Interfaces, Microphones and Amplification

close up of 5150 ivory amplifier head

The size and scope of physical gear I’ve used over the years has shrunk significantly. When I brought the studio home, I needed to downsize and took the opportunity to simplify my workflow. To that end, this list is not extensive, but it also does not capture every single piece of gear I own. I’ve included guitars as I make them available if tracking guitars with me.

Overview of Recording Configurations

I currently have multiple systems running in parallel, with my current main interface and preamps being my Focusrites.

Main Interface Configuration:

  • 18 Channels (16 Active) Focusrite 18i20 and Octopre:
    • Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen USB Audio Interface: USB 2.0 Audio Interface, 18-in/20-out, 24-bit/192kHz, with 8 Mic/Line Inputs; 2 Instrument Inputs, 2 x ADAT I/O, MIDI and S/PDIF I/O, Dual Headphone Buses, Talkback, and Bundled Software – Mac/Win

    • Focusrite Scarlett OctoPre 2nd Gen Preamp: 8-channel Microphone Preamp Mic/Line Preamplifier, 24-bit/192kHz, with 8 line outputs and ADAT Outputs – Mac/PC

Secondary Interface Configuration:

  • 10 Channels  (10 Active) UAD Apollo and Focusrite Octopre:
    • Universal Audio Apollo Twin USB DUO Heritage Edition with UAD DSP: 10-in/6-out USB 3 Audio Interface with 2 Unison Preamps, Premium Plug-in Suite, and Realtime Analog Classics Plug-in Package – PC AAX 64, VST, RTAS

    • Focusrite Scarlett OctoPre 2nd Gen Preamp: 8-channel Microphone Preamp Mic/Line Preamplifier, 24-bit/192kHz, with 8 line outputs and ADAT Outputs – Mac/PC

Legacy Interface Configuration: (Pro Tools < 12)

  • 16 Channels (16 Active) Avid Digi003 and Presonus Digimax D8
    • Avid Digidesign 003 Rack Factory w/PT9 Crossgrade: FireWire Audio Interface with 18 simultaneous channels of audio I/O 24-bit/96kHz resolution.

    • PreSonus DigiMAX D8 8-channel Microphone Preamp with Lightpipe 8 XMAX Class A microphone preamps w/trim control 24-bit resolution ADAT digital output.

audio hardware rack

Interfaces and Converters

  • Focusrite 18i20 Third Generation Scarlett with AIR pre-processing (8-18 Channels)
  • Focusrite Octopre Third Generation Scarlett Preamp (8 Channels)
  • Universal Audio UAD Apollo – Heritage (2-10 Channels)
  • Avid Digidesign Digi003 Rack (8-16 Channels)
  • MOTU 2408 MKI (8-24 Channels)
  • MOTU Traveler MKI (4 – 20 Channels)
  • Presonus Digimax D8 (8 Channels)
  • Mic Gain: Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter CL-1 1-channel Mic Activator Discrete JFET Circuit
  • Mic Gain: sE Electronics DM2 TNT 1-channel Active Inline Preamp

close up of generic monitor

Playback and Monitoring

  • Genelec 8020D Bi-Amplified Active Reference Monitors on DR Pro Maple Wood Studio Monitor Stands.
  • Kali Audio LP-6 Active Reference Monitors (1st Gen) on DR Pro Maple Wood Studio Monitor Stands.
  • Alesis Studio One Near-field Passive Reference Monitors on DR Pro Maple Wood Studio Monitor Stands.
    • Powered by an Alesis RA-100 Transparent Power Amp.
  • M-Audio BX3 Graphite Powered Studio Monitors (small near-field)
  • Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO Closed-Back Headphones (32 OHMS)
  • AKG M80 MkII Semi-Open Studio Headphones
  • TASCAM TH-200X Studio Headphones (2)
  • AKG Urban-X (in-ear) Headphones (2)

DI and Re-Amping

  • Radial X-Amp 1 In 2 Out Active Re-amping Device with Class-A Signal Path, Variable Output, and Ground Loop Elimination
  • Warm Audio WA-DI-A Active Direct Box with Variable Pad, Amplifier Out, and Cinemag Transformer

Microphones

  • Lewitt LCT 440 PURE Large-Diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Microphone
  • Shure SM57 Cardioid Dynamic Microphone  (2-pairs)
  • Shure SM7B Cardioid Dynamic Microphone
  • PreSonus PD-70 Cardioid Dynamic Broadcast Microphone
  • sE Electronics X1 A Large-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone (2)
  • sE Electronics V7X Cardioid Dynamic Microphone (Guitars)
  • sE Electronics SE2200 Large Diaphragm Cardioid Condenser
  • sE Electronics Voodoo VR1 Passive Ribbon Microphone
  • MXL 990 Large-Diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Microphone (2 Pairs)
  • MXL 603 PAIR Small-Diaphragm Cardioid Microphones (Stereo Pair)
  • Samson C02 Pencil Condenser Microphones (Stereo Pair)
  • Samson Q71 Dynamic Kick Microphone
  • Samson Q72 Dynamic Snare and Tom Microphones (4)
  • Marantz Professional Audio Scope SG-5B Battery/phantom-powered short shotgun microphone (XLR Shotgun)

close up of mesa boogie rectifier amplifier head

Guitar Amplifiers

  • EVH 5150 III 6L6 50 Watt Guitar Amplifier Head loaded with a JJ High Gain Tube Set.
  • Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier 150 Watt Guitar Amplifier Head loaded with a JJ High Gain Tube and Rectifier Set.
  • Boss Katana Air – 20/30-watt Wireless Guitar Amp
  • Roland Microcube 1×4″ Driver Practice Guitar Amplifier Combo.
  • Deprecated: Peavey 5150 60 Watt Combo Tube Guitar Amplifier with 2×12″ Sheffield Speakers.

close up of eve and orange guitar cabinets stacked together

Guitar Cabinets

  • EVH 5150 III 60 Watt 2×12″ 16 OHMS Guitar Cabinet loaded with Celestion G12H Speakers and Birch Plywood Construction.
  • Orange PPC412A 240 Watt 4×12″ 16 OHMS Angled Guitar Cabinet loaded with Celestion Vintage 30 Speakers and Birch Plywood Construction.
  • Hughes & Kettner TubeMeister 112 60-watt 1×12″ 16 OHMS Guitar Cabinet
  • Randall ISOCAB 60 Watt Isolated 1×12″ 8 OHMS Guitar Cabinet, especial enclosure loaded with a Celestion Vintage 30 Speaker
  • Roland Microcube 1×4″ Driver Practice Guitar Amplifier Combo.
  • Deprecated: Marshall 1960A 300 Watt 4×12″ Selectable 4/8/16 OHMS Angled Guitar Cabinet loaded with Celestion G12T-75 Speakers and Birch Plywood Construction.
  • TwoNotes Torpedo Captor (16 OHMS) with Speaker Emulation (Load Box and Speaker Emulator)