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I’ve Been a Music Producer for 20 Years — Here’s What You ACTUALLY Need

Lodewijk Vos (LØ)

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https://stan.store/lodewijkvos

So you want to start making music?

You don’t need a studio full of gear — a laptop, a MIDI keyboard, and a good pair of headphones are all you need to get started. In this video, I’ll walk you through everything you actually need to begin making and recording your own music — and what you can safely skip.

I’ve been a film composer for over 20 years, writing music for shows on Netflix, Hulu, HBO, and many more. In that time, I’ve learned that creativity beats expensive gear every single time. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to simplify your setup, this guide will show you how to make music with what you already have.

🎹 What you’ll learn:

The essentials you actually need to start producing music
How to choose the right DAW for your workflow
Why you don’t need the latest computer or plugins
The difference between microphones and which one fits your needs
Headphones vs. speakers — and what matters more than either
How to build a studio that grows with you

📦 Gear Mentioned

MacBook Air (M2/M3)
Focusrite Scarlett Audio Interface
Audio-Technica M50x Headphones
Shure SM58 Microphone
Bitwig, Cubase, Pro Tools

🧠 Stay Creative. Keep Learning.
Don’t chase the shiny thing — keep creating. Quantity leads to quality.

20 Comments

@lodewijkvos Creator 10 months ago Pinned

🎉 I just launched channel memberships!
Join my creative crew for early access, extended jams, and monthly music challenges 👇
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@dtanman 11 months ago

"Just keep creating, because quantity leads to quality."

Bars.

@grandmasterflash213 10 months ago

“Your creativity is more powerful than your processor” love it!

@nomad1517 11 months ago

One thing I've learned when starting out. Is start a simple as possible. I always wanted the groove boxes, synths, samplers, etc. But usually, you will let dust collect. Because it's a lot to learn. All you need is a laptop. Unless you play piano, or sing, then a midi keyboard and interface are necessary. But don't even buy full versions. Until you become consistent making simple tunes, I wouldn't waste my time on anything else. It's all about consistency.

@apoboul 10 months ago (edited)

Finally, a successful pro who’s chill, supportive and actually wants to make music production accessible for everyone. Much respect!

@MultiCappie 10 months ago

Wait, an honest person on the Internet? I feel weird. But thank you!

@LetsGetWooWoo 1 month ago

“Your creativity is more powerful than your processor” 🔥

@Qwuiet 3 months ago (edited)

Passion and creativity is more important than equipment and technique. The audience don’t care about your equipment or technique. Art is a connecting and feeling, that’s all it is.

@arimaniac 8 months ago

Actually you may also want:
- a xlr cable
- a 3.5mm cable
- a usb cable
- actually 2 usb A cables
- a usb hub
- a power supply
- a mouse would be thankful
- an external ssd for your projects and instruments
- another mic if you ever want to record your instruments
- another xlr cable ofc
- you won’t really want to kill your ears so a pair of monitor, cable included as well, if powered two power cables, 2 TRS/ XLRs

@F21_332 10 months ago (edited)

I've been producing since '98. I feel the same way. Hardware is great to use, but I feel like eventually, all roads lead back to the DAW. I have tens of thousands of samples, and thousands of dollars worth of plugins. Give me my laptop, my Scarlet (or my Roland VT-4), a mic and some good headphones, and I can produce all day long. I have keyboards, samplers, and synths, but I usually only use them to write, and not to record. More often than not, I will program the entire track with nothing more than a mouse. To all of the new/budding producers: don't tie up a bunch of money in hardware. Use it for new VSTs, sample packs, and DAW upgrades. Learn your DAW inside and out, instead of using your time learning groove boxes and the like. Unless you plan on performing, many of the devices out there won't serve you even a fraction as well as your DAW will.

Anyway, great upload!!

@riffdex 10 months ago

3:36 All DAWs go to heaven 🥰

@Clodd1 11 months ago

''I'm not a musician, I make music.''

(if you know you know)

@DonovanAenslaed 5 months ago (edited)

I got all that. Now all I need is to learn a Daw, music production and sound design. No biggie.

@user-mb8rf7qk5q 3 days ago

I have a wall of music equipment collecting dust. I’ve also done music since I was 18 and I’m 42 now. All these years later I’m about to go back to square 1 where I started - laptop, midi keyboard. I promise, it’s all you really need.

@thegermanfreddy 10 months ago

I am a musician and have studied sound design and I completely agree to every word this man is saying. Great stuff!

@ClydeRougeAlternative 10 months ago

100% behind this! I'm always a couple of versions behind on Ableton, running with a 10 year old Macbook and 12 year old iMac with probably about 5 non native plug ins and zero hardware. Been doing it like this for almost 20 years and able to make music just fine, even make a full time living from it. People obsess about the latest plug ins and say you need this or that but forget that people were making amazing albums in the 80's/90's with gear less powerful than a mobile phone of today.

@mariamichellemono 11 months ago

What a great, clear and concise video! It was like a breath of fresh air in a space crowed with sponsored "you absolutely need this new piece of gear" bs.

@LucianoClassicalGuitar 10 months ago

When choosing daws I choose the one that has more tutorials for the music I wanna do. Don’t do do reggaeton on Reaper if there won’t be enough tutorials. But Ableton seemed to have more. For metal I choose reaper because there’s more tutorials for it.

@nomad1517 11 months ago

Another mistake I have made. Was thinking I need high quality studio monitors without room treatment. I have seen countless ads with ableton showing studios without treatment, using super expensive speakers. It's not going to mean shit, if you have powerful studio monitors if you don't know what to hear when mixing, that can take years of practice. Two, it's pretty pointless if you don't have treatment. Don't spend too much on speakers. At first, use your logitec speakers, just to hear the beats your making. Not just that, but if you live in a super small space, you are better off with headphones. I would buy headphones before speakers. If you DJ, then yes, get studio monitors, because you need to hear whats playing, that's a different story. But if you are writing and composing music as a beginner, headphones first. That's my opinion.

@photobatya 7 months ago

My solution is 61 keys keyboard, if you want to compose music + lyrics and to sing it maybe you need auto-accomponement. Even 37 keys is enough for this. If you want just compose, you need 61+ piano. If you want to produce music - then you need laptop with mouse and probably good headphones, and something for control listening, phone... car stereo... where people usually listen it. Maaaaybe 37 midi keyboard. 25 is really too small for me. Having hardware compressor today... kind of crazy. Ton of synths? The same. You can use monark, diva, omnisphere... and thats it. You will have so many sounsd even with factory presets, you probably will not event listenen them all at least once. When you perform in a big audience you are getting Sooooo many dophamine stuff, you will be addicted. But some people are replacing this feeling with bying new grear. It is pleasant as well, but it is not helps you to perform better.