The Prime Day music deals might be over but these 40 super savings are still around - including a ridiculously cheap MacBook Air perfect for production

The MacBook Air M1 is a truly amazing bit of kit. The first of the next-gen Apple Silicon chips it’s a brilliant laptop for music making on a budget, and I’m honestly surprised you can still pick them up new. For just $599, the M1 chip will more than hold up to the demands of the home producer, letting you run a DAW, soft synths, and plenty of effects without any noticeable stutter or lag. Having owned one before I upgraded to a MacBook Pro, I can assure you that for the majority of music makers, an M1 will do just fine.

The Gibson Les Paul needs little introduction, and this Standard '60s version is an awesome example of one of the all-time classic electric guitars. It's got a gigantic $600 reduction at Sweetwater at the moment, making it one of the biggest discounts around.

If you’ve got a bit more to spend but still value portability, this MacBook Air M4 is just north of $1k over at Amazon. It’s got oodles of power with 16GB of unified memory that will give you plenty of power for running concurrent reverb plugins, yet it’s small and lightweight enough to carry around anywhere in a backpack. One thing to note with a MacBook Air is the lack of ports, with just two Thunderbolt 4 ports on this one. This means you might want to take that money saved and invest in a good USB hub.

With Casio's multi-dimensional AiR processing, 88 scaled hammer action keys, 26 additional tones and a very accessible playing action, this is a superb option for beginners and intermediates, and with $200 off, you really can't go wrong.

The MacBook Air M1 is a truly amazing bit of kit. The first of the next-gen Apple Silicon chips it’s a brilliant laptop for music making on a budget, and I’m honestly surprised you can still pick them up new. For just $599, the M1 chip will more than hold up to the demands of the home producer, letting you run a DAW, soft synths, and plenty of effects without any noticeable stutter or lag. Having owned one before I upgraded to a MacBook Pro, I can assure you that for the majority of music makers, an M1 will do just fine.

If you’ve got a bit more to spend but still value portability, this MacBook Air M4 is just north of $1k over at Amazon. It’s got oodles of power with 16GB of unified memory that will give you plenty of power for running concurrent reverb plugins, yet it’s small and lightweight enough to carry around anywhere in a backpack. One thing to note with a MacBook Air is the lack of ports, with just two Thunderbolt 4 ports on this one. This means you might want to take that money saved and invest in a good USB hub.

For those who love MacOS and want optimal power for more complex projects and scoring, you’ll want to look at the MacBook Pro M4. Apple’s latest chip is packing some serious heft, and it’ll put up with the most rigorous strain from projects with hundreds of tracks in its stride. I have the MacBook Pro M3, and so far, I’ve yet to find anything beyond its capabilities, despite running some huge sessions recorded on a 48-channel desk.

The Gibson Les Paul needs little introduction, and this Standard '60s version is an awesome example of one of the all-time classic electric guitars. It's got a gigantic $600 reduction at Sweetwater at the moment, making it one of the biggest discounts around.

Loaded with a trio of Narrowfield DD S pickups, this very well may be the most versatile PRS guitar to date - and better yet, you can save $200 at Guitar Center.

The stunning Gretsch G2420T Streamliner is big, bold and full of vibe. From the amazing build quality and stylish aesthetic, to the warm tones on offer from both the on-board BroadTron pickups, this guitar oozes class. If this ticks all your boxes, now is the perfect time to pick one up.

Are you looking for a contemporary Fender Strat? Well, look no further than the Fender Player Stratocaster HSS Plus. This ultra-modern guitar is capable of producing searing lead tones as well as the crisp, clean tones you’d expect from a Strat. Right now, you can get a whopping $200 off!

Looking for a stunning guitar that sounds just as good as it looks? Check out the ESP LTD KH-WZ, inspired by Kirk Hammett’s iconic White Zombie guitar! It features killer artwork from the classic horror film and comes equipped with signature EMG Bone Breaker pickups. The lightning-fast 24-fret neck, stunning graphics, and Floyd Rose 1000 tremolo make it a must-have for any metal fan. Plus, it comes with a custom graphic case that's just as cool!

This travel guitar seriously surprised us with it's tone. In our review Chris said, “the sound is so good that I’m starting to question whether the expensive exotic tone woods that so many guitarists lust over really make much of a difference.” High praise indeed for a budget-friendly travel axe. Save 20% at Amazon.

This is a cracking deal on the Squier Classic Vibe '70s Telecaster Thinline, giving you a lot of guitar for under $360. Two wide-range humbuckers deliver some serious versatility, while the light body weight makes it a comfortable guitar for gigging. The vintage appointments add some serious cool factor, and it’s a stunning-looking instrument more than likely to turn a few heads at your next show.

I've seen some cracking deals on EHX pedals over the course of Prime Day, and this one is no different. With a massive $121.95 off, you're paying relatively little for a top-quality overdrive pedal. It acts as a 2-channel pedal which gives you the possibility of both classic and modern overdrive tones, and a cab-sim output makes it more flexible than your average overdrive pedal.

Looper pedals are a great way to both enhance your practice regimen and your live shows. The Ditto+ takes everything great about the original Ditto and adds the ability to save your loops to the pedal. This means you can build a locker of sounds that you can bring into your playing, or just use it to save those moments of inspiration at the tap of a foot.

The EHX Soul POG is criminally underrated in my opinion. I've had one on my 'board for years now, sitting near the front of my chain to give me a tone boost through the Soul Food and, of course, that delicious octave guitar tone courtesy of the POG. It's super flexible as you can swap the order of the pedals, or use the send and return jacks to insert effects in between the two. With a ginormous $194.90 discount, it's cheaper than just buying a Nano POG by itself, so you're essentially getting the Soul Food for free. Bargain!

Line 6 created the HX multi-effects unit for those who want a neat, clean and cost-effective effects processor. With $100 off in the Sweetwater sale, you can use the HX to replace your ‘board entirely or simply use it as a complementary option for an existing setup. Although not as stacked as its bigger siblings, there are still over 200 effects, a built-in looper and full MIDI capability for your troubles. I have always loved the compact yet rugged build of the HX and using the momentary switch options for modulation effects is great fun.

Read our full Line 6 HX Effects review

Everyone needs a Tube Screamer-clone on their ‘board, and even at full price this Joyo Overdrive pedal is excellent value for money. Down to just $50.99 with a 15% reduction in the early Prime Day sale at Amazon, if you’re looking to fill a gap on your pedalboard or just get started building your first one, it’s a great option. Two sections give you a boost and an overdrive function, making it nice and versatile in use and essentially making it two pedals in one bright green enclosure.

Who says pedals need to cost a fortune? Certainly not Amazon. This Kmise Vintage Overdrive is only $18.99! We're guessing by its color and control layout that this is some sort of Tube Screamer-style circuit, but to be honest, we aren't completely sure. That said, for under $20, it is definitely worth purchasing just to find out.

With a massive $200 reduction, these Sennheiser HD 600 studio headphones are the perfect addition to a studio where you already have a good pair of speakers. I like to use headphones to check the finer details of my mix like the stereo imaging and low end, balancing that with the overall picture through my studio monitors to really fine-tune the overall mix. These Sennheisers are super comfortable and deliver incredible detail, making them a very powerful addition to your workflow.

I’m a big fan of Lewitt microphones and this LCT 240 Pro condenser microphone is really great value for money at well below the $200 mark thanks to a $30 discount. As well as delivering superb detail and clarity to recordings, it also includes a shock mount and specifically designed pop filter for the microphone to keep your plosives in check. It also comes with windshield should you need to use it in noisy environments, and a carry case to keep it in good condition.

Yep, you read that right, $8k for a monitor controller. It’s absolutely ridiculous but I implore you to go take a look at this crazy bit of gear, which has got one of the biggest discounts I’ve seen this year with $3,500 off. Based on the monitor section of the flagship Neve 5088 large-format console, the Class A analogue signal paths of this hardware ensure world-class sound and monitor control. It’s got talkback control and a dedicated headphone amplifier, making it a great all-rounder for pro or home studios that want the best of the best.

The Scarlett 4th Gen audio interfaces are amongst my favourite ever made, and the 4i4 for me is the perfect balance of inputs versus price point when it comes to home studio work. 4 inputs is the sweet spot for allowing you to multi-mic sources, whilst being housed in a unit small enough to fit on a home studio desk. It’s got loads of additional functionality that can really streamline your workflow too, like the auto-gain and clip-safe functions, as well as the ability to add extra harmonic content via the air button. It’s currently $50 off in the sale, making it absurd value for money.

With a $60 discount on a single Adam Audio A4V studio monitor, if you buy a pair you’re getting $160 off, which is a hefty chunk of change. These 4-inch monitors are perfect for smaller home studio setups where too much volume will be difficult to handle, giving you superb clarity in smaller spaces. The ribbon tweeter delivers delicious definition to your mixes while the onboard DSP allows you to fine-tune the monitors' response to your particular space.

Using outboard gear can really take your mixes to the next level, offering a tone you can only get with actual transformers and capacitors. This Golden Age Prokect Pre-74 MKIII budget mic preamp is based on the classic Neve 73, giving you timeless sound from the comfort of your home studio. It’s got a cool $100 off at Sweetwater which takes it below $300, making it one of the best value for money preamps I’ve seen so far this year. Add in the fact it only takes up half a rack space and you’ve got a versatile bit of outboard gear for relatively little cash.

This is a brilliant time to stock up on electric guitar strings, thanks to a whopping 50% off these Fender Original 150s during the Prime Day sale. Pure nickel was the flavor of choice during Fender’s golden age, so if you want an instant vintage tone without spending hundreds, the original 150s are a great starting point. Expect a warmer, smoother feel compared to roundwound, alloy-based strings. The sale includes both .009-.042 and .010-.046 sets, so it will cover both your Telecaster and Les Paul.

Full price: pay $2.17 per string
Sale price: pay $1.08 per string

D’Addario is acoustic guitar string royalty. Although Ernie Ball is on top in the electric world, it’s D’Addario that I see people flock to when they ask me for strings during my music retail job. The 80/20 strings are slightly brighter and snappier than the phosphor bronze alternatives, so if you like things bright, you will love the EJ11s. You can pick up a single set for a 36% discount during Prime Day sales, or if you want to seriously stock up, the 3-pack has a lovely 33% discount.

Full price: pay $1.78 per string
Sale price: pay $1.15 per string

Keeping your gear clean not only makes it look better but also helps it last longer. Every time you change your strings you should use the opportunity to clean your guitar, and these microfiber cloths work well on a variety of guitar finishes. The soft surface of the microfiber means the chances of scratching your guitar are minimal, even if it has a more delicate nitrocellulose finish. They work well with other cleaning products too if you like to use fingerboard conditioner or polish on the guitar body. With 12 in a pack, you’re not likely to run out of them anytime soon either!

With the easy availability of smartphones with top-quality cameras and the addition of a cheap phone tripod like this one from Sensyne, I never want to see a badly angled guitar video again. If you like to post your playing on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, or anywhere else, this phone tripod is a great way to get a more professional look to your guitar videos. It’s adjustable to 62 inches in height, so you can play standing up if you prefer, and it also doubles as a selfie stick, so you can take it on holiday with you too!

With the Dunlop PH112T1.14 Black Fang, you can ride the riff lightning with a Hetfield-approved pick that is guaranteed to help you with your down picking and riff writing. Save a generous 19% at Amazon.

If you’ve recently bought a fresh guitar or you’ve got a few in your collection, having a dedicated strap for each can make things just that little bit easier when switching between your guitars. This Levy’s Leather Strap has a nice width, which makes it super comfortable to wear for long periods of time. The ladder style of adjustment means it will fit a variety of different instruments, and the leather means it will last for years and years. I’ve got a couple of leather straps, and one of them is still going even after 15 years of use!

A good pair of wire cutters is one of those things that you’ll buy once and then not need to replace for years. All guitarists will be changing strings at one point or another, and these are a nice size for getting into the string at the headstock and cutting them as flush as possible once you’re done winding. They also double as a great pair of cutters for making repairs to guitar cables and other audio cables if you’re the handy sort that likes to make or repair their own cables.

If you use a MacBook like me, you’ll find a USB hub to be an incredibly useful thing to have on your studio desk. Even with a MacBook Pro, I’m limited to three USB ports, so when you start adding MIDI controllers, interfaces, and external hard drives into the mix, you can run out quickly. Laptop screens are pretty small too, so the ability to add an external monitor to your setup can really speed up the workflow and make it a lot easier to edit your waveform and really dial in your automation lanes.

It might seem like an outlier for music production, but adding a notebook and a pen to my workflow has massively improved my mixing. The idea is that at various stages through my mixing, I’ll take my eyes away from the screen and play the track from start to finish, noting what I don’t like as I go. This keeps me focused on what I need to improve the mix, stops me mixing with my eyes, and really makes me think about the changes I’m making and why. It’s also useful for noting during the tracking phase if I’m trying new mic techniques and placements.

Tidy desk, tidy mind is a mantra for good reason, and at the start of the year I decided to sort my messy studio desk out once and for all. This cable management kit was key in making sure I had a nice clean desk to work with, allowing me to run various cables from my audio interface, studio monitors, MIDI keyboard, computer keyboard, and my second screen. With 192 different pieces, you’ll find something for any type of cable, and time spent doing this means more space for gear, and less time digging through clutter on your desk.

A decibel meter is useful for a few different reasons. Yes, you can get one on your phone but this is far more accurate. It means you can keep a reasonable and consistent listening level in your studio, which is crucial for a good mix. It’s also really handy in the tracking phase, as you can monitor the levels of loud instruments like drums and guitar cabinets, ensuring you’re not overloading any of the microphones in your collection.

For me, the Casio PX-S3100 digital piano combines enhanced playability and sound with a sleek, modern design - that's why it's so easy to recommend. Its innovative touch-sensor controls and Smart Scaled Hammer Action keyboard provide an authentic playing experience, while its compact nature ensures portability and elegance for any setting.

This unique piano is our top choice for contemporary players in our best digital pianos buyer's guide. While most pianos opt to mimic their acoustic counterparts, this Casio dares to do something different, and we love it!

With Casio's multi-dimensional AiR processing, 88 scaled hammer action keys, 26 additional tones and a very accessible playing action, this is a superb option for beginners and intermediates, and with $200 off, you really can't go wrong.

Another Andrew Scheps signature model, the Scheps Parallel Particles plugin is a brilliant option for enhancing the vibe of a particular instrument that isn't quite cutting it in the mix. Based on Scheps' parallel processing tools, it's a fantastic quick fix for any instrument you like, be it a synth bassline, a shaker, or a lead part that needs an extra push to the front. We found it incredibly easy to use thanks to the simple interface, and it's one of our top choice saturation plugins.

I first came across the Distressor when I was recording with a band in an analogue studio, and ever since then, I’ve loved using the software version of it on my drum busses. Part compressor and part saturation, it can mimic other famous compressors like the 1176 and LA-2A, as well as inducing harmonics into the signal for tape-style colour and various distortion effects. Although I mainly use it on drums, I have also used it on vocals, and other engineers I know like it on bass guitar. It’s a versatile tool to have in your armoury, and at this price completely worth the money.

When I’m recording guitars in the box, I love adding UA’s Sound City Studios to help bring them to life. Modelled after the real-life studio, it’s a subtle effect but one that can dramatically change the tone of tracks recorded in the home studio. It’s great for reamping less-than-stellarly recorded guitar tracks, and as well as modelling the legendary live room of the studio, it also replicates the desk and preamps, too. It probably won’t blow you away initially, but once you get it right, it’ll become an indispensable part of your setup.

I’ve been using the UA ATR-102 on nearly every mix bus I’ve set eyes upon for the last few years. It just adds a lovely low-end warmth and beautiful top-end clarity to a track, even when you just leave it in its default state. It’s my go-to for enlivening the more sterile sounds you often get with the in-the-box recording, and it typically goes as the last thing on my mix bus before the limiter. It really brings the mix together at the final stage, and for just $199 in the Sweetwater sale, it’s truly superb value for money.

For those looking to dip their toes into the IEM world, the KZ ZS10 Pro is a tried and tested option and with 20% off for Prime Day sales, there is not much at stake here. The Pros are an upgrade over the standard KZ ZS10s and with it, Linsoul has introduced four custom BA drivers, a stronger 2nd Gen 10mm double-magnetic dynamic driver and an improved 6N OFC cable. You cannot expect ultra-pristine sound at this price, but the clarity across frequencies is respectable and certainly enough to get you up and running. Plus, the sale runs across all KZ ZS10 Pro finish options to suit your tastes. And with an average user rating of 4.5 stars (from over 18,000 reviews), there’s already a serious chunk of satisfied customers.