Jordan Ellis
ProducerJordan Ellis is a music producer and home-studio builder based in Austin, Texas. He has spent over 12 years making music in home setups, from a…
About Shlohmo
Honest gear advice, from real producers.
A hands-on resource for home studio producers, bedroom beatmakers, and anyone building music without a million-dollar studio.
This site exists for one reason: the gear and software advice online is either too technical, too salesy, or written by people who've never plugged in the thing they're reviewing. We do it differently - everything we recommend is chosen based on real use, real testing, and real production workflows, not affiliate commissions.
What we cover
What you'll find here
Gear guides
Audio interfaces, microphones, studio monitors, MIDI controllers, and the accessories that actually matter (and the ones that don't).
Software breakdowns
Honest comparisons of DAWs like Ableton, FL Studio, and Logic, plus the plugins worth your money.
AI music tools
Where the new wave of AI generators, stem separators, and mixing assistants actually help, and where they fall short.
Tutorials
Home studio setup, recording, mixing, and mastering, explained in plain language for people who'd rather make music than read manuals.
Who's behind shlohmo.com
Jordan Ellis
I'm a music producer and home studio builder based in Austin, Texas. I've spent over 12 years making music in home setups - from a $99 audio interface and a DAW I've long since replaced, to the treated project studio I run today. I started this site because I got tired of buying equipment based on hype and wanted to build the honest resource I wish I'd had when I began.
I mostly produce lo-fi, hip-hop, and electronic music, and I spend an unhealthy amount of time A/B testing monitors and chasing the perfect vocal chain. If it's in a review here, it has earned its place on my desk.
The team
Meet the producers behind the reviews
Real people testing real gear - each with their own corner of the studio.
Maya Rivera
Gear & Synths EditorMaya Rivera is a synth nerd and mixing engineer who has spent a decade chasing the perfect analog warmth in a bedroom setup. She covers studio…
Devon Carter
Mixing & MasteringDevon Carter is an audio engineer and mastering specialist from Atlanta. He breaks down DAWs, plugins, and the science of a loud, clean master without the…
Sofia Mendes
Recording & VocalsSofia Mendes is a beatmaker and vocalist who records everything in a treated bedroom. She writes about mics, vocal chains, and recording great takes on a…
Alex Kim
AI Music & SoftwareAlex Kim is an electronic producer obsessed with AI music tools and workflow. He tests generators, stem separators, and the software that actually speeds you up.
Our method
How we test and recommend
We don't publish a review unless the product has been used in a real production context - or, where hands-on isn't possible, we clearly say so and base our analysis on verified specs, manufacturer data, and trusted community feedback. Our "best of" lists are ranked on merit, not on who pays the highest affiliate rate. When we get something wrong, we update it.
Full details are on our Affiliate Disclosure page.
A note on the name
Independent, by producers
shlohmo.com is an independent music production blog. We are not affiliated with, or endorsed by, any recording artist. This is a resource site run by producers, for producers.
Get in touch
Got a question, a correction, or a piece of gear you want us to cover? We read everything.
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