Hardware
Computer/ Laptop Recommended Specs (I’m guessing you already have one)
CPU: Pentium 4 or better; RAM: 2 GB; OS: Windows XP SP3
MXL 990 Condenser Microphone w/ Shock Mount
Attractive vintage body style with champagne finish, 3/4" gold-sputtered diaphragm, 30Hz-20kHz frequency response, 130dB maximum SPL, Sensitivity: 15MV/pa, Equivalent noise: 20dB
Price: $69.99
-----------
Alesis MultiMix 4 USB Preamp
4-channel Desktop Mixer and 16-bit/44.1kHz USB Audio Interface with 2 XLR Microphone Preamplifiers with Selectable 48V Phantom Power, 4 x 1/4" Inputs, 2 x 1/4" Outputs, and 1 x 1/4" Headphone Output
Price: $79.97
-----------
Sony Studio Monitor Series Headphones, MDRV150
The Sony Studio Monitor Series Headphones features a supra-aural design for excellent listening comfort, and 30 mm Diameter Drivers for Deep Bass.
Price: $15.09
-----------
Akai Pro LPK25 Lean and mighty 25-key controller for your mobile music-making
If you're building your portable music-production system, you're definitely going to love the Akai Professional LPK25. This portable controller doesn't skimp on features — the LPK25 has got 25 velocity-sensitive keys with real synth action.
Price: $69.97
Akai Pro LD8
Based on Akai Professional's iconic MPC controllers, the LPD8 gives you eight amazingly playable, velocity-sensitive pads. It's even got eight knobs you can assign to virtually any Mac or PC software parameter.
Price: $69.97
Software
Now after you have all of your music equipment all set up and ready to go it’s time to power-up your machines and get ready for the fun, right? No! You are going to need a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation.) A DAW is basically a visual controller and electronic system designed to record, edit and play back digital audio input and output.
FL Studio® from ImageLine. FL has been a big smash hit in the underground and on major levels. Its ease of use, audio recording capabilities, a wide range of virtual instruments, mixing effects, and ability to import sound kits for an endless bucket of sounds make FL Studio first-timers never look back!
Price: Free (Demo) | $49 (Express) | $99 (Fruity) | $199 (Producer) | $299 (Signature)
Protools® is the most popular DAW and industry standard from Digidesign. But because of its high price-tag, and hardware requirements more users have opted for other DAW solutions to produce music.
Price: Free (Demo) | $150 (LE) | $250 (+Hardware)
Reason® from Propellerhead has been another one of the more popular DAWs because of its high quality sound and its huge variety of instruments and sound kits.
Price: Free (Demo) | $499 (Full) | $129 (Upgrade)
