Recent content by AstroKid

I would agree with the Emu ESI recommendations. Cheap solid and easy-to-use. It might be worth spending a little more to get an Akai S5K, you will have a workhorse of the machine, very high spec, well-designed and very well built for live use.

I just send my auxiliary mix into a little headphone amp in my vocal booth, I make sure that whoever is wearing headphones knows we're the AMP is and how to turn it up!

I use a Roland DR770. I find it covers most areas, with good acoustic and electric kits. They are easy to program to. I agree that the Alesis is definitely worth a look.

I like those quotes Yippie, bit tree-huggie but very true.

I built a rack recently. All I did was take an old wardrobe and cut it down a bit. That was cheaper than getting MDF sheets or even precut pieces. One thing I have noticed is that there is always plenty good quality racks knocking about eBay. I saw a metal 24u rack with castors going for £11...

Sometimes I write several songs a week, sometimes a month goes by without writing anything because I will be working on another skill (blues playing for example). I've always thought of songwriting as a bit like throwing darts at a dartboard with your eyes shut. You always want to hit the...

I recently recorded a kit with three mic's, one on kick one on snare and one as an overhead. Got really good sound, however I think that the room was nice sounding which helped greatly. I don't have time to fully answer your questions but ever so quickly; a mixer is a device that allows you to...

I love my blips and clicks too. I generate weird percussion sounds mainly by chopping up samples, pitch shifting, filtering and throwing drum envelopes on them. I don't really use any conventional drum machines, but I believe you can get very blippy with the YamahaRY30, a machine that tends to...

Hi there, I have the MPX100 and I must admit I've never really liked it. I recently went on a rummage around for second-hand reverb boxes. After reading many reviews and taking advice on other forums I have to agree that the Lexicon LXP1 is a very well-regarded unit and can probably be found a...

I use a little Roland Digital mixer to pump my CD player, radio and domestic PC through. When I'm recording or mixing with my 24 channel desk I employ the low-tech solution of getting round the back and swapping the monitor leads from the Roland desk. I think a more user-friendly solution is...

If I count the one in the basement with no strings on, then five. Two acoustic, two electric, and one arched top. Nothing too expensive or too impressive I'm afraid!

Thanks for the input I tried to make the horns sound as real as possible. They are basic patches from an XV5080 but slightly detuned (they all play the same melody) and with a bit of pitchbend and vibrato dragging them further 'out of tune'. I was quite pleased with the result. There is also an...

Attention to detail Even although Beringer don't have the best reputation for desks, you should still be able to produce a decent mix with one. Make sure all your sound sources are kicking out decent level first of all. The trims on my desk hardly ever go above half way. Check the manual for...

MSP5's I've got them and I'm happy. As an earlier contributor said, it not so much what model you get, it's how well you know them. So don't lose too much sleep over your decision. :~)

Yamaha Box Yamaha do a dedicated accoustic pre-amp with effects. Can't remember what it's called but it is the equivalent of the DG-Stomp (which I have) but for accoustic guitars. But for the money you many be as well getting a channel strip (Joe Meek, dbx) as you will be able to use it on...