Gear space (studio, spare room, bedroom, closet) blog/tour - Ill show you mine if you show me yours.

paulmapp8306

I know we have a "pics" thread - but wanted to go a little deeper.  Not just pictures, but some explanation.   How its routed, why is each piece of equipment selected, what do they offer. How its integrated (or not).   Why is it placed where it is - or is it just because it fits etc.  Picture threads are nice "gear porn" but often doesnt go into any detail.   Id love for others to do the same, but Ill start.

im doing this as ive just added a Pro 3, and had some ideas for a change of layout.  Ill say my room is - shall we say cosy.   Its 4 meters long and only 2 meters wide (thats approx 12 feet long and 6 feet wide).

so - well start with a picture of the full keyboard setup:

This is down one long side of the room - the one without the door.... Ill break this down and give explanations as I go.

so first part - the live rig part.

The stand stays at home, I have a 3 tier K&M Spider for live.  At home its on a K&M 18820 table stand - and 2  shelves are on racking strips (as you'd see on a warehouse wall).  The lower of the shelves is removable - which goes live onto the top tier of the spiders 3.

The lower board is a Roland RD2000 stage piano.  Does what it says on the tin - really nice graded hammer action board and does all the traditional sounds - pianos, EP, Clavs etc.  It has loads of other sounds - some of the orchestral stuff I use and on occasion some of the strings and pads to fill out.  Its zone system means each of the 8 slots are on their own midi channel and can be routed internally or externally - meaning i can layer with sounds from any other of the live sound sources.

Above that is a Fantom 7.  The brains - switches all the live gear from scenes, and runs everything live.  It has the same zone system as the RD but 16 of them.  Uses PCM waves and a VA engine - including Rolands models.  The VA part is quite unique as far as I know in that its up to 4 oscillators (pcms OR VA)  but each oscillator has its own Filter, Amp and Filter Envs, 2 LFOs and 1 effect.   It means that you can get traditional stuff (using the same settings for all parts) but you can also have different settings for each oscillator which opens the door to some really creative stuff.  It has a reasonable pattern based sequencer and drum patterns along with a sampler - so Its easy to scratchpad ideas before taking them to a DAW and fleshing them out with all the other gear.

top shelf is modules.  A Hammond Orgon module (legend EXP) on the left - the RDs organs are flat, and while the new tone wheel on the Fantom is good, its not legend good and I just cant part with it - it has both upper and lower manuals on separate midi channels, and I have it set so the RD has the lower and Fantom the upper - so it even plays a bit like a real hamond .  In the middle a Virus Ti2 - yes its not that great a VA anymore - its filters are quite bland actually and it has aliasing issues.  BUT its got great polyphony, its multitimbral and does sound good - it can do "those" sounds - pretty much any dance/club music from 95 to 2010... - which for a covers project is perfect, and Depeche Mode were still using Virus's for their last world tour, so its definately good enough for me.  On the right a Novation Peak - hybrid synths.   It was my first proper synth I guess and  having the analogue parts (OK not the oscillators) can go places fantom and Virus cant really.  Despite adding other stuff since, it still makes noises I cant replicate on the others - mainly due to the wavetable options a GREAT filter and good modulation options...and that reverb......  Its a good mix live.

There is a line mixer under the shelf - and behind the modules is a Moto midi bay, and all the power pre-cabled using Cioks isolated  power supplies.. a DC7 and a DC 4.   There is a 5 way mains strip under the shelf too - supplying the Cioks, the mixer and the lower boards.

Next part:  the top shelf home use only stuff.

so here we have a Deep Mind 12d in the centre.   Analogue and very capable - and bought because I didn't have any fully analogue synths.  The FX make it of course, but it can do stuff the other synths cant with its comprehensive Mod matrix.   It is actually interchangeable live with the Virus or Peak - there all the same width - and the 5 way mains strip has a spare socket for it if thats what goes live, because of all that flexibility it keeps a spot.  To its right is a TR8s - doing what they do and to the left a Squarp Pyramid to sequence it all for home jamming.

Connection wise, Both Fantom and RD have 2 midi outs assignable per patch ....  So there are cables connecting the two in both directions, meaning I can play RD sounds from fantom and fantom sounds from RD - great for splitting the keybeds up for live.   The second Midi outs go into the midi patch bay - which feeds all the other gear.   The Pyramid and TR8s also go into the Moto so they can control the other synths (obviously needed for the pyramid).

paulmapp8306

Next part - the small boards.   The first picture is where my Argon8 used to live.   It was bought not only because I didnt have a wavetable synth - but it fitted the space perfectly, and critically all the knobs send CCs, and when in shift mode send alternates - its a great VST controller for that reason, and can be mapped pretty much so the control labels still do what they say in the VST....and it sounds great at those evolving things only wavetable synths can really do.   The second is its new home above my Pro3 - that only arrived this week (the catalyst for a change).  Its sill in a good place for a VST controller but its better access for patch programming. 

Second picture is both Pro3 and Argon 8 in the new position.  Id bought a small table stand for the Pro3 (actually a mixer stand) which fitted the space between the desk and the RD...and I just thought a shelf above it would make it more accessible for programming.

So - the Pro 3 was added as Ive never had a mono synth, nor a VCO.  Its a "gateway" to both... Its prompted another future purchase which I'll go into in a little bit.  It was a steal (which Is why I went for it - hadnt actually planned to).  1 hour old bought for a studio project by a band, but when they got to the studio it had a Moog One.  They tried both for an hour - preferred the moog, and sold the Pro3.   Its was 2/3 of new prices (her in the UK) an hour of playing, and even had the plastic screen protector still on.   Figured if I dont get on with a mono I might even make money on it - and certainly wouldnt loose anything.... and I can try a VCO next to my existing stuff.

So - both these have their own mixer next to argon, but can be played from the main keys rig on their own midi channels as well as on their own keybeds.   Sometimes you cant do that - you need to twiddle knobs, but sometimes you dont... and its good to have the options.

when not being used (or at least not needing the knobs) the Pro 3 pushes under the Argons shelf, and my char fits nicely under it (or my PC desk depending where I want access - under the Pro is normally better)

OK - the Pro 3 has lead to wanting a VCO Poly.... But where to fit it.   Well, I have the space the Argon 8 vacated:

AS it happens its the perfect size for the Pyramid to sit at the front in the corner, and the TR8s to sit just behind and above, angles between the bottom and top shelf.  ALMOST looks rack mounted between the two (having tried it, but didnt get a picture.... might add one when I change) - this will free up enough space alongside the Deep Mind on the top shelf for an OB6 or P6 Module.... all I have to do is choose which...

Its also possible I wont "scratch the VCO Poly itch"... There not cheap and honestly - apart from in my head - would it add much over what I have?  sure the character of the synth (and those DSi/Sequentials are very nice) but I can get close with what I have for sure.   The other options for the gap?  Well either an Iridium - vesa mountable so can clamp it ty my upper shelf and it will sit across the corner space, easily accessible.  It adds a DX7 FM engine I dont have, and granular synthesis.   Other options are things like the micro freak, or a typhon, or a small Behringer module... something thats cheap but adds quirks and noises I dont really have already.   Not quite sure where it will go yet.

Now - both mixers feed a Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 under my monitor, BUT as I play guitar.... i use a Fractal Axe-FX3 (been using then since the first standard) which comes in on Spdif.  So - Im utilizing that as an FX unit if needed (over and above those onboard the synth) for the synths when recording (and just playing for fun).  One pair of outs on the back of the 18i20 goes into inputs 3 and 4 of the AFX, and I have a pre-set just for synths with all the complex stuff that can do - its absolutely GREAT.  Shame I cant individually send the synths to it though... ie different effects on different synths, but still its a nice option to have.

For completions sake, I have pictures of my desktop - with a pair of Neuman KH120s left and right and showing the Axe-FX:

And under the desk houses a Neuman KH750 sub, my FC12 that is the foot controller for the Axe-FX and a 2x12 guitar cab (I have a Seymour Duncan Power stage mounted in the back of the AFX rack so i can go direct or more traditional into a real cab should I wish - which I do more often than not).... any my PC tower which is not particularly interesting.

 

And finally, the opposite side of the room to the keys just has my guitars.  A cheap Vintage bass on the right, then a Fender Select Strat, a Martin 00028, a Tom Anderson Cobra S (with 3 P90s... yum) and finally a PRS Cu22 10 top I bought new in 1999 - still hanging with the others.

Well - thats about it for my "tiny room tour",  hope you enjoyed the pics and my ramble.   Now, Id like to see others reply in a similar way - lots of shots and explanations of why, how, where etc you use your gear.

Oh - you may have spotted a bag beside the leys - its a live "bag" .. Has a tablet in it for control of my in ear mix (from an X air 18r), my in ears - an X-vive transmitter and receiver and both a pair of Mackie MP240 and Sure SE425 in ear phones (one for backup).   Theres also a beta57 and Beyer TG V70 mic (I prefer the latter, our vocalise the former and uses mine currently).      Theres also a couple of pairs of headphones hanging in the room.  Some AKG K702s on the right of the main keys rack that are freely useable into any keyboard, or mixer -   and a pair of Sennheiser HD650s permanently cabled to the Scarlett - via an ifi zen-can headphone amp.

I think that really is it..... enjoy.

thecolourbox

I'm looking forward to reading through this, as I need to work out an admittedly much more simple setup around my spare room (which also serves as my home office, clothes room, and general random crap storage room). A different scenario with much worse (and much less) kit but hopefully this will help with routing ideas.

Even if not, it's always interesting to see others stuff and the descriptions are always helpful to the idiots like me who can't work it out

kin

I have just spent most of today trying to get a ik multimedia stomp io and Korg nanokey studio up and running with ableton live lite 11/ amplitude 5 and sampletank 4  ( all good apart from assigning the expression pedal ) and was feeling pretty pleased with myself.....and then i saw this, wow, great job, i would never have the patience or intelligence to put all that together.
Really enjoyed the tour , thanks.

Musicwolf

So here are a few shots of my little (3.8m x 2.2m) studio.

Nothing very special.  Desktop running Cubase 10.5 pro.  Steinberg UR824 interface, Neumann KH80 monitors, Kemper for guitar sounds.

The control surfaces are a Behringer X-Touch + Expander.

Guitars in racks and on the wall

Where it gets interesting is the live stuff

Helix and, in the plastic box, a Boss SY-300 and a TC Helicon VoiceLive 2.  The SY-300 is in an effect loop in the Helix and another Helix send is feeding a clean guitar signal to the VoiceLive as a pitch reference.  It's all connected via MIDI so that Helix patches pull up the corresponding patches on the VoiceLive and SY-300 but the Helix also pulls up song files on my laptop (running Cantabile software) allowing me to trigger playback of pre-recorded intros and to trigger recording of a dozen tracks of audio from the Behringer XR-18 mixer (not pictured).  The Helix also pulls up different scenes on the XR-18.

Wiring as follows

paulmapp8306

Nice and simple - I must say I like the twin monitors mounted the way you have them.   Ive never seen that.  I might have to incorporate that idea in some way at some point.   Id never have thought to do that.

The X-Touches look quite nice as well - I have thought about using those before.

paulmapp8306

Well, my TR8s and Pyramid have moved...

had a play around - bought a vis mount arm and clamp - so now the TR8s "floats" above the spare corner... It can be pulled out really close - easy to use or pushed back against the wall/window when not in use (so as not to block the speaker).

The Pyramid now sits under it on the desk - tucks away but light and only 23 cables (2 midi and one power) so easy top move forward to where the mouse mat is to use.

Leave a hole in my top shelf... its sequential shaped lol.  up to 72cm wide - so any of the DSi/Sequential desktops will fit. 

The UDO Super 6 and Iridium are too deep/tall really for the space.

So - just got to choose which....

[img]https://i.imgur.com/Jb0rlAg.jpg[/img] 

[img]https://i.imgur.com/uy2vQLG.jpg[/img]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/PXvsy9E.jpg[/img]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/TDtLRKL.jpg[/img]

Ignore the cabling - its just what I had that reached.   They will connect the pyramid and I have some angled ones coming for the TR8 - and all that will be tidied up.

i did consider putting the argon back in the corner - but after having proper access to it permanently Im not keen.  Its also too big to mount as I have the TR8s...  So no new keyboard (rules out Take 5, Prologue and OB6/P6 keyboards).


Doesnt want to show the pincs in a reply - it just shows it fleetingly then goes back to the original post with links.  No idea...

Musicwolf

Does this work?

Teyeplayer

Was I the only one who kept thinking you were about to add: ‘under the desk is the toilet, but no one uses that one anymore’? Looks a cool setup op, some cracking gear there.

Thumper

Not a studio as such, as I rarely record anything unless it's a quick/dirty phone demo, but this is where I tend to hide.  It also doubles as an office and "clean" workroom for finishing various hardware projects (mostly cabs), hence all the speakers on the shelves (standing on the workbench to take this pic, I'm not actually 8ft 6in tall).  The floor's been installed to float so it limits some noise transmission.

The Helix Rack is a recent purchase which I'd hoped would replace my entire pedalboard - it hasn't, yet, but it has taken me off into all sorts of new and weird territories and (frankly) I am still wrapping my head around it.  It's partnered with a QSC502 power amp and eventually (hopefully) it will also take the place of the bass head.

At the moment I'm running it through the oversized Blackstar with the cab sims disengaged, but am in the process of building a full(ish) range cab specifically for it with a pair of Celestion F12-X200s.

The rack holds a Marshall JMP-1, 20/20 EL84 Power Amp, Yamaha SPX50D and a modded (mains powered) MidiVerb II for when I feel the need to indulge my atavistic 80's/90's shoegazing tendencies.  That runs in stereo through a Montage cab loaded with Celestion A and V-types.  The pedalboard is mostly fuzz, drive, reverb, and delay.  Lots of delay.

There are plenty more guitars in other rooms, some of which will be going wall-mounted when I can bear to install hangers... the damn walls are Staffordshire Blue Brick, it took me around 6 hours and burned out three drill bits getting those few up.   

paulmapp8306

Musicwolf said:

So here are a few shots of my little (3.8m x 2.2m) studio.

Nothing very special.  Desktop running Cubase 10.5 pro.  Steinberg UR824 interface, Neumann KH80 monitors, Kemper for guitar sounds.

The control surfaces are a Behringer X-Touch + Expander.

Guitars in racks and on the wall

Where it gets interesting is the live stuff

Helix and, in the plastic box, a Boss SY-300 and a TC Helicon VoiceLive 2.  The SY-300 is in an effect loop in the Helix and another Helix send is feeding a clean guitar signal to the VoiceLive as a pitch reference.  It's all connected via MIDI so that Helix patches pull up the corresponding patches on the VoiceLive and SY-300 but the Helix also pulls up song files on my laptop (running Cantabile software) allowing me to trigger playback of pre-recorded intros and to trigger recording of a dozen tracks of audio from the Behringer XR-18 mixer (not pictured).  The Helix also pulls up different scenes on the XR-18.

Wiring as follows

Musicwolf said:

So here are a few shots of my little (3.8m x 2.2m) studio.

Nothing very special.  Desktop running Cubase 10.5 pro.  Steinberg UR824 interface, Neumann KH80 monitors, Kemper for guitar sounds.

The control surfaces are a Behringer X-Touch + Expander.

Guitars in racks and on the wall

Where it gets interesting is the live stuff

Helix and, in the plastic box, a Boss SY-300 and a TC Helicon VoiceLive 2.  The SY-300 is in an effect loop in the Helix and another Helix send is feeding a clean guitar signal to the VoiceLive as a pitch reference.  It's all connected via MIDI so that Helix patches pull up the corresponding patches on the VoiceLive and SY-300 but the Helix also pulls up song files on my laptop (running Cantabile software) allowing me to trigger playback of pre-recorded intros and to trigger recording of a dozen tracks of audio from the Behringer XR-18 mixer (not pictured).  The Helix also pulls up different scenes on the XR-18.

Wiring as follows

paulmapp8306

for anyone interested.... I now have an OB6 desktop coming in.  In a couple of months Ill probably replace the Argon 8 with a Profet 6 (or Take 5).

In the meantime Ive done some flow charts of both signal (midi) and audio flow.  It helps see how its all connected.

Audio First:



[img]https://i.imgur.com/CATJH0B.jpg[/img]

And Control (Midi):

[img]https://i.imgur.com/8VXvCnd.png[/img]


The Pyramid, RD2000 and Fantom 7 all have duel midi outs that are assignable per zone (so 8 channels from RD each assigned to whichever out, 16 on the Fantom and 32 on the Pyramid).  that allows for the creative path.

Also the TR8s doesnt pass midi though so theres no loop.

For master clock - it depends what Im doing.  Live and when not using the TR8s in home jam/play mode I use the Fantom.   When Im using the TR8s just jamming that is the clock.  for sequencing its the Pyramid.

Again - I cant seem to get the link to copy the URl - so you'll have to click the link.  its quite small though when posted (as I have on gearspace) so you'd probably need to open the link in another tab anyway (you can do that from the link - its a right click option).