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Just wondering, if I list my gear, whether there is one thing that anyone would add, that I am really missing, to improve my production.I'm still learning, with the gear I've got, so maybe I already have enough, and it's just down to improving my skills.Still trying to get my head around compression and limiting.Anyway, here's the list:XP3 x 325 gig hard drives 1 x 250 gig external hard drive for backupsDVD BurnerSonar 7 ProducerPresonus FireboxTapco S-5 monitorsSennheiser HD 201 headphones(yeah, I know they're cheap.just to get me started)AT2020MK-012Roland 180 midi controllerAxon 50 guitar midi controllerColossusEWQL GoldGuitar RigOzoneAre there one, or two items, maybe hardware, I should really have.Thanks in advance.

Don't forget the mother-in-law!

Apr 20, 2008, 7:14am, ibanez468 wrote:Don't forget the mother-in-law! I had!Now yer gone and reminded me!!!I just loaned her my car for the day.She set off half hour ago for a day trip.I'll give it another hour 'til she's out the county,then report it stolen!

Dave,You've got a pretty solid basic rig there. I'm not familiar with Sonar but I'm sure it's got plenty of good plugins. I think the one thing you probably need is the one thing we all need, more time to do our music!!!Practice with what you've got and squeeze the most out of it. When you start hitting the limits of your gear, you'll already know what you need to get next.Oh, and the thing I'm realizing I need more than any more gear (I've got plenty, thank you!) is a really good chair. I've been scoping out craigslist for a used Herman Miller Aeron chair. They're expensive but if you're going to be spending lots of time in the studio, a great chair is a must!And you thought I'd have a laundry list of gear for you to go out and buy!! Cheers!Mazz

Apr 20, 2008, 8:04am, mazz wrote:Dave,You've got a pretty solid basic rig there. Thanks Mazz.What you say makes sense.It is difficult getting the time to really put some continuous hours in.I just wanted to check their wasn't something glaringly obvious that I was needing (besides ability).Sonar has got some good plugins. I've also added quite a few; Waves, Ultramaximizer etc. so I don't think I'm lacking there.I'm hoping to get down to it from Tuesday, when my kids go back to school.Then hopefully post a reworked track for comments, so I can gauge where I'm at; which I hope is a bit further along the curve.Many thanks, and I hope you find that chair!Dave.

Re: finding a chair....I know several graphic designers and IT people that use...get this...a large exercise ball to sit on.No kidding...I have one in the studio now, it's a great option to have in addition to the chair.You are constantly moving it just a bit, and it forces you to sit up straight. A good 'core' workout, and it never makes any noise either.I thought it was kinda weird too, until I tried it. Then I spent the $20 and got one myself.Just a quirky Sunday thought to a problem we all face.P.S. Along the same ergonomic lines, I was told to learn keyboard shortcuts for routine tasks...takes the repetitive stress off the mouse use. And it's faster too (as Mazz states...time is the limiting factor for alot of us).

I think you need to add at least one external hard drive for back ups. I'm assuming you have a DVD burner, too.

I think you'll need a mic to replace the AT2020 real soon. I had one of these that came packaged with some other gear & I gotta say that this is not a great mic for vocals. I gave it to a friend who was just starting the task of putting his first studio together & in a couple of months he brought it back to me!

Apr 20, 2008, 9:34am, hummingbird wrote:I think you need to add at least one external hard drive for back ups. I'm assuming you have a DVD burner, too. Thanks Vikki.I missed that off my list, along with my mother-in-law! Best add it.I do use a 250 gig external for backups,and a DVD drive.Look out for those reworked tracks sometime soon.Best wishes,Dave.

Apr 20, 2008, 10:10am, billg wrote:I think you'll need a mic to replace the AT2020 real soon. I had one of these that came packaged with some other gear & I gotta say that this is not a great mic for vocals. I gave it to a friend who was just starting the task of putting his first studio together & in a couple of months he brought it back to me! Any recommendations billg?Dave.