Using icons for DTM & home recording

DTM and home recording involve a lot of gear and jargon, and text alone often falls flat in blog posts and videos. The studio & recording icons help you show setups and signal flow at a glance. Here are the situations where they help most.

1. Showing your desk setup

Audio interface, monitor speakers, condenser mic, MIDI keyboard — when you introduce your gear, an icon next to each item makes the list scannable. Unlike photos, icons can be kept the same size and color, so your blog stays visually consistent.

2. Diagramming signal flow

A chain like "mic → audio interface → PC (DAW) → monitors" reads instantly when you connect icons with arrows. It is especially effective for beginner guides and online lessons. Add keys & synths icons where keyboards are involved.

3. Stream and video overlays

On a production stream or a cover video, a small icon in the corner adds atmosphere without crowding the screen. Since stream backgrounds are often dark, recolor the icons for visibility — one bright accent color goes a long way.

Tips for picking a set

• Match the style — same flat look and line weight
• Limit colors to two, with a single accent
• Pull icons from the category that fits your topic

For notation, see notation; for live sound, PA & live sound. Everything is free for commercial use, no attribution required.