I run The GarageBand Guide on YouTube and the web, helping beginners and hobbyists make better music with Apple gear through clear tutorials, honest reviews, and practical guides.
Most musicians are buying the wrong gear...
|
Hi Reader, I get asked gear questions almost every day. Which Mac should I buy? Which audio interface is best? Do I need studio monitors? What headphones should I get? The problem is that there are now so many options available that it's surprisingly easy to spend hundreds on gear you don't actually need. For example, I think a lot of home studio musicians are buying far more computer than they'll ever use. And I think many beginners would get better results spending less on their Mac and more on other parts of their setup. So I put together a video walking through the Macs, audio interfaces, MIDI controllers, microphones, headphones and studio monitors I'd personally recommend in 2026. Watch it here: The Mac Music Production Setup I'd Buy in 2026Even if you're not planning to buy anything right now, it'll hopefully help you avoid a few expensive mistakes when the time comes. Cheers, Patrick The GarageBand Guide PS - If you're finding these messages helpful, please consider supporting The GarageBand Guide by buying me a coffee! |
The GarageBand Guide
I run The GarageBand Guide on YouTube and the web, helping beginners and hobbyists make better music with Apple gear through clear tutorials, honest reviews, and practical guides.
Hi, Reader If you’re thinking about buying a new Mac, Apple’s current lineup is… a little confusing. There’s the new MacBook Neo. The M5 MacBook Air. The M5 MacBook Pro. On paper, it’s easy to get caught up comparing chips, RAM and benchmark scores. But what most people really want to know is: Which one should I actually buy? That’s exactly what I’ve tried to answer in my latest video. Rather than reading spec sheets, I’ve spent time using all three for the sort of work many of us do every...
Hi Reader, If you wanted an affordable way into the Apple Music making eco-system today, what would you buy? A MacBook Neo? Or an iPad A16? On paper, they're closer than you might think. Both use Apple's A-series chips. Both run GarageBand and Logic Pro. Both can edit video. Both are aimed at people who want an affordable way into the Apple ecosystem. So I spent some time testing them side-by-side to see which one makes the most sense for musicians and creators. Watch here: MacBook Neo vs...
Hey Reader, Two new videos for you this week. First up: Open-back vs closed-back headphones. If you’re recording, mixing, or just trying to work out what you actually need, this one clears it up. I break down: When to use closed-back headphones and why they matter for recording Where open-back headphones really make a difference The common mistakes that can throw your mixes off What to do if you can only access one pair If you’ve ever finished a track and it sounds completely different...