GEAR

I'm constantly asked for gear recommendations – from keyboards to cameras to gimbals. Rather then reply to each email directly, here are my recommendations.

KEYBOARD

BEST TRAVEL KEYBOARD

Korg Microkey

I have taken this on tourbuses through Europe, Canada and the US. It has allowed me to practice and compose on the road.

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best keyboard

to learn on

YAMAHA P-135

For the price, the Yamaha P-135 has unbeatable touch and feel, perfect for learning how to play piano on a budget. It's internal sounds are solid, but don't expect anything too wild. You will want a proper synth and synth action for that.

Best value midi

controller

M-Audio Keystation series

For the price, the Yamaha P-135 has unbeatable touch and feel, perfect for learning how to play piano on a budget. It's internal sounds are solid, but don't expect anything too wild. You will want a proper synth and synth action for that.

HEADPHONES

BEST OVER-EAR HEADPHONES

Best Value In-Ear

Headphones

Best value midi

controller

Sennheiser HD598

Oh man do I love these headphones. They are superbly comfortable, have the Sennheiser sound I personally love for classical and jazz. They are also surprisingly cheap for their performance.

Sennheiser IE 40 Pro

For the price, the Yamaha P-135 has unbeatable touch and feel, perfect for learning how to play piano on a budget. It's internal sounds are solid, but don't expect anything too wild. You will want a proper synth and synth action for that.

Shure SE215-CL

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STUDIO gear

best value interface

Steinberg UR-44C

I've taken this on stages in New York, Banff and Toronto. Very transparent sound, rugged build. Good enough latency to be used live – I've used and abused mine for years. It still delivers the quality I need to fulfill studio work.

best portable interface

RME Babyface Pro

With a sound to die for and a rugged build, excellent drivers with exceptionally low latency, there isn't anything to hate but the price. But even that is fairly reasonable for the quality and portability it delivers.

best value studio monitors

Presonus Eris 4.5

Great bang for your buck monitors. If you're doing professional work, consider something boutique by Barefoot or Adams, but these get the job done for personal mixing.

pedals

best value reverb

TC Hall of Fame 2

This is a solid reverb for the price.

best value

digital relay

tc flashback 2

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best value

looper

tc looper

Very easy and reliable to operate, solid, simple construction and excellent sound quality. There are cheaper budget brands on Amazon, but this offering "sparks joy."