My Most Minimal Setup So Far!
I have had some form of a recording studio for my entire adult life going back to the early 90s. It has evolved quite a bit over the years, sometimes becoming unbearably overcrowded, making it difficult - if not impossible to be creative.
This is something that a lot of people can get when they become deeply absorbed into one thing or another. It is known colloquially as "Gear Acquisition Syndrome" (GAS). I had some bad GAS, and there was no relief from the bloating.
It took me quite a few years to slim things down, but I feel pretty happy with what I have going on now. The only thing I am not super stoked about are my studio monitors. I purchased these used a while back as a sort of temporary solution. I have a really nice set of KRK monitors and a subwoofer, but they are currently in my father-in-law's house in England. In fact, most of my previous studio setup from a decade ago is still there from when we moved to the UK after my mother-in-law passed away. Since then, I have pretty much ditched using rackmount gear and primarily use software synthesizers, with the exception of my analog synth that I use to make patches from time to time.
I really like my KRK speakers, so I am holding out that I'll be able to get them shipped home soon. We are in the process of getting that worked out, but I worry that they will get damaged. We shall see how it goes!
I have never really been much of a Mac fan. Not that I ever really had anything against the computers, I just never liked the disingenuous marketing and the weird almost cult-like following around the company and founder, Steve Jobs. All of my recording studios have been set up on my own custom built PCs for as far back as 1995. Before that, it wasn't quite as easy for the average person to build his own computer - or at least not with my Rally's Hamburgers paycheck.
That all being said, when Apple released their new Arm processors, it immediately got my attention. There was quite a lot of hype around these computers and I must say, I jumped in and bought an M1 Mac Mini not long after their release. I played with it for a while, and decided that it wasn't quite right for my recording studio, but would be perfect for the stop motion and video shoots. So that one is now dedicated to photography, while this newer Mac Studio is solely used for Audio production.
Our main microphone is an M-Audio Sputnik, which is a phenomenal tube microphone, especially for singing vocals. This particular mic was purchased through a friend who worked at M-Audio over a decade ago. This was the very first version of the microphone which apparently is vastly superior to the ones that ended up on the market shortly afterward. I can't speak for any of the ones that can be bought second hand now, because there is no way to know which version they are as far as I can tell. They have dramatically dropped in price, and would be a steal if you could manage to get an early version.
All I know is that the highs sound crispy, the mids sound buttery and the lows sound smooth and well rounded. I will be pretty upset if this mic fails and I am unable to repair it to its original glory. For that reason I take very special care of it!
My controller keyboard is the Novation 61SL MkIII. This is really the controller keyboard that I've wished that I had for decades. My wife can't stand it because she is a piano player, and she really needs the 88 weighted keys, but for my purposes it is perfect. The velocity response is incredible on this controller keyboard.
My first pro midi keyboard was a Roland JV-35 which I still own. I decided to pull it out of storage recently to see how the keys felt compared to the Novation. There really was no comparison! It's funny, because I used that old Roland for years and loved it. However, the keys feel so clunky now compared to the smooth action of the 61SL. Not to mention that the Novation comes with pads and sliders as well as control voltage outputs that you can hook up to your analog synthesizers. How cool is that? All in a well designed, carefully thought out controller keyboard.
The Audio Interface
Next up, we have the Apollo Twin audio interface. I drooled over Universal Audio's interfaces for years before I finally got an opportunity to buy one. This is another area where I dramatically downsized the studio. In the past I used large rackmount audio interfaces such as the Presonus Firepod and the Echo Layla 3G. These were great interfaces, but also took up a lot more space.
It is certainly true that those older interfaces had a lot more inputs and outputs. But UA is renowned for its superior audio equipment and pristine recreations of hardware signal processors and instruments. I have transitioned completely over to the UAD ecosystem and unless something drastic happens, I may likely never look back. I absolutely love this little gem! The sound quality is just phenomenal and it just works fantastically.
I only have two small gripes. One is that I bought it right before Thunderbolt 3 came out, so I have to use a $45 adapter cable from Apple that converts from Thunderbolt 2 to 3. It seems steep for a cable, but there is actually a tiny microcontroller and various other components in every Thunderbolt cable so it is a bit expensive to build. I don't really know why this wasn't built into the port itself, but I am no engineer. The other gripe is really my fault. I wish that I had gotten the Apollo Twin Quad instead of the Duo because I am always running out of DSP and end up having to freeze the effects on some tracks after mixing so that I can work on others. This can be alleviated by spending more money, of course, and getting a satellite DPS device. As we all know, money is not an endless resource. (Universal Audio, if you are reading this, hook me up!)
PreSonus FaderPort
This is a recent addition to my studio, aimed at further streamlining my workflow. In essence, I'm drawn to the concept of going DAWless, which essentially means eliminating the computer from the equation and relying solely on music hardware. The appeal lies in providing creators with a heightened sense of creative freedom, bringing them closer to the production process through a more tactile experience.
While I don't anticipate fully adopting the DAWless approach anytime soon, I am keen on reducing my reliance on the mouse. I prefer knobs and sliders over the mouse and keyboard, and I use them wherever practical. This is where the FaderPort comes into play. When using a DAW like Cubase or Ableton Live, the FaderPort allows me to seamlessly navigate between tracks, control recording, playback, and scrolling without reaching for the mouse.
Although I'm still in the process of familiarizing myself with its functionalities, only time will tell if I stick with this method. The FaderPort undeniably gives a more traditional console feel, but there's a learning curve involved. Once I establish a rhythm with it, I find that it significantly speeds up my workflow compared to using the mouse.
The UAD Console: Vocal Chain
Presently, I'm quite busy in voice-over and spoken word projects, and for this reason, I've configured my vocal chain with a preset saved in the UAD console. A standout feature of UAD audio interfaces is their innate capacity to load Universal Audio's remarkable plug-in suite on their dedicated DSP processors. The capability to record seamlessly while employing software EQs, gates, compressors, channel strips, and more with nearly zero latency sets these audio interfaces leaps and bounds ahead of the competition.
I'd like to write up an article on how I set up my input vocal chain using exclusively UAD plugins if anyone in the community uses this equipment and is interested. One addition that I've recently included in my setup is the C-Suite C-Vox noise reduction plug-in. Wow, does this make a difference!
Typically, I don't like using extensive noise reduction processing. I rely on gates and meticulously eliminating every minute source of noise from the recording environment. Getting a noise-free recording is particularly challenging when the recording space lacks good treatment and setup.
The challenge with removing unwanted noise lies in the inherent trade-off when attenuating a signal. Often, the process inflicts a lot of damage on the desired signal, resulting in audio that sounds thin and riddled with artifacts. This compromise points out the difficulty of striking a balance between reducing unwanted noise and preserving the intended audio.
The other day, out of pure curiosity, I randomly activated the C-Vox plug-in. To say I was pleasantly surprised by the results would be an understatement. I swiftly dialed in the settings and achieved remarkably effective noise reduction without significantly compromising the recording quality.
A persistent issue I've faced is the background noise coming from the fans of my wife's computer, which becomes especially pronounced when the pre-amp is pumped to higher levels. The C-Vox easily eliminated this constant hiss, and, truth be told, I couldn't perceive any adverse effects on the vocal recording. The ease with which it tackled the noise issue has made me a believer.
What's Next?
I think I'm going to stay with this setup for the foreseeable future for simplicity's sake (Other than getting my good speakers back). If anything I will clear up the clutter and try to reduce some of the cables and wires. Those are always the bane of my existence. One thing I can never quite nail down is how I'd like things positioned on my desk for quick and easy access. So far I haven't had any major problems with this configuration, so I might be on the right track! It's just too bad that my eyes aren't as great as they used to be....
I would really appreciate your support!
It's amazing great work. Have a nice day.
You make music?
You have a Hella legit setup there! Of course it can always be better,always!
But it doesn't look like you procrastinate when it comes down to the studio, laughs.
It's nice setting up one's own stuff, that feeling of building it and moving everything... Seeing everything taking shape AND it's exactly how you want it to be!
Looks real legit bud!
!PIZZA
!LUV
Thanks @technicalside!
I used to make a lot more but these days I end up doing a lot of voice acting. However, I very recently I started producing tracks again because of our kids' show we are creating. This makes me happy because music is what I really want to be doing.
haha, well one thing I have been procrastinating with is dealing with our storage situation. My network drive is outdated and we desperately need more space for file storage now that we are creating a lot of video footage. I have had a 10GB switch and network cards sitting around for over a year now, just haven't gotten around to configuring everything.
I feel you, I use to play guitar like it was supplying me with oxygen. Now, well haven't played in years really, aching to start again though!
Ahhhh this just keeps getting better and better! A voice actor! Any popular movies I might have seen with you in? That is really cool bruh I like that.
Well one has to live as well right? Besides not getting to everything means you can always keep yourself busy with something right xD Just some positive thinking. You'll get to it! Laughs I know the tediousness of those setups.
I'm self busy with lining my car with rubber mats and I dedicate a lot of time to it xD Like I don't want to mess up and I want it to look insanely well done. Busy figuring out what's the best and I keep finding better ways to patch it all together xD
I don't understand what half this stuff is, but it looks pretty cool. I bet @steevc understands it all. He has a gear community on Hive for stuff like this. I have an M1 Mac mini and I really like it. I mainly use it as a streaming server running Plex. What is this Lu token I got tagged in? It had your name tied to it. It looks pretty complex.
I'll have to check out his gear community. I haven't been using the communities much recently, I probably should.
I don't know a whole lot, I just bought a bunch of them during the presale cheaply. It has been paying me out daily small amount of hive and upvoting my content with a tiny vote. It seems to be a deal where as the hive-lu account grows, the holders of the tokens get larger votes and payout. I can't recommend it, or not recommend it at this point. I am just experimenting to see where it goes.
There are only a couple of people holding more than 500 tokens, but lots holding very small amounts. I don't even know if the larger holders are real because when you look at their accounts, the only activity is with the LU token. Oh, well! Who knows.
Interesting. Thanks for the info. I will maybe check it out. As I said, the one post seemed pretty complex.
Just keep in mind if you do buy some tokens, expect to sell them at a huge loss (at least for now) the buy/sell spread is pretty big.
I will probably just wait and see what I can earn. As I said, the project sounded pretty complex. I don't know if I really understand it all! I need to work on growing my HIVE account anyway.
Yeah, probably best. Recently I have sort of throwing things at the wall and seeing what hits by investing small amounts in various things. I am being careful to not repeat my 2017 mistakes where I put way too many eggs in one basket with losing projects.
I will say that I am probably over-invested in Hive. But I pretty much live here, so why not! hehe
It's funny because many people feel like they don't want to spread themselves too thin by diversifying too much. It's a fine line you need to walk.
I've been having a bit of GAS lately for a telecaster and a bass guitar. I really don't need them but it's hard to get rid of the feeling that I do. 🤷♂️
My tiny studio setup just hasn't got the room for more guitars.
It's just a laptop and a M-audio midi keyboard a focusrite interface plus a mic and a guitar amp shoved into the corner of the bedroom.
I think it's a case of 'all the gear and no idea' with me hence the GAS.
We somehow delude ourselves into thinking that a new guitar or whatever is the answer. It isn't.
At least I'm writing some songs atm so not a complete mess. 🎶🎸😂😂👍🏼
Right! I think this cuts right to the heart of the "GAS" phenomenon. When you are unsatisfied with your productivity or the quality of your output it is easy to think that getting just one more piece of gear is going to fix the problem. The truth usually turns out to be that we just need to hone our craft a bit more or really sit down and figure out what exactly we are trying to do.
Sometimes we are trying to get a certain sound or effect, in the case of music production, but we haven't really fully hashed out in our heads what we really want - so how are we supposed to get to that goal even if we do buy more gear?
That being said, if it's a telecaster sound you want, you'll probably need a telecaster. Sorry if that triggered your GAS. lol! Coincidentally the only electric guitar that I own is a Fender Classic Series '69 Telecaster Thinline reissue that I bought from a friend in 2003 for $200. It was worth 1000s at the time, but Fender accidentally sent my buddy 2 instead of one, so he sold it to me for a tiny amount.
I think between us we have found the solution to GAS.
Your answer is the crux of my stumbling block.
I have a wide range of musical tastes that I pursue from classical guitar to prog rock, blues and synthesizer music et al.
I write lyrics and music primarily for my own enjoyment and entertainment.
I had decided to focus on recording classical guitar literally prior to reading your initial post.
I've got everything I need to create whatever genre I like. I do tend to lean into classical more often than not.
I've got 4 acoustic guitars and 2 electric a strat and a Les Paul style guitar.
Sounds like you have a sweet telecaster and no it didn't trigger my GAS. lol
Reading your blog solidified my opinion to just get on with it lol.
🎶🎸😂👍🏼
Definitely! It sounds like you everything that you need to get your ideas out. I think we've both realized that sometimes more is less. Now I just need to 'minimalize' the rest of my house!
That's a nice set up you got! If money weren't an problem the sky would be the limit. It's a lot nicer than any studio I ever put together, these days all I have left is my Strat and an amp!
Well, that's all you need to play and sing! I have always had fun recording and making tracks though. I can't play guitar to save my life though. Just a few chords.
#hive #posh
Good
Nice setup! I love the monitor.
I've been with Macs since university, 25 years ago. I was linux in university, but after I graduated I found myself wasting too much time fiddling so I moved to a system that would handle it for me while still offering me the BSD command line if I really wanted it. These Apple Silicon machines are amazing, aren't they? I am tempted to upgrade to the M3, but I'm find with the M1 right now, so I'm avoiding the gear lust.
I don't know much about the audio stuff, but sounds like you have it all set up well.
A good friend of mine from high school (total stoner) was a core linux developer back in 1993 when we were around 18 or 19. He was a much better coder than me back then. He kept telling me that he was working with the dude Linus and they were creating a Unix clone. I was super turned off by Unix so I ended up behind the curve with Linux for a decade after that. I wish I had paid attention! My buddy ended up making a lot of money over the years.
I have been really happy with them to be quite honest. The only annoying thing which is slowly getting remedied has been the need to use Rosetta to run certain programs that have not yet transitioned to Arm. Apple tends to blaze full speed ahead leaving developers in a panic to catch up! But we are getting there.
You actually called this minimal? That's a huge achievement if I must say the truth Buddy.
Well, not minimalist so much in cost, but in pieces of equipment. You should have seen my old set up!
Imagino que tendrás cajas de cds de música, y fuiste pionero de la tecnología MP3 y transición de acetato a cintas y de cintas a CDs.
Tengo un monton de CDs. creeme jaja..
Sabes que, todavia tengo mi primer MP3 player que compre. parace a un CD player, (y si, puede reproducir cd audio) pero es para MP3. era horrible pero trabajaba... mas o menos. 😁
oye hermano , lástima que estamos a miles de km sino te mostrará mi primer teléfono Sony Ericsson con capacidad para 500 canciones, mira fue tan grande el cambio Cds a mp3 que yo no podía dormir comprimiendo archivos con WinZip.. y regalando copias de cds en formato MP3 que tiempos aquellos los 90'
En esos dias vivia en Austin Texas y tenia un grupo de amigos de Mexico. Ellos trabajaban en la pulga donde habia un senor que vendia discos de musica Mexicana. De repente el señor tuvo que regresarse a Mexico y dejo como un mil de CDs en su shop.
Mis amigos me regalaron todos los CDs y los usé para hacer copias y mp3s para vender.. Probablemente era may ilegal pero no tenia dinero para pagar los biles.. y creo que no les importaba a la ley porque era musica extranjera en Español.
Era un tiempo may diferente en 1998!
Hermano te hice el comentario porque yo hacía lo mismo y para mí época tenía muchos amigos que le gustaba el rock , y hice como 500 duplicados del álbum doble de gun's & roses your ilusión , November rain , dont cry..y un sin fin de música electrónica de los 90'.
demasiado diferente los 90 éramos nosotros, viva los 90 nada que ver con ese reguetón, lo que da es asco esa música.
$PIZZA slices delivered:
@technicalside(1/5) tipped @nuthman
Hey! I just found this post, too late to vote. I am interested in this stuff though. I have some basic gear that should be enough for my needs. I may do a post on that some time. I use Linux for various reasons and it has some decent audio tools. The Ardour DAW is powerful and you can get plugins for most things. It may even be possible to use some that are for Windows, but I have not looked into that. I need to do some fiddling to get it all working properly as some things have not worked since I got my newish Focusrite interface. I may get motivated to fix that soon.
Please write more about such things and I will check it out.
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BEER.😎🤙🎵 nice setup!
I like the initial sweeping feel of the wide moniters, but yea, I bet in practice, it would be easier on the eyes if things were a bit more central.. but if u don't mind the angles, then its all good!
Luv the look of that mic..