Backing Tracks Gear Guide
What to buy first for running tracks — without overspending.
Running tracks for the first time? You need far less gear than the internet will try to sell you. This guide is the exact gear we recommend — organized two ways. Option 1 gives you a complete, ready-to-buy rig at three budget levels. Option 2 lets you mix and match each piece to your own budget. Prices are ballpark (USD) and drift over time.
Option 1: Buy Exactly What We Say (Based on Your Budget)
A) Low Budget
Software
- Multitracks (~$10/month)
iPad
- iPad (10th Gen) (~$300)
- USB-C iPad Adapter (~$69)
- iPad Stand for Mic Stand (~$20)
Audio Interface
Direct Box (to hook up the iPad)
- Pyle Pro Stereo Direct Box (~$20)
- XLR Cables (2-pack) — choose length based on distance to your source
Talkback System
Microphone
- Pyle Pro (~$26)
Switch
- Rolls MM11-Pro (~$60)
XLR Cables
- Hosa 10 ft (2-pack) (~$45)
In-Ears
Buy 1 of each item per band member and vocalist.
Monitor System
XLR Cables
- Hosa XLR — choose length based on distance from the ears to your source
Headphones
Batteries
Content (Tracks, Licensing, etc.)
MIDI Controllers
- Korg Nano Pad2 (~$50)
- USB Mini Cable (~$6)
- MIDI Controller Mic Stand Rack (~$25)
B) Medium Budget
Software
- Multitracks (~$10/month)
MacBook
- MacBook Air (~$1,100)
- USB-C Cable (~$70)
- Laptop Stand (~$90)
Audio Interface
- Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 (~$650)
- Patch Cables (3 ft) (~$30)
Direct Box (to hook up the audio interface)
- Behringer Ultra DI Pro DI800v2 (~$110)
- XLR Cables (8-pack) — choose length based on distance to your source
Talkback System
Microphone
- Shure SM58 (~$100)
Switch
- Radial HotShot DM-1 (~$150)
XLR Cables
- Hosa 10 ft (2-pack) (~$45)
In-Ears
Buy 1 of each item per band member and vocalist.
Monitor System
- Sennheiser EW IEM G4 (2-pack) (~$1,500)
XLR Cables
- Pro Co Snake — choose length based on distance from the ears to your source
Headphones
- Shure SE215 (~$99)
Batteries
Content (Tracks, Licensing, etc.)
MIDI Controllers
- Oaktone Mini 2 (~$230)
- MIDI Controller Mic Stand Rack (~$25)
C) Big Budget (Includes Redundancy System)
Software
- Ableton Live Suite (~$800, one-time) — you can run two comps on one license
MacBook
- MacBook Pro (~$1,600) ×2
- USB-C Cable (~$70) ×2
- Laptop Stand (~$90) ×2
Audio Interface
- iConnectivity PlayAUDIO1U (~$1,200)
- 12-Channel Snake (~$340)
Direct Box (to hook up the audio interface)
Not needed — the PlayAUDIO1U acts as the DI.
Talkback System
Microphone
- Shure Beta 58 (~$150)
Switch
- Optogate PB-05 (~$250)
XLR Cables
- Hosa 10 ft (2-pack) (~$45)
Phantom Power
- Phantom Power Supply (~$33)
In-Ears
Buy 1 of each item per band member and vocalist.
Monitor System
- Shure P9TRA (~$1,575)
XLR Cables
- Pro Co Snake — choose length based on distance from the ears to your source
Headphones
- In-ears are already included in the wireless system (1 set per receiver)
Batteries
Content (Tracks, Licensing, etc.)
MIDI Controllers
- Oaktone Slide Duo (~$389)
- iConnectivity mioXM (~$250)
- Network Switch (~$20)
- Ethernet Cables (5-pack) (~$10)
- MIDI Controller Mic Stand Rack (~$25)
Option 2: Mix and Match
Pick one item from each category at the budget level that fits you.
Software
Low Budget
- Multitracks (~$0–$30/month)
- Prime (~$5–$50/month)
Medium Budget
- Ableton Live Standard (~$500, one-time)
Big Budget
- Ableton Live Suite (~$800, one-time)
iPad / MacBook
Low Budget
- iPad (10th Gen) (~$300)
- M4 Mac Mini (~$500–$800)
- iPad Pro (~$1,000–$1,300)
Medium Budget
- M4 Mac Mini (~$1,000)
- MacBook Air (~$1,100)
- MacBook Pro (~$1,600)
Big Budget
- M4 Pro Mac Mini (~$1,500)
- MacBook Pro (~$2,900)
Audio Interface
Low Budget
- Hosa HMX-006Y Pro Stereo Breakout Cable — 3.5mm TRS male to dual TS male, 10 ft (~$18)
- Focusrite Solo (~$120)
- Focusrite 2i2 (~$170)
- Behringer U-Phoria UMC1820 (~$190)
Medium Budget
- Focusrite 4i4 (~$280)
- Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 (~$650)
- MOTU UltraLite 18x22 (~$650)
Big Budget
- iConnectivity PlayAUDIO12 (~$700)
- iConnectivity PlayAUDIO1U (~$1,200)
- Universal Audio Apollo x8 (~$3,500)
- RME Fireface UFX III (~$3,200)
Direct Box (to hook up the audio interface)
Low Budget
- Pyle Pro Stereo Direct Box (~$20)
- Mackie MDB-2P Stereo DI (~$80)
- Behringer Ultra DI Pro DI800v2 (~$110)
Medium Budget
- Radial ProD2 (~$200)
- Walrus Audio Stereo Direct Box (~$200)
Big Budget
- Neve RNDI Stereo Direct Box (~$500)
- Phoenix Audio N-8 8-Channel Direct Box (~$1,700)
- Neve RNDI 8-Channel Direct Box (~$2,000)
Talkback System
Low Budget
Microphone
- Pyle Pro (~$26)
Switch
- Rolls MM11-Pro (~$60)
Medium Budget
Microphone
- Shure SM58 (~$100)
- Shure Beta 58 (~$150)
Switch
- Radial HotShot DM-1 (~$150)
- Throne Room Mic Switch (~$160)
- Pro Co Panic Button (~$200)
Big Budget
Microphone
- Shure SM58 (~$100)
- Shure Beta 58 (~$150)
Switch
- Optogate PB-05 (~$250)
- Radial Relay Two with JR1-M Footswitch (~$500)
In-Ears
Buy 1 of each item per band member and vocalist.
Low Budget
Monitor System (not including cables)
- Behringer MicroMON MA400 Monitor Headphone Amp (~$21)
- Behringer P2 Ultra-Compact Personal In-Ear Monitor Amp (~$35)
- Rolls PM50se Personal Monitor Amp (~$69)
Headphones
- KZ ZS10 Pro X In-Ear Monitor Headphone (~$50)
- Linsoul KZ ZS10 PRO 2 In-Ear Monitor IEM (~$55)
- Shure SE215 (~$99)
Medium Budget
Monitor System (not including cables)
- Galaxy Audio AS-950 In-Ear Monitor (~$629)
- Sennheiser XSW IEM Wireless In-Ear Monitoring System (~$599)
- Audio-Technica ATW-3255 (~$850)
Headphones
- Westone Universal Headphones (~$250–$500)
- Alclair Custom IEMs (~$400–$1,500)
Big Budget
Monitor System (not including cables)
- Sennheiser EW IEM G4 (2-pack) (~$1,500)
- Shure P9TRA (~$1,575)
Headphones
- 64 Audio (~$499–$3,000)
- Ultimate Ears (~$550–$3,000)
Content (Tracks, Licensing, etc.)
MIDI Controllers
Low Budget
- Korg Nano Pad2 (~$50)
- Akai Pro LPD8 mk2 (8-pad) (~$60)
- Behringer Touch Mini (~$79)
Medium Budget
- Oaktone Mini 2 (~$230)
- Muse Kinetics Foot Controller (~$340)
- Oaktone Slide Duo (~$389)
- Oakboard Floor Vista (~$399)
Big Budget
- Liobox 2 (~$450)
- Ableton Push 3 (~$1,000)
Plugins
A few favorites worth adding:
Ready to put it all together? Jump into the full Backing Tracks course.