Frenemy's Gear
This will not be a complete gear list like you see on recording studio websites. This is just a place for me me to highlight cool gear / mods / tweaks / deals and talk about how they are used in my recordings.
Microphones
Audio Technica AT4060 : - This came with a SOVTEK tube which didn't sound bad at all. I just wanted to try out some different tubes to see if it opened up the high end frequencies and increased clarity while keeping that tube warmth. I tried out a few different tubes and eventually found that a VOS Telefunken did just that. Since that tube change I have not thought once about upgrading my primary lead vocal mic from the AT 4060.
Peluso CEMC6 Stereo Pair : - These small diaphragm microphones are about $200 per mic and are comparable to microphones that cost 10x as much. They are clean, crisp, bright and very transparent. I use these mics on almost all of my acoustic string instrument recordings.
XLR Piezo Contact Mic (waterproof) : - This is a contact mic that picks up physical vibrations as audio. It can be taped against a guitar or other instrument, attached to the neck of a singer, taped to a speaker, attached to a saw, placed underwater... Just about anything you can think of. It can be used to record some wierd audio and sources.
Preamps / Compressors
Universal Audio UA6176 : - Tube Microphone Preamp, Compressor and Basic Equalizer. It came with a JJ-12AX7 in the preamp spot and a JAN 6072A - 12AT7 in the compressor spot. I upgraded to a 1966 Seimens E81CC in the preamp section for a crystal clear and creamy high end, and then used a 1968 Mullard ECC 81to get that mid-range warmth in the compressor section without sacrificing all of the detail. The overall effect is modern tube gear that gives me the flexibility to get clean warmth and still get a serious vintage tone when I drive it hard.
Aphex Expressor 651 modded by Audio Upgrades : - This is a very clean and transparent compressor / expander and a good inexpensive option for a home studio. I use it mostly when recording acoustic instruments, but it ocassionally gets used on everything from vocals to drums.
Great River MP2-NV : - This preamp has saved me countless hours as a one man recording artist since the MP2-NV has only 2 knobs and a few button options that can be set in seconds and every setting sounds good! It has the ability to handle clean crisp detailed acoustic tones and can even thicken up the sound nicely when you push the transistor. It has truly taken my signal chain to a new level. The direct inputs work wonderfully for bass guitar, synths, circuitbent devices, external effects loops and analog drum machines as well. I can't say enough good things about this stereo preamp as the front end for a premium one man studio.
Empirical Labs Lil Freq : - An EQ module with highpass filter / de-esser, high and low shelving, dynamic EQ and parametric EQ. This is a very natural sounding EQ and it is one of the best de-essers out there.
Effects
Moog Moogerfooger Pedals / Modules : - The connections can handle any style of input or signal level. These are extremely flexible and work great as guitar effects, synth effects, line level effects modules and CV signal modulators. They also allow you to patch standard guitar pedals into a line level signal chain without using an adjuster.
Low Pass Filter - Works great on drums and synths. I also use it to keep high frequencies under control when I create guitar feedback loops or push filters to self oscillation.
12 Stage Phaser - This opens up great harmonic tones and smoothly breaks apart sounds beautifully.
Ring Modulator - This chopps up the audio source into rhythmic segments and waves.
Misc
SM M-Patch 2 : - An inexpensive and transparent passive master volume control for monitors and headphones that I trust with mixing. Finally there are no more full volume monitor blasts late at night, or random ear punching headphone levels. Now I just set my interface monitor outputs for an optimum consistant outupt level and then tweak my volume through the M-Patch. I can power up, switch projects and monitor live sounds with consistant volume. I never understood why a simple master volume control should cost $700 and up! This one sounds good and gets the job done for around $150.