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My Studio Equipment - "This is Where the Magic Happens"

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Recently, since I just became a self-proclaimed part of the music scene, I've been bombarded with questions from some fans and close friends about the equipment that I use to record my tunes. Apparently I'm impressing somebody somewhere.

I've been doing my own recordings since my freshmen year in college, so I'm going on 5 years now. Now, during that time I've definitely acquired some little tricks and techniques about mixing, adding plug-ins, and creating adequate mixes with limited money and equipment and THAT information plays a huge part in how my music turns out.

So, I don't want you to be disappointed if you decide to copy my personal studio setup exactly and don't get the results you want. It just doesn't work like that.

I know it blows, but that age-old chestnut about experience and time actually stands in this instance, so KEEP AT IT AND KEEP LEARNING until your mixes are dynamite.

I'm sure that I could span quite a few posts with some of the things I'm willing to share about my recording process, but we'll just focus on my equipment and setup for the time being.

Again, keep in mind, this is just what I use. Of course there are better and more proficient ways to record and cut a track, but this is what I learned and this is the equipment I use based on what I deem is necessary and supporting my infinite cheapness.

And, I should add, I have almost NO knowledge about tracking real drums or amplifiers since I've never needed to do it. My plug-ins take care of that for me. So, most of my skill lies with the mixing process.

Here's the basic rundown:


Dell XPS 410 Desktop PC
When I got this computer 3 years ago, it was considered the workhorse of its time with only 2GB of RAM and a 1.5gHZ processor. Obviously there are much better systems of up to 8GB of ram that I desperately want to invest in, but I can settle for my ol' buddy here with his memory maxed out at 3GB. If you haven't put it together quite yet, memory is what it's all about.

M-Audio Pro Tools M-Powered 8
I really started learning recording techniques with Cubase LE and then moved on to this. It's a little difficult to navigate at first, but offers similar features to other music production applications. Pro Tools seems to have more emphasis on high quality tracking as opposed to impressive cutting and pasting capabilities like Cubase LE however.

XLN Audio Addictive Drums
I'm pretty new to this midi-driven virtual instrument plug-in, but it seriously rules. Inside I can make my own custom kit, adjust the levels and EQ, and have most of the necessary drum effects like compression and reverb applied as well.

IK Multimedia Amplitube 2 Plug-In
This is where the guitars get their life from. There are almost way too many options with Amplitube as far as amp types, EQs, pedals, rack items, microphones, mic distances, etc. Legit.

M-Audio Fast Track Pro 4x4 Mobile USB Audio/MIDI Interface with Preamps
Expansion of my studio never entered my mind when I made the decision on this interface since it only allows up to 2 recording mic tracks at once. It's enough. I can adjust my headphones, set the input volumes, and it offers Phantom power for condensers. That's really all I need.

Toshiba 500 GB USB 2.0 Portable External Hard Dive HDDR500E04XL (Liquid Blue)
You gotta have a place to put your files and your recording app will run much faster on a portable hard drive. Pro Tools actually recommends that you use a Portable HD with a firewire connection, but I found this out only after I decided to start loading tons of files on it. Nice.

Sony Srsd21X 2.1 Multimedia Speaker System
These are probably the best-sounding PC speakers that I'VE found. Of course they're not for recording purposes. I know that! Honestly, I can't even fit standard-size studio speakers on my desk so... That'll do pig.

Ear Tools Headphones
Now, I have to say that I really let my guard down when I bought these because I just walked into the store, asked the guy for some recording headphones, he handed me these, and I laid down my money. It's like I had a big "Scam Me" sign on me. I should have listened to the damn things first, but when I got home, I found that they are quite impressive and comfortable. Lucky swing on that pitch.

Epiphone Les Paul Custom Guitar
The second guitar I've ever owned and it's a bittersweet relationship. It's heavy and awkward for faster picking, but it easily has one of the best-sounding tones I've ever heard. But it's pretty heavy, the first time I wore it on a strap my shoulder was killin' the next morning.

Rogue VB100 Series II Violin Bass
This is actually my dad's bass guitar because I don't own one myself. The violin style is because he used to be Paul McCartney in a Beatles tribute band. How about that factoid? Another interesting thing, the strings probably haven't been changed in 3 years and I still used them in the recording of "Way With Words." Who has time to buy strings really?

Alesis MICRON Analog Modeling Synthesizer
My little starting synth for playing live shows, but sure does pack a library of rad sounds. Comes in handy for neat little beats too.

Yamaha MM6 Music Synthesizer
This synth is a bit bigger and handles all of my real-instrument sounds. On the earlier HonestKyle stuff, I played all the drum tracks on this thing. I basically took most of my life to finish those tracks.

MXL V57 Condenser Microphone
Before this thing, I didn't have phantom power on my audio interface and was forced to use a live microphone to dial in my voice. That's what you heard on the earlier HonestKyle tracks. With this new microphone, clarity is now my bitch.

Self-Made Voice Pop Filter
Made out of a wire coat hanger and panty-hose. McGrueber!

So that's my setup, but I'm always looking for more proficient ways to cut a track. That's why my equipment is constantly changing and being upgraded over the years.

But here's a question for you. For all you other private or mini studio recording engineers out there, what are the important pieces to your studio setup? And what's the single most important upgrade you made to your studio? Go ahead and leave a comment below this post.

[SPECIAL NOTE:] I do not actually claim to own the song by Aaron Neville "Don't Know Much"... This is made to obviously be a gag. Please don't sue me.


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