Our Recommendations

Just a few of our favorite things.

Keyboard

 

Here's the low-down on the keyboard rig you see in our lessons as well as gear to consider if you're a beginner or looking to upgrade!

My Rig

Apollo Twin Duo

Sweetwater

This is a fantastic audio interface. It's a little pricey around $800, but it's definitely worth it! The converters are clean and the user interface is easy to use.

Apple MainStage 3

Apple's App Store

If you are getting into the software side of playing keys, then Apple's Mainstage 3 is a great place to start. This is probably one of the most foundation 'hosts' that professional keyboardists are using today. What's great is it's only $30! And it comes loaded with great sounds and plugins right out of the box and will also run your 3rd party plugins like Omnisphere, Native Instruments, etc. I use this every time I play.

Synthogy Ivory II Grand Pianos

Sweetwater

Before there was Keyscape, there was Ivory II Pianos by Synthogy. Now there will always be a debate over what piano plugin sounds the best, but in my opinion, Ivory is hard to beat. I don't use it much now that I have Keyscape, but I still hold onto it just in case.

Akai MPK mini

Sweetwater

Akai has always made great products, and this little guy packs a lot of punch as a featherweight. I use this mainly for programing on my desktop. If I need to do something on a plane or in a hotel room, it can fit in my backpack.

Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S61

Reverb

What's great about this controller is that it's fully integrated with Komplete. Plus, you can customize the knobs and buttons for third party plugins. The keys feel great and it makes for a great secondary controller. Bonus: it has customizable LEDs at the top of each key. Great for playing in the dark!

Nord Stage 2 EX

Reverb

It's modular, easy to use, and lightweight. It's a great board for beginners to learn on!

Roland RD-700sx Stage Piano

Sweetwater

I've used Roland products since I first started playing and this stage piano is simply great. It has an awesome feel. It's fairly lightweight compared to other 88-key keyboards and it has onboard sounds that are great for backup, should your computer happen to die. I use this in my studio as a main controller.

Korg nanoKONTROL2 MIDI Control Surface

Sweetwater

For those times when I need a small hardware controller for muting sounds and such, this is a great piece of gear. It's small and easy to use.

Spectrasonics Keyscape

Sweetwater

I can't say enough about Spectrasonics. They make incredible libraries and there are not enough words to describe Keyscape. It's my go-to for anything pianos, EPs, etc. Plus it can run through Omnisphere which is awesome! Anytime I'm using a piano of any kind, I'm using Keyscape.

Omni TR App 

Apple App Store

If you are using Omnisphere Live, then this is a must. It will completely change the way you use Omnisphere. Being able to load up to 8 individual sounds and change them at the touch of a button is fantastic. I use this everywhere I play and love it. It's a staple in my rig.

Spectrasonics Omnisphere

Sweetwater

If there's one plugin that I use the most, it's this one. Omnisphere is amazing! I use it for all of my synths, arps, pads, and more. The processing capability is unparalleled and it's easy to use. It's a little pricey, but worth every penny.

Beginner Rig

Apple MainStage 3

Apple's App Store

If you are getting into the software side of playing keys, then Apple's Mainstage 3 is a great place to start. This is probably one of the most foundation 'hosts' that professional keyboardists are using today. What's great is it's only $30! And it comes loaded with great sounds and plugins right out of the box and will also run your 3rd party plugins like Omnisphere, Native Instruments, etc. I use this every time I play.

Akai MPK61

Reverb

This is a great controller for the price. It features 16 velocity pads, 8 faders, 8 knobs, and is super easy to program. The keyboard feels great and is nice and light, which makes it easy to carry around. Throw it in a Mono Case and you're good to go!

Hardware

Akai MPK261 (secondary keyboard)

Reverb

This is a great controller for the price. It features 16 velocity pads, 8 faders, 8 knobs, and is super easy to program. The keyboard feels great and is nice and light which makes it easy to carry around. Throw it in a Mono Case and you're good to go!

Apollo Twin Duo

Sweetwater

This is a fantastic audio interface. It's a little pricey around $800, but it's definitely worth it! The converters are clean and the user interface is easy to use.

Akai MPK mini

Sweetwater

Akai has always made great products, and this little guy packs a lot of punch as a featherweight. I use this mainly for programing on my desktop. If I need to do something on a plane or in a hotel room, it can fit in my backpack.

Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S61

Reverb

What's great about this controller is that it's fully integrated with Komplete. Plus, you can customize the knobs and buttons for third party plugins. The keys feel great and it makes for a great secondary controller. Bonus: it has customizable LEDs at the top of each key. Great for playing in the dark!

Nord Stage 2 EX

Reverb

It's modular, easy to use, and lightweight. It's a great board for beginners to learn on!

Roland RD-700sx Stage Piano

Sweetwater

I've used Roland products since I first started playing and this stage piano is simply great. It has an awesome feel. It's fairly lightweight compared to other 88-key keyboards and it has onboard sounds that are great for backup, should your computer happen to die. I use this in my studio as a main controller.

Akai MPK61

Reverb

This is a great controller for the price. It features 16 velocity pads, 8 faders, 8 knobs, and is super easy to program. The keyboard feels great and is nice and light, which makes it easy to carry around. Throw it in a Mono Case and you're good to go!

Software

Synthogy Ivory II Grand Pianos

Sweetwater

Before there was Keyscape, there was Ivory II Pianos by Synthogy. Now there will always be a debate over what piano plugin sounds the best, but in my opinion, Ivory is hard to beat. I don't use it much now that I have Keyscape, but I still hold onto it just in case.

Korg nanoKONTROL2 MIDI Control Surface

Sweetwater

For those times when I need a small hardware controller for muting sounds and such, this is a great piece of gear. It's small and easy to use.

Spectrasonics Keyscape

Sweetwater

I can't say enough about Spectrasonics. They make incredible libraries and there are not enough words to describe Keyscape. It's my go-to for anything pianos, EPs, etc. Plus it can run through Omnisphere which is awesome! Anytime I'm using a piano of any kind, I'm using Keyscape.

Omni TR App 

Apple App Store

If you are using Omnisphere Live, then this is a must. It will completely change the way you use Omnisphere. Being able to load up to 8 individual sounds and change them at the touch of a button is fantastic. I use this everywhere I play and love it. It's a staple in my rig.

Spectrasonics Omnisphere

Sweetwater

If there's one plugin that I use the most, it's this one. Omnisphere is amazing! I use it for all of my synths, arps, pads, and more. The processing capability is unparalleled and it's easy to use. It's a little pricey, but worth every penny.

Apple MainStage 3

Apple's App Store

If you are getting into the software side of playing keys, then Apple's Mainstage 3 is a great place to start. This is probably one of the most foundation 'hosts' that professional keyboardists are using today. What's great is it's only $30! And it comes loaded with great sounds and plugins right out of the box and will also run your 3rd party plugins like Omnisphere, Native Instruments, etc. I use this every time I play.

Metronomes

Pro Metronome for Android

Google Play

Phone apps use the phone's clock which isn't good for recording but works just fine for practicing. It's plenty customizable (pay a few bucks for the paid version) and has great rhythm trainer features.

Tama Rhythm Watch

Reverb

The RW200 is a programmable metronome with plenty of volume and easy to use dials and plenty of volume. Built specifically for drummers but a nice substitute for the DB-90 if you want to save some coin.

Pro Metronome for iPhone

App Store

Great metronome for iPhone. It's plenty customizable (pay a few bucks for the paid version) and has great rhythm trainer features. Phone apps use the phone's clock which isn't good for recording but works just fine for practicing. Try the free version and make sure it's what you want.