Budget-friendly Music Production Software

The best budget-friendly music production software and hardware from Native Instruments

Until recently, creating a fully-fledged studio brimming with music production equipment demanded a hefty financial investment. For most people, producing music was a prohibitively expensive art form. Luckily for beatmakers and musicians everywhere, a transformative shift has occurred. Recent technological advancement means that building a home recording studio has become more accessible than ever before.

Great music production equipment is now affordable. In other words, you can start producing high-quality music on a modest budget today. A readily available array of tools for music production means that nothing will get in your way when bringing your musical ideas to life. But with so many great options out there for cheap music production equipment and cheap dj equipment, you might feel overwhelmed about where to start. That’s why we’ve made a list of our favorite budget-friendly music producer equipment and software. Get ready to make your own beats without breaking the bank.

The best budget-friendly music production software and hardware from Native Instruments

This sleek controller offers a host of features to enhance your MIDI expression. It’s also fully portable, so you can make music wherever you feel inspired. Get hands-on and dive into all sorts of adjustable parameters using touch-sensitive NKS-ready features. Komplete Kontrol M32 comes bundled with Ableton Live 11 Lite, along with synths and samples to get you creating immediately.

Want something a little larger with semi-weighted keys, a crystal clear full-color display, and Light Guide functionality? You should look into Komplete Kontrol S61.

[play type="video" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJu0WrQuCNE" label="Mad Zach explores Komplete Kontrol M32"]

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1. Komplete Kontrol M32

This sleek controller offers a host of features to enhance your MIDI expression. It’s also fully portable, so you can make music wherever you feel inspired. Get hands-on and dive into all sorts of adjustable parameters using touch-sensitive NKS-ready features. Komplete Kontrol M32 comes bundled with Ableton Live 11 Lite, along with synths and samples to get you creating immediately.

Want something a little larger with semi-weighted keys, a crystal clear full-color display, and Light Guide functionality? You should look into Komplete Kontrol S61.

[play type="video" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJu0WrQuCNE" label="Mad Zach explores Komplete Kontrol M32"]

[cta label="Get Komplete Kontrol M32" link="/products/komplete-kontrol-m32" title="Get Komplete Kontrol M32"]

2. Kontrol S-Series S49

The Kontrol S-Series S49 is an advanced MIDI keyboard that features an intuitive connection to thousands of instruments, effects, and your DAW, plus immersive navigation on a high-res screen.

The Kontrol S-Series is the world’s first widely available controller keyboard to combine polyphonic aftertouch with weighted, hammer-action keys. It also has a direct connection with Kontakt, making it easier than ever to access, adjust, and play your sounds thanks to intelligent auto-mapping that understands the parameters.

The Kontrol S-Series’ integration with all major DAWs means you can keep your eyes on your keyboard and away from your computer screen, too. Hit record, stop, and rewind on the keys, mix and edit, and see all your project’s channels on the display.

[play type="video" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqjkEJEKZtg" label="Kontrol S-Series MK3 walkthrough"]

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3. Komplete Audio 2

Whether you’re new to the world of music making equipment, or a seasoned recording veteran, you’ll know the importance of a good audio interface. One of the essential tools for music production, an audio interface lets you record directly into your computer and hear your audio come to life through monitor speakers or headphones. With two XLR/jack combo inputs that record in pristine quality, Komplete Audio 2 is all you need to capture the perfect sound.

Ableton Live 11 Lite, synths, and samples are included to jumpstart your recording journey. Komplete Audio 2 is the ultimate option for cost-efficient professional sound and routing.

[play type="video" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGFSmcdXOrs" label="Introducing KOMPLETE AUDIO 1 and 2"]

[cta label="Get Komplete Audio 2" link="#resolve-cta-18595" title="Get Komplete Audio 2"]

4. Maschine Mikro

The Maschine Mikro is a piece for the beatmakers and sample flippers—a powerhouse controller in a budget-friendly package. It is a compact version of the original Maschine which the Native Instruments team crafted with a multitude of production styles in mind. Actualize your ideas swiftly and intuitively either within the Maschine software system or on your preferred DAW. Maschine Mikro has 16 velocity-sensitive pads which you can use as triggers or a sequencer.

If you want to get the most out of your Maschine Mikro, you should kick off with this Maschine Mikro starter’s guide.

[play type="video" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9KFpYkrPOc" label="Beatmaking from the skies: MASCHINE MIKRO x junk-E-cat"]

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5. Rudiments

Native Instruments’ Play Series instruments are a great budget option to fill your music production toolkit with fresh sounds and inspiration. They all offer incredible-sounding presets in a very intuitive interface so you can really up your game for an affordable price. As part of the Play Series, Rudiments lets you lay down beats with curated kits, patterns, and samples. Each kit has 16 hip hop drum patterns that can be edited in any DAW with MIDI drag and drop. It’s ideal for hip hop, modern pop, trap, and everything in between.

[play type="audio" id="12497334567215" label="Rudiments audio demos"]

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6. Sway

Another great budget option from the Play Series, Sway is built on samples from soulful hip hop’s distinctive pianos, guitars, synths, and bells. Everything has been treated with original, analog gear so you can get a true grainy, filtered vibe without investing any extra gear. Bring mellow hip hop vibes to your tracks with dozens presets and mix things up with hands-on macro controls.

[play type="audio" id="12497354424623" label="SWAY Audio Demos"]

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The best budget-friendly music production software and hardware from Native Instruments

Komplete Select is an all-in-one powerhouse designed to fuel the creation of a song from start to finish. This comprehensive production suite features cutting-edge synths, meticulously crafted samples, and a range of modulation effects and processing like reverb, phaser, and compression. With everything you need right in this collection, it truly is up to you how to use it.

What’s great about Komplete is that the packages are upgradeable at any time. So if you’re loving Komplete Select and are searching for the next step up, check out Komplete 14 Standard.

[play type="video" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUa2GJAtby0" label="Getting started with KOMPLETE 14 SELECT"]

[cta label="Get Komplete Select" link="/products/komplete-select-band" title="Get Komplete Select"]

[play type="video" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klq1jWDshnI" label="KOMPLETE 14 In Action"]

7. Komplete Select

Komplete Select is an all-in-one powerhouse designed to fuel the creation of a song from start to finish. This comprehensive production suite features cutting-edge synths, meticulously crafted samples, and a range of modulation effects and processing like reverb, phaser, and compression. With everything you need right in this collection, it truly is up to you how to use it.

What’s great about Komplete is that the packages are upgradeable at any time. So if you’re loving Komplete Select and are searching for the next step up, check out Komplete 14 Standard.

[play type="video" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUa2GJAtby0" label="Getting started with KOMPLETE 14 SELECT"]

[cta label="Get Komplete Select" link="#resolve-cta-22309" title="Get Komplete Select"]

[play type="video" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klq1jWDshnI" label="KOMPLETE 14 In Action"]

8. Komplete Now

Komplete Now is the easiest way to get your hands on a huge variety of tools for music production at an unbeatable price. It is a subscription service that grants you access to Native Instruments' most sought-after plugins for only $9.99 a month.

Iconic synths like Massive X, premium sample libraries, and effects are all included. This collection is also constantly being updated, so expect to see new additions regularly entering the lineup.

[cta label="Get Komplete Now" link="#resolve-cta-21817" title="Get Komplete Now"]

[play type="video" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nUWWqiiGv4" label="KOMPLETE NOW In Action"]

10. iZotope Elements Suite

No track is ever complete without a good mix and master. But outboard gear for these tasks can be totally unaffordable. iZotope Elements Suite transforms your computer or laptop into state-of-the-art music mixing equipment.

Elevate your sound with this smart and powerful collection of mixing, mastering, and tonal shaping tools. AI-powered features remove the guesswork from these processes, so you can streamline your tasks and ensure that your tracks are distribution-ready in no time.

If you like the sound of iZotope’s cutting-edge plugins and want to explore a bundle filled with even more exciting features, look no further than the Music Production Suite.

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[play type="video" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwHJPAQsuOE" label="Repair, Mix, and Master a Song with iZotope Elements Suite"]