Checklist · 12 picks · 4 categories
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Bedroom producers always have one more piece of gear on the wishlist, and every pick is from MusicRadar.
For beats, the Nektar SE25 is its best budget MIDI keyboard and fits in a laptop bag, the Akai MPK Mini Mk4, with MPC pads, is its best for beginners overall, and the Arturia MiniLab 3 is its best for versatility. To record, the Behringer UMC22 is the most affordable interface it picked, the Universal Audio Volt 1 is its best for vocals, and the Audient iD4 MkII is its best budget interface overall. The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is a modern classic and the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro X a studio legend. PreSonus Eris E3.5 monitors are an instant upgrade on laptop speakers, and the JBL 305P MkII is its best budget monitor overall. The splurges are the Pioneer DDJ-FLX4, its best beginner DJ controller, and Kali Audio LP-6 V2 monitors for mixing.
Who this is not for. Skip this if they listen more than they make music; the gifts for music lovers page has headphones, speakers and vinyl gear.
| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nektar SE25 | budget | $50-100 | making beats on the move | 1 outlet |
| Akai MPK Mini Mk4 | mid | $100-150 | their first serious beatmaking setup | 1 outlet |
| Arturia MiniLab 3 | mid | $100-150 | leveling up once they know the basics | 1 outlet |
Best midi keyboardbudget pick · 25 mini keys
Best for making beats on the move
MusicRadar's best budget MIDI keyboard: incredible value, small enough for a laptop bag, and it works with loads of DAWs out of the box.
Heads up. The software bundle isn't the most generous
1 outlet. MusicRadar best budget MIDI keyboard for beginners.
$50-100
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mid pick · 25 mini keys
Best for their first serious beatmaking setup
MusicRadar's best MIDI keyboard for beginners overall: easy to use, with MPC pads, a handy screen and enough depth to grow with you.
Heads up. Mini keys will be too small for some
1 outlet. MusicRadar best MIDI keyboard for beginners overall.
$100-150
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mid pick · 25 mini keys
Best for leveling up once they know the basics
MusicRadar's best for versatility: a well-built, feature-packed controller with great key feel and pressure-sensitive RGB pads.
Heads up. Some deeper features may be lost on a complete beginner
1 outlet. MusicRadar best beginner MIDI keyboard for versatility.
$100-150
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Behringer U-Phoria UMC22 | budget | $50-100 | recording on a shoestring | 1 outlet |
| Universal Audio Volt 1 | mid | $100-150 | singers and solo songwriters | 1 outlet |
| Audient iD4 MkII | splurge | $200-300 | the best sound for the money | 1 outlet |
Best audio interfacebudget pick · 2-in/2-out
Best for recording on a shoestring
MusicRadar's most affordable pick: about the cheapest good-quality interface it has come across, with everything you need for basic recording.
Heads up. No dedicated Windows driver and a higher noise floor than others
1 outlet. MusicRadar most affordable budget audio interface.
$50-100
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mid pick · 1-in/2-out
Best for singers and solo songwriters
MusicRadar's best budget interface for vocals: UA preamp quality at an affordable price, with a Vintage button that adds tube-style warmth.
Heads up. Only one input, so no recording two sources at once
1 outlet. MusicRadar best budget audio interface for vocals.
$100-150
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splurge pick · 2-in/2-out
Best for the best sound for the money
MusicRadar's best budget interface overall: excellent preamps, easy to use and packed with features, which makes it a perfect beginner interface.
Heads up. No MIDI, so it's not for hooking up external hardware
1 outlet. MusicRadar best budget audio interface overall.
$200-300
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audio-Technica ATH-M50x | mid | $150-200 | their first pair of studio headphones | 1 outlet |
| Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro X | splurge | $200-300 | mixing and recording vocals | 1 outlet |
| PreSonus Eris E3.5 | budget | $100-150 | small desks and small budgets | 1 outlet |
| JBL 305P MkII | mid | $150-200 | bass-heavy mixes on a budget | 1 outlet |
Best headphonesmid pick · Over-ear
Best for their first pair of studio headphones
MusicRadar's best budget studio headphones for beginners: a modern classic and a great first pair for music makers.
Heads up. Hyped lows and highs, so other pairs are flatter for serious mixing
1 outlet. MusicRadar best budget studio headphones for beginners.
$150-200
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splurge pick · Over-ear
Best for mixing and recording vocals
MusicRadar's best budget studio headphones overall: a studio legend with a lovely balance for mixing, monitoring and tracking.
Heads up. Bulky, and the ear cups don't swivel or fold
1 outlet. MusicRadar best overall budget studio headphones.
$200-300
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Best studio monitorsbudget pick · 3.5-inch pair
Best for small desks and small budgets
MusicRadar's best value budget monitors: incredibly cheap for what they do, and an instant upgrade on laptop speakers.
Heads up. Bass comes up short at volume, so not great for bass-heavy styles
1 outlet. MusicRadar best value budget studio monitors.
$100-150
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mid pick · 5-inch, sold singly
Best for bass-heavy mixes on a budget
MusicRadar's best budget studio monitor overall: a wide sweet spot and excellent low end, which suits EDM and other bass-heavy styles.
Heads up. Auto power-off is annoying, and they're big for a tiny desk
1 outlet. MusicRadar best budget studio monitor overall.
$150-200
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Top pickmid pick · Compact
Best for learning to DJ on a layout they'll meet in clubs
MusicRadar's best beginner controller overall: the gold standard for starter controllers, laid out like club CDJs so the skills carry over.
Heads up. A little small, and the short faders make slow blends harder
1 outlet. MusicRadar best beginner DJ controller overall.
$300-500
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splurge pick · 6.5-inch, sold singly
Best for mixes that sound right everywhere
MusicRadar's best budget monitors for mixing: ultra-transparent and quiet, with boundary EQ settings so they can sit close to a wall.
Heads up. The DIP switches are fiddly, and there's no matching sub for the white version
1 outlet. MusicRadar best budget studio monitors for mixing.
$200-300
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means three independent outlets recommend a pick, means one, and limited evidence means none has yet. I research these picks. I have not tested them myself. How I pick · Broken link, wrong price range or an outdated pick? Tell me
A MIDI keyboard. The Akai MPK Mini Mk4 is MusicRadar's best MIDI keyboard for beginners overall, with super playable MPC pads, and the Nektar SE25, its best budget pick, is small enough for a laptop bag.
An interface or a first pair of studio headphones. MusicRadar calls the Audient iD4 MkII a perfect beginner interface, and the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, its best budget studio headphones for beginners, a great first pair for music makers.
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