10 Things Every LA Artist Swears By in Their Home Studio

Let’s be real: LA is full of artists building careers out of tiny apartments that cost as much as a mortgage in literally any other city. Bedroom studios, closet studios, converted-pantry studios, if there’s an outlet and WiFi, someone in LA has tracked vocals there.

But out of all that chaos comes actual greatness, because LA artists are resourceful as hell. They build their dream setups one Amazon package at a time, and yes… we’re linking them, because a good home studio will level up your entire workflow.

Here are the 10 essentials every LA artist swears by, whether they’re honest about it or not.

1. A Microphone That Pretends It Costs More Than It Does

If you take your vocals seriously, don’t record on your iPhone and pray. A real mic, condenser or dynamic, changes your entire sound. Condensers add warmth and detail; dynamics block out your loud neighbors and your roommate blending a smoothie while you’re tracking harmonies. A proper mic = cleaner files, fewer retakes, and way less crying in the mix session. We recommend this one, bestie.

2. Studio Monitors That Tell You the Truth (Even When It Hurts)

Studio monitors are brutally honest. They reveal every messy frequency clash, every muddy kick, every “why did I think that synth was a good idea?” moment. LA artists swear by them because you need the truth before you upload your track to Spotify and get dragged on Reddit. A good pair trains your ears, sharpens your mixes, and gives you that clean, wide sound you hear in pro studios.

We recommend this one, bestie.

3. A Ring Light Because Content Pays the Rent Too

The modern artist is part musician, part cinematographer, part “sorry, I need to film this real quick.” Ring lights save you when your apartment lighting looks like a horror movie. They give you crisp, bright content for TikTok, IG Reels, behind-the-scenes clips, all the stuff your fans actually want to see. Also great for Zoom sessions when you’re trying to look like you slept. We recommend this one, bestie.

4. Acoustic Foam to Save Your Vocals AND Your Neighborly Karma

LA apartments echo like abandoned warehouses. Acoustic foam tightens your sound, stops those gross reflections, and prevents your vocals from sounding like they were recorded in a stairwell. You don’t need a full vocal booth, just foam in the right places. It instantly makes your takes cleaner and your neighbors marginally less annoyed at you.

We recommend this one, bestie.

5. A Pop Filter, Because Your P’s Are Aggressive

Pop filters might look basic, but trust, they matter. They block harsh bursts of air so your vocals don’t sound like you’re aggressively spitting at the mic. Without one, your takes are ruined. With one, you’re giving clean, crisp, professional energy. It’s an inexpensive upgrade that fixes 90% of beginner recording issues. We recommend this one, bestie.

6. Vocal Spray: The Emotional Support Item Every Singer Has

Whether you’re on your second take or take 52, your throat needs hydration. Vocal spray helps soothe your cords, reduce irritation, and keep your tone smooth even after a long session. Does it feel like magic? Sometimes. Is it basically a ritual at this point? Absolutely. LA singers keep one in their bags, cars, backpacks, everywhere.

We recommend this one, bestie.

7. A MIDI Keyboard for Catching 3 A.M. Genius

Every LA artist has had a moment where inspiration hits at a disrespectful hour. A MIDI keyboard lets you build chords, sketch melodies, experiment with sounds, and work fast before the idea disappears. Even if you only use a few keys, it makes your studio look legit and gives you a ton of creative control.

We recommend this one, bestie.

8. Headphones That Let You Hear the Ugly Truth Up Close

A good pair of closed-back studio headphones is non-negotiable. They give you the raw, unfiltered truth of your mix, clicks, breaths, timing issues, weird background noises, all the stuff you’d miss on laptop speakers. They’re also clutch when you can’t blast your monitors at 2 a.m. without getting evicted.

We recommend this one, bestie.

9. An Audio Interface That Works Harder Than You Do

Your audio interface is the backbone of your entire studio. It converts your voice and instruments into clean digital audio, keeps latency low, and stops your setup from glitching like it’s 2004. If your interface sucks, everything sucks. Get one that can handle your gear without frying your vibe. We recommend this one, bestie.

10. LED Lights Because Vibes Are Half the Job

Let’s be honest, bright overhead lighting kills creativity. LED lights bring the vibes your studio needs: moody red for rage tracks, purple for sad songs, blue for late-night existential crisis sessions. They make your space feel cinematic, inspiring, and way more fun to create in.

We recommend this one, bestie.

Your home studio doesn’t need to be fancy. It just needs to be functional, inspiring, and built with gear that helps you make better music, not frustrate you into taking another “break.” These essentials are the backbone of every legit LA bedroom setup, from rising artists to producers grinding their way into the scene.

Upgrade smart. Create relentlessly. And remember: your next hit is one good take away.