I have been making music using computers since about 2003. Most of my early stuff is too terrible to have on this site (though it exists elsewhere on the internet). Since then I've worked my way through various computers and laptops, and acquired a fair bit of equipment along the way.
Nowadays I have a computer specifically for making music. While I've technically had this computer since 2006, it's had a new case, power supply, motherboard, and soundcard (Audiophile 2496) since then.
I have a pair Behringer MS40 monitor speakers, which are a vast improvement on the hi-fi speakers I had when I made Imperfect. The keyboard is everyone's favourite cheap M-Audio 49-key thing.
I plan out most of my songs on paper first, depending on a random flash of inspiration. Eventually (it can take many months to finally get round to it) I sequence the drums and record the instruments one by one into Steinberg Cubasis 5. Finally I sing if necessary. Throughout this process I fiddle with various things, having new ideas and throwing away old ideas.
Mixing the songs isn't really a separate process, as I tend to get the levels/EQ/etc appropriate as I go along; generally I only need to make subtle changes by the time it's all recorded.
Yes, Cubasis 5 is old and rubbish, and I don't care.
Some of my favourite toys: a Korg MS2000B analog modelling synthesizer, Korg Kaoss Pad KP3 and Kaossilator, and an Alesis DM5-Pro electronic drum kit (which I can't play well enough yet to use in a song). Everything goes into the Behringer UB1222FX-PRO mixer, which then goes to the computer's line-in, and a secondary channel on the monitor speakers.
Hiding in this photo are my very first guitar (a small nylon-stringed acoustic), and an antique Casio keyboard.
Of course, I must also mention my guitars! From left to right:
- Dean Vendetta 1.7 Natural; seven strings, and my favourite.
- Cheapo Strat copy by Vintage; from back when I was a youngster and thought putting the "crunch" knob up to 10 was the coolest thing ever. It now has green stripes, because I have a curious sense of humour.
- An acoustic by Yamaha which I don't particularly like.
- Peavey "International Series" five-string bass.
Also in the shot are my Boss ME-50 guitar multi-effects pedal, some cheap Behringer stomp-boxes, and my Laney practice amp which, laughably, is still my only amp for recording.