Behringer can go against the competition by producing quality gear that's ridiculously affordable, and this time they did it with the V-Tone Bass Driver BDI-21.

This small stompbox is packed with essential preamp and DI box features, but what makes it special is that you can get it for a mere fraction of the cost of other similarly spec'ed units.

Even with its compact size, it gives you all the essential controls for customizing your sound, including multiple knobs for tweaking the EQ (Treble, Bass and Presence).

The SansAmp Character VT Bass V2 offers the same voice changing feature as the bigger VT Bass Deluxe, but in a more compact form.

By turning the character knob, this pedal emulates the sound of many different bass amps, be it classic tube driven or modern clean.

The SansAmp Programmable Bass Driver DI (PBDI) is meant for players who need to change their sound between songs or even mid-song.

It retains SansAmp's well received all-analog preamp circuitry, and adds a digital component to manage the controls, so you can conveniently store and recall settings in real time. This means that you get the best of both worlds, analog sound quality and digital preset switching, all in a single package.

CAD Audio is known for offering robust microphones at a low-cost.

The PRO-7 from CAD Audio contains these microphones: one K212, three TM211s, one SN210, and 2 CM217s.

The KM212 is a large diaphragm microphone that is designed for kick drums, bass guitar cabinets, and other instruments with low frequency response. It features good transient response with a wide frequency range for precise bass clarity and detail.

The TM211s are dynamic mics designed for toms with attached drum mount clips.

The Apogee Quarter is a USB audio interface specifically designed for Mac and iOS devices, featuring four analog combo XLR/TRS inputs, four Apogee preamps, a Lightpipe input for expanding to 12 inputs, and it has a versatile set of eight output ports.

Still, the main selling point of this interface is its premium quality AD/DA conversion at 24-bit/192kHz, which compliments Apple's popular smartphones, tablets and computers really well.

The JamMan Express XT is DigiTech's response to the compact looper hype, with more recording time, stereo input/output and better LED monitoring.

Like other small loopers, it has a single footswitch that lets you record, play, overdub, undo and redo a single loop.

But it stands out from the crowd with its longer 10 minute total looping time, and dedicated LED lights that let you know whether you're recording, overdubbing or on playback.

The Behringer AT108 is an affordable and compact acoustic amp with 2 channels and a dedicated XLR input. This means that this small amp works like a small PA system where you can amplify both your guitar and microphone. With its 15W power rating, you can't expect much volume from the amp, but it has more than enough for solo practice and for acoustic jams.

As expected, features are streamlined to keep the cost down, but it does have a line input jack for playing along with your favorite tracks, and there's also a headphones out for quiet practice.

AER has been one of the dominant brands in high-end acoustic guitar amps for several years and the 40-Watt Alpha is their popular entry level amp.

Tommy Emmanuel is one of the most notable artists who uses AER acoustic amps, albeit with their much more expensive Domino 3.

Although you can plug both your guitar and mic into it, it's less useful as a small PA than many other options because it only has 1 channel meaning your effects loop is applied to both inputs. It does however provide 24V phantom power on the XLR input.

The Rode NT1-A-MP (the “MP” stands for matched pair, so it’s not a different model from the NT1-A) is commonly regarded as one of the quietest studio microphones available that’s still realistically priced for the average person. Low ambient noise is important in recording, because if you’re mic is too noisy it can result in a messy recording.

The Joemeek threeQ preamp is generally well liked by most reviewers who report it generates very little noise. It has been positively mentioned when used with condenser, dynamic, and even ribbon mics - whether using phantom power or not.

The EQ is generally well received and reported as being easy to use.

The compression with its fixed 5:1 ratio really tends to divide opinions. It colors the sound and is quite noticeable when driven hard, but much less so at low levels.

This multi-purpose preamp/DI Box from Tech 21's popular SansAmp line is dedicated to acoustic instruments.

Like the their popular bass preamp box, the SansAmp Para Driver comes with a preamp complete with tone shaping elements, the main difference being this one is voiced to complement the sound of acoustic instruments.

This preamp pedal is known for adding analog tube like warmth that fattens up the usual thin and quacky sound of piezo-pickups.

Being the most popular supplier of built-in electronics for acoustic guitar manufacturers, Fishman knows how to make acoustic guitars sound good. As such, it is only natural for them to come up with a quality acoustic preamp like the Platinum Pro E, an analog Class A preamp with 5-band EQ, phase control, notch filtering and compression.

It has two footswitches, first of which is a boost switch for upping your volume on specific song parts, while the other one lets you engage the unit's built-in chromatic digital tuner,

The Radial StageBug SB-1 DI Box is meant for stage instruments that use long cables, including acoustic guitar, bass and even keyboards.

It has a compact and lightweight profile that is easy to carry around, and since it runs on 48V phantom power, you don't need to worry about batteries or wall warts.

At the core of his DI Box is an active circuit that converts your signal from high to low impedance, it also balances and buffers the signal to drive long cables straight to PA.

Fractal Audio is a relatively small company that competes directly with the world's biggest amp modeling and effects manufacturers. They built their reputation on the quality of their premium priced guitar processor called AxeFX, but has since expanded into relatively more affordable territory with the AX8 and FX8.

The FX8 has a great balance of quality, complexity and practicality and is a true multi-effects "only" unit, so there's no amp modeling feature to get hung up on.

With its ability to run up to 8 effects simultaneously, the DigiTech RP360 XP gives you more flexibility in a compact form factor without compromising exterior durability and aesthetics. It also comes with a lot of nifty extras which include a 40-second looper, 60 rhythm tracks and a built-in chromatic tuner.

This was Roland's flagship stereo keyboard amp, before being superseded, producing 320 watts total power and sporting 5 stereo input channels.

It comes with built in stereo DSP effects which apart from the regular reverb, delay chorus etc., also includes a 'rotary' stereo effect which emulates a Leslie rotary speaker system.

Like the KC-550, it also comes with a stereo I/O link for chaining multiple amps together.

It also comes with removable casters making easy to move around.

This is a 4 channel amp with volume control on each channel and a master 2-band EQ. It has an XLR input for dynamic microphones and a stereo RCA Auxiliary input.

Like all the Roland KC series amps it has an output for a subwoofer if you want to beef up the bottom end.

It is used by keyboardists as a practice and performance amp and also as a stage monitor. It is also used by musicians of all types as an amp and a personal PA system - including acoustic guitarists and electronic drummers.

As the name implies, the VHT Special 6 Hand-Wired is an affordable tube amp with old school point-to-point wiring, ideal for those who want to customize their own amps.

But it's not just for tweakers and builders because its default setup is already good enough for most reviewers, as evidence by its high ratings.

This amp comes in a compact combo configuration with a 6W amplifier and a 10" speaker. It doesn't stray too far from familiar territory with its 12AX7 preamp tube and 6V6 output tube.

As you might expect, Native Instruments have designed this to be the best controller for their range of Komplete software, however it can be used with other software, plugins and DAWs as well and many virtual instruments via their NKS protocol - take a look at the video below for more information.

While most claims for innovation are mostly hyped, the Shure KSM8's dual diaphragm design moving coil capsule is a genuinely new technology that achieves a wider sweetspot and reduces the dreaded proximity effect. This allows for more freedom of movement and positioning, while keeping the sound quality consistent.

This complex capsule design is a bit more sensitive and prone to damage, but since this mic is developed by Shure, you can be sure of reliability and durability.

The AT2010 is a live vocal mic which has a design based on Audio-Technica's AT2020 studio mic and uses the same 16 mm low-mass diaphragm.

In fact this mic is rated more highly than its studio cousin and tops the rankings for sub-$100 live vocal microphones.

Used by big name artists such as Sheryl Crow, Sammy Hagar of Chickenfoot and System of a Down's Seri Tankjan just to name a few, the Shure SM7B continues to be one of the most in-demand and sought after vocal mics on the market today - both for recording and live performances.

Even the King of Pop Michael Jackson, who could have whatever microphone he wanted, recorded vocal parts of Thriller using the original SM7.

The Polara reverb pedal features an interesting mix of classic and modern reverb types, and some of the algorithms are based on staple studio gear from Lexicon.

This interesting combination makes it a viable pedal for both the minimalist and those who want to experiment with the reverb effect.

The Electro-Harmonix Cathedral is a versatile stereo reverb pedal, featuring 24-bit AD/DA conversion and true stereo input output compatibility.

It features 8 reverb algorithms, from old school reverb types like Hall, Room, Plate and Accu Spring, to modern algorithms that include Reverse, Grail Flerb, Grail Spring and Echo.

"Sterling by Music Man" is a sub-brand of Ernie Ball Music Man, tasked to manufacture affordable instruments that can compete in the entry level market. The SUB Ray4 is one of their standout instruments, a more affordable version of the original Music Man Stingray bass, the popular bass that pioneered the use of built-in active EQ controls on production line bass guitars.

Luther Vandross, Christ Martin (Coldplay) and Paul McCartney are just three of the many vocalists who have been seen using the AKG C414 on stage or in the studio. And rightly so because the AKG C414 is one of the most versatile in the market, with five polar patterns to choose from.

The Keystation 49 II showcases a light-weight build with velocity sensitive synth-action keys.

This controller has transport and directional buttons that allow you to control your DAW, as well as an assignable slider for volume controls.

In addition to being class complaint, it is also compatible with iOS devices which adds to its portability and convenience, ideal for those who use an iPad for sequencing music on the go.

The CME Xkey Air 25 is a portable 25-Key MIDI keyboard controller that does away with extra features, and focuses on playability and portability.

It is easily one of the most modern looking controllers in the market today, with its very slim and lightweight profile, which makes it easily stand out from the competition. Its thin profile makes it visually compatible with modern wireless computer keyboards, tablets and thin laptops. And like laptops, it comes with a built-in rechargeable battery that allows you to use it without having to drain the power of your mobile device.

The K-Board 25-Key MIDI Controller is class compliant, making it effortless to connect with any computer or device.

The Smart Fabric features built into each key makes them velocity, pressure, and location sensitive, which allows for greater real-time performance control.

This small-sized yet sturdy controller is convenient and portable enough for quick music making on the go or if you want a minimal workspace at home.

As the name implies, Traveler Guitars is a manufacturer that specializes in providing full-size guitar playability in a compact profile that fits into the overheard compartment of commercial planes.

The Traveler Escape Mark III offers full-size playability (25.5" Scale Length and 1.75" nut width) without the bulk and fragility associated with conventional acoustic guitars.

The Fender MA-1 is a 3/4 size acoustic guitar with a traditional "Parlor" guitar shape.

It is primarily meant for students, but it has proven to be a good grab-and-go instrument for experienced players who are always on the move.

The specs don't promise anything out of the ordinary, rather it utilizes cheap tonewoods like agathis for the top and sapele for the back and sides.

Still, this guitar continues to gather good reviews from players who point to its compact size, playability, build quality and ridiculously low price.

The U-Phoria UMC204HD audio interface gives you two channels to work with, along with complementary features that you'd usually expect on more expensive units.

With its MIDAS-designed mic preamps and 24-bit/192kHz AD/DA conversion, you get the same sound quality as their popular mixers, but in a more portable form factor and at a mere fraction of the cost.

Each channel comes complete with essential controls, including dedicated gain knobs, Line/Instrument level switches, audio signal pad switches, and a headphones volume knob.

The TC-Helicon VoiceTone Mic Mechanic 2 is a compact pedal that's meant to fine tune and improve your vocals.

It does away with fancy bells and whistles, and sticks to essentials like reverb, echo, pitch correction, and TC-Helicon's Adaptive Tone technology, which intelligently tweaks compression, EQ, de-essing and gating as you perform to improve the resulting sound.

For more control over the ambience of your voice, the pedal offers a total of 8 reverb and echo presets, including variations of Room, Studio, Hall and Delay.

This is among the most feature-packed sets in the sub $500 price range, and it also includes drum sticks.

It has quite a lot of pre-set kits, user configurable kits, and sounds for the price.

The snare and toms have rubber heads that have a relatively natural response which are all mounted on a 4-post chrome plated aluminum rack which has plenty of strength while remaining relatively light-weight. The kick tower pad is also large enough to use a double kick pedal with it.

Back in 2016, our research showed that the Alesis Nitro Kit was by far the most popular electronic drum set in the sub $500 price range. It was also the highest rated set under $300 by quite a wide margin - leaving all other options in this price bracket so far behind that it's the only one that got our recommendation for the sub $300 price at the time.

In addition to coming with a snare, hi-hats, kick and 3 toms it also has 2 additional 2-zone inputs on the module to allow for future expansion - you can use these for extra toms or cymbals.

Focusrite continued their market dominance with the 2nd generation Scarlett series of audio interfaces, which included the immensely popular Scarlett 2i2. Focusrite says it is, "The best selling USB audio interface in the world".

This 2nd Gen version features upgraded A/D resolution of 24-bit/192kHz, lower latency, improved instrument input and improved hardware.

Having said all that, the Focusrite mic preamp within the unit is still its main standout feature, as it is still highly regarded by many for its sound quality.

So, right off the bat this amp is a bit out there. If you’re a traditionalist, or you want a plug and play amp, this is not the piece of gear for you. On the other hand, if you’re willing to put the time into fiddling with it you may be surprised at the value this amp presents.

These are Audio-Technica's cheaper alternative to the ATH-M40x, and are also designed for both tracking and mixing, but if you are going to be doing a lot of mixing with headphones only then I'd suggest going with the ATH-M40x above.

The Empress Effects Analog Compressor is an interesting piece of equipment. Billing itself as a “studio grade compressor” it claims to have a sound quality that rivals the famed rack-mount units you’d find in a professional studio. Whether or not this is true is a matter of personal taste, but if you’re a guitarist or bass guitarist looking for a professional-quality compressor you can’t go wrong here.

This pedal is arguably one of the best available for those of you who want a lot of control over how your tone is affected by your compression pedal. The most interesting feature of the Vise Grip is that you can control which unaffected frequency range is introduced back into your signal when you use the pedal’s blend knob.

The most important thing to know about this compressor is that it colors your tone, and some musicians feel that it does so pretty drastically. To our ears it seems to add in a twangy mid-range hump, which is likely why it’s been such a fixture in the country guitar scene for the last few decades.

The Donner Guitar Pedal Coupler 4-Pack is a simple and practical solution for connecting pedals with jacks that are of the same height.

They are essentially two 1/4" plugs combined together back to back, eliminating the need for a cable to save even more space and cost.

For added eye candy they come with a nice gold finish that will add some elegance to your floorboard rig.

The AKG K702 is a set of studio reference headphones that are equipped with a 3D-foam earpads to provide comfort for long wearing sessions.

The flat-wire voice coils and patented Varimotion two-layer diaphragm provides a reasonably accurate level of frequency response making them suitable for precision listening, mixing and mastering.

The MDR-7502 dynamic closed-back headphones from Sony are the lighter weight version of the MDR-7506.

They feature gold connectors, an oxygen-free cord, and great quality sound production at a reasonable low price.

They're designed for different applications, from being an alternative to consumer headphones, to sound monitoring in the field or in the studio.

These on-ear headphones offer a closed-back design for sound isolation, making them suitable for recording and tracking.

These have been Sennheiser's most popular headphones with home recording enthusiasts for years and they continue to sell well at most online music gear stores..

This 500-series version of elysia's xpressor rackmount is a stereo compressor based on a Class A discrete circuitry. Its circuitry makes its transistors always conductive resulting in less crossover distortion and giving it a wide, open and punchy sonic base.

This universal compressor's switchable semi-automation lets you set the perfect attack that influences the attack parameter on short and loud impulses.

Its log release feature follows a logarithmic course to provide a gentle kind of compression instead of a standard linear progress.

From its humble beginnings in 1962, Korg is now one of the biggest music gear producers in the world. The MicroArranger is a reasonably priced portable keyboard with "arranger" features built-in.

The Korg MicroArranger is more than just a practice and performance keyboard, it is also a powerful music production tool. It is part of the company's line of keyboard arrangers which normally require a more premium price tag.

Casio has produced a good number electronic devices, the most popular of which include affordable electronic keyboards. They continue to capture a big chunk of the competitive entry level keyboard market with their impressive ability to pack as many features as they can into budget friendly priced instruments, while keeping the quality high.

A great example of this is the CTK-2400, a super affordable portable keyboard that is packed with many practical features that beginners and upstarts will appreciate, including 400 voices, 150 rhythms and the step up learning system.

This is a budget option which is quite popular despite some of the cheaper materials used.

The PDKM7 from Pyle Pro Audio contains five dynamic drum microphones, two condenser microphones and drum mount accessories. It includes a lightweight carry case that protects the microphones and allows quick setup and safe transport.