Guitar Gear Forum

So by request - here's my current recording setup.

Some quick background... through my 2 different studio experiences I had access to all kinds of mid to top line stuff (consoles, preamps, mics, decent rooms, etc). About 5 years back I went through a massive sell off of basically all my personal studio stuff. Some of the amps/guitars that I have are a direct result of this 2 year long purge. I was done with recording

Basically all I was left with was 2 SM57s, a Sennheiser MD421 II, and a Radial Reamp box.

2 years ago I got the bug again. This time though I was determined to keep it as simple as possible so here's the gear:



MacBook Pro
Apogee Duet
SM57/MD421
Radial Reamp Box (don't use this too often - prefer to get the recordings right off the cab)
Rivera Rock Crusher (not shown)

Monitors are important right?



I do everything under cans right now as I sold my monitors recently (looking for new ones but no rush). These are Sennheiser HD650s and although they are fantastic I struggle with low end mixing a little.


As far as software goes:
DAW is Logic Pro X
Amp Modelling - Amplitube 3 (including Ampeg SVX), BIAS Desktop, Various Free Amp Sims
IK Multimedia T-Racks (I use their channel strips, bus comp, and brick wall limiter on my stuff)
Drums are Superior Drummer 2 and ezDrummer 2
Two Notes Wall of Sound Cab sims

Basically my process is pretty straightforward and I mostly stay in the box for plugs. Since I got rid of my SVT I do all bass direct using Ampeg SVX + the in the box logic guitar amps/pedals for grit. Guitars are usually scratched out using amp sim plugs then re-recorded "live" either using the Rock Crusher silently and the Two Notes plug or miked up and blasting. I used to reamp more but I have found doing it straight up makes the guitars more lively.

Drums are fun... I had 2 different setups with Superior Drummer 2 that used to be my go to sounds but since ezDrummer 2 came out I just use it... they sound better than my old SD setups. Besides the OOB ezD2 drums I use the Metal Machine, Metal!, and Blues expansions.


So thats it... pretty simple and compact setup.

I do want an interface for handling drums, new monitors, more mics (ribbon, drum), and preamps but no rush...

the simple setup proves that ears and skillz are what matters you can't buy it and going to school for it may or may not help .Nice stuff and sweet 421 . Is that your vocal mic . got any clips with that ? Thanks for the rundown Dude .

Thanks mang - no formal training except a trial but fire with an engineer in Philly in the 90s for avout 9mos while I was in college (Comp Sci). I was his gopher/mic mover/bitch

My first studio was a trainwreck but that's where I filled in the gaps. My second was very specialized and more of a small gig that I ran out of the house.

The MD has been used on vocals, bass, drums, etc in the past but now it's my second guitar mic. All my clips have it mixed in these days Killer mic

Gotta love simplicity. I say that as I sit contemplating adding another tube mic pre and a couple more mics. You definitely get killer results.

Heh trust me I got a list of stuff that I want to try but I am want to build back up slowly - I was going to start saving up for a ribbon mic but if my band wants to record then I might be looking into a bigger interface and other mics.