Essential Music Recording Equipment to Start Making Your Song Today
- ROSEGOAT
- Jul 1
- 3 min read
Start recording your song today with these equipment! Check out this curated list of music essentials and pick what works best for you.
Microphone + (Audio Interface)
First and foremost, you gotta have a microphone to record your song. There is a variety of price regarding microphone: with cheapest ones start at $14.99 off Amazon that will make you sound like the broadcast system from high school, to $15,000 Sony C800 that is sold at auctions. How do you know which one you should get? Keep reading to find out.
USB Model – No Audio Interface Needed
Microphone that can be connected through USB is easy to use and good news – you might have it already if you are a gamers. Here are 3 models that I would personally recommend if you would like to invest in a microphone for recording that's also easy to use:
Blue Yeti ($139)
Score: 🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤 (5/5)
Strength: Easy to use with simple knobs for clear, strong vocals
Weakness: Sometimes it picks up background hiss and desk vibrations unless you use a boom arm or isolation pad
Audio-Technica AT2020USB ($169)
Score: 🎤🎤🎤🎤 (4/5)
Strength: Plug-and-play USB with a smooth, balanced response that handles aggressive delivery cleanly
Weakness: Fixed cardioid pattern, meaning only picks up sound from one direction; noticeably higher noise floor than interface-powered mics
Rode NT-USB+ ($169)
Score: 🎤🎤🎤🎤 (4/5)
Strength: Built-in pop filter that softens sharp sounds and a strong, durable body, so it holds up well
Weakness: It takes up a lot of space on your desk, and it can pick up echo or background sound if your room isn’t set up for recording
XLR Model – Pair with Audio Interface
XLR connectors are known for their reliability, ruggedness, and ability to minimize interference and signal noise, making them ideal for connecting microphones. However, you do need an audio interface to connect to your computer. Here are three microphones that connect through XLR for better quality:
Shure SM7B ($439)
Score: 🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤 (5/5)
Strength: Industry-standard, great for vocals & podcasts
Weakness: Requires a strong preamp
Audio-Technica AT2020 ($119)
Score: 🎤🎤🎤🎤 (4/5)
Strength: Affordable, great for beginners
Weakness: Picks up background noise
Rode NT1-A ($249)
Score: 🎤🎤🎤🎤 (4/5)
Strength: Crisp sound, low self-noise
Weakness: Sensitive to plosives
Audio Interface
An audio interface is a device that connects your microphone (or instruments) to your computer and helps you get better sound quality. Think of it like a translator between your mic and your computer. It takes the sound from your mic, amplifies it, cleans it up, and converts it into digital form so your computer can record or process it. Here are some great audio interface you could get to go with your XLR mic:
Score: 🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤 (5/5)
Strength: Reliable, great preamps
Weakness: Only 2 inputs
Universal Audio Volt 2 ($199)
Score: 🎤🎤🎤🎤 (4/5)
Strength: Vintage preamp emulation
Weakness: Pricier than competitors
Behringer UMC202HD ($86.90)
Score: 🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤 (5/5)
Strength: Budget-friendly, great performance
Weakness: Build quality feels cheaper
Frequently Asked Microphone Questions
Q: Is it possible a XLR Mic without an interface?
No. the answer is simple there is just nowhere to plug it in.
Q: What is the difference between USB mic and XLR mic?
XLR mics need an external interface or mixer but deliver higher quality. USB mics plug straight into your computer for easy setup but offer less upgradeability and sound quality.
Q: What does audio interface do exactly?
It delivers better sound quality and greater control when mixing recordings made with an XLR mic through an interface.
Headphones
Headphones are essential when it comes to recording. You gotta listen to the beat and monitor what the mic has recorded. Here are 3 models that are great for recording music:
Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro ($169)
Score: 🎧🎧🎧🎧 (4/5)
Strength: Great isolation, flat response
Weakness: Non-detachable cable
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x ($159)
Score: 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧 (5/5)
Strength: Balanced sound, durable. Personal favorite
Weakness: none, it's really that good
Sony MDR-7506 ($99)
Score: 🎧🎧🎧🎧 (4/5)
Strength: Comfy, lightweight
Weakness: Ear pads wear out quickly
Frequently Asked Headphones Questions
Q: Can I use a wireless headphone?
I wouldn't recommend it. Bluetooth headphones introduce enough latency and compression to throw off your timing and dull your sound. wired, closed-back cans plugged into your interface give you near-zero lag and a true frequency response.
Q: Would my gaming headphone work for this?
Yes, definitely, but only for recording. If you try to mix on gaming headphones it will sound very off once played back anywhere else, because gaming headphones often have strongly boosted bass and mids.
Where to Score cheap Music Recording Equipment?
Sweetwater (Financing options, used gear)
Reverb (Second-hand market)
eBay/Facebook Marketplace (Deals on lightly used gear)
Now, You Just Need a Computer
Download the software on your computer/laptop
Make sure your input and output device is in the right settings
Rap your heart out
More questions? DM me on Instagram @prodrosegoat
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