Five picks that pull you into the chair and keep you there
Gear That Makes You Want to Create
Five picks that pull you into the chair and keep you there.
| CTRL+Strum Picks | Why it makes the cut |
|---|---|
| Shure SM7B | Broadcast legend — instantly makes you look and sound like you belong in the studio. |
| Universal Audio Apollo Twin X | The box that turns a laptop into a full studio — pristine sound, iconic design. |
| AKAI MPK Mini Plus | Travel-sized beat lab with 37 keys, pads, sequencer, and CV/Gate — make music anywhere. |
| Audio-Technica ATH-M50x | Rugged, balanced studio headphones — equally at home in pro and bedroom studios. |
| Teenage Engineering PO-33 K.O.! | Pocket-sized sampler with a cult following — the toy that makes serious beats. |
1) Shure SM7B — The Broadcast King
The SM7B isn’t just a mic — it’s a rite of passage. Warm tone, forgiving on rough rooms, and that unmistakable look on camera. It’s the “sit down and make something” button.
Buy on Amazon2) Universal Audio Apollo Twin X — Laptop → Studio
Clean conversion, Unison preamps, and that brushed-metal “I’m serious” energy. The Apollo Twin X is a desk centerpiece that earns its real estate every session.
Buy on Amazon3) AKAI MPK Mini Plus — Beats in a Backpack
37 keys, pads, wheels, sequencer, and CV/Gate — small enough to travel, capable enough to finish ideas. Sketch on the couch, in the van, or at the gate.
Buy on Amazon4) Audio-Technica ATH-M50x — The Workhorse
Honest, durable, and comfortable. The M50x doesn’t hype your mix — it tells the truth. That’s why they’re everywhere from bedroom booths to big rooms.
Buy on Amazon5) Teenage Engineering PO-33 K.O.! — Pocket Chaos
Calculator looks, chaos-engine soul. Sample anything, sequence fast, and end up with gritty hooks you’ll loop for hours. It’s fun — and it ends up on records.
Buy on Amazon> Last note sent by Ben Tankersley