Equipment
A quick guide to the equipment I’m using. I am by no means an expert (I’m literally finding my way) but happy to share if it’s helpful to others. Everything on this list is equipment I’m actually using.
Computer
2020 Apple MacBook Pro with Apple M1 Chip (13-inch, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD)
I bought this MacBook back in 2022 for work. Had I realised I’d be using it for music as well I’d have chosen something with more RAM. Spitfire Audio’s minimum requirement for BBC Symphony Orchestra Core is 8GB, but their recommendation is 16GB. The same applies to Albion One. Why does this matter? Because it limits the number of tracks I can have before I reach ‘system overload’. There are workarounds, but they do add time and interupt the workflow. Still, I won’t be buying anything else for the foreseeable future, so I’m stuck with it for now.
Audio interface
Roland Edirol UA-25
Back in 2004, when I was living in London, I bought my first basic home recording set up. I didn’t really know what I was doing, or what I needed. I went to the Turnkey Music Store on Charing Cross Road (now long gone) and bought a microphone, stand and pop shield, some 1/4 inch jack leads and this Roland UA-25 USB Audio Interface. I think it also came with some free DAW software as well. Nineteen years later, and it’s still working perfectly. The Edirol UA-25 is discontinued now, but if you’re a beginner looking for something simliar, the Focusrite Scarlett Solo is a safe bet.
External hard drive
Crucial CT1000X8SSD9 X8 1TB Portable SSD
When I started using my MacBook Pro to record music I knew I wanted to have a clean set up. The benefits of using external storage to save sound libraries is that it saves space on your internal drive, allowing it to focus on running the DAW. The setup I use is all software and project files are installed/saved on my MacBook, and all sample libraries are saved on an external Solid State Drive (SSD). For Spitfire Audio libraries, it’s really easy, you can just set the SSD location for the samples in the Spitfire app. I also use my external drive to back up project files from time to time. Why SSDs and not traditional hard drives drives (HDDs)? They’re faster, with quicker read/write speeds, perfect for loading large sample libraries and ensuring smooth playback and recording. I opted for Crucial as lots of people recommended them on the forums.
Midi controller
Roland FP-30 Digital Piano
I know, I know… the Roland FP-30 Digital Piano is not a dedicated midi controller, it’s primarily a digital piano. And that’s precisely what I wanted when I bought it back in 2020. Its sound engine and graded weighted keys were as close as I could get to an acoustic piano in my price bracket. However, it’s also proved very successful as a midi controller, connecting it to my MacBook via the Edirol UA-25 above. As a result, I’ve haven’t experienced any latency issues and it gives me a natural piano feel which I love.
Headphones
BeyerDynamic DT 770 Pro Headphones (80 ohm)
A really comfy pair of headphones that sound great and are perfect for endless hours of wearing. Bought on the recommendation of a professional composer who’s had his for 2o years. Quite pricey but I figure it’s worth the investment. These might last me the rest of my life!
Monitors
Tannoy Reveal 402 Studio Monitors
I wanted a pair of monitors that gave me a clear and honest sound without breaking the bank. Bought in 2014, these Tannoy Reveal 402s do just that - the sound is clear and open, and the bass has a nice bit of weight for such small speakers. They make it easy to hear the details in my mixes, which is exactly what I need while I’m learning. The only drawback is a slight background hiss, or white noise, when nothing is playing.
Midi CC controller
nanoKONTROL 2
MIDI CC controllers are really important for adding feeling and realism to virtual instruments. It allows me to simulate the expressive qualities of real instruments, such as dynamics, vibrato, and articulation making my music sound more like a real orchestra. I generally like to record this expression in real-time, though you can edit it after too. There are are plenty of controller options out there, including some with longer 100mm faders. However, I’ve found the Korg NanoKontrol2 to be a great entry level product.
Monitor stands
Desktop Monitor Speaker Stands by Gear4music
I wanted some basic stands that could elevate my monitors to ear level. The positioning of monitors is important. Aligning the tweeters with our ears creates an optimal listening angle and helps us to hear a more accurate representation of our music. Despite having a large footprint, these stands from Gear4Music are sturdy, height adjustable, and come with a non-slip rubber base and top plate.
Sample libraries
BBC Symphony Orchestra Discover
Spitfire Audio’s BBC Symphony Orchestra Discover is great for anyone who’s just getting started. It gives you free entry into the world of professional sample libraries, offering a beautifully recorded, lightweight version of a full orchestra. Taking up only 200MB of space, it can run on almost any computer, making it perfect for beginners like me who don’t have high-end gear. I really like its simple interface, and the stripped back selection of instruments means I can focus on writing music rather than getting lost in endless options. It's also easy to upgrade to the Core or Professional versions if you want.
BBC Symphony Orchestra Core
The Core version of BBC Symphony Orchestra offers a significant upgrade from Discover. You get a full orchestra with more instruments and a wider range of articulations, all without the storage and RAM requirments of Pro. However, with only 8 GB RAM to my name (see ‘Computer’ above), I’m currently sketching using BBC Discover and then replacing/re-recording just a few tracks with Core, where I can get away with it, to get more nuance and depth of expression. After that I’m into the world of freezing tracks.