The Studio
Please don’t call it a man cave ….
The Software
GarageBand for iOS
It all starts and ends with GarageBand. GarageBand is a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) that is a free app for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. It replaces the traditional analog multitrack recorder and mixing console you would have found in a studio 30 years ago.
I use the iPad version. The Mac version has more capabilities, but the iPad version has an amazingly robust feature set. Every song I post to this site is a GarageBand project.
The Instruments
Rickenbacker 620 Solid Body 6-string in Jetglo
One of Rickenbacker’s many distinctive designs, this one known as the “cresting wave”, it sports two high-gain pickups with individual volume and tone, a master tone blending control, and trademark Ric-O-Sound stereo output port. Proudly made in the U.S.A.
Gretsch 2420T in Candy Apple Red
I really wanted a red hollow body guitar with humbucker pickups and a Bigsby tremolo, and this little baby checked all the boxes. Plus, it was affordable, it sounds and plays great, and it just looks so cool.
Squier Classic Vibe ’60s Jazz Bass in Daphne Blue
Squier is a Fender company, and they make less-expensive versions (in Asia) of the classic Fender bass and guitar models, including this, the design of which is based on the Fender Jazz Bass models of the 1960s.
When I first started recording with this, I had a problem with fret buzz and intonation. My good friends Brian and Steve both contributed some vital information that allowed me to correct these issues, and for that I am forever grateful.
Rickenbacker 4003 Bass in Matte Black
I bought this after watching a YouTube instructional video on how to play the “Come Together” bassline. I suppose it was an impulse buy, but man, I really love this guitar. I immediately put flats on it since my Squier has rounds, then completely rerecorded the finished (or so I thought) bass track on “Where Did You Come From.”
Fender Acoustic
This was my neighbor Kyla’s guitar. She hadn’t used it in years, and it had just been sitting in her basement collecting dust. She asked me if I wanted it, so I took it home, cleaned it up, put new strings on it, checked the action and intonation, and decided it was definitely a keeper. I’m looking forward to using it on future projects.
Ovation Legend Model 1117-4 Acoustic 6-string in Natural
Spoiler alert: It’s not really mine, but I pretend it is as it’s been in my possession for about 30 years and I’ve paid to have it repaired — twice. I’ll explain someday in a blog post.
This guitar has serial number E008 and was made in the early ’70s in New Hartford, CT.
Roland RD-88 Stage Piano
This digital keyboard has 88 weighted keys, dozens of preset sounds (everything from piano and organ to brass and strings and synths) that can be customized and combined, and a sustain pedal.
Lanikai Ukelele and Hohner Performer Melodica
Two instruments no studio should be without. I have big plans for that melodica.
Bongos
Bongos, baby, bongos. Also pictured: Tambourine. Not pictured: Assorted percussion, such as shakers, maracas, and yes, a cowbell.
The Amplification
Vox AC15C1 1×12″ 15-watt Tube Combo Amp
This is a 15-watt, 2-channel, all-tube amp with a single 12″ speaker, tremolo, and reverb. Similar models were used by The Beatles and other bands of the British Invasion era.
Also pictured: Boss Super Chorus, Boss Digital Delay, and JangleBox Compression/Sustain pedals. The Rickenbacker sounds amazing through this amp, especially with the JangleBox engaged and just a touch of delay.
Fender Rumble 40 1×10″ 40-watt Bass Combo Amp
This little guy pairs nicely with my Squier Jazz Bass. It’s a solid state 40-watt amp with a single 10″ speaker. Fender claims the 40-watts are “basement friendly”, but they might want to consult with other humans and animals that may be living on the upper floors.
The Electronics
Focusrite iTrack Solo
This little box is the linchpin to the entire process. This is what allows me to connect a microphone or musical instrument to my iPad and feed the audio signal directly into GarageBand.
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2
This is an upgrade to the iTrack Solo pictured above. This model allows me to record from two microphones or line inputs simultaneously.
Depusheng DX8 Professional Mixer Sound Board
Hard to believe, but this board only cost about 100 bucks. I use it to premix the input from several microphones (think live drums) down to stereo. It may not be the best quality mixing console out there, but it gets the job done.
Microphones
Shure SM7B (top), Shure SM58 (bottom), Shure SM57 (not pictured)
PreSonus Eris E3.5 3.5 inch Powered Studio Monitors
Pictured is one of a pair of nearfield stereo monitors I use for mixing and mastering.
Sony MDR7506 Professional Large Diaphragm Headphones
These are an absolute must-have item in any recording studio when laying down the individual tracks that comprise a recording. Maybe the best part of what you see in this picture are not the Sony closed circumaural headphones (which are, in fact, quite nice), but the nifty holder that I got from Amazon that clamps to my desk and folds up when not in use.
PreSonus HP4 4-Channel Compact Headphone Amplifier
This is absolutely essential for any non-solo work.
And The Rest
Cables, Cables, Cables
Lots o’ cables, neatly stored in a wall-mounted cable rack behind my workstation. I think I regularly use 2 of these.