Home Studio Instruments-Guitars

My collection of guitars (always a work in progress) consists of-

1- Fender Squire Affinity Stratocaster - Rosewood - Candy Apple Red

2- Fender Squire Affinity Stratocaster - Rosewood - Artic White

3- Epiphone Acoustic - DR200S-

A solid top will actually improve with age. Now everyone can have a solid top! The DR-200S dreadnaught acoustic features a Solid Spruce top with Mahogany back and sides and Rosewood bridge and fretboard as well as die-cast tuners.

4- Yamaha Acoustic - FG200

Home Studio Instruments-Bass

I use a SX bass (Fender Precision Bass copy) shown below available at RondoMusic.com . They offer great guitars at reasonable prices. Highly recommended.

Home Studio Instruments-Amplifier

I use a Fender Frontman 212R 100 watt combo amp. It has reverb and an overdrive channel pushing 2-12 inch speakers. It has solid state electronics that has been modeled to have that warm lush sound of Fender's amp's from the 60's & 70's. Fantastic sound at a great price. This amp blows my old tube Fender Super Reverb away.
























Musicansfriend offers free shipping-
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Fender-Frontman-212R-100W-2x12-Guitar-Combo-Amp?sku=481601

Effects & Interfaces

I use a Digitech RP50 multi-effects processor. The range of effects available from this single device is truly amazing. It has 80 presets available with just about any sound you need. Overdrive, delay, chorus, flanging, tremolo, vibrato, wah-wah, reverb, compression, noise gate, octive multiplier, and more. Highly recommended.





To bring your guitar, bass, and vocals into the computer, you need an audio interface with USB connection. I use a Line6 Toneport. It also has built in effects like the RP50, and has an online database of settings you can download. Want to have the same sound as Eric Clapton's guitar lead solos on Layla, just punch in the Artist or song into the search engine, and you can download the setup settings. Truly amazing....

Recording Software - Adobe Audition v3.0

Adobe Audition v3.0

Adobe Audition 3 software allows you to record, mix, edit, and master digital audio files with powerful tools that bring flexibility and control to your desktop studio.

When you're ready to create some new music, record or mix a project that's already close to being finished, produce a spot for the radio, or need to put some finishing touches on a soundtrack background, Audition 3 is capable of all of that and more. This particular version is a perfect solution for sound designers, musicians, recording and mastering engineers or any audiocentric enthusiast needing an all-in-one toolset ready to go on their Windows-based computer.







Some of the top features you'll find with this latest update are:

VSTi virtual instrument support
The wider range of support for virtual instruments means you can simply add a
MIDI host track to your mix, choose an instrument, and then record new audio
in the Sequencer.

Improved multitrack editing
Save time and increase accuracy by editing grouped clips at once. Quickly mix
files together by auto-crossfading clips in multitrack view and click-and-drag
fade handles on multitrack clips and in the Edit View for more efficient editing.

Enhanced spectral editing
The Effects Paintbrush allows you to make a free-form selection in frequency
space and apply effects in varying degrees to that selection. Use the Spot
Healing Brush to smooth over a selected region and automatically repair clicks,
pops, and other noises.

Top/Tail Views
The new Top/Tail Views allow you to zoom into the beginning and end of files
so you can quickly add precise fades while keeping the whole file in view.

New effects
New effects include Convolution Reverb, Analog Delay, Mastering tool, Guitar
Suite, Tube-modeled Compressor, and more.

Superior performance
Take advantage of today's new multicore processors which allow the
optimized mix engine to work on more tracks and effects on the same
machine, offering more variety and faster processing.

These are a few of the reasons why Adobe's Audition 3 for Windows is an
excellent choice if you are serious about the quality of your music production.
Below you'll find even more features.

Adobe Audition 3 for Windows Specifications:

* System Requirements
* Intel Pentium 4 (1.4GHz for DV, 3.4GHz for HDV); Intel Centrino; Intel
Xeon (dual Xeon 2.8GHz processors for HD); or Intel Core Duo or compatible
processor (SSE2-enabled processor required for AMD systems)
* Microsoft Windows XP Professional or Home Edition with SP2 or Windows
Vista Home Premium, Business, Ultimate, or Enterprise (certified support for
32-bit editions only)
* 512MB of RAM (1GB for DV playback; 2GB for HDV and HD playback)
* 10GB of available hard-disk space (when used with Loopology DVD)
* DVD drive required for installation
* 1,280 x 900 monitor resolution with 32-bit video card and 16MB of VRAM
* Microsoft DirectX or ASIO compatible sound card
* QuickTime 7.0 required to use QuickTime features
* Internet or phone connection required for product activation

Adobe Audition 3 for Windows Features:

* Waveform editing tools
* Editing options for grouped clips
* VST Plug-In Manager
* Batch saving of multiple audio files
* Ability to duplicate tracks
* Improved I/O meter display
* Low-latency mixing engine
* ASIO, VST, DirectX, and ReWire support
* More than 50 audio effects and DSP tools
* Recordable parameter automation
* Hardware controller automation
* Surround Encoder
* Audio mixing sends and inserts
* Effects chain on all channels, buses, and master
* Real-time input monitoring
* Quick punch
* Unlimited number of tracks in Multitrack View
* Plug-in delay compensation
* MIDI timecode support
* Smooth splined
* Improved recording performance envelopes
* Up to 80 live inputs
* VSTi virtual instrument support with MIDI piano roll
* New effects, including Convolution Reverb, Analog Delay, Mastering tool,
and Tube-modeled Compressor
* Radius time stretching from iZotope
* Guitar Suite effects
* XML session format
* Video in Surround Encoder
* Default WAV importer
* Default open/save format
* Sorting options in Files panel
* Create different playlists and versions of an arrangement before you
commit to the edits
* Bitmap import/export for spectral view
* Customizable toolbars
* Complete audio toolset
* Loop-based soundtrack creation
* Audio editing for video
* Intuitive user interface
* Thousands of uncompressed 32-bit music loops
* Clip time stretching
* Ready-to-use music beds
* Batch processing
* Improved video sync
* Broader video format support
* Sample sessions
* CD extraction
* Build a customized collection of commands, scripts, and effects that are
easily accessible via the Favorites menu or assignable keyboard shortcuts
* Custom workspaces
* Works with Adobe Bridge
* Automatic beat detection
* Organizer panels
* XMP metadata support
* Custom script recording
* MIDI playback
* Effects Paintbrush tool and Spot Healing Brush tool
* Automatic Phase Correction tool
* Adaptive Noise Reduction tool
* Top/Tail views
* Marquee pan and phase selections
* Workspace color preferences
* Session plug-in format
* Graphic Panner
* Modifying automation lane points
* Spectral play for selected frequencies
* Audible scrubbing
* Works in six languages
* Much more

Size: 237MB

Audio Equipment- Receiver

I needed a cheap amplifier to play my home recordings thru to hear and multi-track my sessions through. A friend sold me his old Kenwood receiver. It is more powerful than I need at the moment. The nice thing is if I elect to upgrade to better speakers down the road, the receiver is powerful enough to push them to ear-splitting levels. Specs are below.

Kenwood VR-8050 Audio/Video Receiver (Black)
• Surround power: 100W X 6
• Dolby Digital EX, DTS-ES 96/24 & Dolby Pro Logic LLX 7.1-Channel surround sound
• Sharc 32-Bit floating-point DSP Processor
• HD-Compatible component video switching; Video up-converting from composite to S-Video
• 2 coaxial and 2 optical digital audio inputs
• K-Stat self-adjusting discrete power amplifier
• Black

Audio Equipment-Studio Monitors

I wanted an 8" woofer in the speakers for my home recording audio monitors. The Yamaha NS-A638's are a great natural sounding speaker, yet do not take up much space. They offer easy placement in my home PC recording setup. Specs are below.



Yamaha Natural Sound Bookshelf Speaker-Yamaha NS-A638 Speakers
A Three-Way Bookshelf Speaker Ready for Music or Home Theater

8-INCH WOOFER THREE-WAY BOOKSHELF SPEAKER SYSTEM
The NS-A638 utilizes an 8" woofer, 4" midrange, and 3/4" ferro-fluid cooled dome tweeter. It delivers powerful, clean, and accurate sound.
MAGNETICALLY SHIELDED
The NS-A638 is magnetically shielded so that it can be placed near a TV or video monitor and not degrade the picture quality.
MICRO-PEBBLE FINISH
The black micro-pebble finish look goes handsomely with most room decor.
NEW GRILLE DESIGN
New grille design and satin grille cloth provide an attractive and acoustically transparent protective cover for the driver

Specifications:
Type: Three-Way Acoustic Suspension, Magnetically Shielded Bookshelf Driver Complement
Woofer = 8 in. Hi-polymer Coated Cone with Inverted Dust Cover,
Midrange = 4 in. cone with Inverted Dust cover,
Tweeter = 3/4 ' in. Dome, Ferro-fluid cooled Input
Power Nominal = 70 W, Music Input = 140W
Frequency Range 90 to 20,000 Hz
Sensitivity 91 dB/W/M
Dimensions Width = 10-1/2 in., Height = 16-3/16 in., Depth = 13 in.
Weight 14 lbs., 6 oz.





======================================================

I also have a pair of the updated model the Yamaha NS-6390 (below).


Yamaha NS-6390 Specifications:

Description
The Yamaha NS-6390 is a 3-way car speaker having 140-watts power handling capacity to give you loud and clear sound. A frequency response ranging from 45Hz - 20kHz in this Yamaha 3-way speaker offers perfect sound at all levels. This Yamaha stereo speaker flaunts sensitivity of 91dB for maximum power even at low volumes. With an impedance of 8-ohms, this Yamaha 3-way speaker offers high level resistance and increases bass and mid output. Integrated with 8-inch coated woofer and 3/4-inch Ferro-flluid cooled balanced dome tweeter, the Yamaha NS-6390 speaker delivers punchy lows and crisp highs, thereby creating a balanced tone. Since this Yamaha stereo speaker is magnetically shielded, you are assured of a clear sound quality.
Product Identifiers
Brand	Yamaha
Model	NS-6390
MPN	NS-6390
UPC	027108911618
Key Features
Speaker Type	Main / Stereo Speakers
Mounting	Bookshelf
Construction	3-Way
Outdoor/Indoor	Indoor
Technical Details
Peak Power Handling	140 W
Nominal Power	70 watt
Frequency Responses	45 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance	8 ohm
Sensitivity	91 dB
Magnetic Shielding	Magnetically Shielded
Connectivity	Wired
Design
Available Colors	Black
Dimension
Width	10.51 in.
Depth	13.23 in.
Woofer Size	7.87 in.
Tweeter Size	0.79 in.
Weight	13.23 lb

===================================================



I also have a pair of the updated model NS-6490's, which I use with my receiver for general music listening and reinforcement for movies and concerts. I actually prefer the sound of the NS-6390 over the NS-6490s. I find the NS-6490s bass is stronger, but at the expense of the midrange. I've also read that they soften a little over time. We'll see... Below are some photos of the Yamaha NS-6490s.

Yamaha NS-6490 Speaker Specifications:

The luxurious finish of the cabinet, similar to that used on Yamaha grand pianos, indicates the outstanding quality of this speaker system. The 3-way acoustic suspension design features a 20cm (8") high compliance, pearl white, long throw cone woofer with a cloth surround and an inverted dust cover. The midrange is a 10cm (4") ferro-fluid cooled, pearl white cone type with an inverted dust cover. The 2.2cm (7/8") balanced-dome tweeter is also ferro-fluid cooled. The speaker is magnetically shielded so it can be used near a TV, and has gold-plated banana plug compatible terminals.

These 3-Way speakers can be added anywhere in your your home component sound systemfront or rear speakers, even as auxiliary speakers for another room

Each speaker enclosure has 3 drivers - An 8 Woofer / a 4 Midrange / a 0.75 Dome Tweeter that work together to provide an extremely satisfying sound output that spans a 45Hz to 23kHz frequency response range

Magnetically shielded to suit

Description
Grace your home theatre system with the Yamaha NS-6490 speaker having 140-watt peak power handling capacity for high audio performance. Experience lowest to highest quality frequencies with this Yamaha 3-way speaker that features a frequency response ranging from 45Hz - 23kHz. The 90dB sensitivity of this Yamaha main/stereo speaker makes sure that you receive the loudest of sounds. The 8ohms impedance of this Yamaha 3-way speaker makes your musical experience absolutely pleasant. Integrated with an 8-inch cone woofer and 7/8-inch balanced dome tweeter, the Yamaha NS-6490 speaker delivers punchy lows and crisp highs, thereby creating a balanced tone. Since this Yamaha main/stereo speaker is magnetically shielded, you are assured of a clearer sound quality.
Product Identifiers
Brand	Yamaha
Model	NS-6490
MPN	NS-6490
UPC	027108916996
Key Features
Speaker Type	Main / Stereo Speakers
Mounting	Bookshelf
Construction	3-Way
Outdoor/Indoor	Indoor
Technical Details
Nominal Power	70 watt
Frequency Responses	45 Hz - 23 kHz
Impedance	8 ohm
Sensitivity	90 dB
Magnetic Shielding	Magnetically Shielded
Connectivity	Wired
Design
Available Colors	Black
Woofer Material	Polymer Composite
Dimension
Width	10.5 in.
Depth	13.5 in.
Height	16.5 in.
Woofer Size	8 in.
Tweeter Size	0.75 in.
Weight	13.2 lb

Home Recording Software Update

I have since switched to the Reaper DAW software. It is far easier and in some ways more sophisticated than Adobe Audition. Also Reaper is under constant update and improvement. Below is a screen shot and link to their website. I have several other posts for reviews on Reaper which routinely comes out on top. The price is very reasonable at $35- . Even a basement or student musician can afford this.

You can get the Reaper DAW software here: http://www.reaper.fm/