MIDI keyboards
DAWG supports any class-compliant USB or Bluetooth MIDI controller. These are the ones we've tested and can recommend for different budgets and setups.
Best starter
RockJam Go 25
25 mini keys, USB + BT, under 50 EUR.
25 mini keys, USB and Bluetooth, pitch bend strip, mod strip. Tiny, portable, works instantly with DAWG. Perfect if you're starting out and want to play notes by hand without spending much. Bluetooth means wireless on Android too.
- USB and Bluetooth MIDI
- 25 velocity-sensitive keys
- Pitch bend + modulation strips
- Bus powered (no batteries for USB)
More keyboards coming as we test them. If you're a manufacturer and want your controller tested with DAWG, get in touch.
Bluetooth speakers
Sometimes you want to fill a room, not wear headphones. These Bluetooth speakers have enough low-end and clarity to hear your beats properly.
Best all-rounder
JBL Flip 6
Loud, punchy, waterproof. 12h battery.
Loud, punchy, waterproof. Surprisingly good bass for its size. Great for jamming outdoors, playing beats at a gathering, or just listening back in a room without headphones. Pairs instantly over Bluetooth. 12 hours of battery.
- Bluetooth 5.1
- IP67 waterproof and dustproof
- Strong low-end for a portable speaker
- USB-C charging, 12h battery
Ultra-portable
JBL Go 4
Pocket-sized, clips to a bag, 7h battery.
Fits in a pocket, clips to a bag, sounds better than it has any right to. Not a mixing tool, but perfect for quick playback when you want to hear your beat out loud without headphones. Surprisingly clear mids for the size.
- Bluetooth 5.3
- IP67 waterproof and dustproof
- Ultra-compact, built-in clip
- USB-C charging, 7h battery
Headphones
You need headphones to make music without bothering everyone around you. These work well for both casual beat-making and more focused mixing.
Over-ear
Bose QuietComfort
Noise canceling, comfortable, clean sound.
Great noise canceling, comfortable for long sessions, clean sound. Not "studio reference" flat, but excellent for making beats on the go. The noise canceling helps you focus in noisy environments.
Bose official →
In-ear
Technics EAH-AZ80
Detailed sound, solid bass, LDAC codec.
Detailed sound, solid low-end, comfortable fit. Good for mixing on the move when over-ears are too bulky. LDAC codec for higher quality Bluetooth audio.
Technics official →
Wired
Sennheiser HD 25
DJ standard. Zero latency. Indestructible.
The DJ industry standard. Closed-back, on-ear, practically indestructible. Tight bass, clear mids, excellent isolation. Zero latency because it's a cable. If you want to hear exactly what your mix sounds like without any Bluetooth codec getting in the way, this is the one.
- Wired 3.5mm (6.3mm adapter included)
- Closed-back, on-ear design
- 70 ohm - works fine without an amp
- Replaceable parts - built to last decades
Microphones
For sampling, vocal recording, and the Recording Booth feature in DAWG.
Wireless
DJI Mic 2
Clip-on wireless mic. Excellent quality.
Wireless clip-on mic with excellent audio quality. Great for sampling sounds on the go - clip it to your shirt, record voice memos, capture ambient sounds, then load them into DAWG's sampler. The transmitter/receiver system means no cables.
DJI official →Gamepads
DAWG has full gamepad support - navigate the grid, switch instruments, control BPM, and play with an XY effects pad. Great for couch sessions or Steam Deck in docked mode.
Couch tested
8BitDo Ultimate
BT + 2.4G, hall effect sticks, great D-pad.
Premium Bluetooth and 2.4G wireless controller with hall effect sticks. Works with PC, Android, and Steam Deck. The D-pad is excellent for grid navigation, triggers feel right for BPM control, and the build quality is top-tier. Pairs instantly over Bluetooth.
- Bluetooth and 2.4G wireless
- Hall effect thumbsticks
- Excellent D-pad for grid navigation
- Works with PC, Android, Steam Deck
Any Xbox, PlayStation, or generic controller works with DAWG. The 8BitDo Ultimate is what we reach for.
Audio interfaces
For low-latency monitoring with studio speakers or headphones. Not required for casual use, but makes a big difference for serious work.
Tested daily
MOTU M4
4-in/4-out USB-C. Rock solid. ASIO.
4-in/4-out USB-C audio interface. Rock solid drivers, very low latency, great preamps. This is what DAWG is developed on daily. ASIO support on Windows, CoreAudio on Mac. If you're building a producer setup, this is the interface to get.
MOTU official →Why "DAWG Approved"?
We're not trying to sell you gear. We're telling you what actually works. Every product on this page has been physically plugged into a device running DAWG and tested for compatibility, latency, and usability. No affiliate links, no commissions.
If something doesn't work well with DAWG, it won't be here. If something works great, we'll tell you why.
DAWG Song Contest.
Make a track in DAWG. Win real hardware. MIDI keyboards, headphones, and more as prizes. Open to everyone, any skill level. Details coming with the next public release.
Hardware manufacturers
Want your product tested and featured on DAWG Approved? We're looking for MIDI controllers, headphones, microphones, and audio interfaces to test with DAWG. We'll give you honest coverage to our audience of music creators and beginners. [email protected]