Books and Resources to Start Strong
Before you invest in equipment, you need to understand the business side of music. These books cover everything from recording basics to building a sustainable income as a musician or band manager.
The Musician’s Guide to Home Recording by Jeff Strong
This book walks you through setting up a functional home studio without overwhelming technical jargon. It covers mic placement, room acoustics, and gear selection in practical terms. Essential if you’re planning to record your own music or offer recording services.
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Sound Reinforcement Handbook by Gary Davis and Ralph Jones
Live sound is a core revenue stream for many bands and musicians. This technical reference explains speaker systems, microphones, mixing consoles, and PA setup. You’ll reference this repeatedly when buying or renting equipment for gigs.
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Music Business 101 by Daylle Deanna Schwartz
Covers touring logistics, contracts, marketing, and revenue streams for independent musicians. This book helps you understand how to price your services, negotiate with venues, and build sustainable income beyond just playing.
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Recording Unhinged by Lorne Gabriel
A practical, no-nonsense guide to recording on a budget. Gabriel focuses on what actually matters in recording versus expensive gear myths. Useful if you plan to offer recording services or produce music for clients.
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Equipment You Need
Your equipment list depends on your specific focus—are you performing live, recording, teaching, or a combination? Start with essentials and expand as your revenue grows. Here’s what most musician businesses need.
Instruments and Amplification
- Quality instrument: Your main instrument (guitar, bass, keyboard, drums, etc.). A reliable mid-range instrument outperforms a cheap one and lasts years with proper maintenance.
- Backup instrument: Strings break, hardware fails. A backup prevents cancelled gigs and lost income.
- Amplifier: Size depends on your venues. A 30-50 watt combo amp covers small clubs and rehearsals. Larger venues use rental PAs, so don’t oversell on wattage early.
- Cables and connectors: Instrument cables, speaker cables, power cables. Buy quality—cheap cables introduce noise and fail mid-performance.
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Recording Equipment
- Audio interface: Converts analog audio to digital for your computer. A 2-4 channel interface (around 100-300 range) covers home recording and podcast/voiceover work.
- Microphone: A condenser mic works for vocals and instruments. Dynamic mics are better for loud sources like drums or live vocals.
- Studio headphones: Closed-back headphones for monitoring during recording. These are different from consumer headphones and reveal problems in your mix.
- XLR cables: Professional-grade microphone cables. Buy more than you think you need.
- Microphone stand and pop filter: Prevents wind noise on vocals and positions the mic at mouth level.
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Live Performance Gear
- Microphone stand: Sturdy, adjustable stands for vocals or instruments. At least one per band member who needs a mic.
- Microphones (live): Dynamic mics are standard for live vocals—they handle feedback better than condensers.
- Instrument stands: Mic stands for acoustic guitars, keyboards, or percussion. Prevents damage during setup/breakdown.
- Cables with stage tape: Tape down cables to prevent tripping and equipment damage.
- Power strips and surge protectors: Protect expensive gear from voltage spikes. Essential for venues with unreliable power.
- Gig bag or case: Protects your instrument during transport and storage.
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Mixing and Mastering
- Studio monitors: Flat-response speakers that show what your mix actually sounds like. Essential for producing music clients will pay for.
- Acoustic treatment: Bass traps, foam panels, or diffusers reduce room reflections. Even basic treatment improves recordings dramatically.
- DAW software: Digital audio workstation (recording and mixing software). Many start free or affordable.
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Accessories and Maintenance
- Tool kit: Screwdrivers, Allen wrenches, pliers for quick repairs.
- Cleaning supplies: Microfiber cloths, string cleaner, fretboard conditioner. Maintenance extends equipment life.
- Extra strings and drum heads: Consumables that wear out. Always have backups.
- Cable tester: Saves time diagnosing audio problems during gigs.
- Tuner and metronome: Essential for rehearsal and live tuning. Many phone apps exist, but a dedicated device is more reliable.
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What to Buy First vs Later
Don’t buy everything at once. You’ll waste money on gear you don’t use, and you learn what you actually need through experience.
- First priority: Your main instrument, basic cables, a gig bag, and a tuner. These are non-negotiable income generators.
- Early investment: Microphone and audio interface (if recording). A backup instrument. Microphone stand.
- Once gigging regularly: Amplifier, live microphones, stage cables, and power management gear.
- After establishing income: Studio monitors, acoustic treatment, professional DAW, and additional instruments for different genres or backup options.
- Optional/advanced: PA system rental partnerships (not ownership), mastering plugins, specialized microphones for different sources.
New vs Used Equipment
Budget is tight for most starting musicians. Buy new when it affects sound quality or reliability. Buy used when it’s durable and commodity-like.
Buy new: Cables (used cables often have intermittent shorts), microphones (reliability matters for paying clients), and your main instrument (playability and intonation directly affect your income). Audio interfaces should be new to ensure driver support and warranty coverage.
Buy used: Microphone stands, mic clips, cables organizers, gig bags, and instrument cases. Tube amps (they’re durable and used vintage amps have character). Older mixing consoles often outperform new budget units. Check used equipment thoroughly for damage, and buy from sellers with return policies when possible.
Reverb, eBay, and local Facebook groups often have better prices than Amazon for used gear. Test before buying if you can, and avoid anything with crackling audio issues or loose internal components.
Where to Buy
- Sweetwater: Music-focused retailer with gear guides, demo videos, and customer service. Often matches or beats Amazon on price.
- Guitar Center / Musician’s Friend: Large inventory, in-store browsing, and rental options. Used gear section available online and in stores.
- B&H Photo: Reliable for audio interfaces, microphones, and recording gear. Fast shipping and comprehensive specs.
- Reverb.com: Peer-to-peer marketplace for new and used equipment. Extensive selection, often cheaper than retailers.
- Local music shops: Support local business, test equipment before buying, and build relationships with people who know your market.
- eBay: Used equipment deals, but verify seller ratings and know return policies.
- Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist: Local deals, negotiate prices, but meet safely and test equipment on site.
- Manufacturer direct: Some brands sell directly at discounts or offer student/artist pricing. Check websites before retailers.