The Best Budget Studio Monitors for Professional Audio Quality

Product
Features
JBL Professional 705P Self-powered Studio Monitor

JBL Professional 705P Self-powered Studio Monitor

The Next Gen JBL Driver Technology
Integrated Dual Amplification System
Patent Pending Image Control Waveguide
Comprehensive room EQ and delay controls
The Best Budget Studio Monitors for Professional Audio Quality 1
Yamaha HS5 Studio Monitor

Yamaha HS5 Studio Monitor

It weighs 12 lbs with the dimension of 7″ x 9″ x 12″
It comes with a low resonance enclosure design
High TRIM response controls
54Hz-30kHz frequency response
The Best Budget Studio Monitors for Professional Audio Quality 1
Mackie CR-X

Mackie CR-X

It has professional studio-quality sound
fitted with flexible inputs
has sleek cosmetics
It has front panel power and volume control
The Best Budget Studio Monitors for Professional Audio Quality 1
JBL 305P MkII

JBL 305P MkII

Handles the low-end frequency efficiently
Backside EQ that matches that can match your room acoustics
Powerful design and reliable built so you can use it for hours continuously
A bit expensive for those who use a single monitor
The Best Budget Studio Monitors for Professional Audio Quality 1
KRK Rokit 5 G4

KRK Rokit 5 G4


Well-built due to which there would be minimal vibrations of low frequencies
Kevlar drivers for eventually supersonic accuracy
It is made of solid structures so it is a bit heavy in comparison to other studio monitors
Bit expensive
The Best Budget Studio Monitors for Professional Audio Quality 1
Presonus Eris-Near-field Studio Monitor

Presonus Eris-Near-field Studio Monitor


Woofers deliver a cleaner overall sound
Smooth high end and have a wide sweet spot
automatically connects to virtually any line-level source
Cost-effective
The Best Budget Studio Monitors for Professional Audio Quality 1

Searching for the best budget studio monitors is not an easy job. Workroom monitors are also known as studio monitors. Studio monitors are specially designed speakers built for a studio environment. For all those who love high-quality clear music or audio studio monitors is an ideal choice. The studio monitors are different from your normal speaker. So, why won’t you be interested in buying a studio monitor available at a pocket-friendly price?

There is a lot that goes together with a good song and an excellent mix. And that’s pretty mind-blowing.

Imagine what if I told you that you don’t have to be an expert to make music at home like professionals? Yes, you read it right. In such a case, a studio monitor does help a lot. So, get ready to be a music expert with your favorite studio monitor in your music studio.

So let’s first understand what’s exactly a studio monitor. Studio monitors are inherent speakers under enclosures that are specially designed for highly credible audio professional production applications, such as recording studios, movie-making, television studios, radio studios, and project or home studios, where accurate audio reproduction is a very crucial job.

Studio monitor speakers are available at pocket-friendly (except for some of them unless you’re going the professional engineering mastering route). Some best budget studio monitors are engineered for music recording and producing. Although, we have come across many recommendations for mastering headphones to mix. Also, we know others who need studio monitors on top of their other gear for a lot of obvious reasons.

Here are some good reasons why you should search for the best budget studio monitors for your setup:

  • Studio monitors provide an accurate sound amongst all the available frequencies, high (tweeters), medium, and low (subwoofers), while many consumer-based speakers can only provide a component for all of the above. So if you’re a music enthusiast you should go for studio monitors.
  • It is ideal and highly suggested for those people who mix and master tracks at any kind of level.
  • It gives you that step up from simply a desk with a few controllers to a genuine home recording studio.
  • It is magnificent for leisure music listening — if you think they are only for mixing and mastering then you’re wrong. It can function for both depending on your use that day.

Best Budget Studio Monitors – Buying Guide

Previously, there were no concepts of a home recording, but then soon people realized the power and need of home studios. Gradually, people got to know that there are many things that we need in our home studio for high-quality sound recordings. For a home studio, most equipment is a single or a pair of best-budget studio monitors. Also, they need to understand what is so important about studio monitors. The answer to this is quite simple.

For producing great music or recording high-quality music or sounds, we require a studio monitor. It is an essential ingredient for recording, producing, and mixing. Instead of studio monitors, regular speakers won’t cut it.

Factors to consider when you are willing to buy the best budget studio monitors

Design:

Keep in mind that the design of your studio monitor is really important. The design should be the first thing in your mind, and the aesthetics should be the last. Come let’s take a look at how these studio monitors are designed. The first step is to check whether the control panels are placed at convenient locations. After that take a look at the built-in structure such that it can last for a long. Also, check the size of your studio monitors so they can fit well in your studio space. Get ready to do good research such that your studio monitor fits well and you can record or mix well.

Features:

As we are searching for the best budget studio monitors so it is important to check the features and specifications of the model that we are going to buy. All of us must adjust high and low frequencies such that we can control acoustic tunings. Therefore, we need to note that these features will surely affect the performance of your studio monitor. Before buying or selecting a particular product do check out some other alternatives and do good research regarding the specifications of the product.

Performance:

The performance of a studio monitor is an important factor. All of us desire better sound quality. So, whenever you’re hunting for the best budget studio monitors you need to check their performance. The professionals must get every detail of sound for proper recording and mixing. In such a case, performance matters. The studio monitor should allow a small amount of coloration. The users should be able to make the necessary changes and edits before finalizing their music. Therefore, we all wish to buy the best budget studio monitor that delivers crystal-clear and accurate audio at both high and low frequencies.

Room size:

Don’t forget to check your room size before buying a studio monitor. Buy that studio monitor that can fit well in your room. Based on the size there are two different types of studio monitors:

  • Near field monitors
  • Far-field monitors

As the name suggests, near-field monitors are those which can fit exactly, and you can listen properly from a close distance. They are specially designed to listen from 4 to 5 feet away from where you sit inside your studio.

Thus, it makes it an ideal choice for home studios or bedroom studios that don’t require proper acoustic treatment. Due to the shorter distance, it will degrade the quality of reflections of the sound before it travels to your ears. So, those who are an expert or a beginner near field monitors are a great choice. Whereas far-field studio monitors are monitors that are aimed at hearing music from a farther distance from your studio table or chair. Usually, these studio monitors are placed on high stands. Else they’re mounted on the back wall of your music studio. These monitors are usually big in size and expensive too.

People with large studios can try this large-sized studio monitor treated with acoustic audio panels. These far-field monitors are responsible for keeping an eye on the low-end mix. We need to keep in mind that 95% of the mix can be produced on near-field monitors and not on far-field monitors.

Size of the Speaker:

An important factor is the size of your woofers or speakers. Place a bigger woofer for bass sound quality. A bigger woofer means that the overall size of your studio monitor will be larger. So, if your room size is a bit small then do keep this factor in your mind.

Top Pick:

As we know, Yamaha HS8 Studio Monitor is well equipped with a large 8″ woofer cone and a 1″ tweeter that gives you high-quality bass output. Also, the frequency response of this studio monitor is high such that you can hear every minute detail of your music recordings. These factors make your studio monitor one of the best budget studios to monitor choices for any home studio.

Premium Choice:

One of the excellent choices is Adam Audio A7X which is a powered studio monitor with an upgraded model A7. It can be used as an active studio monitor that beautifully makes use of the technology known as X-ART. It has a built-in tweeter that gives you a high-frequency response. Its high-quality sound massively improves in the A7 model, and you can enjoy some serious high and low-end sounding with this studio monitor. Without any distortion, this baby is quite easily manageable, and it can help you to make some flawless music.

Great Value:

With JBL LSR305 which is one the best budget studio monitors. It offers excellent value to professionals and is a great example of the value of your money. By referring to the name of this studio monitor you can understand that it has a pack of two monitors. With that, the frequency range is also high so you can get every detail about your audio recordings. Also, the device is equipped with class D amplifiers that provide maximum power to your monitors.

Type of Monitors:

Studio monitors are of two types: passive studio monitors and active studio monitors. Passive monitors are the ones that aren’t equipped with amplifiers. In case you purchase a passive studio monitor then you have to buy an amplifier separately to power the monitor. Thus, it is a major drawback of passive studio monitors. Whereas active studio monitors are well-equipped with a built-in amplifier so you don’t have to buy a separate amplifier. You can use it directly out of the box. If you’re confused about which one will give better yield then personal usage is also a matter of concern.

The Budget:

All of us love to have products with excellent features available at budget-friendly prices. An important reason for buying any product depends on your budget. How decide your budget when you wish to buy a studio monitor is a necessary job. First, get all the basic details about a range of prices and features. High-end models are available with excellent features and specifications, but nothing comes for free. Firstly, the basic rule is to understand the nature of your recordings and mixes. With that, you can decide what is essential for your studio monitor.

Monitors vs. Speakers:

All those who’re willing to buy a pair of studio monitors make sure you remember all the necessary points that you want in your studio monitors. Also, you won’t end up buying stereo speakers.

In the case of speakers, the users need to understand that speakers are built in such a way that whatever and whenever you hear it should be pleasing to your ears. Get ready to add some heat with heightened bass and treble that can result in a flat frequency response.

Therefore, it means that sometimes the speakers can provide an inappropriate depiction sound quality of your recording. So, it’s good for you if you stay away from stereo speakers. And hunt for the best budget studio monitors.

Active vs. Passive monitors

An amplifier is needed for any studio monitor to produce sound. For that first, we need to understand the difference between active and passive monitors.

Active monitors are the ones that have built-in amplifiers. The amplifier used is specifically matched with the power requirements of the studio monitors. Thus, it helps you to save time in buying, and you can spend more time researching the right amplifier for your studio monitor. Whereas passive monitors are those which have to be plugged into some external amplifiers.

Which you will have to buy an external amplifier, which will further add to your expenses. It might be beneficial too as you can get the right amplifier for your studio monitors. If in case you’re a seasoned professional with a bigger budget then you can check out the passive monitors.

Before you purchase a studio monitor, do make sure you understand the basics of music analysis. Even a little study will go a long way in helping your new monitors shine. So if you want a good experience of your mix accurately, check out all the options and choose wisely. Once you buy a good studio monitor you’ll enjoy making or hearing good music. Studio monitors are available in different sizes, and colors, and at different price ranges. So, choose wisely according to your room size and pocket.

Keep in mind that the sound quality you decide should depend on the wattage of your studio monitor. Mostly it happens that the music or recordings need to have transient details that require more energy and power for reproduction. As lower power might distort the sound waves which will further ruin the whole purpose of your studio monitor. For high-quality clear music remember to buy a wattage of 50 W or above. You can also consider studio monitors with less wattage for simpler sound quality. So, get set to rock the floor with your recordings or music from your home studio. Chose wisely!

Best Budget Studio Monitors Reviews

So, after researching and checking all the customer ratings and reviews we have found out which are the best budget studio monitors. Do check the list of studio monitors that are available at different price ranges and which can fit into different room sizes. Have a look, and we assure you that you’ll know exactly where to spend your precious time and money.

The best studio monitors under 1000

  1. JBL Professional 705P Self-powered Studio Monitor

JBL Professional 705P Self-powered Studio Monitor-Best budget studio monitors

JBL has been in the game and is a complement to the champions of making audio equipment. Be it headphones, earbuds, speakers, or professional studio monitors. The JBL 705p is no different. This self-powered studio monitor is tailor-made for critical music recording, good for broadcast production applications and film posts. Compact and housed snuggly, the powerful eye-opening Image Control Waveguide drivers that provide dynamic flagship standard output, the JBL 705p is arguably the best budget studio monitor for under 1000 bucks.

Let’s have a look at its interesting and rich features.

  • The Next-Gen JBL Driver Technology:

These new powerful drivers deliver a great frequency response. It has a 2409H compression driver with high frequency. It entertains an innovative diaphragm that is low-mass and annular designed that is responsible to deliver smooth frequency response beyond 36 kHz that has very low distortion.

This system also houses the 725G low-frequency transducer which delivers around 14 mm peak-to-peak excursion that comes with great linearity. It delivers an extremely low-frequency output of less than 39 Hz. They also have proprietary drivers that make this 705P deliver flagship performance.

  • Integrated Dual Amplification System:

With a built-in dual amplification system optimized for high-output drivers, it still produces the best in class sound even when listening at a greater distance. This makes the 705P post-production or mastering environments.

  • Patent Pending Image Control Waveguide:

This impressive patent-pending Image control waveguide technology makes sure the user gets an accurate and neutral amount of sweet sonic detailing. The seamless and acoustic low-frequency to high-frequency transition makes listening crystal clear across a wide range of rooms.

  • 5-Inch Bi-Amplified Master Reference Monitor touches your soul with the pristine quality of sound.
  • Built-in integrated dual amplification system with internal floating-point DSP
  • Also, it has protective steel grills for better safety and aesthetic looks.

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The best studio monitors under 300

  1. Mackie CR-X Series

Mackie CR-X Series-best budget studio monitors

With this best budget studio monitor, you can enjoy professional sound quality with Bluetooth pairing features.

First, let’s take a look at the features of this studio monitor:

  • There are cosmetics with the help of which you get a studio-quality sound that can complement your piece of music or recordings.
  • It comes with professional-sized speakers that can fit in your room.
  • The ones who wish to build their home studio can buy this product. As it has excellent sound quality and a sleek design and is available at budget-friendly prices. Also, it is a perfect fit for your home studio.
  • Want to create something big on the internet? Then, get ready to bring out your hidden talent with a better representation of your audio, recordings, and videos with great sound quality.
  • For all the gamers out there, now your game won’t stop if your headset stops working because we have brought this exclusive desktop gaming studio monitor. With this, you can hear every minute of noise, lows, and highs of sound.
  • It comes with a brushed metal faceplate and a sleek design. The textured cabinet can upgrade the look of your music room.
  • It has flexible connectors that are easy for wireless streaming and recording.
  • You can easily control high and low volumes with the help of the volume knob present in the front panel.

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The best studio monitors under 200

  1. KRK Rokit 5 G4

KRK Rokit 5 G4

It’s an all-round and one of the best-selling and best-budget studio monitor re-engineered by

KRK is a new brand series –Generation 4 i.e. G4. Indeed it’s a great choice for mixing and recording audio.

If you have a budget problem then you can try out this device as this single device can fix all your problems. It has features that match with Kevlar drivers and has an onboard EQ which comes with a visual screen. Also, it has a well-designed enclosure that makes it a top-rated studio monitor.

With this studio monitor, we can assure you that n more whatever high or low frequency you want to enjoy you can with this studio monitor. It would be a treat to your ears as you won’t feel fatigued quickly from long recording sessions. With the help of Kevlar drivers, you can produce your piece of music as it gives better yield and performance. So, get ready to enjoy music without any coloration.

Features:

  • It has a built-in graphic onboard EQ and limiter for tailoring your studio monitor such that it matches

your room’s acoustics.

  • Well-built due to which there would be minimal vibrations of low frequencies.
  • Kevlar drivers for eventually supersonic accuracy.
  • It is made of solid structures so it is a bit heavy in comparison to other studio monitors.
  • Suitable for your bedroom. As it has 5-inch woofers that can fit into your home studio. But it would be too small for a big studio room.
  • Bit expensive.

For all the new or pro producers this would prove to be the best budget studio monitors. So, get ready to produce your best music with a high-end pair of monitors.  Also, it won’t hurt your pocket.

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  1. JBL 305P MkII

JBL 305P MkII

An amazing best budget studio monitor available for low-end frequencies. But JBL 305P MkII is considered to be another priced studio monitor. Though it’s worth every penny you spend. Without any upgrade, we assure you that it will last for years and years.

We all know that JBL has set standards in the industry and the use of its products proves this. JBL 205P MkII comes with a 305Ps boast active amplifier, has a frequency response rate of 49 Hz to 20 kHz, and a 5-inch woofer.

Like KRK Rokit 5 G4, it has EQ control on the back with which you can easily maintain high and low and high frequencies. These studio monitors promise to give the best acoustic treatment to your studio room. The port at the backside of each monitor is specifically customized for low-end frequencies. It has a SlipStream technology that ensures that the low frequencies will not burden your woofers.

Similarly, it is a built-in limiter that works in a way that provides an exit for the low frequencies. With the help of the SlipStream technology, it provides accurate bass renditions that are good for mixing.

Features:

  • Backside EQ that matches that can match your room’s acoustics
  • Handles the low-end frequency efficiently.
  • It comes with an Image Control Waveguide for a bigger sweet spot and a wider stereo image.
  • Powerful design and is reliably built so you can use it for hours continuously.
  • Based on the size of your studio you might need an extra woofer for better bass and sound quality.
  • A bit expensive for those who use a single monitor.

The JBL 305P MkIIs are proved to be a stellar choice for the best budget studio monitors. For all the heavy-bass lovers you would love to enjoy music at the low end. JBLs have been a good option for a long time. If in case you have a huge recording studio then you can go for JBL 305P MkIIs. They have enhanced sound quality which is suitable for big rooms.

It has a great sound system which is quite easy to handle and set up. Also, there is a cutting-edge technology that can highlight your mixing and recording skills. Thus, it’s a great choice.

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Best Studio Monitors under 100

So, these are a few studio monitors under 100 with good ratings.

  1. Presonus Eris-Near-field Studio Monitor

Presonus Eris-Near-field Studio Monitor-best budget studio monitors

The one and only original quality studio monitor designed for gaming, multimedia, watching series and movies, or producing an original piece of music that is completely related to sound and detailing. It has one of the best industrial designs. Like the sound quality, it has a great inbuilt. It has an output current minimizing feature and automatic turn-on/off making it highly reliable. With a powerful bass response, it is one of the best budget studio monitors in the category of fine acoustic tuning.

Features:

  • Woofers deliver a cleaner overall sound
  • Smooth high-end and have a wide sweet spot
  • automatically connects to virtually any line-level source
  • Accuracy
  • Cost-effective

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  1. M-Audio AV32

best budget studio monitors

Compact active desktop reference monitor speakers with premium playback, professional media creation, and exclusive Gaming Sound quality. Easily accessible front panel with 1/8 inch headphone output for private listening to stereo car cable, premium speaker wire, and + speakers.

Features:

  • 10-watt per channel amplifier
  • optimize IV tweeter wave
  • Premium quality sound reproduction
  • Superior imaging
  • 1/8 inch stereo auxiliary input

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  1. Mackie CR-X

Mackie CR-X

Mackie CR-X is a pair of 3-inch multimedia monitors with professional studio-quality sound. It has a very decent volume. These are pretty good for a professional songwriter and musician who recorded his songs at home.

Features:

  •     It has professional studio-quality sound
  •     fitted with flexible inputs
  •     has sleek cosmetics
  •     It has front panel power and volume control

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Best Studio Monitors

  1. Pioneer DJ Studio Monitor

Pioneer DJ Studio Monitor

The compact DM-40 desktop studio monitor brings you an excellent audio experience at your doorstep. They inherit the best from the excellent S-DJX series and Pro Audio speakers, along with a front-loaded bass reflex system for rich, tight bass and DECO* technology for a wider reach and sweet spot. All these features are brought together to a compact design making the DM-40 the perfect match for DJing, producing, and simply enjoying music at home.

Features:

  • 3D stereo sound
  • Time Alignment
  • Front-loaded bass reflex system
  • 2-meter speaker cable
  • Active monitor speakers
  • DECO* technology for a wider reach

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  1. Kali Audio LP-6 Studio Monitor

Kali Audio LP-6 Studio Monitor

This monitor is made specifically which allows you to listen to every detail that happens in your mix. This usually starts with a frequency response. You will hear in the monitor exactly whatever is present in the mix. Nothing extra is suppressed or boosted to cover the flaws or make the sound more pleasing.

Features:

  • 3-D Imaging Waveguide
  • 3D soundstage from just an audio pair of monitors
  • A wider and steeper stereo image
  • Crisp mix with accurate bass

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  1. JBL Professional 308P MkII

JBL Professional 308P MkII

 It is the next-generation 8-inch studio monitor with a two-way power source. These are the best studio monitor for a small amount of money. The sound quality is amazing with good clarity, and the speakers are pretty good.

Features:

  • It has a sleek and modern design that provides a dramatic aptitude to any studio.
  • It has a neutral frequency response across a wide area that helps you to edit your tune while listening.
  • It features next-gen transducers and an eye-catching design.

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Best Studio Monitors for Small Room

  1. Yamaha HS5 Studio Monitor

Yamaha HS5 Studio Monitor

It is considered to be the successor of the NS-10 family. But it got discontinued back in the early 1980s. You can’t comfortably carry this studio monitor everywhere and anywhere you want as it is not quite portable. But it is known to be the best budget studio monitor available in the market that can smoothly fit into any corner of your bedroom or home studio. It comes with a two-way bass-reflex bi-amplified response. It is a near-field studio monitor that has an inbuilt 5″ cone woofer and a 1″ dome tweeter. It can easily handle a frequency response range of 54 Hz – 30k Hz.

Features:

  • It weighs 12 lbs with the dimension of 7″ x 9″ x 12″.
  • It comes with a low resonance enclosure design,
  • High TRIM response controls
  • Inbuilt advanced noise reduction technology fitted with the latest transducers that can produce a high-performance 70W Amp unit.
  • It has the capability of XLR & TRS phone jack inputs to accept the balanced and unbalanced signal.

Therefore, we can conclude that Yamaha HS5 Powered Studio Monitor is a quite suitable studio monitor for small rooms for professionals.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What are the best affordable studio monitors?

Presonus Eris E3.5 is one of the most affordable near-field studio monitors. If you’re one of those who have started their recording career with a pair of headphones or PC or laptop speakers then Presonus Eris E3.5 can be an instant upgrade. So far it is the best budget studio monitor available in the market with a variety of connections and onboard EQ correction.

  1. What are the best studio monitors under $100?

The best studio monitors under $100 are M-Audio AV32 and Mackie CR-X. M-Audio AV32 is a compact active desktop reference monitor speaker with premium playback, professional media creation, and exclusive Gaming Sound quality. Easily accessible front panel with 1/8 inch headphone output for private listening to stereo car cable, premium speaker wire, and + speakers. Whereas Mackie CR-X is a pair of 3-inch multimedia monitors with professional studio-quality sound. It has a very decent volume. These are pretty good for a professional songwriter and musician who recorded his songs at home.

  1. Which studio monitors should I buy?

JBL One Series 104 is one of the best budget studios monitors with a compact and portable design. It is specially built for home recording and podcasting. Also, it is known for its performance and budget-friendly price. As the name suggests so we need to expect high-quality sound which comes with an accurate and balanced frequency range. It’s the top pick due to Bluetooth 5 connectivity.

  1. Are expensive studio monitors worth it?

As we all know, that studio monitors are available at different prices. Some of them are expensive, but it’s worth every penny you spend. For the ones who are willing to create and record music then it’s a great deal. The main advantage of buying studio monitors is that you can enjoy the flat sound, lows, mids, and highs frequencies with every minute detail.

  1. Should I buy monitors or speakers?

In the case of speakers, the users need to understand that speakers are built in such a way that whatever and whenever you hear it should be pleasing to your ears. Get ready to add some heat with heightened bass and treble that can result in a flat frequency response.

Therefore, it means that sometimes the speakers can provide an inappropriate depiction sound quality of your recording. So, it’s good for you if you stay away from stereo speakers. And hunt for the best budget studio monitors.

  1. Why are studio monitors so expensive?

Studio monitors are manufactured with materials that are used in making a speaker. So, studio monitors are often expensive. These products make use of proprietary technology with the help of which your recordings and music will be more refined and clearer. The branded one’s studio monitors have patented and some built-in technologies.

So, they charge extra for their brands. But we all know that good and strong materials will cost more. We won’t say that the pricey studio monitors are only the best ones. But if you are professional then do opt for a studio monitor that will fit into your list of requirements.

William Larson
William Larson

Hi, I am William. I am a music enthusiast. I play the guitar and ukulele. I like to try out all instruments and review them, to help others make an informed decision. You must choose the right instrument to get that sweet sound you desire. When I am not on my instruments I will be found reading or cooking.

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