Ever feel like your computer is the weakest link in your music-making chain? Maybe your tracks stutter, your plugins crash, or you spend more time waiting than creating. You’re not alone! Choosing the right desktop for music production can feel like navigating a maze. There are so many choices, and picking the wrong one can kill your creative flow.
This topic is important because a powerful desktop is a musician’s best friend. It lets you record, mix, and master your songs without problems. The pain comes when you have to pick between processors, RAM, and storage. Plus, you have to think about your budget! Making the wrong choice can be a frustrating and costly mistake.
In this post, we’ll cut through the confusion. You’ll learn what to look for in a music production desktop. We’ll explain important terms in a way that’s easy to understand. By the end, you’ll be able to choose a desktop that fits your needs and budget. You’ll be one step closer to making the music you’ve always dreamed of. So, let’s dive in!
Our Top 5 Desktop For Music Production Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Desktop For Music Production Detailed Reviews
1. PreSonus Eris 3.5 Studio Monitors
Rating: 8.9/10
The PreSonus Eris 3.5 Studio Monitors are small speakers that pack a big sound. They are perfect for making music, listening to music, or just enjoying your computer audio. These active monitor speakers offer clear, accurate sound. They have a big low end and lots of connections, making them a great choice for many users.
What We Like:
- Delivers studio-quality sound.
- Has a tight bass you can feel.
- Compact speakers that are powerful.
- Wide listening sweet spot.
- Lots of connections for different devices.
- You can tune the sound to fit your room.
- Easy to use headphone output.
- Can add a subwoofer for more bass.
- Saves power when not in use.
What Could Be Improved:
- None mentioned in the features.
The PreSonus Eris 3.5 Studio Monitors are an excellent choice for anyone looking for great sound. They are easy to use and offer many helpful features. You can easily enjoy your music with these speakers.
2. Dell Precision 3620 / T3620 Entry Level Music Production Workstation PC
Rating: 9.0/10
The Dell Precision T3620 is a renewed workstation PC made for music production. It comes with an Intel i7-6700 processor. This computer has plenty of power for making music. It also includes 32GB of RAM and a fast 512GB SSD for the operating system and programs. A large 2TB HDD is included for storing music files. The computer runs on Windows 10 Professional.
What We Like:
- The i7 processor is fast. This is good for running music software.
- 32GB of RAM helps with large music projects.
- The SSD makes the computer boot up quickly.
- The 2TB HDD gives you lots of space for your music files.
- It has multiple display ports.
What Could Be Improved:
- The graphics card is not for gaming.
- It is a renewed PC, so it might have some wear and tear.
Overall, the Dell Precision T3620 is a good option for beginner music producers. It offers a lot of power for the price.
3. Ortizan C7 Dual-Mode 2.0 Studio Monitors
Rating: 9.3/10
The Ortizan C7 Dual-Mode 2.0 Studio Monitors are active monitor speakers perfect for music production, gaming, and general use. These bookshelf speakers offer multiple ways to connect. You can use Bluetooth, RCA, AUX, and even a balanced input. They’re designed to give you clear and accurate sound. The speakers aim to provide a balanced listening experience for your audio needs.
What We Like:
- Multiple input options like RCA, Bluetooth 5.3, and AUX give you flexibility.
- The built-in 24-bit DAC helps provide high-quality sound.
- The 3.5-inch carbon fiber speaker and 0.75-inch silk dome tweeter offer a good sound.
- Professional tuning ensures accurate audio reproduction.
- The balanced input lets you connect with professional audio equipment.
What Could Be Improved:
- Some users may find the size a bit large for small spaces.
- The sound quality may not satisfy professional audio engineers.
In conclusion, the Ortizan C7 speakers are a solid choice for those wanting good sound quality and connection options. If you need versatile speakers for your home or studio, consider these.
4. Akai Professional MPK Mini Plus – USB MIDI Keyboard Controller with 37 Mini Keys
Rating: 8.8/10
The Akai Professional MPK Mini Plus is a powerful little music-making machine. It’s a USB MIDI keyboard controller with 37 mini keys. It also has 8 MPC pads, a sequencer, and lots of connection options. You can hook it up to your computer or other music gear. Plus, it comes with music software and sounds to get you started. This compact controller gives you a lot of creative control in a small package.
What We Like:
- Full creative control with 37 keys. You can play melodies and chords easily.
- Connect to anything! Use the USB port to connect to your computer. It also has MIDI and CV/Gate I/O.
- NKS Integration for Native Instruments. You can easily control their software.
- Choose a free Native Instruments sound pack. Pick from three different bundles.
- Make music without a computer. It has a built-in sequencer.
- Control your DAW. Use the transport controls for easy recording.
- 8 MPC pads are great for playing drums and creating beats.
- 8 rotary knobs help you control your sounds.
- MPC Beats software is included. It’s easy to make music right away.
- Get a free month of Splice. You can download lots of samples.
What Could Be Improved:
- The mini keys might feel small for some players.
The Akai MPK Mini Plus is a fantastic tool for music makers of all levels. It is packed with features and gives you a lot of creative freedom. This is an excellent choice if you want a portable and powerful MIDI controller.
5. PreSonus AudioBox 96 25th Anniversary Studio Recording Bundle with Studio One Artist DAW Music Production Software
Rating: 9.2/10
The PreSonus AudioBox 96 25th Anniversary Studio Recording Bundle is a complete home recording studio in a box! It has everything you need to start making music. This bundle is perfect for singers, musicians, and anyone who wants to record audio. It comes with a powerful audio interface, a microphone, headphones, and music-making software. You get all the tools to create professional-sounding recordings right away.
What We Like:
- It has everything you need to start recording.
- The AudioBox USB 96 interface is strong and reliable.
- The M7 microphone works well for many different instruments and vocals.
- The HD7 headphones let you hear your music clearly.
- You get Studio One Artist and Studio Magic software for free. This is a big bonus!
- All the cables and a mic stand are included.
What Could Be Improved:
- Some users may want more advanced features.
- The included software may have a learning curve for beginners.
The PreSonus AudioBox 96 bundle is a great way to get started. It gives you professional-quality tools at a reasonable price. If you want to record music at home, this is a solid choice.
Desktop for Music Production: Your Guide to Making Hits!
You want to make music? Awesome! You will need a good desktop computer. This guide will help you pick the best one for your needs. Let’s dive in!
Key Features to Look For
Your computer needs to handle lots of things. Music production needs a powerful machine. Here are the important things to look for:
1. The Brains: The CPU (Central Processing Unit)
The CPU is the computer’s brain. It does all the thinking. Get a CPU with many cores. More cores mean your computer can run many things at once. This is super important for music production. You will use many programs at the same time.
2. Fast Memory: RAM (Random Access Memory)
RAM is like your desk. It holds the things you are working on right now. Get at least 16GB of RAM. 32GB or more is even better! This helps your music software run smoothly. It will prevent your computer from slowing down.
3. Storage Space: SSD (Solid State Drive) and HDD (Hard Disk Drive)
You need space to store your music files. Use an SSD for your operating system (Windows or macOS) and your music software. SSDs are very fast. Use an HDD for storing your music files and samples. HDDs are cheaper and hold more files.
4. Powerful Graphics: The GPU (Graphics Processing Unit)
The GPU isn’t as important for music production as the CPU and RAM. However, a decent graphics card is still helpful. This will help your computer run smoothly. It will also help if you use plugins that need a lot of graphics power.
5. Ports and Connections
Make sure your computer has enough USB ports. You will need them for your audio interface, MIDI keyboard, and other devices. Also, make sure it has an Ethernet port for internet.
Important Materials
The stuff your computer is made of matters. Good materials mean a good computer.
1. The Case
The case holds everything together. Choose a case that has good airflow. This helps keep your computer cool. A cool computer runs better.
2. The Power Supply
The power supply gives your computer electricity. Make sure it has enough power for all your parts. A bad power supply can damage your computer.
3. The Motherboard
The motherboard connects all the computer parts. Choose a motherboard that is compatible with your CPU and RAM.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Some things make a computer better. Other things make it worse.
1. Quality Improves With:
- Fast CPU and lots of cores.
- Plenty of RAM (16GB or more).
- A fast SSD for the operating system.
- A good power supply.
- Good cooling to prevent overheating.
2. Quality Reduces With:
- A slow CPU.
- Not enough RAM.
- A slow hard drive for the operating system.
- A cheap power supply.
- Poor cooling.
User Experience and Use Cases
How will you use this computer? Think about it!
1. Making Music
This is the main use case. You will use music software like Ableton Live, FL Studio, or Logic Pro X. You will use plugins (virtual instruments and effects). Your computer needs to handle all this without slowing down.
2. Recording Audio
You will connect an audio interface to record vocals, instruments, and more. Make sure your computer has enough USB ports for your audio interface.
3. Editing and Mixing
You will edit your recordings and mix them to sound great. This takes a lot of processing power. A fast CPU and plenty of RAM are essential.
4. Collaboration
You might collaborate with other musicians online. Your computer needs a good internet connection. You might also share your music files. Make sure you have enough storage space.
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered!
Q: What is an audio interface?
A: An audio interface is a device that connects your microphone, instruments, and speakers to your computer. It helps to get better sound quality.
Q: How much RAM do I really need?
A: 16GB is the minimum. 32GB is better. This will help prevent your computer from freezing up.
Q: Do I need a super-expensive graphics card?
A: No, a high-end graphics card is not essential for music production. Focus on a good CPU and RAM.
Q: What’s the difference between an SSD and an HDD?
A: An SSD is much faster than an HDD. Use an SSD for your operating system and music software. Use an HDD for your files.
Q: Can I build my own computer?
A: Yes, you can! Building your own computer can save you money. You can also pick the exact parts you want.
Q: What operating system is best for music production?
A: Both Windows and macOS are good. Choose the one you like best.
Q: How important is a good monitor?
A: A good monitor is important. You will spend a lot of time looking at it. Get a monitor that is big enough and has good picture quality.
Q: What about a keyboard and mouse?
A: Get a comfortable keyboard and mouse. You will use them a lot.
Q: Should I get a laptop instead of a desktop?
A: Desktops are usually more powerful for the same price. They are also easier to upgrade. Laptops are portable.
Q: Where should I buy my computer?
A: You can buy from online retailers or from a local computer store. Compare prices and read reviews before you buy.
In conclusion, every product has unique features and benefits. We hope this review helps you decide if it meets your needs. An informed choice ensures the best experience.
If you have any questions or feedback, please share them in the comments. Your input helps everyone. Thank you for reading.