they don't want me to tell you this...

💡 7% off at DistroKid with my VIP link: distrokid.com/vip/creativesauce
🎓 ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS GUIDE TO CAKEWALK: www.cakewalk101.com
👪 CAKEWALK FACEBOOK GROUP: / creativesaucecakewalk
☕ SUPPORT THE CHANNEL
Patreon: / creativesauce
One off Tips: www.paypal.me/creativesauce
🎸🎹 MY STUDIO GEAR
AUDIO INTERFACES I USE
Universal Audio Apollo X4: sweetwater.sjv.io/9gGAVj
Antelope Audio Discrete 8 Pro: amzn.to/3qTbFav
STUDIO MONITORS
Adam Audio A7V (Pair): sweetwater.sjv.io/GmXnb9
Adam Audio T10S (Sub): sweetwater.sjv.io/XYyd4b
MIDI CONTROLLER KEYBOARDS
Arturia KeyLab 88 MkII: sweetwater.sjv.io/QyA2RM
NI S61 MK2: sweetwater.sjv.io/B0Exqy
MIDI Control Surface
ICon QCon Pro G2: amzn.to/47PQhn0
MICROPHONES
Audio Technica AT2020: sweetwater.sjv.io/5gnaEL
Rode NT1A: sweetwater.sjv.io/5gy1X9
Shure SM57: sweetwater.sjv.io/nLyVQV
Shure SM58: sweetwater.sjv.io/ZQNEAK
Shure SM7B: sweetwater.sjv.io/5gaAj3
Warm Audio CX12: sweetwater.sjv.io/eKekOD
Neumann U87 AI: sweetwater.sjv.io/rQ4GZQ
Universal Audio SD-1: sweetwater.sjv.io/xkrz0A
Universal Audio SP-1 (Pair): sweetwater.sjv.io/NkbEqq
Rode NT5 (Pair): sweetwater.sjv.io/oqWxVb
Neumann KM184 (Pair): sweetwater.sjv.io/Mmn5bJ
Austrian Audio CC8 (Pair): sweetwater.sjv.io/rQ4G9v
HEADPHONES
Sennheiser HD 280 Pro: sweetwater.sjv.io/21k3Ba
AKG K240 Studio: sweetwater.sjv.io/EKjL2P
AKG K702: sweetwater.sjv.io/bae659
Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro: sweetwater.sjv.io/6eK07K
Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro: sweetwater.sjv.io/OrJkzQ
Austrian Audio Hi-X55: sweetwater.sjv.io/4PYz29
Austrian Audio Hi-X65: sweetwater.sjv.io/daA2eM
Audeze MM500: www.audeze.com/products/mm-500
Audeze LCD-XC: www.audeze.com/products/lcd-xc
MIC PREAMPS
ART Voice Channel Tube Channel Strip: sweetwater.sjv.io/3eAjJn
Warm Audio WA-MPX: sweetwater.sjv.io/GmEr6n
RACK GEAR
Warm Audio WA-2A: sweetwater.sjv.io/eKvqRX
Warm Audio WA-76: sweetwater.sjv.io/AW0mKN
Warm Audio WA-1B: sweetwater.sjv.io/oqBEan
ART Head Amp 6 Pro: sweetwater.sjv.io/1re1bx
Samson S-Patch Plus: sweetwater.sjv.io/g1PDo2
🔌🎹 MY FAVORITE PLUGINS
Arturia FX Collection 4: www.pluginboutique.com/produc...
NI Komplete: www.pluginboutique.com/search...
FabFilter Pro-Q 3: www.pluginboutique.com/meta_p...
iZotope Ozone 11: www.pluginboutique.com/search...
Addictive Drums 2: www.pluginboutique.com/search...
The above links may be part of an affiliate program with the respective website.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
💿 RELEASING A SONG?
Get 7% off at DistroKid with my VIP link
distrokid.com/vip/creativesauce
🛒 MERCHANDISE:
Creative Sauce T-Shirts, Mugs etc: / @creativesauce
🔔 SUBSCRIBE NOW:
kzbin.info...
👍 SHARE THIS VIDEO:
• they don't want me to ...
We can often fall into the trap of believing that having all the gear, will make all the difference.
It's a myth - an expensive myth! I'd like to show you some of the gear from my studio, that you dont really need!
CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
01:14 Surface Controllers
02:40 Controller Keyboards
04:19 Useless Gear
05:20 Mic Preamps
07:49 Outboard Gear
Note - Links provided in this video description may be affiliate links, meaning that if you choose to purchase products using these links, a small commission may be paid to me for referring you. Thanks for helping me and the channel.
✉️ CONTACT ME:
Email: [e-mail]
Twitter: / creativesauce2b
Facebook: / creativesaucetube
Instagram: / creativesauce2b
#HomeRecording #CreativeSauce #HomeStudio

[@nicholasstocker1978]

Just a follow up Mike. You touched on this topic a bit a while back, I think when you were moving. I found one of the most important things to have is a space you can work in comfortably. If you're planning to be in your studio for 8 hours, but your chair in uncomfortable, your desk is the wrong height, your computer monitors are in the way of your studio monitor or your headphones are uncomfortable you'll never want to take the time. I'm not talking about expensive room treatments for sound, just a comfortable space where you can reach everything you need and you're happy to be there as long as it takes to create. I'm curious to see your take on that.

[@musicalneptunian]

I agree. I watched a lecture by a professional comic book artist. He said that even as someone who relied on exact monitor colours for a living, if he had to choose between a better monitor screen and a better chair, he would choose the better chair, always. Why? You can't make many comics if you are keeping your chiropractor employed.

[@IronClan2024]

It may sound crasy but that was my issue so i did not buy a dedicated studio table but went to one i can adjust in hight : a office electrix table. the trickery was to now find a good tableplate and that was easy. wide c.a 2 meters and deep some 90cm. Stealframe is made to be able to bear a table of allmost 3 meters long and 1 meter deepnes. that thing can go up to 2 meters hight ( when i record guitar or vocals i use to do that standing ). some 205 euros alltogether but it payed out because that what you say was my major issue and now the workflow is way better. now if i may here some tips for those who have a lot of gear ( in my case a Audiointerface the 18i20 and a external fx processing unit ) : all you need is to take the Dimensions of those and you can easaly build your very own rack ( costs you some 30 euro for wood and spraypaint ). you do not need those metall plates to mount your gear on because after making the holes for the screws you go and fill those holes with very fluid superglue ( take a look in temu where they got the best and cheap one ) which as such reacts with the wood and turnes it very hard. do that proces some times but make sure that you do not fill up the hole ( it needs to be sucked by the wood ). now use a more thik superglue and apply that to the very front where you later will mount your gear by repeating that proces until you get every tiny hole filled : here you need to make sure that none of that glue gets into the holes made for the screws. after each apply use sandingpaper and start with 240 - no nees for to rough paper - and repeat the process with 240 until you have a smooth surface and now use first 600 , then 1200. the final job is : if you chose to have a color such as black you spraypant first a grounding and then your color of choise. very softly you snad with a 1200 grid paper and spray again. followed by the final finish ( make sure to use spray that is based on epoxy ) Rackmodules : those can be modular : to have them as one unit you need to have a woden frame from behind by which those can be screwd so that you have one piece or unscrew them and you have two or three or four depending on how you design them ( unfortuantly there is no way to share pics here to show you ) screenstand : i have build one which also is modular but i mostly use it as one piece and beneth it is my Masterkeyboard. on each side i made a monitorstand where i have the monitors faceing toward me and my ears its a straight tablelike build which has two parts that are angled toward you left and right. taking the hight and the length of your midikeyboard with enough space to pull your midikeyboard from beneath and push it back and a monitor mounting that can be atached to the back and you have all you need at the same place without losing any more space then needed. overall this cost me only the money for the tableplate and the frame or " legs " as for the rest i got enough wood to make the rest out of so that the most expensive part of that project was only that tableplate and the electric legs and thats it. so all you need is take the Dimensions of all gear and build your racksystem. some numbers : ( beside the table and the legs and wood in my case ) 1- superglue ( some 8 euros because at that time i did not know you can order that stuff from temu so i bought it in a store 2€ each ) 2- drilling tool 3- grounding 7,50 € if you chose a universal one which i do recomned du to its sticking to the surface quality 4- a handsaw or if you have one a tablesaw to cut the wood with ( i used a handsaw which i allready had ) 5- one can of the color you want ( some 8 € the big ones in my case from a car parts shop ) 6- one can Clear coating ( the best of the best 10€ epoxy based ) 7- woodglue ( some 3 euro one buttle which is enough for such a project ) 36,5€ and you have a rack that even if you try to break you cant if you can find a thik tableplate of about 3 cm you can screw your rack beneath a workspace that does never stand in your way

[@AJMarshallMusic]

The "what should I get next" question lives in my brain rent-free and the best answer for a while now has been "singing lessons" :) It's amazing how much less equipment you need when the performance is solid! Perhaps not relevant for full-time producers, but for those self-producing it's always worth considering.

[@GaryMeadowsMusic]

Yep, I think the song and the performance are the most important things. It's nice to have the extras, but it's all about the music.

[@ironmanbatman686]

💯

[@user-qn2ow9yt1y]

Mike, can't make music without my coffee machine!

[@DougWalker1969]

My own theory when it comes to gear is similar to other skilled professions that require some sort of tool (like carpentry). When you're first starting out, it absolutely doesn't make sense to own the most expensive and esoteric tools because your skills aren't up to the task of really using those tools in an appropriate way, and can sometimes hold you back in terms of increasing your skill level. Necessity is the mother of invention, and as you're learning how to create music or produce music a scarcity of tools will help you think outside the box and can make you think more creatively. As we progress, our skills become sharper and we may actually find that at some point we do "need" a more refined set of tools. When it comes to instruments, I'm a big fan of purchasing the most refined tool for your particular skill set. For instance, if you're an aspiring pianist, then you absolutely do need something with a real piano feel, preferably an acoustic piano as well as a controller. To me, as a keyboard player, even the cheapest, most broken down acoustic piano still feels better than my cherished Kawai VPC1. The same is true for other instruments as well. However, if you're a music producer and not an instrumentalist, then it's probably not necessary to own these things. I'm sure there's more to be said about this line of thinking, but internet words tend to become meaningless when they go on for too long!

[@xinokingvevo4982]

Jit done wrote a whole ass book

[@hjortur]

This video is about transparency - in the right place at the right time. Much needed. Thanks a lot!

[@midwestundergroundvideos7870]

Great topic. I actually sent this video to a few people as this is a constant "what do I need to build my own studio" conversation at my facility. This is how I always explain it; *Taps computer, interface and screen while saying this and the mic* "this is your SUV. It runs and drives great and can get you where you have to go with no problems because you made sure (taps computer again) that you have a great running engine" *taps small monitors* "I chose to get the option of strong speakers" *Taps board with channels/eqs/pre amps, etc* "I CHOSE the larger addition with 3rd row seating so more people can travel at once comfortably" *waves hands over midi controllers and touch screens* These.....are all just graphics decals, fancy rims and tires. Makes it look really nice. To someone who likes this it increase the value. To any average eye it just looks nice. *points at large monitors and wall monitors* "I threw a banging sound system in the vehicle." *points around the room* "this is a parking garage I pay for. U don't even need a drive way...just some where to park" "All you need is the car, *taps computer again" just keep investing in the engine upgrades, hence plugins and such" I'm glad someone at your level made a video like this. Great information and point for beginners and up. Best part is a line I say often "there's a difference between wants and needs." Keep the information coming.

[@fredfox3851]

Great advice as always Mike. I would urge young recordists to not forget that commercial studios still exist. Do as much of your project as you can on your own and take it as far as you can. You can always do your live drums in their drum room and surround sound mix on their expensive monitoring system. Working with their great engineer might put the icing on your cake and you can walk away with whatever knowledge you learn in the process.

[@xlsxmusic]

I think this topic becomes even more relevant when it comes to plugins. There is always something new that you 'need' to buy if you want 'pro' results. 😂

[@xinokingvevo4982]

Who buys plugins when you can gwt them cracked easily

[@ojustaboo]

@@xinokingvevo4982People who respect that most others don’t work for nothing, and if they’re good plugins, want to keep the makers in business

[@timothyreynolds6255]

AKAI EWI USB MIDI Controller - I play brass instrument, but this is really for woodwind players. I did get a good deal (price was right) and hope to eventually give it a serious try in the future when I can dedicate 30-minutes a day for a couple of months to get the skills under my fingers and chops (embouchure). But it has been on the shelf for about 5 years at this point!

[@nickellis9251]

Wristwatch - Want or need? I gave up wearing one years ago. Have a great holiday! x

[@earDrops72]

I agree with giving the consumer a choice. For example I have a perpetual license for Studio One Artist, but I pay the subscription for Studio One Pro, If for some reason I have to discontinue the monthly subscription for Studio One Pro, I should still be able to open my Studio One projects with the stripped down version Studio One Artist .

[@jmonkreltub9824]

Thanks for all you do Mike! Keep on being creative!

[@nicholasstocker1978]

Great video Mike. The more so because I just came out of a meeting that is best described as aaaaaaargh!! So I love your videos. My piece of gear I don't need or use my well meaning wife got for me. It's a chair. A Quicklox D749 guitar chair. They had them at the music store I go to a lot and I would sit on one to play expensive guitars I will never afford. She couldn't get me one of the guitars but she got me the chair. It's awful. In the store I would sit on one for maybe 5 minutes. At home after 15 minutes it starts to hurt my back, I can't hold my guitar the way I like and it squeaks. Not great for recording. I really loved her for getting it but these days the cat sleeps on it. At least someone gets some use out of it.

[@98939893]

Thoughtful, helpful video but clickbait title that doesn't let potential viewer know the topic.

[@axeldude2]

I had the Behringer footcontroler as well and ditched it for the same reason you mentioned. The manual was a complete labyrinth. I couldn’t get it working properly.

[@matthewmargetts8516]

Thanks Mike. Keeping it real as ever.

[@umbertoyltp]

I have an Arturia Keylab Essential 49 and it suits my needs just fine! It comes with excellent software available for owners.

[@dasomer]

I purchased the FCB-1010 used about 18 months ago and found a good tutorial for manually programming it. I am learning to play guitar and being able to control AmpliTube 5 with it has been great for use with the built in DAW in the standalone application. I also use it for changing presets and for turning pedals on and off. The expression pedals aren’t great but I don’t use them much. The unit is solid and since I got it used I paid a price that gave me better value. As others have pointed out, the latest new thing may not be needed, but wait for a bit and perhaps that piece of gear a few years from now could be valuable for you at a reduced price or after others have addressed some of the issues it may have. Thanks for the video Mike!

[@barryseymourmusic]

Thank you for not 'burying the lead' - and saying the main point right away!

[@peteraymond9968]

I regret buying an NI s49 mk2 midi controller. Nothing at all wrong with it, but all I use is the key bed, not the knobs, buttons or screens. Just a workflow thing.

[@_mickmccarthy]

Thankfully I can only think of one item that I've got buyer's remorse over, and that's a Soundbrenner Pulse. A sort of wearable (like a watch) vibrating metronome. Pretty much useless as anytime I'm playing an instrument I'll be easily able to have a drum loop or audible metronome playing. While I agree with you that it's technically not a 'need', a good MIDI controller with decent DAW integration makes a world of difference. I recently upgraded to an FL Key and it's made my workflow in FL Studio so much easier. Especially when it comes to mixing (with volume faders for all the main channels at your fingertips) as well as being able to quickly go back and forth between all the soft synths in your session. Keep up the great work!

[@TheGospelGuitarist]

EurekaProm! will make your FC1010 actually usable. I'm a guitarist and this was well worth it to use it with my Eleven Rack. There are a few chips out there. Don't know if they help much with studio control but they do for guitar rigs.

[@barrytune7098]

NOOOOOO, I NEEDZ MY GEERZ! Ok, no, I don't need much of it at all to be honest, but do I have buyer's regret over any of it? Yes, I absolutely do. Two out of three of the keyboards I've bought are regrettable, and the second of which even more so because it's the "Pro" version of the first. Since the first wasn't great why did I expect the second do be good? Because I'm an idiot that's swayed by a cheap deal, that's why!

[@carpentemusic]

The next best thing to owning an expensive car you barely would drive is renting one for a day or weekend. Such services exist. Seen a few vids on it. Costs over $1K to do, but what are you saving on? Drive your favorourite vehicle. 😊

[@ToastandJam52]

As always another great video Mike. The piece of gear that I regret buying is a Decibel keyboard. It has numerous intermittent faults, the sounds are no better than a $50 Casio keyboard you get at Walmart. The company provide absolutely NO support. I could go on for hours about how bad this keyboard is. Used exclusively as a midi keyboard, at $3000 it has to be the most expensive midi keyboard around. Keep up the good work Mike!!!

[@jimmysee1234]

The purchases I regret are about half the plugins I have bought. While they seemed like a good idea at the time, a lot of them go unused. It took me a long time to realize that I don't need 14 compressors, 32 reverbs, 7 limiters and 45 meters. I could dump a lot of them but I paid good money for them so they sit and collect virtual dust.

[@HouseMerlot]

Great Video. I brought a studio desk last summer that came equipped with 8 built in rack spaces. I brought a Furman power strip which was probably worth it. Then I brought a rack mount guitar tuner, that I really didn't need... and then I ran out of ideas of what to put there. I guess like this video because it affirms my prior decisions about outboard gear. I was going to fill the space in the desk with a rack mount drawer, but I afraid of things rattling inside.

[@resslerartstudios]

The presonus faderport8 never used the faders, just sold it.

[@officialWWM]

The best investment I made was a Presonus Studiolive 32. It gives me 24 preamps. Compressors, fx, eq etc and works flawlessly as a DAW controller for Studio One!

[@cashtransfercompany3639]

You can always find the best advices in this channel.

[@pierrecarter3090]

Mike strikes again! Totally agree with you Mike. I don't have any gear that I don't like because I don't intend to have a professionnal studio, I'm just making some music for my pleasure. However, I could say that I have many plugins that I don't use, mainly because I've got them before I understand better my needs.

[@johndoe-cb5ck]

My studio is very basic,being on a tight budget,one guitar,one bass,a GAP 73 micpre,an Artura microlab,an SSL2,A Lewitt MTP 440 mic,Cakewalk and thank god for Analog Obsession im getting some pretty awesome recordings...oh yeah SSD5 the free version

[@russangel]

Quality of life and workflow is the main part of more premium equipment for me. With Studio One having an Atom and Studiolive desk all the planets align perfectly.

[@joegrint6280]

Interesting video Mike! Re regrets - I think my main one is my Roland APro 800 controller - over a decade on and I still don't understand it and the manual is dire! There is a caveat though - I bought it as it had Sonar 8 LE included in the software package - I already had Ableton Lite which was being offered by most of the other keyboard manufacturers - if I hadn't have got into the Sonar world then - followed by a free copy of Sonar Home Studio with Computer Music Magazine - I may not have started watching your CbB tutorials and other videos and I can honestly say that my life would have been poorer for that. I think about that every time I can't assign a midi controller 🙂

[@joegrint6280]

That could be an interesting take on buyer regrets - has anyone else regretted buying hardware or software but it has led them to more positive discoveries?

[@CampbellDownie]

Another great video indeed, I have a huge wish list, its grown every year since I opened my first studio 35 years ago hahahaha, it started with an SSL g series, and yeah I still dont have one.... but I have the plugin so im happy, --- the older I get the more I realise, the important thing is creativity first, and learn learn learn everything you can about the gear you have.. skills and adaptations have always supported musicians. Money and spending do not make quality productions, sows ears will always be sows ears even with an SSL G series hahahahahaha

[@ojustaboo]

I would strongly argue that if you can play the piano and intend doing so in your DAW, having an 88 weighted keyboard is an essential not a want. I have NI S88 and Arturia Keylab mk2 61. Most of the time when playing synths or organs etc I prefer the 61 note. But some sounds I can simply put in so much more expression on my S88. Having the NI is also handy with the lights when using their articulations, sure that’s a want rather than a need but it’s a bonus as I needed an 88 anyway :)

[@michaelbonesmusic]

no buyer's regret unless you count collecting instruments in the studio, which I still don't regret but you know what I mean. I would say my little Alesis MIDI keyboard does the trick for me and it is small enough that it stays out on the desk, I would say some parts like this you can get away with cheaper/less expensive but one area I would not skimp on is music stands and mic stands, light stands etc... they get used all the time and the extra weight as well as ease of movement of the joins make this money well spent in the long run. For recording you really only need your instrument or voice, a way to record it, cakewalk is free to use once recorded to mix - the rest of the gear you can add in later as you go on. For example even my little MIDI input is not needed as you can use the computer keyboard as an input device as well in Cakewalk but the black and whites are more tactile and familiar to the musician - great video Mike!

[@bartholomeusclever]

no regrets here, so far thank you for all your informative videos, mike ps. funny, I use both cakewalk and studio 1 as well

[@chrwrd2960]

I would like to get this arturia keyboard but it hasn't any connection for expression pedal only sustain pedal and it lacks aftertouch. I plan to buy swam someday. Will I then be heavy limited to use high expressive vsts with this keyboard? 🤔

[@jimhhenry2898]

Do you have any videos on how to use my Icon qcon g2 and how to use is with my Cake walk and studio one 6.5 daws

[@d.p.5874]

Hi Mike, Yes indeed, I've got the Behringer 1010 with its standard Prom inside and it is so difficulkt to operate and memorize how to operate it, that I let it down in its dust, years ago in my studio...I should sell it on eBay... 🙂 Keep creative, Cheers. PS: Are you still angry with CakeWalk ? No more little Tips & Tricks concerning my preferred still-FREE Daw ?

[@jayneubauer3401]

I have found this in a very practical manner in my own life/workflow. I was a gigging keyboard player/studio hire that had a TON of gear. Well, I was forced to retire from stage due to a shoulder injury that included nerve damage in my right shoulder, making my hand inconsistent for gigging. So, I ramped up my studio with all I had at my disposal from 45-ish years in the trade. Then, as happens, I was staring down retirement and my wife and I had been discussing becoming full-time RVers. Not exactly conducive to owning tons of gear, or even storing that tons of gear. So, on the chopping block most of it went. All my hardware keyboards, save my Alesis QS8, which still serves as a piano controller, all my rack synth modules except an Alesis QSR (no, I was not an endorsee of Alesis, though looking at my rig on stage or in the studio you would have thought so) and a Korg Wavestation SR (which is actually up for sale, but that is for later). Almost all my outboard as well as my mixer is gone, and I am reduced to my electronic drums, 1 guitar, the aforementioned QS8, 2 Axiom 61 controllers, and more software than any normal person actually needs. My GAS has turned from hardware to software. I have far more than I actually need or use (maybe another topic for a video....). Best part, 1 Axiom, an audio interface, a few external hard drives, my laptop and a pair of headphones fit perfectly in our travel trailer! I have released 1 CD, and am working on 2 more along with some worldwide collaborations in the last 3 years! If I need a proper studio I have access to several, so I am covered there. It is amazing what you actually NEED to make music (more talent would be nice, but I haven't seen that for sale anywhere). Life is good. Now, to face the daunting task of culling my VST collections.......

[@GarySaamanen]

What about those cool large light up VU meters? Want (yes), need, probably not! :)

[@robertwagendorfer6976]

08:59 "... be careful when you are watching KZbinr like me ..." 😄

[@williambobbitt3298]

What computer monitors do you use?

[@deep50gunrange]

My regret was the same as yours. Midi Foot controller. It's a giant paper weight to me now. So hard to use in a daw

[@mcirill]

I can't afford a McClaren, but I can afford a high-end Arturia midi controller with a premium look and feel. No regrets here!

[@rcan1958coxnet]

Love this video. I will say however, that better midi controllers offer much better velocity sensitivity to the piano player. Which can make a huge difference in things like jazzy or classical passages.

[@abeniang721]

For me I think it's NI Reaktor so far. Maybe I'll figure it out eventually.

[@ScottBailey.fingin.]

Great video, fix title

[@AlOne-xg6dv]

About the keyboards as Arturia KeyStep 37 versus KeyLab 88 MKii maybe you could have talked about the keybed differences, sensibility, after-touch etc ... I have owned both a KeyStep 37 and a KeyLab 61 MKii and it is not the same feeling, even if i liked them both as they are good and sensitive in a different way. The KeyLab is better anyway as a piano controller or synths controller as well. I still use the KeyLab 61 MKii with much pleasure.

[@onemanband3579]

I've tried several midi/usb DAW controllers. I actually use Touch OSC on an iPad. I regret buying a set of Behringer drums.

[@aquaevitae]

The quality does not have to be perfect. People like and enjoy to listen the music if the quality is just good enough. It's actually studied fact, that human ear actually like distortion. Of course too much distortion makes the music sound terrible, but a little bit of distortion actually really makes the music more pleasant for human ear. That's also the reason why vinyl maniacs think that vinyl sounds better than CD, which by the way technically is not rue, is because the sound of vinyl is imperfect.

[@charleshuguley9323]

I think it can be plausibly argued that a midi controller with weighted, graded keys, triple sensors and escapement would significantly improve the musical sound of a passage when compared to the same passage played on a controller without those features, assuming the performer has the ability to take advantage of them. This, of course, is irrelevant to the general point you're making and is petty of me to point out.

[@MindsEyeVisualGuitarMethods]

This is my exact thoughts about the Atom SQ. I fell for some hype about it when I first started with PreSonus and didn't even know much about it. And I think it's really cool what you can do with it now that I've watched some videos on how to use it... But I can see that it would only be helpful if I was doing some major studio work. For my hobby based musical tinkering the mouse and keyboard do well for me right now and the SQ is just a piece of gear I didn't really need, after my minilab mk2. I can even point and click my own beats just fine but I might try this bugger again and see if it does make that a little easier.

[@arpeggioblues5924]

I bought an FCB1010. lol.. with the intension of controlling my Guitar Modelers.. Some of them work easily, I don't use it, it's just wrapped up in the closet. I did get the new EPROMS, but just haven't done anything with it.. :) haha

[@m1nnefr3d]

For those about to shop: Take a look at Mike's gear guide as linked above. It's an exhaustive source of temptation and will nurture your G.A.S. beast quite well 😁 Decided to take a step back and went back to recording with GarageBand on the iPad. Sure it doesn't have all the bells and whistles of virtually all other DAWs, but considering what I would have been willing to do for a Fostex or Tascam 4-track Compact Cassette recorder in the 80s, I think I have a lot of additional possibilities with this »free« (iPad given) and simple software. Agreed, dear Co-Mike-agers?

[@WillKruger]

Excellent subject matter Mike. So much of what we hear is subjective. Beter? Or just different?

[@colindavis8242]

Behringer midi controller. Like you, mine lies under the desk, similarly can't program it despite all the so called advice out there. Managed to get some program switching on an old Behringer amp, but the pedals don't work anything at all like wah or volume. Still got it, ever hopeful I'll find a use for it 😂😂😂

[@atrothe]

I purchased 2 seperate midi controllers and i don't use either because they are too complex to set up and use.

[@michalsiegel6717]

The Arturia Keylab 88 mk II actually IS insanely better then that tiny keyboard you showed next. It has weighed keys and full piano reach. I started out on the Native Instruments A61 but as a pianist, the keyboard was a pain for me. I really had to get the real keyboard which allows me to actually play it and control my dynamics.

[@rickrockzyootoob]

I got rid of my fader controller, and switched to a touchscreen monitor. I usually only adjust levels one channel or bus at a time, so it works fine for me! I do rely on my Focusrite ISA One preamp a LOT. Suddenly everything sounded as good as I could imagine, so I mostly use that and a Golden Age Pre-73 for ribbon mic gain. I have a bunch of dynamic mics I don't even use anymore for guitar amps. Don't know why I hold onto them because I've narrowed my sound down to 3 mics. I don't even use my SM57 anymore. Except maybe if I get a drummer in here. And when was the last time THAT happened? I keep advertising my studio for bands, but all I ever get are solo artists. Nobody wants to deal with drummers and their egos and outrageous rates for someone nobody knows. I end up using a digital kit or the pads on my little Akai MPK keyboard most of the time anymore for them or my own stuff. When I started recording in the 80s, I was using a 4 Track Reel to Reel, a synced MIDI sequencer, synths, drum machines and a big honking Teac Model 10 mixer with an EV RE18 dynamic mic (that now sits collecting dust) with no preamp; they didn't even exist then! And when I go back and listen to those mixes, they sound incredible! Maybe it's time to start selling...

[@kachilda]

O you really need is a good microphone and a focus right are equivalent interface and maybe a pair of plug-in headphones. And of course a computer or laptop that will run a Daw.

[@douga8296]

Buyers regret? I have a very fancy SE Electronics vocal mic when all I really needed was a Shure SM58.

[@TinoSchulz1990]

The FCB1010 is actually a powerful controller. It's build quality is.... nah.... but there is an editor out there (a .jar file that you can run on your computer) that allows you to simply program your FCB1010.

[@DWHarper62]

Audient ID14(original) interface, Kali Audio LP-6 monitors, Beyerdynamic DT770Pro 250ohm headphones, High performance PC, 2-SM57, Warm Audio WA-47 Jr mic, GAP R1 MkIII Active Ribbon, sE SE7 matched pair SDC, Shure Beta52A, Presonus PD-70, QSC Touchmix 16(for live recordings), ATH-M40x headphones, Studio One DAW... Looking to expand for tracking with a larger interface or perhaps an ADAT preamp...

[@mabian69]

I totally get the point of this video but in my opinion the examples are flawed, because your audio - and your songs - DO get better if the tools help in keeping you immersed in the creative flow, by enhancing workflow, convenience and even performance. Control surfaces - > they really help improving and speeding up mixing, recording automation and working without ever leaving them - sometimes no need to even look at the screen Keyboards - they CAN change the sound; I recently got an Arturia Keylab Essential mk3. Compared to the keyboard I was using before that - a 90's Yamaha synth - it's a world of difference and especially when playing piano VIs it's like having a totally new instrument under my fingers. In this case yes, I will use *that* expression - it was a game changer for me :D

[@alexandrekhazal5966]

For me, I think what I regret having bought is the DAW Studio One. I bought it to replace Cakewalk a few years ago based on commercials and forums claiming it was easy, a game changer, simple, intuitive etc, but I have still not figured out how to make a project without spending more time trying to use the commands than making actual songs.and I find the interface ugly, unclea rand counter-intuitive

[@jefft4303]

If..."Groove trumps gear"... if the quality of the song and the performance are far more important than the quality or price of the equipment in the recording chain... ...then it logically follows that the most important aspect of the recording process becomes the artist's headspace prior to and during the performance. While some concepts affecting how an artist feels, like "studio vibe" are obviously subjective, others, such as latency, are not. Plugins add latency. Some more, some less, but CPU cycles used to process numerical simulations will NEVER speed up system response time. If an artist can "take or leave" vocal reverb, for example, there's no need for increased latency thru large, slow reverb simulation plugins. But if reverb materially affects the vocalist's ability to put all they can or even more into an "over the top" performance, that's where your outboard hardware, on the way in, recorded or just in the foldback chain, stop being mere "wants" and start becoming real needs. I have zero prejudice against plugins or hardware. In the general sense, having both increases capability. In specific cases, either can improve the quality of deliverable files, while the other can detract from that. Again, both is better than either, alone. Not opinion...instead, basic reality.

[@jefft4303]

... and in the case of latency... MEASURABLE reality.

[@mikefarquhar5063]

These are the videos I thrive on watching, informative, comparative, addresses the confirmation bias influence on gear- want vs need. I'd like to ask a question or two regarding midi- total newb in the midi user realm if there's a realm of midi people speaking midi language I'm not from there, but, I'd like to get to know some basics and I've been meaning to get on this for a while now... midi compatible keyboards + drum plugins- the two keyboards white arturis ones, so I understand the daw I use, cakewalk, has on each channel audio or midi etc- write and read buttons I use those for panning and volume in mixes, can a keyboard like any of the two preferably the less expensive one, be used to write your own drum samples to then use with say the built in to cakewalk vst drum plugin or dfb etc in a relatively same way write and read on a midi channel on cakewalk? Would I need to assign individual keys on the keyboard to the drum kit Tom, snare etc one by one or are there programs that do the translating, I mean if its possible how does midi work? Something like key binding like with a computer keypad? Or would I need something that is specifically built for those tasks. I'm so new to this the questions I'm asking are most unlikely the wrong questions. I would very much appreciate your advice. You strike me as someone who really knows his s**t! And I say this because whenever a video of yours comes my way I always watch as very few can keep me interested through the whole video.

[@mikeogle2283]

We should all make videos like this one you made. I regret buying Aeon Melodic by Heavyocity, makers of really good stuff like the Damage 1-2-3 series. Aeon Melodic however, which I bought because I respected the well-known music composer who lent their famous name to the list of users (saying') they used it too. For me though: I could not find one great sound in the entire preset list. Not one was musically useful. Yet Omnisphere has a bazillion great sounds even without all its expansions. So does Steinberg PadShop and UVI Synth Anthology and many others.

[@garythompson5402]

Oh gosh! For sure the Fishman TriplePlay Wireless MIDI Pickup. Wanted it. Bought it. Loved it. Never needed or used it in a recording. ha1. Oh I'll take the Behringer foot controller from you Heheheheheheheh!!!

[@tonyrapa-tonyrapa]

ATOM SQ - really wish I never bought it now.... should have gone for a normal keyboard controller. In terms of plugins: there are many.... I think it's easier to overload on non-useful or bad VSTs.

[@oblitafier]

Never wear that shirt in a video again lol The moiré is off the chart

[@wowisms]

M-Audio interfaces... though the hardware seems well built, they discontinued support so I will never ever again buy anything by M-Audio because they are now worthless junk. Also Alesis VX49 midi controller keyboard.... Looks great with many buttons that don't do anything. a waste of time and money. Roland JD-XA - a wonderful synth that Roland abandoned. If you don't mind menu diving and have a spare few years to waste they it sounds amazing, but i hate menu diving. I sold that synth and am very wary of Roland as a company since they too abandon support if they choose.

[@ilanmetoudi]

Hi, Mike! Great questions! Just bought a Roland Fp E50 piano, www.roland.com/global/products/fp-e50/ most expensive instrument I've ever bought.... 88 graded, weighted keys, beautiful sounding, also has interactive accompaniment. Even has audio input and outputs from the DAW! Don't really think I NEED the piano, but wow! What a piano! Thanks for the video as always!😄

[@marsrivers]

Always said it...become a great producer and mixer only with the daw, mouse and keybpard and mayne a midi keyboard...the rest marketing

[@jeffbridges6110]

Will a gaming controller improve mixes? LoL.

[@kevindayton9757]

So, you would find your outboard gear in Iraq??? ... just kidding, LOVE your video's Mike 🙂

[@jakehanney]

lol first

[@CreativeSauce]

:)