Making sweet music has never been easier or those of us unwilling to learn to read music or tune a guitar.

Thanks to amazing software and hi-tech kit, the whole process has been democratised — all you need to produce a song now is an idea, a laptop and a few bits of equipment – although of course, a finely tuned ear, lots of hard work and some genuine talent don't exactly hurt.

For while this gear will give you the tools, it won't give you the skills; a monkey with a Montegrappa isn't going to write Moby Dick, after all.

View our gallery to find everything you need to know about the superb but affordable, pro and semi-pro gear pictured here. Please don't forget us when you're famous...

Via T3.com