Tech Gear
Recording Software
For a majority of my time, I make records as an audio engineer. I use Pro Tools 8 software by Digidesign and occasionally use Logic Studio by Apple running on the latest Mac computers with Intel duo core processors. I prefer to use Waves plug-ins with the Diamond, Renaissance, Masters, and SSL plug-ins. See my writing here on Waves Plug ins. I have also mastered records, but prefer to rely on professional mastering engineers who use Sadie like Robert Hadley at the Mastering Lab. I use Yamaha, KRK, and Event Monitors for reference.
Recording Hardware
I use the Digi 002 as my main audio interface with an OCX Antelope external clock. See this article to see the setup.
I have access to three main mic pres and have used them with great success on numerous records. I prefer using the LA-610 Putnam style tube mic pre for most of my tracking. It gives me a warm tube old school sound that most people want, but don’t know how to get with a DAW.
LA-610 Classic Tube Recording Channel
The LA-610 brings UA’s legendary vintage “all tube” luxury sound into a modern channel strip format by combining the 610 Mic-Pre/EQ/DI section and a T4 Opto-compressor into a single 2U unit with a ground-breaking price. The 610-tube preamp, DI and EQ is from UA’s TEC award winning 6176 and is based on the legendary console modules developed by Bill Putnam in the 60’s. Countless classics have been recorded using these preamps, noted for their musical character and warmth. The simple operation and program dependent nature of the LA-610 T4 compressor provides the same extremely musical control that has made the LA-2A such a well-loved classic for over 40 years. After the preamp section, the LA-610 offers a new T4 optical compressor. The electro-optical detector or “T4 cell”, is the very heart and soul of the Teletronix LA-2A.
Universal Audio 2108
Dual Channel Solid State Microphone & Instrument Preamplifier
The Universal Audio 2108 is a two-channel discrete, Class A solid state microphone preamplifier, based on the legendary Universal Audio 1108 preamplifier.
The 1108 was a modular, single stage preamplifier designed by Bill Putnam Sr. in the early sixties. Its characteristic design later became the basis of the 1176LN Limiting Amplifier, the most celebrated solid-state peak limiter of all time. The 1176LN and 2108 share identical output amplifier circuits and components, including the custom transformer, which is a critical element to the cherished trademark sound.
Great River ME-1NV
Microphone & Instrument Preamplifier
“The ME-1NV (single channel mic preamp) greatly modernizes and improves classic British design. This desktop (and rackable) preamp offers the same definitive sonic fidelity and expert craftsmanship as all Great River products, with the ability to fine-tune gain effects like 1970’s-era 1073’s. Transparency and vintage harmonic structure are both achieved with NV-Series preamps.
The ME-1NV achieves new classic performance status with two discrete Class-A gain stages (the dual gain-stage meters are a Great River exclusive), a front-panel DI input jack which is routed via FET through the input transformer (also unique to Great River preamps) for must-hear-to-believe sound from all Hi-Z instruments, and a discrete high-current Class-A “big iron” transformer-coupled output amplifier. The ME-1NV is a fundamentally important audio tool that brings out the best in every microphone and instrument.”
I also like using a Neumann M 149 Tube microphone running into a Great River ME-1NV preamplifier and a Studio Projects LSD-2 stereo microphone going into a Universal Audio 2108 preamplifier.
The TLM 49 is a large diaphragm condenser mic with a cardioid pickup pattern that sounds amazing on strings. It is transformerless and has the K 47 capsule with a boost at 2kHz.
Here are common signal paths I use for recording.
Neumann M 149 Tube microphone into a
Great River ME-1NV preamplifier
Studio Projects LSD-2 stereo microphone into a
Universal Audio 2108 preamplifier
Boths pre are run into three channels on a Digidesign 002 Pro Tools interface running on a
17 inch Macbook Pro
Neumann TLM 49 microphone
Universal Audio LA-610 Tube pre / T4 Optical Compressor
Digi 002 Mixer with firewire 400
Digidesign Pro Tools
Live Sound
For live sound I use a Yamaha M7 48 channel digital console, an analog Mackie 32 and 24 channel 8 buss mixer and an old Yamaha PM 3000 32 channel console. I use Shure wireless microphones and Shure wired mics when possible. For live sound on kick drums and bass instruments including djembe, I like the Shure Beta 52, the AKG D112, and the Audix D6 is also a popular choice. For electric guitars I prefer Shure SM 57s or the Beta 57As. For vocals the Shure Beta 58A is the standard in the wired or wireless form. The Shure KSM series sounds great on strings, choirs, pianos and anything else you could throw at it. The Rode NTK tube mic is also a favorite of mine for electric guitars, strings, and pianos.
Visual Software
For normal technical productions requiring visual graphics, I prefer Keynote from Apple and I also use a version of Powerpoint for the Mac. I also use Mediashout for most church applications running lyrics for worship although the use of the program can drive a common man crazy.
For video editing I use Final Cut Studio and iMovie.
I use Accordance Bible Software for scripture references and it also makes a fantastic Bible study software as I am studying at the Talbot School of Theology in the Los Angeles / OC area.
Aardvark
Ableton – Live
AKAI
AKG
Alesis
Allen Heath
Altman
American DJ
Anchor Audio
Antares Pitch
Aphex
Art
Avalon
Apple
Audio-Technica
Audix Microphones
Auralex
BBE
Behringer
Belden Cables
Beyerdynamic
Bias – Peak
Blue Mics
Bose Speakers
Celemony Melodyne
Chauvet Lighting
Focusrite
Community Speakers
Crest Audio
Crown Audio
Da Lite Screens
DBX
Denon
Digidesign – Pro Tools
Digitech
DOD
EAW Soundsystems
Edirol
Etc Lighting
EV Speakers
Event
Eventide
Fostex
Furman Power
Hosa Cables
ILIO
iTunes from Apple
JBL
JVC
Klark Teknik
KRK
Leprecon Lighting
Lexicon
M-Audio
Mackie
Marantz
Martin Lighting & Sound
Microboards
Middle Atlantic
Midas Consoles
Mobo Laser
Monster Cable
MOTU
Native-Instruments
Neumann
Neutrik
Novation
Numark
Omnimount
Omnirax
Omnisistem
On Stage Stands
Pioneer DJ
Presonus
Propellerheads
QSC Amps and Audio
Quicklock
Rane
Road Ready Cases
Rode Microphones
Roland
Rolls
Rosco Gels
Sabine Microphones
Sanyo
Sennheiser
Shure Microphones
Shure Frequency Finder
SKB Cases
Soundtech
Soundcraft
Stanton Magnetics
Steinberg – Cubase
Studio Projects
Studiomaster
Switch Craft
Tapco Gear
Tannoy Speakers
Tascam
TDK
Teac
Universal Audio – UA
Ultimate Support
Ushio bulbs
Vestax
Videonics
Visiosonic
Waves
Whirlwind
Yamaha
American Musical
BH Photo Video
BSW
Full Compass
Guitar Center
Macwest Rentals
Mic Works
Musicians Friend
PSSL Pro Sound and Stage Lighting
Sam Ash
Sound Arena Rentals
Sweetwater Sound
