I'm allways interested in what people use in there studio
I'll start.
I'm a hardware fan but limit my setup to tools that I realy know well.
Hardware synths : limited to 2 pieces
- Roland XV-5050 : I like this sound module, I have it for years now and tweaked allmost all factory patches to my likeness.
- Clavia Nord Modular G2X : My workbeast
If I can't build the sound that I want, I know that I'm in trouble. The G2X is basicaly an empty modular box, you build your modular synth in software on you laptop connected to the G2X by USB, the great thing is that every modification you do is done in real time on the G2, you don't need to transfert to the synth first.
I'm not using him only as synth but allso as FX unit. The G2X has audio in and you can rout this audio trough a modular setup. Perfect to build your proper Fx chain or to build a nasty vocoder...
Sequencer
I just don't like to compose on a PC !
The exception is a software from pgmusic called Band in a box. I realy think this is the most underestimated software on the internet. I use it since years to lay down some musical ideas on which I can expand myself.
It allways makes me laugh if people on other forums (like kvr) describe it as just a toy for noobs that don't know anything about music, they have no idea of what they are talking about.
I actualy don't do a lot of sequencing, most parts i play live and record the audio.
But when I need a sequencer, i use my Yamaha QY700 vwhich is a hardware sequencer. Pretty old but IMHO the best sequencer ever made and the functionality still beats some software sequencers.
Instruments :
I use a GEM SK760 as master keyboard, pretty old too and not because it is that good but because I'm used to it. It has a semi weighted keyboard with adjustable velocity curve.
Bass : My workhorse is a Line6 VARIAX Bass, perfect to record bass since it has a DI box with line level. I won't pretend that all the emulations it has are perfect but they are pretty good and usable in all styles of music.
My Yamaha EZ-AG : a guitar midi controller. Initialy build as a learning tool, but if you know how to use it, it turns out as a good midi instrument.
Yamaha WX 5 & soundmodule VLm70 : The tools of my lady
Recording :
Again, I don't record on a PC, I use a BOSS BR660 8 track recorder. It's simple to use, has everything I need and is easy to use. Has allso excelent AD convertors. Not realy suited if you do a lot of sequencing since it doesn't have MIDI sync.
The studio:
I'm lucky to live in a big house with a lot of rooms and all the kids are adults now and left home (finally
). I've started to put all my gear in a room, which I called my homestudio. Recently I dismounted everything and got some professionals in to give it an accoustical treatment. The best investement I ever did, it is amazing what those guys can do with a limited budget. It's allso amazing what we (musicians) don't know about accoustics
. No I can call my room, a real studio
Software :
For my litle electronic experiments I use my laptop. I'm a long time Buzz user and recently switched to Renoise. Since I'm away from home pretty often I consider it as the perfect tool for 'on the road', it is amazing what you can do now with just a litle laptop and how you can use them everywhere (on the train, plain,....).
Buzz and Renoise aren't conventional sequencers or DAW software but trackers, just another way to make music.
My laptop is a Sony VAIO VGN-TX1XP, one of those mini laptops. I can use it everywhere and it has about 6 hours of autonomy ! Perfect for on the road.
Final mix I do on my PC and I use.... Audacity, this can sound surprising since there a lot of full fledge daw software packages on the market now. But, again, I use the tools I know and I allways say 'if you can't do it in Audacity' change hobbies
That basicaly it, beside tons of cables, a couples of static and dynamic mikes and a VTB pre-amp.
Pff a long post
k