Studio Audio Equipment

Some of the equipment that I have been using for the production of my CD "G2" has now become superfluous to requirements. Please check out the For Sale to see what's available at knockdown prices.

I use a G5 with 4Gb RAM. Hooked up to my Unitor, it has proved a magnificent machine. The 24-bit format of the Core Audio was OK for a while, but the increased precision of the Metric Halo ULN-2 soundcard has improved the AD and DA conversions of input and output signals. Although it may be wishful thinking, to my ears there seems to be an incredible improvement in the spaciousness of the sound. With my Waves plug-ins now upgraded to Platinum, and the addition of the SSL package, and EQ and compression package from Sonalksis, I am looking forward months of enjoyment and, hopefully, some stunning results. Running Logic Pro, with all the new Instruments, I'm well-satisfied that I switched from Windows. I only use Windoze now for playing with Lara Croft.

I've returned to my old Peavey Vintage 4x10, although, with the introduction of the Waves GTR interface, I'm finding that I get a cleaner signal path without miking it up. Rather than trying to shield the Strat pick-ups from every stray electromagnetic field, I'm finding that the soft FX and i-Lok are worth every penny.

Samples are triggered with a seven-octave Studiologic SL990XL, with accompanying footpedal. It's used to trigger many fine samples, including the Yamaha C7, Steinway and Bosendorfer, and the Sampletekk Vertikal Series.

Microphones are, in general, very expensive. Most commercial studios worth their salt will use the Neumann U87. Now, with my introduction to e-Bay, I've managed to buy a U89i. It has performed to expectations - it even makes my vocals sound halfway decent. (Whether it's just that or the new pitch-correction plug-ins remains for others to judge!) My backups and ordinary instrument mikes are a Rode NT2 and a couple of SM58s.

I've become the proud owner of a pair of Adam S4VAs, which have replaced my ancient KEFs. I hope that they will allow better definition in my mixes and mastering. If they're good enough for Abbey Road, they're certainly good enough for me! The British agents, Unity Audio, are a pleasure to deal with - they go out of their way to make a trouble-free transaction and are highly-recommended (See my Links page or the side-bar).