I have been recording music for 20+ years, I play multiple instruments, I own a pro level audio interface, multiple mics (SM57, Behringer C-1/B-1, and a measurement mic. I have been doing reviews of inexpensive gear on YouTube for over 8 years, but my best work started recently when reviewing Chocolate Audio's drum packs. It wasn't up to their level, so o scripted my review, improvised a song, and not only did CA approve and list it on their page, but FXPansion spotlighted it in their "newsletter", taking the video from a couple hundred views to a couple thousand QUICKLY.
I have near and far field monitors and studio monitor headphones. I have a professional DAW and all necessary plugins...and the knowledge of how to use them (I can always learn more, so I watch recording tip videos often.