What you need for a music production workshop

A music production workshop needs more than laptops and music software. Each participant needs a reliable workstation, headphones and the right connections, while the teaching area needs projection, microphones and monitoring. This shopping list covers the equipment, cables, power supplies and tableware to prepare before the workshop. Check quantities against your participant list, and allow time to test every laptop, license and cable before the day itself.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Work tablesqty 10
Chairsqty 38
Registration desk
Tableclothsqty 4

Equipment

Laptopsqty 20
Audio interfacesqty 10
MIDI controllersqty 10
Studio headphonesqty 20
Studio monitorsqty 4
Microphonesqty 4
Microphone standsqty 4
DI boxesqty 2
Small mixing desk
Active speakersqty 2
Projector
Presentation screen
USB hubsqty 10
Laptop chargersqty 20
Power stripsqty 12
Extension cordsqty 12
XLR cablesqty 8
Jack cablesqty 12
USB cablesqty 20
HDMI cablesqty 3
Cable tiesqty 100
Gaffer tapeqty 4
Spare batteriesqty 24

Tableware

Coffee cupsqty 40
Drinking glassesqty 40
Platesqty 40
Cutlery setsqty 40

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4
Serving traysqty 4
Coolersqty 3
Ice cube traysqty 3
Cutting boardsqty 3
Bread knivesqty 2
Serving spoonsqty 4

Decorations

Name badgesqty 40
Table numbersqty 10
Direction signsqty 6

Lighting

LED light barsqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Mopqty 2
Bucketsqty 2
Spongesqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea bags - 80 pieces
- Black tea - 1 box
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Semi-skimmed milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Mints - 1 box
- Coffee biscuits - 4 packs
- Still water - 6 bottles
- Sparkling water - 6 bottles
- Cola - 4 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 3 bottles
- Apple juice - 3 packs
- Orange juice - 3 cartons
- Lemons - 8 pieces
- Sandwich rolls - 45 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 4 loaves
- Kaiser rolls - 30 pieces
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Cream cheese - 4 tubs
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 1.5 kilos
- Smoked salmon - 500 grams
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Arugula - 4 bags
- Bell peppers - 8 pieces
- Butter - 2 tubs
- Mayonnaise - 1 bottle
- Mustard - 1 bottle
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Vegetarian pizzas - 6 pieces
- Margherita pizzas - 8 pieces
- Vegan pizzas - 3 pieces
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Snacks - 3 bags
- Apples - 35 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Brownies - 40 pieces
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Garbage bags - 30 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 3 packs

Tips

Plan one laptop, one audio interface, one MIDI controller and one pair of studio headphones per participant unless people will work in pairs. Keep at least 10% spare cables and one backup laptop available.
Count power strips and extension cords by workstation, not by room. A practical starting point is one power strip for every two workstations, with extension cords kept available for tables far from wall outlets.
Prepare connection spares before participants arrive: keep extra USB, XLR, jack and HDMI cables, plus spare batteries, in a clearly labelled box. Missing adapters can stop a workstation even when the main equipment is present.
Set up the presentation area separately from the participant stations. Test the projector, presentation screen, active speakers and small mixing desk together at least one day before the workshop.
Buy tableware from the registration count, not the room capacity. For a single refreshment break, allow at least two coffee cups, two drinking glasses and one plate per participant, plus a small buffer.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a music production workshop?: For each participant, plan a laptop, audio interface, MIDI controller and studio headphones. Add shared microphones, microphone stands, DI boxes, a small mixing desk, studio monitors, active speakers, a projector and a presentation screen.
How many laptops do I need for a music production workshop?: Plan one laptop per participant for individual production work, or one for every two participants if the workshop is designed for pairs. Have at least one tested spare laptop if the session depends on hands-on software work.
How many cables should I buy for a music production workshop?: Provide the connection cables required by every workstation, then add roughly 10% spares. Keep extra USB, XLR, jack and HDMI cables available, along with cable ties and gaffer tape for safe, tidy setup.
When should I prepare the equipment for a music production workshop?: Install the music software and check licenses at least 3 days beforehand. Assemble and test the workstations, audio equipment, projector and speakers 1 day before the workshop, then do a short power-up check on the morning itself.

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