The Studio Musician's Guide to Gear

Studio-oriented guitar gear is less about flash and more about achieving great sound. That's why many session players opt for guitars that may not shine with expensive finishes and features, but do boast quality pickups and tonewoods. Gibson's aptly named Les Paul Studio is a great example, and has become a staple for recording.

Towering amp stacks send a message on stage, but in the studio, lower-wattage amps rule. Their ability to reach tube saturation and get sweet sounds at low volumes makes them extremely popular.

Looking for more recording advice? We've got plenty of tips and suggestions in our Guide to Recording Electric Guitar »

In the studio, bassists are depended on to deliver styles from disco to punk. A 5-string bass, like the Ibanez BTB675M, gives you more than enough sonic depth for almost any session.

When it comes to recording bass, miking an amp and running the bass "direct" through a DI box yield different results, and both methods have their advantages. A direct box like the Electro-Harmonix Battalion offers plenty of EQ and tone control, and it's designed to replace an amp altogether. However, some prefer recording with bass amps because of the creative options afforded by mic selection and placement. Can't decide which is best for your track? Try recording both simultaneously and comparing -- or combining -- the tracks.

Electronic drum kits have come a long way from their genesis in the early '70s to become powerful, extremely versatile options for the studio today. A sonic encyclopedia with realistic dynamics and feel, the Roland VAD307 V-Drums features USB and MIDI output for easy DAW integration. Acoustic drum kits are still the standard for their truly natural feel and sound, however. If you're a session drummer particular about your sound, you may want to consider bringing your own cymbals into the studio for a familiar response and worn-in feel.

Studio sessions can go on...and on. And when they do, having a comfortable throne with plenty of support can make the difference between stellar and lethargic takes hours into a session. The Gibraltar 9608MB drum throne features a motorcycle seat with adjustable backrest that'll help you stay upright all night and into the next morning.

DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) software has vastly changed the recording landscape, turning home offices, bedrooms and college dorm rooms into studios. The ever-popular Pro Tools plays well with MIDI controllers and audio interfaces to help you record, mix, and edit tracks with professional polish. And while DAWs like Pro Tools come with their own virtual instruments, an additional sample library like Native Instruments Komplete will widen your sonic palette with over 33 GB of professionally recorded instruments in a brand-new interface.

When it comes to music production, the old mouse-and-keyboard combo aren't always ideal. Keyboard controllers like the Novation Launchkey 49 MKIII allow you to play melodies and chords through MIDI, lay down beats on the drum pads, and even control your DAW with faders and transport buttons for an experience that's much smoother than point-and-click.

Selecting the appropriate mic to record a track -- whether that track features vocals, guitar, drums, or didgeridoo -- is essential to capturing great sound. Luckily, you can build a fairly versatile home studio with just a few key mics for prices that won't blow your budget. For vocals, guitar amps, and more, we recommend the Audio-Technica AT-2035, a fixed-cardioid large-diaphragm condenser mic that's flattering on many voices.

For miking your kick drum (and bass cab), look for a dynamic mic that can handle low frequencies and high sound pressure levels. The Shure Beta 52A mic is a cost-effective solution that stands up well to high SPLs, bringing out booming low end without unwanted distortion.

An audio interface is the nerve center of your home studio. It gets the signal from your microphones and instruments into your computer as data to be recorded, and back out again. Great for solo performers, the super-portable IK Multimedia iRig Pro I/O offers one XLR-1/4" input for an instrument or mic, and MIDI I/O for a keyboard controller.

If you're recording larger groups, an interface with multiple mic preamps will allow you to record more sources simultaneously. It's important to consider your computer or device platform, as most interfaces work exclusively through USB, FireWire, Thunderbolt or iOS devices. Our Audio Interface Buying Guide is an excellent resource.