Changelog
| 2009-10-14 03:24:46 | Just upgraded my PC to Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit. I\'m still running all my apps in 32-bit mode since almost all of them don\'t have x64 versions. The initial testing went well, Windows 7 is a decent OS. |
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Studio images:
24 inch Monitor, custom-built Core2Duo PC, Windows XP SP3.
My VL-A8 monitors on Quicklok BS-300 stands.
The desk is from IKEA.
2009-09-15 18:26:22
A Closer view of the monitor. To the left is the UA-101. The screen shows Zebra, Reaper, and Automap 3.2 (not Pro).
2009-09-15 18:26:45
Close-up of my hardware interfaces. I use the Axis for both synth and drums as the keys are velocity-sensitive. The Nocturn controls mostly Synth knobs, but sometimes I use it in HUI mode. The Saitek P3200 gamepad is my expression controller for the Axis-49, Reaper lets you convert joystick signals to MIDI.
And yes, that is a Mac keyboard I am using with a PC. ;)
2009-09-15 18:27:12
Starter Studio
I use a C-Thru Axis 49 + Reaper with a P3200 Saitek for expression.
The ReMOTE ZeRO SL drives VSTs and Reaper in HUI mode.
I'm still very new to music and am learning composition. I hope to someday have links to my own music here.
Starter Studio Studio Gear:
Equation Audio RP-21
These reference headphones are great to check for minute glitches in mixes. Their clarity and sound field are great. My only complaint is they smash my ears against my glasses, so I usually use them when I'm not editing and close my eyes to focus on the music.
Tascam VL-A Series
I love the Tascam VL-A8's I have. They're really underrated as people go running off to the big monitor names. I took a CD to Music Center and demoed all the speakers in my price-range ($750/pair). These won no contest for electronic music/Trance/Tangerine Dream/Prodigy/Crystal Method. The lows are incredibly low and the high's are clean and not too harsh. They don't compare to several thousand dollar per monitor speakers but in the 500 per monitor price range nothing came close to my ear.
LinPlug RM V
A great drum machine, sampler, and drum synthesizer. This is my only percussion source and I'm more than covered with it. It's groove engine and included midi patterns let me build a simple beat quickly while I obsess over my melodic line. There's just so much to learn!
Novation Bass station VSTi
Got this included with my ReMOTE ZeRO SL. Haven't messed with it much.
Info@Gearjunkies | Other studios with Novation Bass station VSTi
Camel Audio Alchemy
Camel Audio is another of the top-notch small software companies. Ben and Andy really care about their userbase and the support is first class. Alchemy itself is in its infancy. Even so it's an incredible sample morpher and granular synthesizer. I haven't used the VA side of it so much and plan on spending more time with the additive engine. Learning more about this synth has suffered under the seductive song of Zebra. This along with Reaper are the two pieces of kit I plan on really learning well.
Novation Automap 3.0
This drives my ReMOTE ZeRO SL. It has a nice partial HUI implementation for Reaper as well as several knobs and sliders for MIDI CCs. This combined with the LCDs on the ZeRO give quite informative MIDI info. Now all I need is 2 monitors... :)
Camel Audio Cameleon 5000
I got this when I purchased Alchemy from a license transfer. To be honest I don't plan on using it because the CA boys just updated Alchemy to start loading Chameleon presets.
Info@Gearjunkies | Other studios with Camel Audio Cameleon 5000
Korg Legacy Collection Digital Editio
I got the LE version of this with my Korg Keyboard. The modules are OK but I hardly use it. I don't really get into romplers. The effect device isn't bad but with the availability of free options on the market today it's starting to show it's age.
Info@Gearjunkies | Other studios with Korg Legacy Collection Digital Editio
Image Line Drumaxx
A very unique drum synthesizer. It does acoustic kits amazingly well. Picked this up for the pay-what-you-want price starting at $13. That's a very good deal for this solid percussion plugin.
Cockos Software Reaper
Reaper is truly unique. It's tiny but don't let that fool you. This thing is so customizable it's actually overwhelming. :) You can make all your own macros, keybindings, midi triggers, color schemes, skins, and even your own plugins for audio/MIDI in their scripting language. All this for a hobbyist price of $60 really made it a no-brainer. The support is really quite good too.
Info@Gearjunkies | Other studios with Cockos Software Reaper
FabFilter Pro-C
Got it for a great price on the KVR Market Place. I really look forward to getting to know this thing better. :)
FabFilter One
Got this for 5 euros (about $9 USD) with their super-discount weekend a while ago. I hardly use it but mostly grabbed it because of FabFilter's discounts on other products when you already own one or more.
Propellerhead ReCycle 2
One of my first purchases, along with Reason. Now that I have Alchemy I hardly load it anymore. It was revolutionary for its time but nowadays is showing its age.
Info@Gearjunkies | Other studios with Propellerhead ReCycle 2
U-HE Filterscape
A wonderful set of plugins I neglect far more than I should. The FSVA synth is simple to program but has a lot of versatility. The effect can really mangle the input. I look forward to the next update bringing FS up to par with Z2 and UHBIK.
U-HE Zebra 2
My favorite piece of gear, hard or soft. Urs is a genius and also a super-great guy. The Z2 community is vibrant and the sonic capabilities of this are vast. My only complaint about it is I get lost learning about Zebra at the expense of pretty much everything else on this list.
Applied Acoustics Ultra Analog VA-1
Audiomidi.com is having a sale on AAS VA-1 for $15! It's got a nice sound and for that little is a definite bargain. :D
Info@Gearjunkies | Other studios with Applied Acoustics Ultra Analog VA-1
Propellerhead Reason 4
Love Thor, great sounding synth. Hate that I have to use ReWire to attach it to everything else. It would be so nice if Props updated Reason to include a "Combinator VST/AU". Don't really use the sequencer, I find it a bit weird and limiting as a DAW.
Info@Gearjunkies | Other studios with Propellerhead Reason 4
U-HE UHBIK
An excellent set of effects. My favorite is UHBIK-P. I love what it does to drums and long pads. Runciter has some serious distortion too.
Vember Audio Surge
This is one heck of a synth. I'm a bit worried about the future of it though. Claes is devoting all his cycles to BitWig nowadays. It's too bad because this is one synth that's really underrated. There are so many cool and interesting ways to manipulate wavetables here. I love the crunchy, gritty, and at times plasticy sounds it can make. Here's to hoping it doesn't go away anytime soon.
U-HE Ace
What an amazing little synth! The audio rate LFOs, beautiful filters, and spaghetti cable madness make this a very fun and very affordable synth. The CPU cost is a bit high; but the sound!!
GForce impOSCar
Purchased at the beginning with Reason. It's a great classic-sounding VA. I can't stand the preset support though. I'm still on the fence if I'll get version 2.
U-HE More Feedback Machine V2.0
Another plugin I need to spend more time with. As it stands I mostly use it as a tweaked preset machine. I love how it can really add space and depth to simple input material. I definitely don't need another delay plugin with this.
Info@Gearjunkies | Other studios with U-HE More Feedback Machine V2.0
Korg K61P
My first keyboard, got it used for a great deal on Craigslist. It made me quickly realize I don't think I'll ever be a piano player...
Korg nanoPAD
I originally bought this to use the XY pad as an expression controller for the Axis. Once I created the gamepad app for Reaper this thing sits in a box in my garage.
E-mu Systems Xboard 25
Purchased this to be the first complement to my Axis. I used the wheels and the 16 knobs, the keys I mapped to trigger samples. Now that I have the Nocturn this also sits in the garage. ;)
Info@Gearjunkies | Other studios with E-mu Systems Xboard 25
C-Thru Music AXiS 49
I love this thing. You can see the spatial relationships inherent in music. Play a famous melody on this and you'll see why the composer picked certain notes. It's been a tremendous help for someone where all my musical theory has been self-taught.
Novation ReMOTE SL Zero
I obtained this from audiomidi.com new as they were phasing out the Mk I for the newer Mk II model. I got this things for $150 shipped which is about the same price as a new Nocturn. So far I really like it and it also acts as a standalone MIDI module unlike the Nocturn.
Info@Gearjunkies | Other studios with Novation ReMOTE SL Zero
Edirol UA-101
I love this HW interface. My only 2 complaints are the knobs are a bit hard to turn and I've had to adjust to it so I don't turn the gain or input knobs too far. The second gripe is the software panel is definitely dated in its look. With that being said, the hardware itself is rock solid. I've never had a driver crash on XP, I've never had any clicks or chirps or ground hums (my last interface had a ground hum that drove me nuts). The thing just works. It even goes up to 192KHz if you're crazy enough to work at that sample rate. Edirol just released Leopard 10.6 drivers and I have full confidence they'll release Windows 7 drivers. I don't forsee changing this out anytime soon. * UPDATE: Cakewalk has released Windows 7 32 and 64 bit drivers. I'm still using this interface with Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit.