Section · 1 guide
Home Studio Gear for Free-Software Producers
This hub covers the hardware around your open-source tools: microphones, audio interfaces, studio monitors, headphones and MIDI keyboards. It is written for producers recording and mixing in Ardour, LMMS, Audacity and similar software, with a particular focus on gear that runs reliably on Linux without proprietary drivers.
Class-compliant audio interfaces
Our interface guides focus on USB devices that follow the USB Audio Class standard, so they work through ALSA, JACK and PipeWire with no vendor driver to install.
Microphones for home recording
We explain how dynamic, condenser and USB microphones differ, which type suits vocals, instruments or spoken word in an untreated room, and when a simple USB mic is the smarter buy.
Monitors and headphones
You'll get practical advice on choosing studio monitors and closed or open-back headphones that give you an honest picture of your mix in a small space.
MIDI keyboards and controllers
These pages cover class-compliant USB MIDI keyboards and pad controllers, including how to map them to software synths and DAWs such as Ardour, Qtractor and Zrythm.
Latest in Home Studio Gear
Do you need a mic preamp for home recording
For most home recording, you do not need a separate mic preamp. Your audio interface already has one built in, and a…