I hear a lot of advice from people about the best home studio hardware/software setup. I want to know what works for you guys actually making this stuff work. I've heard some GREAT collabs on this site already -- really professional sounding mixes. Let's start a thread to discuss what hardware and software works for you. I'll start. I have...

• Fender Telecaster
• Fender Hot Rod Deluxe Amp
• Various Pedals
• V-Amp2 and a DI
• Mackie DFX-12 Mixer
• M-Audio Solo Firewire Interface
• Adobe Audition 2.0

For home recording, I typically plug into the virtual amp (V-AMP2), which goes into the Mackie. I use the Mackie so that I can connect multiple instruments at once (although I only record one at a time). From the Mackie, I use the Balanced Outs into the M-Audio solo, which connects via Firewire to a laptop (2 GB RAM). On the laptop, I use Adobe Audition 2.0 for my multi-track. I've had pretty good success with this setup.

How about you guys?

As far as software goes... I have tried a couple of different software titles. So far I have found Reaper to best suit my needs. It is an easy to use program with a small footprint, and really doesn't hog system resources. (BTW since I've mentioned this elsewhere in these forums I should state that I am in no way associated with reaper, just a satisfied user)

The rest... just various instruments and a Zoom G2 effects pedal. Nothing really stands out. I wish I had some kick ass axe or something.

Also I just plug in direct to the computer. No audio interface yet. I'm not sure of the benefits of an Audio interface or why I need one.

~P

Well, might as well post what I got, I'm slowely building up my studio, I started getting serious about it early last year. So far I have

17in Intel iMac. (early 2006 model)

Ratajczyk Extreme Reverb Custom amp.

Marshall MG 30DFX .

Line6 Tone Port UX1.

JTS PDM - 57 Mic.

Sennheiser HD 280 pro monitoring headphones.

Ht1 Jim Dunlop Talk Box

Digitech RP80 effects pedal. (Hardly used due to digital sound)

(Now the good stuff, guitars.)

(Electric) Paul Reed Smith Custom 22 20 anniversary limited edition.

(Classical) Rodriguez. (steel string acoustic I'll get one of these days)

(Software)

(Music editing) GarageBand version 3

(Effects) GearBox.

And that's about it :) With that I get quite a good sound. I'll post a song one day I guess :)

Dan.

Haha, thanks :) I've not sorted the Talk box out yet, I only just got it, and I've not had any time off work to go get some more gear that I need to run it, mainly more leads and mic stand. Can't wait to really try it though.

Dan.

GUITAR >>>PEDAL LOOP>(Boss Harmonist>Distortion>Compression sustainer>Pitch Shifter>Phaser>Delay/Looper)>>>ALESIS QUADRAVERB GT>>>MACKIE 1402 vlz>>EFFECT LOOP>>(DELTA LABS EFFECTRON>QUADRAVERB PLUS)>MACKIE>>>>Audigy2 zs/KX interface> Tracktion>>>5.1 Surround AND/OR...Mackie>>>SOVTEK MIG 100 tube amp

Tracktion>>>M-Audio MIDI out>><<Roland MC50>>>Boss DR-5 MIDI>>>Clavia NORDRACK2 VA SYNTH slave(Audio to Mackie effects loop)>><<Emax II slave/master (to Mackie loop)>>>Quadraverb slave>>>M-Audio MIDI in >>>Tracktion

Software

Sawcutter, Virsyn CUBE, Krakli synths, various freeware VST's.

I'm new here to and thought I would chime in on this thread as well. I am currently using:

A Dell dual processor Insperion (older model) running XP with an external firewire drive

Cubase SE3 for multitracking

Veillette 7 string bass with Pizo midi config

Use a Nemesis 650 bass head as a pre-amp into mix

Sound Forge for some mid and post applications

Small Eurorack mixer for bring other folks into my tracks

Crap headphones (would like to upgrade these soon)

I am using primarily VST and Direct X effects via the laptop for all applications. Just really (after two years of fooling with it) now getting the hand of multitracking and mixing so my emerging mixes are getting better but not quite where I want them. I have just one piece posted so far as a rough mix but I am working on figuring out the best way to pull individual tracks out for posting here. Hopefully I will have that licked this week and will start posting more components rather than just mixes. Attempting to take advantage of folks here to fill in instruments that I don't play as well as being able to kick ideas back and forth with others to hopefull make better music. I plan on keeping my stuff as open as possible for others to contribute their own ideas to so that no stone remains unturned. I would happy if pieces I post end up with several different finals reflecting a broad amount of input and participation by others.

Hi All,

The main piece of recording equipment I use is a Zoom H4. It is one of the most useful, simple to use tools I have every bought. I run it on rechargeable batteries and I take it everywhere with me. I have recorded everything I have uploaded to this site on it (using the built in microphone, where applicable).

In multi-track mode: I simply create a mono mix, of whatever I am working on, then I have 3 more tracks to play around with. Next, you simply drag and drop the files into Cubase LE (which comes with it!).

In stereo mode: you can do quick "sketches" directly to MP3 and upload them to this site.

What could be simpler?

(BTW, I should state that I am in no way associated with Zoom/Samson, I'm just a satisfied user.)

Regards,

Stuart.

Simplicity is the key. Don't believe for a second that I use all of this stuff at the same time:

2 x Custom-built P4 PC's both running Cubase. The lesser spec box is used for 24 track live recording - and the "big" one is for "studio" use. This one has extra goodies in it including 2 x TC Electronic Powercore and an RME (MADI) soundcard. The on-board RAM is 4GB on this box. These two run on a cut down installation of the Windows 2000 O/S and are extremely stable. Although I use outboard gear for re-processing tracks, I also use the TC Powercore plugins for mixes. Wavelab 5 is used for creating masters.

Gear list (in no particular order):

TC Electronic (Dynaudio) BM6A Active Monitors.

TC Electronic Finalizer 96K.

Focusrite ISA 430 MK2 preamp.

3 x Focusrite OctoPre LE - (used for live).

MOTU 24IO - 24 analog inputs to 24 Digital out. (used for live).

TL Audio 5051 Valve preamp.

TL Audio VI1-8 8 channel valve preamp. (used for drum track re-processing)

Lexicon MPX 550 Digital Signal Processor.

DBX 266XL Compressor / Gate.

Aphex 204 Aural Exciter.

Alesis DM5 - Drum Module.

Alesis DEQ 2030D Graphic Equalizer.

Panasonic 3800 DAT.

Line 6 Bass Pod Pro.

Soundtracs 32 channel analog mixing console.

Bass Guitar is an Aria Pro 2, customised with EMG active pickups.

Trace Elliot 1215 SMX 300W combo.

Most of the microphones I own are from Audix, AKG, AT, Beyer Dynamic, Oktava, Sennheiser and Shure.

Probably missed a few things, but that's about it :-)

Rab.

It should be pointed out that I am not an employee, nor am I connected with any of the above companies whatsoever. Of course, for a negotiable fee, I'd be happy to review some of the above products used for mixes on Kompoz. Studio products from mainstream music retailers will sometimes be accepted for evaluation purposes. This is where music retailers have the opportunity to loan gear and get the added benefit of feeling all warm and fuzzy about helping struggling musicians, aspiring recording engineers and producers. :P . Pigs may fly too.

I have a DAW set-up

Tascam US428 usb interface

Cubase SL3

AKG Perception 200 condenser micrphone

Marshall JMP-1 Preamp

Alesis Quadraverb (usually only use this with my JMP-1 for guitar effects)

Ibanez PR series acoustic-electric

Hamer Strat

Kramer Baretta

Old ensoniq SD

EMU Proteus 1000 Synth Module (all my drums, bass and keyboard sounds come from this)

Sonic Maximizer plug-in

Cubase Plug-ins

Alesis powered speakers

I think that about covers it

Derek

Well here it is:

Software:

DAW Cubase Studio SX 4

ToonTrack DFH & EZDrummer

And some free plugins :)

Hardware:

MOTU 828 MkII Firewire

Yamaha Motif Rack ES

MIDI Guitar Converter Terratec AXON 100 MkII

Digitech GNX2 Guitar Processor

Alesis M1 Active MKII Monitors

MIDI Controller Evolution mk-249

Senheiser e835 Mic

Behringer UltramatchPro 2496

ESI 8x8 MIDI

Instruments

Electric Guitar Ibanez Prestige RG2570

Spanish Guitar

Yamaha electric bass RBX170

and a bunch of computers Win / Mac / Linux ;) ...

Manu :) 

Since my last post in this thread I've updated some hardware:

PreSonus Inspire 1394 Audio Interface,
ESI nEar 05 monitors,
AKG Perception 100 Condenser Mic,
Edirol PC-50 midi keyboard controller and
Toontracks EZ Drummer with the Vintage Rock expansion.

This is such a significant improvement over the old setup.

Also, are there any other Reaper users here? Just curious.

i have various amps, various sinthesizers,various guitars,a bass,charango,acordion,harmonicas,assorted percussion,a drumkit,tons of mics,monitors,2 tons of stompboxes,various mixers ,16 track hardware digital recorder,the fuckin pc............and various kilometers of cable,.....but only two hands,couple of hours a day,and a crazy brain that wants to use all the shit at the same time.......so i end doing nothing and go to the beach!

Sonar

a bunch of saxophones

a couple of string instruments (I'm not sure what they are yet)

a few software things

a 9-year-old slave

a small cheap keyboard

a few harmonicas

duct tape

... OOPS, did I say a small cheap keyboard? I meant two small cheap keyboards.

Marty. Just before someone tries to arrest you for using Korean children for purposes of slavery... presumably, the "nine year old Korean slave" is a peice of amplification equipment ?

EDIT --- Damn.....  you edited it.... that was funny though :) 

Rab. 

  Software

• Cakewalk Sonar 6 and Protools M-powered

  Hardware

• Custom built workstation: Intel Core2Duo E6600 on Asus P5B-E Plus, 2Gb DDR800, 1x120Gb SATA for OS, 2x250Gb SATAII in RAID0 for audio data.
• Audio interface: M-Audio ProjectMix I/O and M-Audio FW410
• Live Mixer: Soundcraft Spirit PowerStation 1200 + 2 300w speakers
• Near field monitors: Alesis M1 Active MKII
• M-Audio Axiom 49
• Behringer DualFex
• Behringer Multicom Pro XL MDX4600
• Behringer V-amp2
• Behringer V-amp bass

  Mics

• AKG Perception 200
• Shure: SM57, SM58, PG52, 2xPG81, 3xPG56

  Instruments

• Gibson SG All American Ed.
• Marshall VS100
• Epiphone Bass
• Yamaha APX

Soon I'll get a few stuff I´m missing when recording bands and doing live mixing, like a multiheadphone amplifier, 31band EQ and some stage monitors... But all this is more than enough for my productions.

Cheers! 

Yeah baby, yeah....  the gear I listed is just the old stuff the kids play with. With all the kit you have, Ben.. getting enough electricity to it must be a huge problem. I'm getting rid of my dilithium crystals and a quadruple-core 16-stage impulse-powered teflon non-stick ion-drive unit... I'll put them up on ebay if just in case you're after something like that. Since I went to powering with helium3, I can get enough juice to all 25 floors of my studio complex from a power plant the size of a matchbox !!! 

Who's next then ?

And in the words of Monty Python's "Three Yorkshiremen" sketch:

......"and you try telling the young people today that... and they won't beleive you!"

Rab