Whether you’re more of a speaker of headphones person, there are some specific details you need to keep an eye on when looking to upgrade your audio gear for mixing and mastering.

Studio Monitors

Reference monitors are different to most hi-fi systems found in your living room. Their goal is to provide a flat frequency response rather than ampliying the highs and lows. This gives a natural, unenhanced and true-to-life sound.

KRK Rokit’s line have been a long-time favourite for bedroom producers. They combine high quality audio with affordability. The latest G4 series from 2019 includes an LCD screen.

KRK Rokit
Around $350
Headphones

Similarly to speakers, you’re looking for something fairly flat in the frequency response department. Stay away from earbuds and bluetooth headphones. Most studio environments will have two different types of headphones for different scenarios.

Closed Back – Recording
Sennheiser HD280PRO
$99.90
Open Back – Mixing
Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO
$149

For more studio gear buys, check our top 10 tools for music producers.