones.

With a 4.6-star rating from over 17,550 reviews, the DT 770 Pros feature 32-, 80-, or 250-ohm options, and the closed-back design helps with audio isolation in a recording studio. So while they are more appropriate for tracking, users do still give them points for their mixing capabilities (they can also be used casually and are recommended in gaming communities). Priced under $200, these quarter-inch headphones have replaceable earpads and a headband alongside a circular earcup shape.

Known for offering solid sound fidelity and a durable design at a low price (for headphones), they've been an industry standard in recording studios. Amazon customers also appreciate them for their fine frequency response and sound isolation. They're not perfect, however, as even the manufacturer recommends an amp or audio interface, and those finding themselves invested in studio gear may want an open-back design at some point, as well. Some Amazon users also find them overpriced, but we also know other Beyerdynamic headphones that can be well-rounded for sound.

While personal experience with certain items helped sway the decision-making process for the items on this list, the opinions of users, customers, and critics also factored into the equation. Given that this list is meant for folks who may be starting their music production journey, we tried to find inexpensive items, though we also set a hard limit of $250 for any single device. Items on this list hold a four-star rating or better on Amazon, and this is based on hundreds, if not thousands, of user reviews. Items that may have something special about them (such as historical significance or even just an Amazon's Choice moniker) also receive bonus points.