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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

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

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.

Hey Dave!Happy to hear you're starting up....don't forget to throw in some bucks for the therapy of your choice (alcohol, whatevah!) when the stuff won't do what you want some days! I'm using a Blue baby bottle mic, which works cuz I'm an alto with a smooth voice.....it's good for jazz torch singer treatment. It's also got a really small pop screen, which helps with singers who don't like having something stuck in their face all day. It's pricey but I got a really good deal on ebay. Bill's having great luck with his setup but I know a female vocalist might need something a lil different or be prepared to really work your preamp to get it sounding where she wants it. Us females (sigh). We jes like that.

As always, Mazz makes a great point...and this one about compression is a biggie. There's nothing worse than having a killer track recorded, but it has too much compression going in...it can't be undone! Finding a way to get really good at this is an art, and a requirement.(note: I'm not very good at it myself...but I'm starting to realize how important it is).Along this line, I think I take back my stance on "Dave, don't buy anything else until you explore the limits of what you've already got"...and add one piece of gear that can be really beneficial. If you haven't upgraded the Sennheiser's, seriously consider a great pair of quality headphones with excellent isolation for use when recording yourself. I used to use $20 earbuds with construction hearing protection over top....not good. You and I are very similar (mostly tracking by ourself, in the same room as the DAW, etc)...and that one purchase turned out to be a small leap, not just a step.Being able to set up your (new!) mic, and play your acoustic while hearing what your signal path is hearing is very educational. Silvercord and I both went with the AKG 271 headphones. I find the isolation really good for acoustic guitar...and now I can hear alot more of what the mic is picking up. Good headphones that isolate and accurately reproduce sound would greatly help you determine mic placement and compression settings...both areas are high on the list from the folks that have already responded.P.S. When you figure out the mic placement and compression, tell me how, OK?!?

Apr 20, 2008, 4:05pm, billg wrote:Steve, I sent you a pm but in case anyone else wanted to know about the replacement tube;it's a nos (new old stock) Mullard/Philips ECC81 bought it online from www.kcanostubes.com for $32 plus shipping.You know, Bill, I so respect you for sharing your technical tips Really I do. But the real truth is that you've got a voice with centuries of character And you use it so well They don't have a valve for that Liam

AAWWWWW Milfus, if you hadn't said it first, we might not be having this nice compression discussion! Now go de-compress!! We love ya! Cheers,Mazz