Reply To: What Is Your Absolute Go-To Physical and Virtual Gear?

[Brian]

“Can’t live without” is a pretty strong statement.  I will tone that down to stuff I really like and use often 🙂

Hardware:

Recording/Mixing: JBL 5″ Pro monitors – amazing imaging and wide sweet spot; Interface, cans, mics, all “fine” but nothing special.

Computer-  I always build from scratch.  Still loving AMD but I would be open to Intel if they ever got their groove back.  Mechanical clicky! keyboard (typing) a must.

Instruments:  MIDI stuff is great but the only thing that is unique is my Linnstrument, so I guess that is on the list.  I really like my NI S61 MK3 but I would get along with any decent keyboard that has Poly Aftertouch.

Guitars:  I pretty much gave up guitar over 20 years ago due to severe osteoarthritis.  A while ago I started getting back into it.  Cautiously building up some mobility- so far so good.  I decided to buy a couple Indonesian made guitars (Hills headless and Fender Acoustasonic Tele Standard) and was blown away by how well they are built and play.  I think everything I own is “replaceable” but I would not part with (or replace) my Gibson Chet Atkins Tennessean guitar or Mesa DC-5 amp. I also discovered the joy of wireless guitar <-> amp “cables”.  Cheap Amazon Joyo brand is fine.  Freedom!

Amp note:  I also recently bought a Spark 2 amp by Positive Grid.  I really like it.  Portable and I got the Li battery pack.  Fantastic software support and programming via bluetooth.  Probably other fine competitors, but I can’t live without a small portable amp anymore.

Software:

OS- Windows forever.  I can’t do Mac.  If I had to switch I would go Linux.

DAW-  I jump around.  I use primarily Studio One and Ableton Live but I can adjust to anything.

FX-  My go-to are Hornet VU Meter MK4 in top slot for gain staging, Fab Filter EQ and compressor, I use an IK master compressor limiter called (I think) The ONE, and Melda Turbo Reverb.  Like most here, I have dozens of alternatives, but I usually start with these.

VI- I tend to start with Arturia Analog Lab because I own the Collection, just about every type of sound is in there and easy to get to, and it is high in the DAW lists by instrument or company name.  I often start with for UJAM sketching but switch to EZ Drummer 3 Or UVI Falcon libraries for drum/percussion and Kontakt libraries for other sampled acoustic instruments.

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