Gear to Enhance Your Home Recording Studio

Our studios shouldn’t just sound good; they should look and feel good, too! Modern psychology has all but confirmed that a tidy, organized, and visually pleasing workspace lends itself to enhanced creativity and productivity. This is good news both for you and for the artists who are tracking in your studio. Plus, it makes a much better impression on a client when they walk through your studio door and are greeted by spectacular-looking gear all arranged in a logical yet visually artistic fashion. Feeling like they’re in the hands of a professional audio engineer will make them more confident, which leads to better performances, which leads to better music! So, if you’re looking to up your studio’s sonic capabilities, as well as enhance its visual aesthetics, then this article is for you.

Studio Furniture

Although it’s an oft overlooked aspect, Sweetwater’s Pro Audio Design and Integration team will enthusiastically tell you that furniture should be one of your foremost considerations when designing any professional or home studio. With that thought in mind, here are a few furniture offerings that are a truly wonderful blend of form, function, and affordability.

Whether you record music, stream games or podcasts, or undertake any other type of creative endeavor, this Gator Frameworks Elite Series main desk and monitor stands bundle makes the perfect foundation for your workspace. First, the Elite Series main desk features a sliding tray for a 49-note keyboard plus dual 4U racks that will house plenty of the other high-end gear that we’ll be looking at later. It also includes an integrated cable-management system so that your space remains tidy. The Elite Series floor-standing studio monitor stands play their part in this regard by having a central-column cutout for cable routing, and each stand has a wide, 13.5-inch base and can steadfastly support any monitor up to 75 pounds.

Even if guitar isn’t your main instrument, no serious project studio is complete without a selection of guitars to choose from. The Gator Frameworks Elite five electric/acoustic guitar rack is just the weapon rack you need to hold all those axes. Like the aforementioned studio furniture, the Elite guitar rack prioritizes neat organization with cable hooks, and its adjustable divider pegs with rubberized coating plus soft base padding keep your guitars’ necks and bodies alike safe and sound.

Now that your guitars are supported, why not do the same for your amp? The Gator Frameworks Elite Series small guitar amp stand rounds out our Gator Frameworks studio-furniture trio with its solid, thick construction, fixed 15-degree angle, and up to 100 ample pounds of amplifier support. It also has its own management system for cables, and its EVA foam padding keeps your amp safe from any scuffs. With these three excellent products from Gator Frameworks in the same complementary finish, your studio will look just as good as it sounds.

Finally, while you might be tempted to get typical office-style chairs for your studio, Sweetwater studio engineers have found that the armrests of such chairs often get in the way, especially when tracking guitars or basses. That’s why they suggest snagging a few of these Fender Red Sparkle barstools instead. Its 30-inch height and footrest ring make it comfortable and convenient, and its Red Sparkle Fender logo is among the most iconic of all music-industry logos.

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Freqport FT-1 Freqtube Multi-instance Analog Hardware Processor

Now that your furniture is in place, let’s check out the good stuff! We’ll start with the Freqport FT-1 Freqtube multi-instance analog hardware processor. This ingenious device couples with its partnered plug-in to give you real analog tube processing with digital recall, eight assignable hardware knobs, selectable overdrive (with clipping protection), and much more. And, as is the primary focus of this article, it looks super-cool! Its eight assignable knobs are color coded on the display, and its four tubes — two E83CC/12AX7 and two 12AT7 — light up when in use. Put the Freqport FT-1 on your desktop (or in your rack with the optional rackmount kit), and you’ll have a stylish workspace, indeed.

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JHS Colour Box V2 Preamp Pedal

What if you could put the sound of a vintage analog console directly onto your pedalboard? That’s the idea behind the JHS Colour Box V2 preamp pedal — and, boy, does it work! Sweetwater studio engineers have found that the Colour Box is a great way to add, well, color to any sound, not just guitars. It also instantly enlivens vocals, basses, and synths and can even add sinister crunch to a mono drum overhead. Plus, the color scheme and layout of the Colour Box are artistic yet still neatly organized, and the console graphic is a very cool touch. In sum, the JHS Colour Box makes a great addition to any pedalboard or studio locker.

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Shure 545SD Cardioid Dynamic Instrument Microphone

There are many amazing-looking microphones out there, but there’s arguably nothing that looks as cool and is simultaneously as budget-friendly as the Shure 545SD cardioid dynamic instrument microphone. For only a single Benjamin, you can add this slick, black-and-silver Unidyne mic to your mic locker. The 545SD is more than just a pretty face, however; its 50Hz–15kHz frequency response deftly captures a wide range of instruments, and its cardioid pickup pattern provides excellent off-axis rejection. Sweetwater vocalists also greatly appreciate its lockable on/off switch.

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UA Volt 476P USB-C Audio Interface

With its yellow lights, green meters, and black/white layout offset by wood panels on either side, the only thing better than the Universal Audio Volt 476P USB-C audio interface’s appearance is its sound. Its internal analog components support 24-bit/192kHz AD/DA conversion, and its integrated 1176-style compressor makes tracking drums, bass, and vocals an absolute joy. Having two headphones outputs is a very welcome addition, especially at this price point, and MIDI inputs/outputs make it a cinch to use your favorite synths. Finally, the native software bundled with your Volt includes a selection of industry-leading UA plug-ins.

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Earthworks ICON Pro Broadcast-quality XLR Streaming Microphone

Looking to add a futuristic aesthetic to your studio? Then the Earthworks ICON Pro broadcast-quality XLR streaming microphone is just what you need. While it’s geared for content creators and streamers, Sweetwater studio engineers will attest that this small-diaphragm condenser mic packs a wallop in the studio, as well. Its astonishing 20Hz–30kHz frequency response captures any sound source with aplomb, and its cardioid polar pattern provides excellent off-axis rejection. Finally, its stylish steel body deftly handles accidental bumps and bruises, plus it looks sleek and sophisticated, especially when augmented by the Triad-Orbit M2-R orbital mic adapter that not only looks cool in its own right but also enables very precise mic placement.

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Solid State Logic UF1 Advanced DAW Controller

If you’ve never ditched your mouse and keyboard to try a DAW controller before, then you don’t know what you’re missing! While an 8- or 16-fader monstrosity would definitely look cool on your desk, Sweetwater suggests that you first take a look at the smaller but still very cool-looking (and still very powerful) Solid State Logic UF1 advanced DAW controller. SSL took the “best of” features from standard control surfaces and condensed them into one concise DAW controller that has everything you need in a handsome, durable package further augmented by SSL-quality touches. Its 100mm motorized fader, transport controls, jog wheel, rotary knobs, and 46 soft keys are all pretty typical, but what sets the UF1 apart — and lends to its stellar appearance — are its dual high-resolution screens that enable you to display the SSL Meter plug-in as well as any EQ curves from plug-ins such as the SSL Channel Strip 2. Its solid metal chassis and logical, symmetrical layout also make the UF1 a delicious piece of eye candy.

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Black Lion Audio PG-XLM Rackmount Power Conditioner

When you think of attractive-looking gear, power conditioners probably don’t spring immediately to mind. The Black Lion Audio PG-XLM rackmount power conditioner stands apart from the herd in this regard — and in others, as well. This 1U power conditioner features eight outlets on the rear panel and one conveniently on the front panel, as well as an equally convenient USB port, all utilizing top-quality PG-90 Filtering Technology to provide your rack gear clean and consistent power. Visually, the PG-XLM gives you an alluring, red digital LED voltage display as well as two front-panel pull-out LED lights with settings for off, low, and high. These help you light up your rack in dim control rooms, thereby contributing to your workspace’s overall aesthetic and warranting the humble power conditioner a place on this list.

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O.C. White Co. AL-MBP1-S Podcast Pro Mic Boom Bundle

The appearance of a mic boom might not seem important in the studio. Sweetwater content creators know that, on camera, it’s one of many little touches that add up to make a big difference in your style and presentation. One of their favorites is this O.C. White Co. AL-MBP1-S Podcast Pro mic boom bundle. Featuring an adjustable boom arm, a C-clamp for attaching to your desk or table, and a pre-terminated internal XLR cable for a clutter-free workspace, the only thing you’ll need to add is your favorite mic, and you’ll be instantly ready to make professional-looking video content. Even if you only produce audio content, adding your talkback mic to the AL-MBP1-S is a surefire way to make a favorable first impression on anyone who visits your studio.

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Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X Closed-back Studio Mixing Headphones

When it’s time for you to listen critically and/or mix in cans, we guarantee that you’ll be more than happy to put on these Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X closed-back studio mixing headphones. In fact, though they’re billed as “mixing headphones,” more than one Sweetwater studio engineer has reported having very happy clients after presenting them with the DT 700s for a tracking session. These headphones’ deluxe earpads offer a wonderfully comfortable wearing experience in addition to looking rather chic, and their closed-back design protects against audio bleed. Additionally, their STELLAR.45 drivers are very befitting of that name, and when it’s time to store or transport your DT 700s, the cable conveniently detaches to be easily packed into the included bag.

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Warm Audio WA-MPX 1-channel Tube Mic/Line/Instrument Preamp

Chrome on black is an elegant look for many different things in life, but in regard to audio gear, this winning color combination might look best on the Warm Audio WA-MPX 1-channel tube mic/line/instrument preamp. Its large, black dials and chrome switches sit atop a brushed-silver panel that simply looks incredible — especially when that VU meter is lit up and moving. The WA-MPX sounds just as awesome with 90dB of analog gain, selectable tape saturation, CineMag USA transformers, and 12AX7/12AU7 vacuum tubes. Finally, its full-spectrum 20Hz–20kHz frequency response and High Gain control mean that you’ll be able to use the WA-MPX to season any incoming audio signal, even those from quiet sources.

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Lindell Audio LiNTEC Vintage Program Equalizer

The Lindell Audio LiNTEC vintage program equalizer takes our aforementioned chrome-and-black color scheme and turns it completely on its head. The result is equally as striking. A largely black front panel is accented by stepped chrome knobs and a small chrome frame that highlights its golden VU meter. While you might feel apprehensive about touching such a work of art, our Sweetwater studio engineers heartily advise you to dive right in! The LiNTEC EQ is a 1-channel, 2-band EQ that lets you boost and cut simultaneously on each band, and its solid-state construction boasts a couple of meaningful pro-studio benefits: it has much lower self-noise than tube units, and it has no problem grabbing any and all transients that pass through its circuity.

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Black Lion Audio Eighteen Microphone Preamp & Induction EQ

Once again, black and chrome never cease to impress, and the Black Lion Audio Eighteen microphone preamp and induction EQ is further proof. This channel strip boasts an entirely black front panel with chrome pots and switches but adds a slight splash of color via its eight lights designating EQ on/off, polarity, phantom power on/off, and more. It also sports the classic, golden backlit VU meter and a stylish Black Lion logo. Sonically, the Black Lion Eighteen channel strip gives you CineMag input/output transformers for the preamp section with a CineMag inductor-based 2-band EQ. The output control also provides options for infusing your sounds with some lush harmonic saturation, and additional 80Hz and 10kHz filters give you further sculpting options.

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Yamaha HS5 5-inch Monitor Pair with HS8S Subwoofer

Having all this fantastic-looking gear doesn’t mean much if you can’t actually hear any of it! On that note, Sweetwater recommends this Yamaha HS5 5-inch monitor pair with HS8S subwoofer package to top off your studio with both audial and visual perfection. First, the two Yamaha HS5 nearfield monitors feature 70 watts of power with bi-amplified drivers and a ported enclosure that together will enable you to hear exactly what’s right — and wrong — with your mixes. They also possess room control and high trim parameters that let you tailor them to the acoustics of your individual workspace. Second, the Yamaha HS8S subwoofer gives you plenty of low-end oomph all the way down to 22Hz and also allows you to sculpt your bass precisely with a low-cut on/off switch plus low- and high-cut frequency controls. And, visually, you simply can’t go wrong with those classic white cones.

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Ready for the Razzle-dazzle?

Wouldn’t it be great to work in a studio that gives you both superb sound and gorgeous looks? Well, hopefully this article has shown that you don’t have to pick one or the other — it’s quite possible to have both! So, for even more recommendations on audio equipment that combines the best of both worlds, please feel free to give your Sweetwater Sales Engineer a call at (800) 222-4700and ask them for their picks today!
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