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IMHO, it's certainly valid to argue that complexity doesn't necessarily make for fine music. Some of my favorite guitar music is heartbreakingly simple in ways. But there are some of us who find that, for whatever reasons, our hearts beat faster when listening to complex arrangements played...

Thanks, Michael. I've been a session musician for many years, but I always leave mic choices up to others. I do have a couple of B1s that I use mainly for acoustic guits in my little home studio--they do a fine job with that, with little EQ needed. I guess the presence lift works well in my case...

Michael, I'd be interested to know if the original B1 has the same EQ characteristics. I mention this because many reviews (Paul White at SOS, EQ mag, etc.) discussed the original B1's relatively flat, non-smiley response (just a subtle presence boost at 10k) as one of its primary strengths...

Although I buy mostly low-end stuff, I've found SW to be the most professional place to deal with, particularly if I want to talk with someone. Often I don't, though, since I spend so much time researching online, and that's when places like MF and 123 can be great. Those kinds of sites throw...

MusicMan 112 RD (50) ~ great little late-70s amp that I've never been able to part with. Just saw a like-new 80s model selling for $800 at an online shop. Maybe I'm not alone.

Love the back and forth here. I can only speak for myself when I say that for the past 30 years, amps have come and gone for me. But when I've found the occasional guitar that really sings, I've never let it go--unless I was penniless at the time. Maybe I need to try some better amps.

Hey thanks for the rep, Atom. I just have to throw some support behind MJB's words. Even a keyboard klutz like me has realized that I could never do with anything shorter, even for simple backing tracks. Five octaves is barely enough. I'd go larger if I had the studio space (tight corner). Well...

LOL. Don't believe me, eh? Ah well, you'll learn the truth when you do your research. In fact, the Yam 400 series takes everything from the 300 series and adds to it... more control, more features, more sounds. The touch sensitivity works fine and has adjustable levels. You'll get a lot more...

Atom, I'd go for the 413. And I did. As a guitarist, I've accumulated several low-end keyboards through the years just for adding some backing parts to recordings, and the 413's the best of the lot. Yes, it has touch-sensitive keys, but its real-time control knobs, pitch-bend wheel, and...

Never heard, never used KRK, but, in general, I wouldn't go below a 6" woofer w/o a sub, regardless of my musical tastes. Those few extra bucks won't mean a thing a year or two down the line. But search a bit in the archives here--I recall seeing a lot of reviews of the KRKs.

I don't know anything about any of the monitors in this price range, but I've read a few surprisingly good reviews (in several pro mags) of this one: http://www.rockandsoul.com/servlet/the-1970/TASCAM-VL-dsh-S21-VL-S21/Detail

Some pricey guits have come and gone from my life for 30 years... but I've never parted with my cheap 1980 Yamaha FG-345 acoustic. What a great guitar, even with that laminated top. Good for jamming and even good enough for some recording. Have dropped it, banged it, scratched it--all without a...

My favorite reference is "Two Against Nature" by Steely Dan. The tonal balances are great, and there's plenty of open space to allow good comparison. Unfortunately, such comparison makes my own stuff sound like crap. Edit: I mean the entire CD, not just the song.

My early attempts using cheap monitors (~100 USD) were as frustrating as others had predicted, so I bit the bullet and spent more. You may want to audition this Tascam 2.1 system (~120 USD), though, if it's available where you live. I've read several surprisingly good reviews, including one in...

Barry, I'd suggest running a search here. You'll find a couple of recent, long threads that cover your question. Good luck. BTW, I like my Senn 280s for tracking, but my ATH-M50s rule for more critical listening.

Sorry, I know it's not one of your target choices, but I'll throw another vote out there for the Yamaha 1600. What a great box for those of us who prefer stand-alones. I've been happily using the older, similar version (aw16G) for seven years without a hiccup, and the 1600 adds some nice...

If I were searching for monitors, I'd probably pick up a pair of the MR5 and a pair of the new JBL LSR2325P, also under $200 a box. I've found that comparing monitors in my own studio space, rather than in a store, is worth the bit of extra time and expense.

If you have access to Tape Op mag, you'll find a review from earlier this year. Rave review, writer decided to buy the pair for wife's small studio. Edit: in Tape Op, Sept/Oct 2008

Yamaha here, too. Needed a cheap bass for recording a few years back and headed over to GC to play everything in the under-$250 range... Yamaha, Ibanez, and a couple of others. For me, the Ibanez played the easiest, but the Yam (rbx-170) sounded and felt the best. I took the Yam home for a...

I totally agree. When I picked up a cheapo bass a while back, I played quite a few models at GC before deciding on a Yamaha ($160). I then asked the rep to bring out 3 more of them in boxes, and ended up comparing 5 total. Of those, only one made me smile. The greatest differences were related...