When Is a Studio Ever Really Finished?

I’m still in the process of designing my studio. Yes, I’m in the final stages—but not quite at that point where you can simply sit down, press record, and get to work without thinking about what’s missing. You know the kind of finished I mean.

The reason I’m not there yet comes down to two critical parts of the studio that still need to be completed. I’m not saying what they are just yet—I plan on tackling them in 2026, though as we all know, plans have a way of changing. Still, I’m very close.

In a previous post, I talked about how the day your studio is finally “done” can be bittersweet. There’s a little sadness when the excitement of designing, building, and tinkering comes to an end—but that’s replaced by something better: the excitement of actually working in the space you’ve built. That leads to another question I’ve asked myself more than once: Is a studio ever really done?

Some people expand outward—networking a second room, adding satellite workspaces, or building dedicated areas for different tasks. I’ve seen that approach work beautifully. But for this post, I want to explore a slightly different question.

When Is Enough… Enough?

This is something I’ve wrestled with throughout my studio build. I genuinely enjoy setting things up, connecting gear, solving problems, and getting everything to work together as a system. The tech-loving part of me could happily keep adding, expanding, and refining forever.

But the musician in me keeps chiming in with a quieter, more practical voice: You don’t actually need all of this.

With today’s technology, you can create full productions on a tablet, laptop, or desktop computer. Add a single instrument—a MicroFreak, MiniFreak, or something similar—and you’re already well beyond what was possible 15-20 years ago. In fact, you don’t even need hardware at all to make complete, professional-sounding music.

So that raises a bigger question:
How much gear is too much?
How little is too little?

Are you someone who’s always looking for new tools to explore, or do you prefer sticking with proven, familiar gear and going deeper with it?

Different Instruments, Different Ideas

For me, part of the joy of a multi-synth setup is that each instrument inspires something different. I could easily produce entire tracks using just my Yamaha MODX, Roland FA-06, Akai Force, or Maschine+. If I’m working purely with audio, the Arturia MiniFreak or Hydrasynth Explorer could carry a project on their own. And plenty of people online do exactly that—beautifully.

But here’s the thing: I wouldn’t create the same music on each of those instruments.

The ideas that come out of the MODX are different from what I write on the FA-06. The way I approach sound design, bass lines, melodies, or arpeggios shifts depending on the instrument in front of me. Each one brings out something unique, and that’s what makes having multiple synths inspiring rather than excessive—for me, at least.

Finding Your Balance

Everyone’s balance point is different. Some thrive with a simple, focused setup. Others feel most creative surrounded by options. Neither approach is right or wrong—it’s about what keeps you inspired and actually making music.

So whether your studio is minimal, moderately sized, or packed wall-to-wall with synths, I hope it’s a place where you enjoy spending time and where ideas flow freely.

Here’s to having fun creating your next big music project.