
I have finally perfected my studio set up for when I teach online music lessons with Zoom! Many of you have been asking me what my set up is, so I thought it was time to show it to you. Since I was moving into our summer bungalow, I figured this was a perfect time to set it up and show you all the gear as I did it.
What I do with this gear
My studio set up is multipurpose. On any given day I do one of the following things
- Teach piano lessons via Zoom
- Teach voice lessons via Zoom
- Teach workshops, masterclasses and give talks via Zoom
- Film video tutorials for my online membership The Versatile Musician
- Film video content for my YouTube channel
- Record social media content
- Record piano accompaniments for people.
I am not a technology wizard.
Bear in mind that I am not a technological wizard. In fact, quite the opposite is true. I was a total neophyte for YEARS before I was dragged kicking and screaming into the digital age. I started teaching remote lessons back in 2015, after a trip to Australia handed me a bunch of Australian students. I started out by using Skype, which was totally find for a while. Once Covid hit, I realized I needed to up my game if I was to be effective for the long term.
I watched a ton of YouTube videos to sort out my studio set up. I also asked the Google hivemind a lot of times. I was careful to only purchase what I needed and have upgraded along the way. It has been a process of trial and error to figure out what will work for what I do. I plan to keep this setup permanently and will only replace things are they die. (May that not happen for a long, long time…)
Need to learn more chords?
Sign up and get my FREE Ultimate Chord Cheat Sheets! Perfect for mastering your chords on piano.
I am not a technology wizard.
Bear in mind that I am not a technological wizard. In fact, quite the opposite is true. I was a total neophyte for YEARS before I was dragged kicking and screaming into the digital age. I started teaching remote lessons back in 2015, after a trip to Australia handed me a bunch of Australian students. I started out by using Skype, which was totally find for a while. Once Covid hit, I realized I needed to up my game if I was to be effective for the long term.
I watched a ton of YouTube videos to sort out my studio set up. I also asked the Google hivemind a lot of times. I was careful to only purchase what I needed and have upgraded along the way. It has been a process of trial and error to figure out what will work for what I do. I plan to keep this setup permanently and will only replace things are they die. (May that not happen for a long, long time…)
Setting up the Studio
In this video, I show you the steps I took to get the whole operation set up. I took my entire studio setting apart, loaded the stuff in the car and drove it out to our bungalow. I made this video to show you the exact steps to get the damn thing set up again.
My Studio Gear
Please note that these are NOT affiliate links. I with make zero dollars if you click this links. I’m just being a nice person ; )
Apple iMac – $1300. (Purchased in 2018)
Casio Privia keyboard – $600 (Purchased in
Liquid Stands adjustable keyboard stand $72
Proper Keyboard Foot pedal – $25
Focusrite Audio interface $419
Bose Mini Speakers – $149
Cloudlifter Microphone Activator $149
Microphone – Shure SM7B – $399
Bundle the Cloudlifer and Shure SM7B
Webcams – $69
How Much Did This Cost? Could I Do it Cheaper?
The complete cost of my studio set up: $3251
How could I make this cheaper?
1. Get a smaller or cheaper keyboard
Make sure it’s MIDI compatible!
2. Use a USB microphone like the Blue Snowball
I have one and it works great! It also eliminates the need for a DAW, which will save you a bundle!
3. Use headphones or a cheaper pair of computer speakers
4. Use a laptop or a non-Mac computer – I use Mac because of all of the video editing I do. You can totally get away with a non-Mac or a refurbished computer which would work great.
All of this equipment was a tax writeoff for my business and it was worth it for me to invest, since I want to create the highest quality lessons for my private students and film the best possible tutorial videos. It has paid off many-fold since I now have a thriving membership and an almost-full private teaching studio.
Want to know more about my setup or other digital tools I use? I regularly use a software called ManyCam, which helps me create an incredible online piano and voice lesson Leave me a comment

Want to level up your musical skills? Strengthen your piano skills, develop your ear training, become a rhythm ninja and learn new skills like jazz and improvisation.
The Versatile Musician is an all-in-one membership that combines video lessons, print material and live support to help you level up your skills and thrive as a musician and music teacher.
To learn more, check out www.theversatilemusician.com and get ready to become the best musician possible!