Minimalist Music Production Set Up | APARTMENT MUSIC STUDIO | Budget Home Music Studio Tour

Been producing with a laptop and headphones for a few years now and I finally decided to set up an actual music studio! We live in a 490 sqft apartment so I tried to keep it very minimal and on a tight budget.
My equipment in this video
Audio Interface: (Scarlett 2i4) amzn.to/38Ooqo6
Studio Monitors: (JBL 305p MKII) amzn.to/37tfxjw
Monitor Cables: (Cablecreation 2pk, 6ft) amzn.to/39Bo59a
Midi Keyboard: (AKAI MPK Mini MKII) amzn.to/2GnrNWH
Microphone: (Audio Technica AT2020) amzn.to/2RvrKi9
Microphone/Camera Tripod: (Amazon Basics) amzn.to/2RqE2Ik
Microphone to Camera Tripod Screw Adapter: amzn.to/2TfvHZ3
Pop Filter: (InnoGear) amzn.to/2tU1S6i
XLR Cable: (Amazon Basics) amzn.to/2O0siKD
Headphone Extender: (Cmple) amzn.to/38HxpXQ
Headphones: (Tascam TH-02) amzn.to/37o04kF
Headphone Splitter: (Hosa) amzn.to/39AsN6P
Headphone Hangers (2 pack, Geekria) amzn.to/30Rw0LS
Total cost of all gear shown: $534. Amount of money I spent: $454 (Because I already owned the midi keyboard) By far the most expensive things are the microphone, speakers, and audio interface. $370 for those three items alone.
--- Follow Us On Social Media ---
Instagram: / joshandkatietech
Josh's Twitter: / joshuakcockrell
Discord: / discord
TikTok: vm.tiktok.com/ZMJmd6UYV
--- Shop Our Editing Equipment ---
Editing/Coding Laptop (MacBook Pro 13 inch): amzn.to/2VDEQw5
Everyday Editing Headphones (Sennheiser HD 559) amzn.to/38bcMms
Final Master Editing Headphones (Sennheiser HD 660S): amzn.to/2Tfb3Iz
--- Shop Our Camera Equipment ---
Camera (iPhone 11 256GB) amzn.to/3aqVcw9
Camera App (Filmic Pro) apps.apple.com/us/app/filmic-...
Camera Microphone (Rode VideoMicro): amzn.to/32Kju1v
Camera Lenses (Moment iPhone Lenses): bit.ly/moment-lense-josh-and-k...
--- Where We Get Our Music ---
/ @clubdecobeats781
--- Other Social Media Links ---
Josh's Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/0T24z...
Josh's Soundcloud: / clubdeco

[@JoshandKatie]

Update: I also did a studio tour of my friend's PROFESSIONAL LA music studio. Check it out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g2m2cpxvhMdrm9U

[@SovereignMediaGroup]

What kind of laptop do you use?

[@Zangetsu2662]

Фак

[@Zangetsu2662]

РОССИЯ РОССИЯ РОССИЯ РОССИЯ.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@johnjohn6669]

Plz 🙏 help me I have a childhood dream to become musicians but unfortunately i born in poor family which i can't effort to buy these things

[@Leatricethelyricist]

@NexGen productions ok

[@alfusmusic7330]

_Let's all take a brief moment to acknowledge his minimalistically aesthetic desk and the space around_

[@JoshandKatie]

😎

[@DOOMskyetv]

To those new producers and mixing engineers watching: make sure you DO NOT have your reference monitors directly on the table like this, have them on risers or better yet standalone mount/stands. This will help get a more accurate representation of your mix. If you can, also do not place them right in front of a wall, try to give some space between the back of the woofer and any surface.

[@JoshandKatie]

so true! Listen to this guy!

[@bretramkeymusic4743]

As someone who’s wife wants things to look clean and neat, this was a great little video to look me stay super minimalist!

[@terridugas7081]

You two are audio angels who came to this world to save me! I love the support team relationship yall hv! The idea to put the mic in the closet is flawless! I had to figure all this out, put together a sound room in a day w/ all the list of problems I hv been going thru lk getting robbed! But I send y’all blessings because the two of u r helping to mk my dreams come true in my audio engineering program……I also felt you on putting ur first studio together #there’s no other feeling

[@blockkboyz729]

This is the best review out of everything I've search on KZbin. You get my vote

[@theoneandonlybright6145]

THIS VIDEO MAKES ME HAPPY! Some true love for everything I see in this video and for your wife! :))) thank you for the positivity!

[@gabet5247]

The place to put headphones is brilliant. Crazy we have the same set up, I use rockerville 8 inch wood monitor stands too. Really made a difference in my studio.

[@JoshandKatie]

Wood monitor stand sounds awesome!

[@GPPU]

I don't care what anybody says. I loved this. Your practical creativity is off the charts!

[@DenisIgua]

I love your set up and your honesty in sharing your skill. Pleased to see Katie help.

[@kingcopper_tz]

I love your set up, I love how your fiancee is helping you. also you have a talent . producer from Tanzania

[@kho_dawg]

Y'all Have Great Energy, God Bless You Guys ❤️❤️

[@JustForFun-ix3ih]

Man you are a really humble person ❤

[@amrk21]

This guy works in Twitter and has music studio and good life . Mashallah .. all the best bro ♥️

[@PSYD0M]

lol - Fool!

[@juanisimo7]

I'm glad for your progress! I try the same, and it is very comforting when you can get new things, you just have to be patient. Congrats!

[@JoshandKatie]

Thank you!

[@shanem4489]

Love it! Love the minimal aesthetic and really tidy nature of your set-up. The biggest suggestion would be that the area behind your head be padded with absorbent material in your vocal booth. You'll get some reflections coming off the hard wall going straight into the sensitive side of your mic. All the best! - Shane

[@ninjakidcarlson5640]

MNJJJJKJKIIpv

[@SnuffGunnion]

I like to see young artists getting it together!!!. Nice job. I was smiling through the entire video. That's rare. Good luck.

[@EvanStark1994]

I never thought to sing in the closet before!! Sometimes I'll stand in my bathtub facing the walls to get some natural reverb

[@GaliciaSekulska]

lol me too 🤣

[@JoshandKatie]

Oh that’s a cool idea!

[@puellobeats]

even big time studio producers would use a closet or travel with thick heavy blankets and set it up in a room. its not always a expensive studio

[@luk3worm478]

He's doing just what I've planned for my future...good to see a fellow human do something just like what I wanna do ...I can follow you 😊😉...I wanted to become a programmer earning some good money...some part of which I'll invest in music accesories... Y'all don't know that I'm 17 and a music producer with one of my songs having 5k+ streams on Spotify... I love this guy now 👏😉

[@bigniko7760]

The closet idea is just perfect for home studio

[@neva2black]

I actually live in a closet, so this is perfect 👌🏽

[@Subholik3]

yes

[@Subholik3]

@@neva2black XD

[@jimmyvila4443]

I have nice looking recording studio. Personally I love the very simple looking recording studios. A nice clean huge wide monitor, 15in macbook pro with with a good interface. If it's done right with the right equipment it will give it a Pro clean looking vibe to it. Personally I work much better this way able to move around and have room to breath. If it's too busy looking your focused will be interrupted with all this hardware laying around.

[@learnfromraj]

Happy to see how supportive is your fiancé. God bless both of you

[@AndrewBishop1971]

I have never seen your channel before, I just stumbled across it as it came up as a suggestion while I was watching videos on MIDI interfaces! I love the studio hope it works out well for you and you don't annoy the neighbours too often :) Love&regards from the UK.

[@JoshandKatie]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@JoseFlores-be8bw]

You shop bargain but you still get quality. That’s the way to go!

[@NethanDCmusic]

This is prolly the best set up and the best video on this topic!! THANKS JOSH

[@markwells79]

Solid bro. I am just getting started. This is helpful!

[@JoshandKatie]

Thanks for watching! Glad to help!

[@SPARSHTANDON]

My girl also supports my Music like this.! bless her and bless couples like you , who support and help each other grow.!

[@thedude4594]

I’ve never had any support. 💩

[@ankitvijaykummar]

Really good to see small spaces shld nt restrict ur dream of a home studio, this was fun to watch and follow, keep it up guys

[@imanniii]

she's so supportive awww

[@patrickfarley8036]

Not just everyone in the complex, Kate! 😂 just messin'! 😉

[@HifyTech]

I just got my setup similar to yours and this video is still inspiring me

[@JoshandKatie]

Awesome!! Great setup.

[@5966ramesh]

Great Video. Thank you. I have been composing music with audacity for the past 10 years. Now I want to set up a small studio. Your video gave me good ideas. Thanks.

[@felipealejandro4967]

Thanks for sharing this set up! The idea of cancelling noise with clothes makes sense and also using the that closet space

[@SaiDinesh752]

Hey that's awesome man...It's quit better than a large music studio🙂❤

[@JoshandKatie]

Yeah it’s been great! Thanks for watching.

[@cannonballmike]

Great tips! I never thought about the closet as a sound booth.

[@cimone4622]

I’m inspired I’ve had my equipment for a while an my apt size about the same w a 3 year old but this is the first video that made since for my home THANK YOU !

[@brochinton8434]

Exactly my mission with a 3 year old too

[@stonybuckner9928]

Pretty need tips and good to see a married couple working together like this. I'm a home producer also the closet works pretty well depending on mic settings headphone clarity latency etc.. Keep on creating yall

[@sergecarrillo6185]

OK I got to be honest, as soon as the video started I was like oh God I’m about to skip this video.... And here I am middle of the video loving every second of it. Sweet setup!

[@JoshandKatie]

haha! i got to work on my intro's apparently. Thanks man!

[@DrAdnan]

This was great to see, and seems realistic on a budget- nice video!

[@JoshandKatie]

Thanks for watching!

[@madebysuperstar]

I loved the vocal booth idea. Way more better than nothing!

[@zaynoxrayne4729]

I can not explain how personally direct this video was for me. Thanks man.

[@JoshandKatie]

Glad it helped!

[@memre123]

Nice set up. My "booth" is a little room adjacent to the "studio" full of clothes and soft stuff. It's nearly totally noiseless. One additional thing I do when I'm on my own and have to sing, is to use an Android tablet and connect to the main computer with Teamviewer. This gives me fullscreen view of the DAW in the studio hence I can control all the functions of the main computer from the "booth". Works perfectly.

[@JoshandKatie]

Thanks for sharing!

[@woundedbeats5666]

Josh: plugs in speakers and plays music Katie: That's pretty loud Josh Josh: dancing to the music Katie: that's loud Josh: continues to dance Katie: *Josh that really loud*

[@JoshandKatie]

Favorite comment right here.

[@vipulpangadi2811]

@@JoshandKatie I am from india

[@official6arz]

I'm the artist but my wife is the wild one with volumes. I feel she's inconsiderate... But so are the freaking neighbors 😂

Best investment is a kaotica ball for your mic ;)

[@official6arz]

@ Wtf... Smh. I was watching a video a friend did on Facebook and I couldn't remember the name of the Mic he was using and later the same day you leave a reply to someone else. IT WAS A KAOTICA MIC... THE UNIVERSE IS AMAZING!! 💪 THANKS!!

[@oh.my.gut.ed.]

LOL...@3:53...When she is trying to tell Josh that "that's pretty loud, babe!"...but he is soooo excited and has no care in the world! Priceless!

[@judsonchristudas]

No more budget issue for my new studio after seeing this video. Thank you guys

[@JoshandKatie]

You’re welxomeb

[@mercyashley8679]

very nice, am actually saving up to have something like this

[@JoshandKatie]

Make it happen!

[@Uke-Songs01]

Thank you so much , I have been going in circles trying to find out how to do this and what everything does on my little mixer. Your tutorial is the only one that has made any sense to me. Its as if everyone speaks a different language, they all seem to take it for granted that you already know what these knobs and buttons are for. Excellent tutorial Josh, I 'get it' at last. You are a brilliant teacher

[@JoshandKatie]

Hey thanks 😊

[@JoshandKatie]

Glad to help

[@PopKMedia]

100 each for those speakers is an incredible deal. They are really amazing. 10/10 would reccomend.

[@alexiadewald4535]

Brilliant! Love your vibes!

[@AleZayas]

Hey. Great build. I feel like the mic situation is less than ideal, a couple of ideas for it are: I have a Shure dynamic mic for scratch vocals because it's something I know I can have in my desk drawer without any problem. Or you could also clamp the condenser mic to the one of the shelves and that way save a lot of space! I really like the hooks for the headphones tho, I'm implementing it for my own home studio.

[@JoshandKatie]

Hey those are some great ideas. Thanks for watching!

[@tonyyoungblood1165]

I recorded 4 songs out of the closet and they sounded just as good as the other songs ( after the mix down and mastering )

[@JoshandKatie]

hmmm... good tip

[@mandlathobejane2431]

This is by far the best budget home studio video I've seen. You just got my sub❤❤👍🔥🔥🔥

[@99tunesforyou_michelle_wright]

That tripod as mic stand trick is fantastic . Especially since you found the adapter to make it work. Thanks!

[@karlbryant9242]

Thanks josh, i am trying to build my own home studio to record my songs

[@JoshandKatie]

You got this!!

[@kmiles1227]

The first 20 seconds were very relatable lol

[@JoshandKatie]

Finally. Someone gets me.

[@Difrentstyles]

@@JoshandKatie any links where we can hear your music ?

[@peteyb5150]

I've built expensive studios over the years.. I hate to say it.. but Yes! This can work. This is how some very successful producers work now..

[@RyMichaelB]

Shout out to you man, I definitely waited for black Friday once you said that and sure enough I was able to get a pair for $200, thanks for that advice!

[@dtonesmith766]

Your studio is very clean! Needs more cables hanging around everywhere ☺️

[@JoshandKatie]

Yeah I gotta step it up!

[@tracyschnurr8685]

You do the best you can with the space you have. Very enjoyable to watch. Try and raise your monitors a bit higher to ear level and perhaps a little sound absorption behind them on wall. Have fun....if the neighbors complain just promise them you will put them on the guest list when you are famous.

[@JoshandKatie]

Already got one sound complaint so my guest list is gonna get pretty big 😂 Yeah those are some good ideas. I will probably get some sound panels next. Thanks for watching!

[@SpringLeafWolf]

Josh and Katie I agree with Tracy and id like to add on. If you’re working on a budget you can add a couple folded wash clothes under the speakers for sound dampening until you can raise them up the ear level. Amazon sells foam pads that you add around the room and behind the speakers for further acoustic treatment. Nice set up! Keep up the great work!

[@williamcarter361]

I am currently writing lyrics for my mates band but they are having difficulties with production costs of a professional studio. This video has been a big help.

[@gladwynpeter2728]

Wonderful josh and Katie , I like the way explain the things

[@FoxyNirvana]

I think I went wrong somewhere with my set up.... seriously though that’s really epic on a small studio set up .... I think with the money you are saving get some decent closed back headphones ...studio monitors great... closet is just dandy ... camera tri pod awesome idea! Camera work great... Top notch video 😎✌️

[@JoshandKatie]

Hey thanks man! I appreciate you taking the time to watch. Yeah, nice closed back headphones would be an awesome upgrade to have. I have some nice open back headphones but they aren’t super practical. What did you do wrong with your setup?

[@FoxyNirvana]

Josh and Katie way too much gear over my time ..:. I need a bigger studio Lol ... a great video you both did yourselves proud ... ✌️🙏💫

[@Jessica-wo1cq]

I’ve been building my setup trying to have it like this for 2 years and finally done with it!! I’m 13 btw music is so fun to make

[@soccer7105]

Elijah Kurk is it just finance or like you just can’t figure it out??

[@JoshandKatie]

I've been building my set up over the years-- Christmas and birthday presents every year :)

[@leveloneej1858]

@@JoshandKatie nice

[@StephenOshea]

great video , yes the neighbours need to be kind and understanding . great set up indeed

[@jaywahmusic]

I love it. Budget friendly, but still pretty good quality.

[@tnleverett]

I really enjoyed watching you set this up. Well done! My favorite part was the use of the closet. That was brilliant! How are the neighbors coping, so far? Lol

[@deadlockmusic7685]

Best couples 🤗🤗

[@JoshandKatie]

😊😊

[@deadlockmusic7685]

@@JoshandKatie i love your videos you both are the best one on youtube. No drama, No arguments, Only love and music😍😍

[@prodigalus]

yes!! 💕 they're so happy. i'll have whatever they're having. 😂

[@spacedaddy5517]

These minimalist studios are great, should be even better in the future.

[@nnamdibryant6177]

Thanks Man!! U really helped Educated me on reasonable equipment I need for my home studio I'm building.

[@kenjixmusic]

Budget problem is not with studio, it's with *PLUGINSSS!!*

[@JoshandKatie]

Haha TRUE! I tried to give you budget gear options so you could actually put that money towards the Omnisphere purchase 😉

[@kenjixmusic]

@@JoshandKatie Lol I'm a teenage producer, I'm only 14. I'll try to purchase any. Btw thanks for your video keep it up.^^ and try to turn down volume when Katie says so 😂

[@PURPL808]

@@kenjixmusic im 14 too...just go to legionmuzik and download omni for free lol

[@mikemartin6554]

plenty of FREE plugs....and a few of them are good to stellar.

[@robsustersic8053]

Logic has great plugins same with presonus studio one

[@nuplayer8121]

and me here pressing some buttons in my 10 year old laptop and iphone earbuds with the hope to make some nice notes

[@JoshandKatie]

siiiiiick

[@kennethochoa7550]

as long as you don't cross the barrier 😄 I'm in the process of setting up my own studio, I got all the parts now I just gotta put the energy into making sweet music😉 thanks for sharing

[@steveng8775]

AWSOME,thanks for helping me set up .EASY N TO THE POINT for myself who never knew i needed a A interface GREAT JOB

[@JoshandKatie]

Thanks for watching! Glad to help.

[@vincenttaheij5319]

Small tip: keep your speakers on your ear level, it looks nice, its easer to make better music that way. you should put your speakers higher, on an ear level. Producers do this for better quality/listening experience/better overal mix.

[@JoshandKatie]

Yeah thanks for the tip. Hoping to buy some speaker stands soon to get them up. Thanks for watching!

[@loukes116]

@@JoshandKatie If you wanna know why it's because the Tweeters (the part of the speaker that produces the high frequencies) are high on the speaker, always above the woofers and cones. High frequencies are easier to hear higher up. Ear level on the tweeters is the best :)

[@anthonywoodard8382]

yes put the speakers and you in a triangle, equal distances apart, makes it easier to find the sweet spot

[@luckysakonta3724]

Very inspirational, all the best and God Blessings, from South Africa (Johannesburg)

[@shovelface6874]

My exact old set up for the past 10 years made some dope tracks

[@jpaulmoses]

The closet idea is amazing. Thank you

[@tatysachi]

So dope! Love that you improvised but still considered quality throughout the process! So helpful! Congrats the set up looks great!! & Love ya’ll personalities! Was cracking up! God bless you both and your journeys!! 🎉

[@matimus100]

Which God?

[@tatysachi]

@@matimus100 the one & only. Jesus Christ 🙏🏼

[@eduardojosecollab1235]

You're The Twitter boy? Pensaba que era el único "programador" (porque aún estoy estudiando) que le gusta producir música 🎶

[@AG-le4ok]

One thing you should know... Nunca eres el "único" en algo.

[@talonpolach]

Your setup is perfect. I Preciate this video.

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

Just got my music studio/KZbin studio together with only 84 sq. Ft. But I feel blessed to have the space! Great management of a good modular system there!

[@ChrisBrideauMedia]

Tight little set up man. Good call on the JBL's.

[@JoshandKatie]

Haha thanks! Yeah it's been working great for me so far.

[@Fernando-rb2td]

Katie: Josh these are really loud, Josh these are really loud Josh: *starts dancing* “these are sick” 🤣🤣🤣

[@JoshandKatie]

🤭🤭🤭

[@adamdelarozza1985]

I would use XLR on the powered monitor speakers but I like the closet idea, i thought i was the only one thinking that's a good idea. My closet is a bigger walk in and makes it less cramped. Good video Dude!

[@iansmith9459]

I love how enthusiastic your wife is to help you that's very cool

[@kukmustudio]

scarlet 2i2 sound card clock status locked . How to fix it

[@JoshandKatie]

That’s an error you got?

[@idkidk3552]

its not an error

[@kukmustudio]

@@idkidk3552 how to fix it ?

[@Kshastra]

@@kukmustudio still unresolved?🙄

[@AnkurWow]

I live in San Francisco, too, and have almost exactly the same gear...

[@JoshandKatie]

Niiiiiice. Yeah it's a great setup!

[@kahouflorentkokouvi4721]

Wow just merely awesome. I'm getting mine little by little

[@josephmureithi8003]

Quite creative. Good encouragement to those of us who have recorded in small studios.

[@docas_92]

bro im waiting for this black friday to buy that exact mic and that jbl speakers

[@scooby-doo6488]

Haha me2 bro, im broke

[@docas_92]

@@scooby-doo6488 might not get a promotion but I'm getting them anyway , also a focus rite interface and some other studio stuff

[@Difrentstyles]

Definitely decent mic for the price range

[@mulamoney4022]

The closet idea was genius 👍🏽

[@JoshandKatie]

Hey thanks!

[@jessicaread4880]

really enjoyed watching this all the way through. very INFORMATIVE. many thank yous to you two.

[@JoshandKatie]

🙌🙌

[@amaa-nikhorang7581]

Real good idea of reasonable studio

[@JoshandKatie]

Thanks for watching! I create all the beats behind our videos- I post most of them on this other KZbin channel kzbin.info/door/8EUzNhl17gTJLupESjHmyA

[@SOK.sushant]

Very Nice sir. Can you suggest me best budget laptop or pc for home studio music production ???

[@JoshandKatie]

You're going to get a lot more power out of a desktop than a laptop for the same price. If you wanted to go ultra budget you could even buy a used desktop on Ebay. I would just be sure to get at least 16GB of ram and a quad core processor. You could get a nice computer with these stats for less than $300 on Ebay. Or you could build your own PC if you wanted to save money too. Just order the parts off Amazon!

[@SOK.sushant]

Okay sir.. thank you i will buy desktop . Why 16 gb ram is necessary sir.. how about intel core i 3 i 5 ..sir .. i don't understand the difference of using these separate intel core..

[@JoshandKatie]

16 GB ram is very cheap. Less than $80 USD. And it isn’t “necessary” but it will make a big difference. Your computer loads all the different sounds and plugins into ram, so not having enough ram means your computer couldn’t store the sounds & plug-ins. You could do 8 GB ram and you would be OKAY. But your computer would probably have issues if you tried to load Omnisphere or a big wave table into Serum. More cores means your computer can process more sounds at the same time. There are tons of good KZbin videos out there that go in depth into this so maybe those would be helpful to watch!

[@JoshandKatie]

By “couldn’t store” I mean couldn’t store into ram. The computer will be able to store them on the hard drive, just not ram (which is faster than the hard drive). Sorry for the confusion. If you watch videos on what each part of the computer does that will help you to decide!

[@kim_su_hann]

I'm starting to collect the equipments needed so I can already have my own studio I'm 16 years old and I really want to produce songs in the future

[@JoshandKatie]

You got this!

[@YellowWalkman]

This is great. Thanks for showing your perspective!

[@siddhartascarlett5430]

The art of keep it simple, it's inspiring! Regards from a new mexican subscriber!

[@Eleven_11]

6:55 *walks into closet of clothes*... "some of these details need to be ironed out" 😂😂

[@JoshandKatie]

👔

[@MangKres]

so, in order to record a vocal track, you have to put a very long count before the intro so you have more time to run to your closet after hitting the record button in your laptop.. 😅

[@JoshandKatie]

Haha! True. I don't sing though-- just produce for other vocalists.

[@dragon-id5uj]

not necessarily. you could use a wireless keyboard and hotkey the record function, or a tablet/phone that mirrors/extends the monitor. also there are mobile apps for controlling DAWs

[@MangKres]

@@dragon-id5uj that's interesting.. i used ableton, what mobile app for android phone can i use to control it?

[@trusarmor4957]

this is soOo good i wanna like this twice! SUBSCRIBED!

[@chrishader3161]

you got the right speakers my guy you have excellent taste.