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Writer: Ma. Abbygale B. Ojales

Context: I am currently employed part-time in a company that writes blogs about music
production tools and equipment. We introduce a lot of brand names and give its pros and
cons for customers to read and weigh in.

Excellent Audio Interfaces for At-Home Studio

One of the most crucial purchases you can create as a music producer is to upgrade your
studio setup with one of the best audio interfaces. By connecting the different tools that
you use to input and produce sound, audio interfaces serve as the studio's central nerve
of your overall music system. The variety of alternatives available for audio interfaces,
which come in a wide variety of sizes and types to match a wide range of diverse use
cases, can be bewildering.

Because choosing an audio interface for your home studio setup can be challenging
whether you are a seasoned musician or a newbie, experts, and reviewers examine the
reasons why having a fantastic interface is crucial. Some tips that will help you choose
what's ideal for you as well as some alternatives to consider that are well-liked and
frequently used are elaborated below.

BEHRINGER UMC 204 HD

The Behringer U-PHORIA UMC204HD is very outstanding in its price range at a strikingly
low $99 price. Its two mic preamps from MIDAS are its most distinctive feature. Your
followers and your creativity are brought together with the amazing U-PHORIA
UMC204HD, that’s what their website says. Its preamp noise floor is of high quality which
is mostly found within professional preamps, and has outperformed several standalone
preamps in the market right now. The sound quality of this unit is absolutely capable of a
high-end professional studio, but because of its low-price range, you would expect that it
is missing the same effects that only a luxurious audio interface could bring to you. Still,
the build as well as its performance are great in general.

SSL2+ AUDIO INTERFACE

The SSL2+ claims a cost-effective rendition of “the SSL sound” and is a portable interface
with professional functionality and connections. The SSL 2’s 2-in, 2-out setup gains two
more outputs from the 2+, along with an extra dimension headset out. In case you don’t
know it yet, in the music business, SSL is a recognizable name wherein numerous hit
records have been recorded and produced using SSL equipment. Its sound and
performance are praised by seasoned producers as being distinct and pleasant. Another
special feature is its monitor area, which lets you see either the input or the DAW (Digital
Audio Workstation) signal. Its cons though, would be that it doesn’t have a lot of fanciness
that could be delivered on any pricey equipment, but if you’re still starting and you want
to try jumping in on the expert level, then this one’s for you.

UNIVERSAL AUDIO APOLLO TWIN X

The DSP plugins in Universal Audio Digital (UAD) interfaces are renowned for their high
quality and accurate reproduction of exquisite analog hardware. You may give your
recordings a new level of quality by purchasing a UAD interface. With that, the Twin X
has some highly potent features that will significantly improve anyone's experience with
home recording. It is available in two configurations called Duo and Quad based on how
many DSP processing chips each one has. This interface is ideal for bringing to and from
recording sessions because of its small size and portability, and it has the connectivity to
expand with you if you decide to make more investments in the UA ecosystem. Because
of its excellent performance, you need to spend a lot of dough on this one, with the price
starting at $999.

FOCUSRITE SCARLETT 4I4 GEN3

The third-generation Scarlett USB interfaces from Focusrite continue the history of
offering exceptional audio quality and versatility at reasonable prices. The 4i4 3rd Gen
offers superb audio quality and versatility at a reasonable price. This machine offers
balanced connections throughout, better preamps than its predecessor, and Focusrite’s
ISA transformer preamp emulation option (Air). This is a good improvement and an
excellent inexpensive audio interface that comes with a respectable software bundle. Its
audio quality is only decent but with its affordable price, you really couldn’t get any better
than this.

PRESONUS STUDIO 24C

Often referred to by music producers as the best for streaming, the Presonus Studio 24C
is a favorite in the audio interface game. To put into context, there are audio interfaces
made for certain musical instruments, like drummers, for example. Then some
technologies make an effort to do various jobs, from speech to music. Whatever you want
to record or create, the Presonus Studio 24c is unquestionably in the latter category and
provides excellent quality. Experts love the included Universal Control software because
it allows the interface to essentially "loopback." This is ideal for artists and streamers alike
since it provides exceptional flexibility for audio routing across numerous apps without the
need for extra connections. The device’s MIDI connection on the back is a fantastic
feature, and it has outstanding build quality.

PRESONUS QUANTUM 26X32

Presonus has a long history in the audio business, and the brand is often considered as
the best in the market. Built for recording high-quality audio, the Presonus Quantum
26X32 audio interface claims to be the “Fastest Thunderbolt Interface On The Planet” and
is equipped with an integrated talkback mic and 8 audio inputs. Through the use of free
software, it is possible to control even the virtual mixer from outside the control room. In
terms of what this potent audio interface is capable of, this is just the tip of the iceberg.
For digital conversion, the 24-bit/192kHz resolution of the Quantum provides a usable
dynamic range of up to 120 dB. In combination with its Class A preamps, this lets you to
record everything from pianos to percussion sets with all the richness and depth they
have to offer. Because of its well-built reputation, beginners would not opt-in on the audio
interface because it is not user-friendly on the first try and it’s too expensive, with a price
that starts at $900.

If you’re an aspiring music producer, then an audio interface is very necessary if you wish
to capture music of the highest quality and play it back on nice speakers. Now that you
have more knowledge about them based off on this article, you can finally choose what's
essential for you and your music forte. Bear in mind that you could pick something
different if you don't wind up appreciating your initial selection. And maybe someday, you
may find yourself with an interface that exactly satisfies your needs and sounds amazing
in the process with a little research, this essay, and some trial-and-error.
The Greatest Studio Monitors For At-Home Music Production

When we want to build a DIY music production in the comfort of our home, attention
always comes to detail. If you’re a producer or just starting of career, you may want to opt
in on what’s the best that could guarantee to yield great results even on your first try. That
way, you’d experience the joy of making music without even trying too hard to make an
effort out of it.

With that in mind, we’ll delve in right at the most incredible studio monitors that you should
consider for your at-home music production. Experts recommend 5-inch monitors as a
classic set-up for music production, so we showcase this list with such. Check out what’s
hot in the market right now, and how it will help you cater to your specific needs.

KRK Rocket 5

Recommended for EDM and Hip-hop production, the KRK Rocket 5 has been making
rounds in the music industry as one of the best. Famous artists and DJs such as Steve
Aoki, Charlie Puth, Skrillex, and many more were known to use this for music production,
which could assure you of its wonders. The bass for this studio monitor is rich and clear
which is efficient for mixing, and its mids and highs are considered top-notch. The KRKs
only give you XLR inputs in the back which may not be user-friendly, especially for
beginners, but they do provide a nice screen to adjust the EQ.

JBL 305P

Considered one of Amazon’s “best sellers,” the JBL 305P is perfect for music producers
who want to provide quality music all while having budgetary constrictions. For just about
$300, you can have the best roundup, with decent highs and great mids perfect for mixing.
Users liked it for the reason that it is comfortable in the ears, but some have complained
that it doesn’t truly showcase the beauty of mixing music like those in the studio set-up.
Still, for a fair price, you couldn’t get much better than this.

Mackie CR5 XT

If you’re a novice music producer who is on a budget and can’t go any higher than $200
for a studio monitor, then you might want to consider the Mackie CR5 XT which checks
the list of being budget-friendly and better-quality studio monitor. They are marketed as
multimedia monitors, though, instead of studio monitors and if you explore its back
portion, you would get why. There are no XLR inputs and only one speaker is powered
and sends the audio to the passive speaker. In terms of frequency, its lows were nice,
and good detail is noticed in the hi-hats as well. However, its mids and highs often merge,
which isn’t ideal for producing music that highlights more on those parts.

Monoprice

If you wish to go lower, then the Monoprice studio speakers are for you. Priced at $159,
you could finally start your dreams of becoming an aspiring music producer without
hurting your wallet. For music production, the sound goes flat which is decent for its price,
but it's different than those of the expensive ones on the list. Experts who tested the
device would sometimes find it hard to locate the hi-hats of music, and its lows, mids, and
highs are only okay. Overall, Monoprice still beats what is expected out of them, and you’d
be surprised just how well they perform in at-home music productions.

Presonus E5 XT

Another Amazon best-seller, the Presonus E5 XT is known for its high-frequency

response excellent for mixing. This studio monitor also gives you some fantastic tuning
controls and great choices at the back of its monitor. However, some reviewers felt that
although the mids provided by Presonus are considered perfect, its highs and lows aren’t
satisfactory. Nevertheless, you could get a nice pair of these for just $300 a pair. Not bad
at all.

Atom Audio T5V

Another contender for excellent music production at home is Atom Audio T5V which,
despite its smaller size, could still provide you with an excellent listening experience. It
has ribbon tweeters, which are proven to be more comfortable for long sessions of
listening to music, and the sound it provides is almost always clear. You could easily pick
up any frequency you want to point out and the voices could also be perfectly heard, but
they are not recommended for hip-hop mixes because their bass could sometimes be
unclear.

Yamaha HS5

Yamaha speaks for itself. For years, they are among the famous brands for music
production, and their Yamaha HS5 does not disappoint even once. It’s among the famous
studio monitors used by hundreds or even thousands of artists, and although it isn’t
considered cheap (it costs about $400), you would most definitely get the best out of your
money. The bass is top-notch and you could hear its highs, mids, and lows – especially
if your room is acoustically treated. If you’re a serious producer who wants to always
provide quality work, then Yamaha HS5 could be your go-to studio monitor.

Overall, the point of being a music producer is to provide the best and most well-crafted
music for everyone to enjoy. Whether or not you want to risk spending money or saving
up first, it’s important to remember that making a wise decision of picking out the most
suitable studio monitors for your home could be the first step to your goals. So choose
wisely and efficiently!
The Hottest Midi Keyboards You Could Find in the Market

MIDI Keyboards are some of today’s game-changing equipment to level up your music
production. The MIDI keyboard, along with an audio interface, a laptop, or a PC, have
emerged as essential tools for the modern music producer. They allow you to play and
record music on your computer as well as control software and, in some situations,
additional studio hardware. In its simplest form, a MIDI keyboard is a piece of technology
that you may use to operate virtual instruments like synthesizers, samplers, and others
that are part of your Digital Audio Workstation (DAW), and many modern musicians and
music producers have jumped in on the trend of owning one for music production.

There are a lot of MIDI keyboards to choose from, but choosing the right one for your
convenience and your style of music is crucial to guarantee your success in whatever
genre of music you want to pursue and create. We have experts who detail to us
everything there is to know about MIDI keyboards and the hottest you could find in the
market today.

ΑΚΑΙ MPK MINI MK3

If you want a keyboard that's super compact and has great drum pads, you may want to
consider the Akai MPK Mini Mk3. This keyboard is currently the most popular keyboard
at this price, with pads that are considered one of the best in the market today. The mini’s
pads have great sensitivity and stiffness which gives great comfort for finger drumming
purposes. This keyboard also has endless encoders which are essential to have because
the physical knob matches the position of the virtual knob in your Digital Audio
Workstation so it won’t be too confusing if you control such. Furthermore, experts love it
because it offers outstanding value for a cheap price: Eight sought-after MPC-style beat-
making pads, many rotary knobs, and decent-quality keys. One of its disadvantages
though would be that it doesn’t have transport controls and no play or stop button which
are essentials to a keyboard.

M-AUDIO OXYGEN PRO MINI

Considered by many as a favorite, the M-Audio Oxygen Pro Mini has extra features but
boasts the same price as the Akai Mpk Mini and several other keyboards in the market.
The Oxygen Pro Mini has a transport control so you can control its play, stop, or pause
buttons for all your records. The keyboard also has four knobs and four faders – with the
latter being so incredibly important for tracking or controlling volumes. Furthermore, it has
all the arpeggiator chord and scale features of every great keyboard in the market and
includes traditional wheels for pitch and mod. Apart from its bulky feature, the oxygen pro
does not have endless encoders so its knobs have a stop and an end point which perhaps
is a deal breaker to some. But with everything it has to offer, it’s worth considering for a
lot of its pros.

ARTURIA MINILAB MK2

The Arturia Minilab MK2 is considered to be one of the most popular picks for music
production for several reasons. Its mini lab keys are some of the best keys available on
a mini keyboard, so if you are an experienced keyboardist or pianist, you’d want to opt in
on the comfort it brings to your fingers. The minilab also gives you 16 endless encoders
and that provides you with a lot of control when you use the keyboard along with Arturia’s
software to regulate your virtual instruments. Its build quality is perfect for easy carry, but
as it is among the oldest in the market, it’s missing some key features which are now
standard on newer keyboards such as transport controls, play, stop, and record buttons,
and it doesn’t have a built-in arpeggiator note which might be its biggest con.

NEKTAR IMPACT LI MINI

This is among the newest keyboards in the market right now, and it checks most of the
essential boxes for a standard keyboard: transport controls, arpeggiator features, eight
pads, and eight knobs. As it is one of the newest models released, it has some cool new
tricks that are fresh enough for a curious music producer such as a 2-part feature where
you can switch octaves, transpose, and even change MIDI channels temporarily which is
ideal for those who want to provide music at the comfort of their home. It also has
customizable buttons and a shift button for easy access; although it does have a joystick
button which, if you’re not familiar, might not be too user-friendly for you.

NOVATION LAUNCHKEY MINI MK3

The first in the market to introduce the game-changing arpeggiator features and transport
controls all in a small and easy-to-bring keyboard, the Novation Launchkey Mini MK3 has
lived up to its hype. The Launchkey Mini’s keys don't have weights which makes it a con
for some, but they do have a novel mini-key mechanism that makes playing fun and easy.
Eight rotary knobs, 16 RGB pads that respond to velocity, and touch strips for blending
pitch and modulation are just a few of the controller’s other capabilities. Furthermore, you
can manage your DAW, instruments, and effects physically with the help of these tools,
which frees up your attention from your computer screen so you can concentrate more
on your music.

NATIVE INSTRUMENTS KOMPLETE KONTROL M32

A cutting-edge MIDI keyboard controller from Native Instruments, the Komplete Kontrol
S88 MK2, provides the ideal balance of expert functionality and user-friendly control for
music creation and performance. A real piano feel is provided by the 88 fully-weighted,
hammer-action Fatar keys on this premium keyboard, enhancing expressiveness. With
the simplicity and elegance of the Native Instruments keyboards, it makes you want to
come back, especially with how easy to learn about its software bundle as well. Moreover,
the touch strip provides a snappy substitute for conventional expression pedals, while
ergonomically built pitch and mod wheels provide accurate control. Although it could
seem that the Native Instruments M32 is almost perfect, one of its downsides would be
that it doesn’t have a drum pad that comes with it.

All in all, if you’re a newbie in the world of music production, it’s best to seek first what the
experts have to say when it comes to navigating the hottest MIDI keyboards available.
Because you’re buying not just the keyboards but the experience you would get from
them, it’s only important that you choose something reliable that could provide you with
everything you want out of these important tools.