Home recording studio

Audio interfaces, MIDI keyboards, microphones and studio monitors for recording and producing music at home.

The Best Audio Interfaces for Home Recording

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen (Best overall): Two inputs with Auto Gain and Clip Safe, so beginners get clean recordings without fiddling.
Audient iD4 MkII (Budget pick): An Audient console-style preamp and a dedicated guitar input in a small box.
Audient EVO 8 (Best for more inputs): Four mic preamps and automatic level setting, for recording with friends or a small drum kit.
Solid State Logic SSL 2+ MKII (Best for vocals): SSL's 4K button adds analogue-style sparkle, with MIDI in/out and a second headphone mix.

Novation Launchkey 49 MK4 (Best overall): Semi-weighted keys, expressive pads and built-in chord and scale tools for writing music fast.
Akai Professional MPK Mini IV (Best compact): A compact 25-key starter, now with proper pitch and mod wheels and a colour screen.
Arturia KeyLab Essential 61 mk3 (Best software bundle): 61 full-size keys, nine faders and one of the best bundles of sounds you can get.
Nektar Impact LX88 mk3 (Best 88-key): A full 88-key range with pads, knobs and faders, and integration with almost every DAW.

RØDE NT1 5th Generation (Best overall): A very quiet, detailed studio condenser that works with an interface or straight over USB-C.
Audio-Technica AT2020 (Budget pick): The classic first studio condenser: clear and reliable.
Shure SM7dB (Best for untreated rooms): The legendary SM7B with a built-in preamp: warm vocals that ignore your room.
Shure MV7+ (Best USB mic): Plug straight into a computer, with noise reduction built in, and add an interface later via XLR.

ADAM Audio T5V (Best overall): Detailed, clear sound from ADAM's ribbon tweeter in a 5-inch monitor. Sold singly.
JBL Professional 305P MkII (Budget pick): A forgiving, wide sweet spot and a big sound. Sold singly.
IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor Pro (Best for small desks): Tiny monitors with built-in room correction and a calibration mic. Sold as a pair.
ADAM Audio A7V (Premium pick): A 7-inch woofer, X-ART ribbon tweeter and built-in room correction for a dedicated studio room. Sold singly.

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x (Best overall): The all-rounder for home studios: closed-back, foldable, with three detachable cables in the box.
Sony MDR-7506 (Budget pick): A light, foldable closed-back pair that has been in professional studios for decades.
Sennheiser HD 490 PRO (Best for mixing): An open-back pair made for mixing, with two sets of ear pads: one for mixing and one for producing.
beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO (80 ohm) (Best for long sessions): Soft velour pads and a steady fit for hours of recording and editing.