DAW "LVF" (basics, click arrow for ultra-detail)
mobo: Asus TUSL2-C-woa
chpst: Intel 815ep
cpu: Intel "Tualatin" PIII-s 1.13ghz (512k cache)
ram: Crucial, 512mb
h/d: dual ata/100 WD400jb (8nb cache)
audio: soundcard, Korg Oasys, synth/audio/effects
soundcard, Yamaha SW1000xg with PLG100-vl
O/S: Win98se/98Lite custom hybrid.
seq: Cubase VST 5
edit: WaveLab
note: Encore
mast: Steinberg Q-Metric
mast: Waves Native PowerPack
misc: XGEdit, HVisser-Oasys
ssyn: Reality
vsti: Spectrasonics Atmosphere
vsti: Spectrasonics Trilogy
vsti: Steinberg TheGrand
DAW "SLVF" (basics, click arrow for ultra-detail)
mobo: DFI 875-PT.
chpst: Intel 875p.
cpu: Intel PIV 3.6ghz #660 (2mb L2 cache).
ram: 4gb Mushkin hp3200 ddr (dual channel).
h/d: ata/100, WD 400jb (40gb).
h/d: sata1, WD1500adfd (150gb).
sata2, WD5001aals (500gb)
audio: RME ADI2/Echo Gina 3G
O/S: WinXP-sp2/XPLite (heavily tweaked).
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seq: Cubase 5, SX3 mast: WaveLab 6
note: Encore
plug: Waves Gold Native, Ren Maxx, IR-1
plug: PSP VintageWarmer, OldTimer, Xennon
plug: iZotope RX2
plug: Lexicon LXP Native Reverb
plug: Soundtoys EchoBoy
plug: 112db Redline Reverb, Monitor
plug: FabFilter Pro-Q; Camel CamelPhat
plug: (Misc) Nugen, PMusic, Acousticas
rwire: Propellerhead Reason 4
vsti: Camel Audio Alchemy
vsti: Spectrasonics Atmosphere, Trilogy
vsti: Synthogy Ivory + Italian Grand II
vsti: VSL Appassionata Strings (s+e)
vsti: NI Komplete4, GuitarRIg3, Kontakt2 & 4
vsti: (Misc) Soniccouture, Tonehammer
vst: Overloud TH2 + ReCabinet
Detail
Allow me to explain my unique distributed-studio approach, featuring two innovations that I term the "DAW Sidecar"and the "Mobile Console". This strategy is designed for DAW soloists that have a limited amount of dedicated space but want full results. Note the set of six pictures below. The upper left image is my garage looking out to the backyard. To the right and above the window is my own custom designed active-vent. Below this is the sidecar enclosure for my main computer, whose cables run through channels in the soundproofed walls of the dual-purpose control/isolation room behind it. The door to this room, with its lower passive vent, swings just clear of a washer/dryer to its right (marital diplomacy at work). Family bikes are in the right foreground with a workbench (unseen) at left. The amount of dedicated space used is a mere 6'x7w'x8h', yet this is enough to anchor a complete studio solution when supplemented by the 19'x12w'x8h' adjoining family room which is used, as needed, for recording and final mixing/mastering.
The small room contains my desk-workstation, the LVF DAW, wall-mounted and desk-standing monitors, and various musical and organizational tools. My main SLVF DAW is located outside in a modified shelf unit, where it's used for all audio recording, mastering, and the majority of midi work. Placing this computer outside the control room provides a completely silent creation space, with adjustable airflow provided by the before-mentioned vent system, drawing clean air low via passive door-vent while exhausting stale air high. The top-right image shows the vent with its foam silencing-tube and variable-speed DC converter in foreground. The middle-right picture below shows the "sidecar" system close up: the screens are waterproof with the side detachable and front hinged. The top cowling is exhaust (also micro-screened) while the side duct draws intake to the CPU blower. The middle-left image shows the studio interior with a partial view of the absorption materials that allow its secondary use as a vocal/instrument isolation booth. The custom desk shown has a plexiglass under-panel that rests and routes cables to and through its ports.
The lower left picture shows a section of the adjoining recording/mastering room with its Steck piano. I use additional moveable equipment to quickly prepare this space for its various audio purposes. I add sound-control panels and bass traps when recording, then modify panel placements and move the "Mobile Console" in during final mixing and mastering (lower right, floor seating). At that time I use two sets of mirrored monitors and controls, allowing dual A/B mods referenced by either control-room or large-room speakers.
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(Additional hardware)
desk: custom wood/plex workstation-desk. mmidi: CME UF80 keyboard/controller+BC3.
display: 2, Westinghouse (lcm22w3) LCD. switch: Belkin Omnivew E, KVM, PE Y-mouse.
amp: Hafler P1500 (trans-nova). phones: 4, Sennheiser = (2) "580" + (2) "280".
ups: APC "Back UPS-RS 1500". mics: Rode NT1a (fet) pair, Mojave MA200 (tube).
electrical: 20amp dedicated circuit. guitars: Thames acoustic, Ibanez JS1000bp electric.
preamps: FMR "RNP 8380" (2-ch solid-state mic/DI), UA "Solo/610" (1-ch tube mic/DI).
cables: Mogami Neglex gold quad, Planet Waves Custom gold, Monster M & IDL gold.
monitors: Dynaudio bm6amkII , AudioEngine2 (powered); Hafler M5 (amped).
mixer: Mackie "ms1202-vlz", 12 channel analog mixer (output mix for LVF).
converters: RME "ADI-2" (AD / DA via spdif icw Echo Gina 3G).
cmidi: Korg PadKontrol, PreSonus "FaderPort" (USB).
At the core of my studio are two custom-built DAW computers (one legacy, one state-of-the-art_2006) that empower me to create and record music in the do-it-yourself style of a DAW-soloist. Can computers have personality? I would argue affirmatively (Dave). I always name my personal DAW systems, so please allow a brief introduction.
LVF "Ludwig Von Frankenstein", the grand old man of my active DAW family. He is proud and eccentric, but once you know your way around him, relatively easy to deal with. LVF hosts my legacy soundcards: the legendary Korg Oasys and Yamaha SW1000xg. It also hosts the original software synth, Reality, which of course is also worthy of "legendary" label. The LVF exterior and interior images below bear witness to the eccentric, but keep in mind that the computer case is stock ATX from the early '90s, the mobo circa 2000. In "computer years" this means old! This is the first system I'm aware of to extensively use neoprene sheet for sound-insulation. The funky front-intake wooden brace does wonders for airflow and vibration reduction. The metal off/on lock, the shiny hand-colored emblem, all expressions of personality. Like some old hipster driving his modified Buick with custom hood ornament, LVF is an original and proud statement.
SLVF "Son of Ludwig Von Frankenstein", doesn't need to be showy. He knows he's privileged, even spoiled. The history of music creation and distribution has been encoded; the great instruments of performance and recording virtualized, for his use. Highly evolved, with resources beyond the imagination of prior generations. SLVF is all about getting the job done professionally, with an awesome potential just beginning to be truly leveraged.
Complete music production from a small, dedicated space!
DAW-solo studio gets big sound from a little space. How? Using professional quality microphones, preamps, and converters, combined with top quality software. I creatively record soloists, duos, and trios (2 audio+1 midi, simultaneous max) then mix their tracks with a continually evolving collection of the finest virtual instruments and effects available..