Production Gear is more powerful and accessible than ever, but it’s not the gear itself that makes great music. It’s ideas, taste, and practice combined with a solid kit that makes the messy process of creating a song much easier and more fun. So what trusted tools do the pro’s rely on everyday to craft some of this biggest songs in the biz? Good question. We’ve gone ahead and compiled an extensive list of studio staples so you feel like you’re right there in the studio checking out the setup of each producer on our list!
Finding Out What Gear They Use
It really takes some digging to uncover what top producers really use in a constantly changing and somewhat secretive studio environment. Of course, we’ve done our best to make sure that this article is as accurate as possible, but there’s certainly the possibility of error here.
Common Studio Tools for Producers
DAW
There’s a huge overlap in DAW’s chosen by the pros since there’s really only a few popular options. Here’s what we found:
- Ableton – Flume, Netsky, Dada Life, Kill Paris, Diplo, Wolfgang Gartner, Skrillex, Baauer, Flosstradamus, Bass Kleph, Deadmau5
- Logic – Disclosure, Hardwell, Flosstradamus (yes twice), Nicky Romero, Chocolate Puma, Boys Noize, Calvin Harris, David Guetta
- FL Studio – Martin Garrix, Porter Robinson, Afrojack, Avici, Camo & Krooked
- Cubase – Stimming, Breach, Sharooz, Noisia, Zedd
Synths
- Native Instruments Plugins and Sylenth seem to be crowd favorites no matter who you talk to.
- Komplete/Native Instruments plugins – Sharooz, Diplo, Dada Life, Camo & Krooked,Skrillex, Flume, Netsky, Nicky Romero, Boys Noize, Calvin Harris, Breach
- Sylenth – Martin Garrix, Hardwell, Camo & Krooked, Flume, Netsky, Dada Life, Afrojack
The Interesting Bit: Unique Gear & Setups
FLUME’S STUDIO SETUP
- DAW – Ableton
- Monitors – Barefoot Micromain 27, but he started with the popular KRK Rokit 8’s
- Studio Headphones – Sennheiser HD-600 (check out studio headphones in the DJTT Store)
- Soundcard – RME Fireface UCX
- Go to plugins – Sylenth because he “can make anything (with it)”
- Other Tools – Maschine MK2, Akai Apc 40, Teenage Engineering OP-1, Novation 25SL keyboard
- Production Secret – “I like NI Guitar Rig as an effect on things like vocals. I do that quite regularly. It’s great running things through the amps, and even if I’m not using much distortion you can get some really cool, different sounds.”
Flumes old home setup (2:00):
NETSKY STUDIO SETUP
- DAW – Ableton
- Monitors – Mackie HR824 which are popular with the Drum & Bass crowd due to their emphasis on bass
- Studio Headphones – Audeze LCD XC
- Soundcard – RME Fireface UFX
- Go to plugins – Omnisphere, Sylenth, , B4, Real Guitar
DISCLOSURE STUDIO SETUP
- DAW – Logic
- Monitors – Tannoy Reveal 6D Studio Monitors
- Soundcard – RME Fireface UCX
- Go to plugins – “We use a lot of logic synths and sample stuff from Access 24 and make our sounds on that.”
- Other tools – Moog Little Phatty, Roland Juno 106, and a Korg ms20
WOLFGANG GARTNER STUDIO SETUP
- DAW – Ableton (Looking for Ableton tips? Check out these 5 tips to revolutionize your workflow)
- Monitors – Tannoy Reveal 601a in the studio, Krk Rokit 8’s on his tour bus
- Studio Headphones – “I don’t produce in headphones.”
- Go to plugins -Waves Kramer Tape
- When mixing, what do you find the hardest thing to get sounding right? The low end: the way the kick and bass sit together – always has been, always will be. The solution for me ends up being a mix of side-chaining and multiband compression, but I still haven’t found any magic settings or combination of plugins. It’s always hard work to get it right, and the process is different for every track.
DADA LIFE STUDIO SETUP
- DAW – Ableton
- Monitors – Barefoot Micromain35 (a smaller version of Flumes speakers)
- Studio Headphones – Audeze (unspecified model) as well as the Sennheiser HD800
- Soundcard – RME Fireface UFX
- Go to plugins – Razor, Sylenth, Ableton plugins, and Sausage Fattener – a plugin created by Dada Life themselves.
- Other tools – “What’s the best piece of audio equipment you’ve got recently?!”
- “It’s this thing called SubPac, it’s basically a portable sub woofer that you can put against your chair (or wear) in the studio. So for us it’s great to be able to feel the bass in the studio like we can in the clubs. Plus it’s really fun to re-listen to all our old favorite records again and hear them in a different way”
KINK STUDIO SETUP
Bulgarian House master Kink creates quirky house with very unique gear.
- DAW – Jeskola Buzz, a free modular software.
- Monitors – Tannoy Reveal 6D Studio Monitors
- Go to synths -MFB 522 and a lot of analog gear
- Other tools – The Roland TR-8 (learn how to make music with the TR-8)
SHAROOZ STUDIO SETUP
- DAW – Cubase
- Monitors – Yahama NS-10 for the majority of the mixdown and Focal Twin 6BE for club translatability checks.
- Soundcard – Prism Sound Orpheus
- Go to synths -NI Komplete, Juno 106, The SH-101
- Other tools – “50% of what I use is analogue or classic vintage gear, the rest in the box.”
CAMO & KROOKED STUDIO SETUP
- DAW – Fl Studio
- Monitors – Neumann KH 310
- Studio Headphones – Audeze LCD 2
- Soundcard – Prism Orpheus
- Go to synths -FM8, Kontakt (part of Native instruments Komplete 11) Fab Filter pro-q , h82 harmonic maximizer, NuGen Stereoizer
- Other – “We only use soft synths. Hardware synthesizers are great, but we love a quick and easy workflow. And you can automate everything on a softsynth in a way you could never work with a hardware synth” However, Camo & Krooked did recently purchase a Dave Smith Prophet 08, and a Moog Sub37.
- Studio Secret – At 5:00 min on “peak-controlling” and optimizing your song for loudness
For producers working strictly on a computer, check out these productivity boosting apps to stay focused.
KILL PARIS STUDIO SETUP
- DAW – Ableton
- Monitors – Focal Solo 6Be
- Soundcard – UAD Apollo/Twin
- Go to synths -He uses analog synths like the Jupiter 80, Juno 106 with lots of processing
- Studio Secret – “Lots of UAD processing. Multiband comp and EQ BEFORE distortion.“
Further Reading: “Build Your Own Soft Mastering Chain”
HARDWELL STUDIO SETUP
- DAW – Logic
- Monitors – Focal SM9, Dyn Audio Bm6
- Studio Headphones – Beyerdynamic DT 770
- Soundcard – Apogee Quartet
- Go to synths – Virus TI, Sylenth, Nexus, BazziSM for designing kicks in every track
- Other – “It took me years and years to develop my ears, I listen to other producers, I read a lot of tutorials on the internet.” (it takes time to develop skills as a producer, you can save time by avoiding these 5 mistakes every beginner producer makes)
DIPLO STUDIO SETUP
- DAW – Ableton
- Monitors – Adam S3A
- Soundcard – Apogee Quartet
- Go to synths – Komplete, Battery, Massive
MARTIN GARRIX STUDIO SETUP
- DAW- Fl Studio
- Monitors – Krk Rokit 6
- Soundcard – Apogee Duet
- Go to synths – Ozone (Multiband compression and the maximizer), Sylenth, Nexus, Massive
FLOSSTRADAMUS STUDIO SETUP
This duo is pretty secretive about studio stuff, but we found one interesting bit about the way they work together.
- DAW – Ableton + Logic
- Other tools – They use a Midi Fighter 3D & Launchpad live, which we assume also gets some studio action.
- Studio Philosophy – Flosstradamus’ studio secret seems to be their complementary strengths, “Curt is an incredible engineer! And for years, his passion has been just to find plug-ins and things to mix the songs and make them sound huge. That’s not my strong point. My strong point is just to kind of have an idea and get it on the page and send it over to him and he will mix it and make it sound incredible.”
Flosstradamus was also featured in our “What Unique Gear Do Touring DJs/Producers Use”, see what they use on the road!
Wrap Up
What’s crazy here is that most of the pros are making music in their home studios! The tools of the trade are all within your reach. What’s that mean? Go make some music! Not sure where to start? Talk to our DJ/producers on live chat if you need some help figuring out the perfect setup for you! Or come visit us at our community space and store in San Francisco!
Help contribute to this article – list producers in this format in the comments and include photo or video proof
and we’ll add the most interesting and insightful comments to the article!
[…] Ableton Live 11 está diseñado para ser el mejor software de producción musical en macOS o Windows, que también se puede utilizar como una herramienta de actuación en vivo, lo que significa que es una de las plataformas de producción y actuación musical más versátiles disponibles. Si hay alguna indicación, artistas exitosos como Flume, Diplo y Deadmau5 utilizar Ableton Live. […]
[…] Ableton Live 11 is designed to be the best music production software on macOS or Windows, which can also be used as a live performance tool, meaning it’s one of the most versatile music production and performance platforms available. If it’s any indication, successful artists like Flume, Diplo, and Deadmau5 use Ableton Live. […]
[…] Ableton Live 11 is designed to be the best music production software on macOS or Home windows, which can be used as a live efficiency software, which means it’s probably the most versatile music production and efficiency platforms available. If it’s any indication, successful artists like Flume, Diplo, and Deadmau5 use Ableton Live. […]
[…] Ableton Live 11 is designed to be the best music production software on macOS or Windows, which can also be used as a live performance tool, meaning it’s one of the most versatile music production and performance platforms available. If it’s any indication, successful artists like Flume, Diplo, and Deadmau5 use Ableton Live. […]
[…] workstation (DAW) that allows you to record, edit and playback music tracks. Actually, Ableton did development is very popularIt has even been used by top artists like Skrillex, Flume and […]
[…] 5. What Unique Gear Do Top Producers Use? – DJ TechTools […]
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[…] Ableton Live 10 are digital audio programs used by professional producers around the world (like Skrillex and Calvin Harris, to name a few) to record, master, and sequence music. While it may seem intimidating to use such […]
[…] Live 10 are digital audio programs used by professional producers around the world (like Skrillex and Calvin Harris, to name a few) to record, master, and sequence music. While it may seem intimidating to use such […]
[…] Ableton Live 10 are digital audio programs used by professional producers around the world (like Skrillex and Calvin Harris, to name a few) to record, master, and sequence music. While it may seem intimidating to use such […]
[…] Ableton Live 10 are digital audio programs used by professional producers around the world (like Skrillex and Calvin Harris, to name a few) to record, master, and sequence music. While it may seem intimidating to use such […]
[…] Ableton Live 10 are digital audio programs used by professional producers around the world (like Skrillex and Calvin Harris, to name a few) to record, master, and sequence music. While it may seem intimidating to use such […]
[…] Ableton Live 10 are digital audio programs used by professional producers around the world (like Skrillex and Calvin Harris, to name a few) to record, master, and sequence music. While it may seem intimidating to use such […]
[…] Ableton Live 10 are digital audio programs used by professional producers around the world (like Skrillex and Calvin Harris, to name a few) to record, master, and sequence music. While it may seem intimidating to use such […]
[…] Ableton Live 10 are digital audio programs used by professional producers around the world (like Skrillex and Calvin Harris, to name a few) to record, master, and sequence music. While it may seem intimidating to use such […]
[…] Ableton Live 10 are digital audio programs used by professional producers around the world (like Skrillex and Calvin Harris, to name a few) to record, master, and sequence music. While it may seem intimidating to use such […]
[…] audio workstation (DAW) that lets you record, edit, and playback tracks. In fact, Ableton has grown so popular, that it has even been used by leading artists like Skrillex, Flume, and […]
[…] Artists such as Diplo, Skrillex, Deadmau5, and Flosstradamus have used Ableton in their personal studios. […]
Most of these guys don’t even produce music, but they pay to ghost producers.This article is shitz…
how do you know?
A lot of them produce much better then all of us so once you are that big, then talk shit
New Home Studio Setup From Croatia
Powered Whit Power AMP Arcam 290P (Upgrade electronic boost up)
Quad Monitoring Passive 80 RMS and Warfedale Diamond 8.2 also Passive for check up another style of FLAT music :
DAW :Cubase5.0,Reason5.0,PreSonus Studio One 3,Fruity Loops 12,Rewire also all combination setup.
Sound Card Focusire Saffire Pro 40 8in 8out
Midi Controllers : Arturia Analog Factory Expirience,
CME 61 key,and
Korg Micro Controller
DSP :Liquid Mix 16
A lot Of VSt-i special Reaktor,Native Instruments,Arturia V collection and Reason Reffils
Hardware Synts :
Roland Tb Aira TR-8,
Yamaha Motif MO6,
Analog Akai Timbre Wolf
Dave Smith Mopho and Minibrute Synt
We produce electronic Psy Trance Goa Music and also many other style House Techno Ambiental Dub Roots Reagge
more info and music for goa trance project https://soundcloud.com/ezoterica
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/bd445ed4708928bb1dfe99e1c4ea1a552832a7fc6ca44d33604dc08fda0092be.jpg
New Home Studio Setup From Croatia
Powered Whit Power AMP Arcam 290P (Upgrade electronic boost up)
Quad Monitoring Passive 80 RMS and Warfedale Diamond 8.2 also Passive for check up another style of FLAT music : https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/bd445ed4708928bb1dfe99e1c4ea1a552832a7fc6ca44d33604dc08fda0092be.jpg )
DAW :Cubase5.0,Reason5.0,PreSonus Studio One 3,Fruity Loops 12,Rewire also all combination setup.
Sound Card Focusire Saffire Pro 40 8in 8out
Midi Controllers : Arturia Analog Factory Expirience,
CME 61 key,and
Korg Micro Controller
DSP :Liquid Mix 16
A lot Of VSt-i special Reaktor,Native Instruments,Arturia V collection and Reason Reffils
Hardware Synts :
Roland Tb Aira TR-8,
Yamaha Motif MO6,
Analog Akai Timbre Wolf
Dave Smith Mopho and Minibrute Synt
We produce electronic Psy Trance Goa Music and also many other style House Techno Ambiental Dub Roots Reagge
more info and music for goa trance project https://soundcloud.com/ezoterica
[…] Keep Reading: Want to know what gear top producers are using the studio? […]
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[…] What Unique Gear Do Top Producers … – DJ TechTools The largest community for DJ and producer techniques, tutorials, and tips. Traktor secrets, controller reviews, a massive MIDI mapping library … […]
[…] What Unique Gear Do Top Producers … – DJ TechTools The largest community for DJ and producer techniques, tutorials, and tips. Traktor secrets, controller reviews, a massive MIDI mapping library … […]
[…] What Unique Gear Do Top Producers … – DJ TechTools The largest community for DJ and producer techniques, tutorials, and tips. Traktor secrets, controller reviews, a massive MIDI mapping library … […]
this is incorrect
“Go to synths -He uses analog synths like the Jupiter 80, Juno 106 with lots of processing”
the jupiter 80 is not an analog synth, it is a VI; virtual analog/digital.
I happen to know for a fact Diplo uses a UAD Apollo for soundcard.
Here’s my setup!
I run Ableton on my MBP 2013 (1TB SSD w 16GB Ram) – runs out to two 27″ monitors.
I use Nexus and Sylenth for my synths. Subboom Bass, Kickstart, Sausage Fattener, are a few of my other favorite VSTs.
I use a pair of Yamaha HS8s, and will use my DJing headphones (Pioneer HDJ 2000) when I’ve gotta keep it down 😉
I have a Luanchkey 49 and a Launchpad to sketch out things, but I prefer to draw in all my midi.
hey man! how did you hook up 2 monitors to your macbook?
I’m running one monitor from my thunderbolt to HDMI (left), and the other from USB to Hdmi. The USB/HDMI one isn’t very clean (the adapter was about $80), and it tends to lag a bit. However, the best way to go about linking two monitors is with Thunderbolt hub (you can find them from 100$-300$)
nice studio but what about soundproofing 🙁
It’s depressive the promotion to all those plastic producers from djtechtools ….. Talk about real musicians .
Next time maybe use producers who know how to position their monitors correctly. Some really nasty setups on display here!
I’d Love to list Proxys gear but he has so much it would take forever.
DEMM GOD 😀 blast my mind man 😀 whoooo
I understand that it isn’t a full fledged DAW, but doesn’t anyone pattern in Machine?
afcorse 🙂 is very good and fast patterns make special for techno house groooves
Most of this gear isn’t that ‘unique’ to begin with
What about the Artists that use Propellerhead’s Reason?
I actually decided a month or so ago that I was walking away from Reason after a decade of use. I don’t know anyone IRL who uses Reason, at best it seems it is just a synth for Ableton these days.
There’s a lot of great production interviews with Shadow Child (UK House/Garage producer signed to Dirtybird) on YouTube showing how he uses Reason, check them out.
Awesome article, interesting to see the difference in choices between professionals
Avicii is a FL studio user; Sylenth and nexus synths, as well as image line VCX vocoders… His video on future music (year 2011/2012) was the first one to make me go into producing!! I would say thanks to him, since I’m having lots of great time learning about it since that!
I thought Diplo just used a douche to make his shitty music
Maybe that’s why he’s on tour all the time and you’re just sitting on the internet doing what everyone else does to criticize successful people.
Being on tour all the time doesn’t qualify as a great artist. Have enough stupid followers and it will thrive.
One really important tool that Dada Life uses is their Samson D1500 Real Time Analyzer. Gives them a hardware read-out of the audio spectrum, separate from their software; functions like a third ear for them, among other uses.
[…] Article By: Ross Difuria Site: djtechtools.com […]
could you guys write an article about budget STUDIO headphones? Most of the ones mentioned here are $1000+.
If you’re going to invest into a studio setup, it’s usually better to get monitors. In my experience if it sounds good on monitors then it will sound good on headphones. The reverse definitely isn’t true.
Unfortunately, I only have time to produce late at night when everyone else is asleep.
Audio Technica ATH-M50 and Sony MDR 7506 are my go to for 100 dollar budget studio monitor headphones
I have used both, and both are brilliant… I love the new m50x’s
i’ve been wondering about the new ones… any clue as to what the big difference is (other than style)?
branding, they cool cool. not much else. they have mini versions now lol.
Hey, i know this is old, but can you say if the m50x’s are significantly better than the mdrs? and worth the extra $?
(I also saw the m70s just came out as well..)
both are good. i personally like the m50x’s better, but its mostly down to personal choice
My studio:
Krk (6) – 250
sound treatment (bass trap and acoustic board) – 250
midi keyboard – 70
desk – 40
chairs – 100
dell keyboard – 8
apple bluetooth trackpad – 50
monitor – 80
Leds – 50
about $900 for a really sick studio
if you have any questions etc. email me (djafnyc@gmail.com)
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/eef9c4f8c081b0ad916e36535d59d544a3ae18a9503f7969c21eacf17b246da2.jpg