Set up a toolkit

> Whether you plan to use samples, plugins, hardware or a mix, it’s worth deciding on the tools you plan on using before you begin. Consider what’s right for the sound you wish to capture. Certain genres lend themselves to specific sounds – eg TR-909s for techno, MPCs for hip-hop or breakbeats. Feel free to subvert these conventions. If you’re not sure what gear suits a particular style, do some research. FM’s YouTube channel is crammed full of studio tours and track breakdowns that allow you to see what a variety of producers are using. One final tip: set limitations – paralysis of choice is a real problem. Decide in advance on a few instruments to use for your tracks and try to wring as much from them as possible.