Getting Started with Electronic Music Production: What Gear Do You Really Need?

Getting started in electronic music production can feel overwhelming—endless gear options, plugins, DAWs, controllers, and more. But what do you really need to get started? Let’s simplify it.

🎧 DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) – Your Complete Music Production Suite

Your DAW is the heart of your setup—where you’ll create, record, edit, arrange, and mix your tracks. With the right tools and techniques, you can produce a fully professional track using just a DAW, without the need for additional hardware or software.

A modern DAW is packed with powerful virtual instruments, effects, and mixing tools that allow you to take an idea from concept to final mastered track all in one environment.

• Recording & MIDI: Capture live audio, sequence MIDI parts, and layer sounds with limitless creative control.

• Virtual Instruments: Synths, drum machines, and orchestral sounds are available without needing physical hardware.

• Mixing & Effects: Professional EQs, compressors, reverbs, delays, and saturation tools replicate high-end studio hardware.

• Mastering Tools: Many DAWs include high-quality limiters, stereo imaging, and loudness meters for a polished final product.

🎛 Popular DAWs for Electronic Music Production

✔️ Ableton Live – Excellent for live performance, sound design, and creative workflow. Its Session View makes looping and arranging ideas fluid and intuitive.

✔️ Logic Pro X – Great for songwriting, arrangement, and mixing. Packed with high-quality stock instruments and plugins, ideal for those on Mac.

✔️ FL Studio – Loved for its fast workflow and intuitive step sequencing—especially popular for hip-hop, EDM, and beat-making.

✔️ Cubase & Studio One – Powerful audio recording, MIDI sequencing, and mixing tools, great for more traditional production workflows.

✔️ Bitwig Studio – A modern modular DAW with deep sound design capabilities, ideal for experimental and electronic music.

🎚 What’s the Best DAW? The best DAW is the one that suits your workflow. Ableton Live and Logic Pro X are great starting points for most electronic producers.

🚀 The DAW-Only Production Workflow

If you’re producing entirely in the box, here’s what your workflow might look like:

1️⃣ Start with a Drum Kit or Loop – Use built-in drum machines or sample libraries to lay down your groove.

2️⃣ Add a Bassline – DAW Synths like Operator (Ableton) or Retro Synth (Logic) provide deep, rich bass tones.

3️⃣ Layer Melodic Elements – Use MIDI instruments or audio recordings to build harmonic and melodic layers.

4️⃣ Apply Effects & Automation – Experiment with filters, delays, reverbs, and creative FX to bring movement to the track.

5️⃣ Mix & Arrange – Fine-tune levels, EQ, compression, and stereo imaging for a polished sound.

6️⃣ Master the Track – Final polish using limiting, saturation, and multiband compression—many DAWs include built-in mastering tools like Logic’s Adaptive Limiter or Ableton’s Glue Compressor.

🎵 Do You Really Need Hardware?

While hardware synths, drum machines, and outboard gear can add unique textures, they aren’t essential. A DAW alone gives you all the tools necessary to create professional, release-ready music.

With the right approach, your DAW is your full studio—capable of crafting, mixing, and mastering music at the highest level.

🎹 MIDI Controller

A simple MIDI controller helps you play notes, program beats, and control your DAW.

• Novation Launchkey / Akai MPK Mini – Affordable, easy-to-use, compact MIDI keyboards.

• Ableton Push – Advanced, integrates seamlessly with Ableton Live.

Keep it simple initially—expand as you grow.

🎚 Audio Interface & Headphones

Good audio quality is crucial.

• Audio Interface (e.g., Focusrite Scarlett 2i2, Universal Audio Volt): Essential for low latency and quality audio.

• Studio Headphones (e.g., Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, Beyerdynamic DT 770): Reliable and affordable for precise monitoring.

🎛 Plugins & Sound Libraries

While your DAW comes with plenty, here are some essential types to explore early once you feel the need to expand:

• Synth Plugins: Vital, Serum, Diva

• Drum Samples: Samples From Mars, Splice Sounds

• Essential Effects: Valhalla reverbs, Soundtoys effects, Plugin Alliance, Arturia & Waves

Start small, learn them well, then build from there.

🎛️ Plugins: Less is More

You don’t need every plugin. Master the essentials first:

• EQ: FabFilter Pro-Q, stock DAW EQ.

• Compression: Klanghelm MJUC, Logic’s stock compressor.

• Reverb/Delay: Phoenix Verb, Soundtoys EchoBoy.

🖥️ A Decent Computer

Make sure it’s capable of smoothly running your DAW and plugins. Aim for at least:

• 16GB RAM

• SSD storage

• Modern CPU (Intel i5, M1 Mac, or higher)

📝 Final Thoughts: Less Gear, More Music

It’s easy to think gear is everything—but it’s not. Master your chosen tools first.

Remember: creativity beats equipment every time.

🚀 Quick Start Checklist

✅ Choose your DAW

✅ Pick an audio interface & headphones

✅ Get a MIDI keyboard/controller (optional but recommended)

✅ Select essential plugins/samples

✅ Keep focused, experiment, create music

Now you’re ready to dive into electronic music production!

🔗 Learn More & Join the Community:

• 📖 Electronic Production Blog

• 🎧 Patreon for deeper insights: Electronic Production Patreon

Happy producing! 🎶