THE MUSICIAN

SENNHEISER HD 490 PRO

£319/go.stuff.tv/490Pro

For home-based music producers, less really can be more. This is the case when it comes to equipment, where modern digital tech provides a space-saving but readily capable alternative to giant mixing desks and live instruments – a blessing for those aiming to produce their next banger from the spare bedroom.

It’s also true of audio itself. For producing, mixing and mastering, ‘uncoloured’ sound is essential – and that means the majority of consumer speakers and headphones, which delight in ‘enhancing’ their sound source, just don’t cut it. God help any home producer relying on a pair of bass-heavy Beats.