The Studio
I use a modern mix of composition tools, including computers, synthesizers, audio processors, trackers and acoustic instruments. I’m constantly investigating new methods of making music, often to my own compositional detriment. On more than one occasion I have reduced my meager musical output by taking up a new instrument or project. Sometimes it pays off in the end, sometimes it doesn’t. Recently I’ve been dedicating a great deal to my guitar, which is one of the reasons new music has not been released in a while.
My main workspace is made up of a 28″ Widescreen High-Def monitor flanked by two 19″ monitors. Most of my input is done with the Oxygen 8 MIDI controller directly into Sonar. I use the Belkin Nostromo n52 Speedpad to control the cursor and tools within the software, which speeds the process up considerably. The only time I use the computer keypad is when I name tracks or save a file. Even with the backlit keyboard I still found myself hunting and pecking to quick-switch the different cursors before I set up this nifty little controller.
The TV above the workspace comes in handy too. It’s old and has a pretty shoddy picture, but a lot of my inspiration comes from what’s playing. It’s also hooked up to my network via an old XBOX, which gives me access to whatever is recorded on any of the DVR’s in the house. My computer itself is a Pentium Core 2 Duo with 4GB of RAM.
I’m a fan of the smaller-bodied guitars, so I bought a Martin 000-15 Auditorium size. It doesn’t have any electronics, and I haven’t yet picked up a direct box, so I can’t record with it at the moment. I’m working on adding a Taylor 514ce to the wall just for recording, but its current owner is a tough negotiator. I also have an Ibanez RoadStar II bass, which belongs to by brother. Neither one of us really play it.
I play most of my piano parts on my General Music RP-Pro I keyboard. I’ve been slow to upgrade the cheap speakers attached to it because I should have an acoustic piano here very soon.
