Ricky! This video is awesome great job!! Isn't it so weird how we create these mental blocks through pressure we put on ourselves? I'm pretty sure most of us do that, I'm glad you talked about it. It's so essential to shuffle things around and simplify every once in a while. I don't know that I'll ever land on a "final" studio setup, but I think the thing that's affected my workflow the most has actually been my dogs 😅🐶 When they're in the studio, my anxiety is down and I have more confidence in my creative endeavors. Having fun becomes easier too, which translates to better music 😁
You are where I was about 2-3 years ago when I started the exact journey you're on. For me now it was you who ignited the fire in me to break out my MPC4000 and I've been using it ever since. At heart I'm a hardware guy that loves classic MPC devices so that part was a no brainer. I recently picked up a Roland XV-3080 with 4 cards in it that gave me the outboard synth and basses that I needed and then I purchased a mixer to route everything to. For me it was as simple as getting back to how I use to make music with less tools because like many others it seems that less is more and we are more creative that way as well. Great video!!!
Inspirational vid, as always! For me there are a couple of things that really changed everything for me. First of all, I need to say I've been dipping my toe in electronic music production for about 2 years now. At the start I always had to setup and route everything whenever I wanted to just create some music. That always ended up me losing the attention by the time everything was setup. I put a lot of thought into what I needed in ways of space (mind you, I don't have the luxury of a separate room/studio) so I let my dad and uncle create a small desk for me that we attached to the wall in my living room. This way, I can always just turn on the equipment and have a go. Secondly, I get sensory overload very quickly, so for me a basic minimal setup works best. For now I have the Digitakt as the main device, a Waldorf Blofeld with additional effects pedals (Generation Loss mk2, Microcosm and Specular Tempus at the moment) running into the DT's audio inputs and a Keystep as a Midi keyboard for the DT. For now, that's all I need and the setup that actually is most efficiënt for me. And I just love the multimode on the Blofeld. Working on some electro right now and that also really got me out of a creative rut.
I have moved to a new studio location and I have made one massive shift: I got a laptop instead of a stationary computer. This made a bigger difference that I expected. It feels like fun now, instead of work. And I enjoy making music in the couch, disconected from the studio. Secondly, I have started to have everything I use connected, ready to go. But I have also gotten rid of all the gear I don’t use. So it is a small, very effective setup and I just love it. I use a RME btw and it just works. It sounds excellent and it is rock solid. I think everyone should get one. I think Rick is on the right track slimming down the studio. For a long time I had a bunch of gear connected to a mixer. That was fun but I spent more time jamming rather than making songs. Then I had even more gear but no mixer. I do not recommend. Now I have everything I need within an arms reach. I dont know but it really makes me inspired.
I went from an Allen & Heath ZEDi 10 FX, which served me well for 5 years, to a RME UFX MKII and the sound difference is massive. One thing I miss about having a mixer is the immediate results from tweaking EQ's and send and returns. I've yet to set this up in RME's Totalmix but it's doable for sure. Unless you need MADI, I think the MKII is best bang for buck with RME. Add an Arc controller and you're set up for life.
I had a custom cabinet made for my synths as well and after like a year of having it, i sold it. Once you can just store the synths there is much less immediacy unless you can have everything chained all the time
Detaching yourself and your "artistic expression" from the equation can be extremely liberating and productive. As soon as it's client work (for example), you can kind of detach yourself from it and let the music pretty much write itself... do whatever the music needs to accomplish its goal, and you'll find yourself doing stuff you normally wouldn't do. You'll explore a ton of things that you didn't know were fun, and you can later incorporate them into your own music. Also Updating my monitoring situation did a lot for keeping things fun in the studio.
For anyone whose considering doing the plank of wood on a keyboard stand setup like what is shown at the beginning, I have a tip for you. Once you find the ideal height and balance the board, measure and mark where the cross beams line up. Then drill holes large enough to thread zip ties. Then zip tie the board/plank to the stand. You can get very strong and reusable zip ties from B&H. They have a little tab you can press so you can loosen them anytime without need of clipping them. This will make your stand much more stable and reduce wobble.
My idea was get 2 ratchet straps and cut slots just far enough out from the center of the plank so you can strap it down to the horizontal supports the plank is sitting on, so there, s absolutely no risk of knocking the plank off the stand. I'm fairly confident that he's nowhere close to it failing due to the amount of weight it has on it. it should be able to hold pretty much the heaviest fully weighted stage EP currently in production no problem.
I love the vive of this video! On my end, I recently got a Push 2 and it changed everything for me. I was working dawless for years because I disliked the whole « computer » experience for composition. Now I work on just my computer and the Push, record guitar and vocals into it, play synths on the pads, use great multisampled instruments… it is really what I didn’t know I always wanted
I had a sound system for doing bush raves.. 21” subs, 15” top cabs, all active. Lately I’ve been feeling it less and less, it’s a ton of work, people are generally thankless, and so yah… I sold it, and bought a eurorack case and some modules, I’m going to mostly use it as an fx rack and run my akai force through it and tweak away. Feels great to change it up. My office has so much more room due to not storing the sound system here too😂 And yah, Pam’s new workout, maths, a pico input, z5000, data bender, beads, dual dagger filter, and fx aid2. In a nifty case. So I can still do some cool synth like stuff with it, and I’ve a Moog subharmonicon on the side, we’ll see if I keep that or move it along. How’s it feel knowing you inspired someone to blow about 4 grand on live gear and they feel great about it? 😂 Keep on rockin it along Ricky, you’re one of the best on the entire TH-cam platform
Having watched tons of videos from TH-camrs with GAS it has become very clear to me that I should keep gear to a minimum. For me, that is a Push 2 to control Ableton and have more fun working with this DAW. Together with an MPC Live 2 (which doubles as my audio interface) to have fun making music outside. And that's basically it. It's all about fun and if I can't finish proper tracks with these tools then a studio full of hardware definitely won't make any difference.
you are totally right. key issue with "TH-camrs" that they totally DO NOT PRODUCE MUSIC. Just try to find that music what Ricky "recently produced". LOL
@@a.k.8731 You're right that many of these TH-camrs are more content creators than music producers. Not sure what Ricky has been putting out but I really do love his style of house music though. Which for me makes this channel enjoyable to watch, although I have never envied him for his gear. In that sense, it kinda reminds me of a video out there of famous producer Junkie XL clearing out 70% of his seriously impressive gear collection and feeling a whole lot happier afterward.
Thanks for sharing Ricky, hope your new setup will give you much joy to work with. In my case I currently try to ditch the daw, mouse clicks and computer entirely. Wanna have more of a jam situation (and less of checking mails situation) to separate jamming from editing/mastering. Just ordered the Zoom LiveTrak L20 to have a mixer and recorder (records each channel separately + main) in one device.Hope it will work out as I imagine it. Btw... it also can be used as an interface and should record simultaneously on a sd-card (if I understood the description correctly).
hey ricky, i‘m following your great work for quite a while now. love your live setups. i highly recommend the rme fireface ucx II. it restricts you to 8 ins and 6 out, has adat and can be used standalone. you can switch prepared setups via midi on the go. i integrated it into my studio and live setup. sold my apollo for it. give it a try dude ;) cheers
Thanks for sharing - great keyboard shelf! Have thought about putting up slatwall but like how yours is on wheels. I'm using the same wood shelf technique 😆on a keyboard stand except on the 2nd tier to hold the smaller items and an 88 keyboard on the 1st tier. I have really liked the Apollo Twin X for simplifying. I definitely like the big volume knob to change headphone and monitor volume and ADAT input. The X4 looks nice and has ADAT in and out.
I def made a similar decision. While I have been switching from Daw to hardware. I have made the MPC live 2 the center. And I run the JU-06A and my guitar into that. Routing from the MPC into a mixer and doing stereo out to Logic has been great. Really helps me separate creatively making music from mixing.
I need to do a compete revamp to my studio. Just got Ableton and want to start using it to control my hardware synths. Kind of moving away from the dawless setup I’ve mostly been using the past few years.
Just letting you know, the RME Fireface UCX II is amazing. If you don't need the added I/O of the UFX III, I think it's the way to go, and still getting a rock-solid (super clean -- best drivers in the business) professional interface.
Have you considered Metric Halo’s interfaces? Their routing capabilities are excellent plus you could have an iPad as a digital input/output in your system
On top of UAD and RME, I would seriously also look into Audient iD44 MKII and maybe the Arturia AudioFuse lineup. But, if you're set with those two options, I would definitely pick up any RME instead of UAD Apollo. The UAD DSP thing is a dying technology (modern computers are so fast that they've become pretty redundant) and the UAD DSP plugins are helluva expensive. And that's what you're paying for in UAD premium interfaces, the DSP. Kind of an ecosystem where you need to go all in or you'll pay for an "air". Definitely check the plugin offerings first, if they're something you really want to commit into. Oh and I also hear you with the simplification. Did that myself as well and man... it has been SO inspiring. Also: don't hesitate to jump into Logic, if it feels right for you.
It's always a struggle I think of setups like a song or an album. Like get everything set, then mine what you can from it. The setups doesn't have to contain everything you've got. It's just a combo, like a band, like you've got a bassist, a guitarist, a drummer, and a hot chick that dances. Like what can they do? Milk that setup for all its worth, then when its stale, boring, physically painful to work with, time for a new setup. So, new bassist, new guitarist, maybe a keyboardist, this time, and a new hot chick that dances. What can this new combo/setup do? This is a nice approach, as all the physical/digital setup headaches are done up front, the system is set, and ready to play and record, so no faffing with cables, or cryptically sketched out patch bay layouts that are 2 generations out of date, all by candlelight. Nope, its set, and it is ready to go. And with these further benefits: 1. Simplicity. In the setup, but also in choices, like you've gotta lay some strings down, what in your setup can do that best? Maybe you have a better string synth in the closet... but you can't use it, it's against the rules, can only use what you have in the setup. Maybe the strings on what you have in the setup are not ideal, but maybe they are unique, maybe you have to rock them harder, maybe you process them differently, anyway, you get your strings, but outside of your comfort zone, out side of your rut. That struggle, and novelty is like gasoline on the fire of your creativity. The brain lights up, like, "oh shiz, we're gonna have to think now, this is not a normal situation. The idea is this restricted simplicity produces new, novel sounds, rhythms, fx, in your music, but also novel ways of thinking about components of music, of ways of music making, of problem solving... like, maybe you want strings, but you can't make strings... okay, so what can you do in your setup that is like strings, fills that role, but isn't strings... there is so much good that comes from this. I'm saying it changes your music, but it also changes the way you think about making music, which actually has a greater impact on your music. 2. When you've milked the setup for all its worth, like once your brain has figured it all out, and goes back onto autopilot... you're done. That setup is done. Time to start setting up a new setup, a new cast of characters to which you limit your music making on. The brain sees this, and spits its coffee out while sitting in the airport ready for its vacation... like wtf, I was outta here, I had this music thing figured out, now I've got to go back into the office. Yeah brain, do your damn job. Figure shiz out. So, you're confronted with novelty again, all new challenges to figure out... and dealing with that novelty, creative problem solving, the unique sound/working releationship between your new setup... again, its like gasoline on the fire of your creativity. 3. I'll only reveal further points to my patrons, those wealthy enough to send me money for nothing, I don't have time for the pennyless plebs who have to chose between spending their last dollars on gas or food.
I find myself moving away from Ableton Live and the Mac in general. Logic Pro for iPad has really been a “game changer” for me. Finally a real DAW for the iPad.
I ditched Ableton and moved to Cubase because it became painfully obvious that Live was the actual bottleneck in the overall performance of my PC when mixing. I hate switching DAWs but being able to actually utilise my hardware resources and mix dozens of tracks with tons of processing was absolutely worth it.
I sold all the hardware I had and now just have the tiniest midi controller, BUT, have been toying with a Push for a while..... to use plugins and plugins only / sample via Note. HOWEVER, I no longer have access to Ableton so have been putting off the hefty purchase for a while which has kinda led me to consider Logic... can you use the same array of plugins as Ableton?!
RME a thousand times. Future proof and TotalMix is THE BEST. Drivers never fail and the best AD/DA converters. Plus, configure it and control everything with any midi controller….
For audio interfaces, I've been really happy with my Antelope Discrete 8, and would recommend their entire line based off that. An utter apogee killer for the price, if you can stand its requirement that you log in all the time (grumble grumble). It was surprisingly easy to hook mine into my friend's Antelope Zen Tour, to record a full professional band set up at his home. Its preamps are stellar, and the reamp outputs are an absolute necessity IMO. Now that i'm using overbridge for outboard gear sync, I put away my Sync-Gen, which would've used up my reamp outs. Previously I was using a Motu Ultralike MkIV which has insane IO and flexibility. I still have it for when i travel, or in case I ditch Overbridge and need more IO for my Sync Gen Since Elektron devices can act as an interface, has anyone done conversion comparisons with them?
I'm pretty sure the Antelope Audio Zen Tour Synergy has the highest number of inputs of any true desktop type form factor interface on the market. I feel like there's about to be a lot more choices for everyone with A/D conversion that offer more inputs around the end of January though.
Update: I put away my overbridge enabled Elektron devices, so I'm back to using my sync-gen. I found i was able to route the Discrete 8's outputs 5+6 through the Headphones 2 output, so I'm now back with even more sync features, without sacrificing my Re-amp outputs... brilliant!
Yo Ricky, bit unrelated, but I just wanted to ask how is your M1 Air holding up in ableton. Planning to buy a new macbook but not sure if I should go for the pro or is the air enough. For me the biggest difference was selling off everything I don’t use and focus on writing in ableton. Currently have a Peak as a workhorse, a Moog for bass and mono stuff and a Lyra-8 for weirdness.
So I have noticed that my music arrangements improved as soon as I stopped focusing on the gear and the technical aspects of the hardware. An MPC + Keyboard or Launchpad is my fav standalone setup and I stopped using Push for Ableton because mouse and keyboard are extremely fast and efficient.
I've had many audio interfaces over the years, but the biggest improvement to my music was to not use one at all. Just using the built in audio on my pc. I worried too much about the audio quality which got in the way of the creative process. Who cares if the audio is 16 bit. For electronic music, I don't think the audio quality is super important. All my favorite music is from the 90's and 16 bit and tape was how it was recorded back then. I using a cheap berhringer 802 mixer with the aux send to the pc audio input. I really like this simple setup.
Driver issues? Rme all the way. Get a babyface pro. If you need more pres use the adat of your goodol focusrite. Throw it in the bag with your ipad stellar rme quality on the go. No better ipad interface out there. Imho.
Love the new table, that looks amazing man. I went from UAD to RME and switched to an M1 Macbook Pro and sold a lot of gear. Switching to Bitwig from Ableton was the game changer for me. That's an incredible DAW for house/techno..anything that needs creative sound design. Its just incredibly fast and easy. I love Ableton but the v5 of Bitwig with the project macros is like having multiple Octatracks to modulate your entire track with. Its the Octatrack of DAWS..lol. Highly recommend it, plus it can slave to your hardware so you can sync to an MPC and get that feel in your DAW.
Word of caution about the Apollo: I'm kicking out mine because of the problems I'm getting with my M2 MB Pro... kernel panic and forced restart every time I put the Mac in sleep mode or it enters it by itself. My 10 years old Audient ID14 doesn't do that. Will finally switch to RME now, because (according to a vast amount of testimonials) it just works. Keeping the Audient for my mobile rig. Same reason I'm using Logic Pro ever since... started out in GarageBand way back then and when I had outgrown it I took the step up. Ableton is cool, but I never get it to work properly for my flow...
the biggest watershed moment for me was moving from piano roll style sequencing and linear recording to triggering my synths in less decisive ways with sequencers and messing with gates and quantizers. I will still start a track from scratch sitting at a keyboard sometimes, but I never have to get frustrated with writer's block.
I’ve had a dream of a big synth setup for a long time and I made it a reality a few months back. It was a multi year process, but I now have everything I want. The biggest thing is that I can setup an ambient track from scratch while holding my 4 month old in one hand!
the infant years were some of my most productive... just plop the nugget in the back of my studio during his nap and mic him up and patch him into a thru channel so i can hear him stir, and then record it!
My 'watershed moment' was years and years ago, the first time I booted up Reason. Like you said with Logic, 'It just worked.' It changed everything about how music flows for me, and Reason is still my DAW of choice all these years later... Though Logic has been calling my name as of late. 😂
I too used 16 channels of audio ins, everything hooked up at once, but then I got a 1010music Blackbox alongside with my Squarp Pyramid and now I've been doing most of my music with just those two devices. Maybe I'll make a video of this setup, it's really powerful, fast and fun.
Biggest change was getting an RME UCXII. It's rock solid, sounds awesome (yes, the mic preamps sound better so much so, you can hear it) and with DuRec as well as loopback sampling and full access to all of the vast TotalMix settings even when running standalone, I am thinking of somehow getting it to run in some kind of mobile powerbank, because I want to take it everywhere. Also, don't overlook it while considering the bigger brother UFX! The UCXII has ADAT, too and can be the central hub for all of your sound sources while still packing a much smaller format
Well, since you asked... I finally got my S2400 out again, updated it, and now it's front and center (also on my Output Platform lol). It will do audio over USB, plus I have it hooked up to and from my interface for different sampling and shuttling sounds back and forth (no onboard effects...). It also works as a MIDI controller, now, so I have a bunch of buttons, knobs, and faders for my DAW. I don't really need any hardware synths around me because I have, well, my whole ass VST collection to sample from now lol into a gritty, characterful sampler :) I keep my Model:Cycles and OP-1 handy, and a Volca Drum, add my Proteus 2000 is still racked because I love the pianos and will take Dance Piano over the M1 any day :) I swapped my mouse for a Slimblade Pro wireless trackball and it's changed my life. I still need to put my K5000S on the Platform's keyboard tray but I think it's sliiiiightly too tall. Might take off the feet lol... My 18i20 has a pair of front inputs so I can record guitar/bass and bring in basically anything I want to record/sample.
I've wired my studio so that everything can go into anything - took an additional audio interface (same one you have), a lot of planning and a LOT of cables. And cable costs really add up! However, now I'm pretty happy the way things are wired and I always have an extra pair of inputs available on the front of my audio interface if I'd wanna record something on the fly that's not a permanent hookup, only takes a few seconds to plug in a cable.
K&M Omega Pro is a good keyboard stand to consider. Can also be used as a table. It's expensive, but has many add-ons available to customize it to your needs. I believe they also have a motorized standing desk version.
building my own custom studio furniture has improved my workflow by 75% having thing comfortable really makes a difference also recording one thing at a time really makes you focus on each thing then you get to basically jam with yourself as you build more layers and parts.
My biggest and longest lasting change has been selling all of my physical synths and keeping one synth and a delay pedal. Everything else is in the DAW. Now I focus more on writing interesting melodies instead of getting lost in sound design. This really helped my process and I write way more songs (and more people seem to like them too!)
I think a lot of people are coming to the conclusion that less is more in terms of music gear. Focusing more on creating a track then looking for an instrument you don't know how to use
Yeah, I just sold many of my synths recently. Got to the point where I didn’t want to go in my studio because I was too overwhelmed. Sold my Jupiter 6 because I basically have all the Roland Boutique modules and never use them. Also sold my Moog Opus 3 and will get a Behringer Solina at some point to replace my string machine with a much smaller footprint. Getting over my “need to have vintage gear” problem. Stuff gets old and doesn’t work 100% and that just compounds not wanting to go in the studio.
Getting a 2nd Behringer 1820 i/o for the mpc one has expanded my system greatly. The 1st one was for the dedicated audio laptop. Now I can work on ideas on either system, and integrate them.
I try and go through gear every year or so and determine if I need it in my life, having a 10x10’ space makes every inch count. And I’ve used logic for years, I tried cubase and protools but the interface always felt miserable to use, logic’s always made more sense and they’ve been pretty good about updating their internal effects to make pro-level results
The biggest change was switching to RME and be able to use their Totalmix-Software. It is easy to control via a small remote controller and you can setup your studio for different needs via a fingertip. Every device (Instruments and FX) is connected individually (and all the names are in the mixer) If I need my FX for my guitar amp - Preset A, if I need my 404 in serial with my Blackhole for the MBrute - Preset B Every output can be a Loopback-channel so I don‘t need my patchbay anymore… Long story short: RME UFX3 is a mighty tool which can handle more than 90 inputs AND outputs. For somebody like you, the „de-facto standard Totalmix“ which works the same for every device is something. Want to spend less? Use a Digiface USB - 32 in and 34 outs and you can use your converters. It is less then 500 $ - but supports Totalmix big time….
Thanks for this video Ricky. The new storage solution looks amazing and looks like something I really need🎉 I too have been going through a bit of a mad time we’re in the process off selling my house .and the house we’re going too will be a new start both with my family and musically. I have two full studios and tons of gear in storage which I need too reinstall but I’m thinking I might be better just do a smaller high end studio instead of a massive over crowded one. But my delema is some of the gear I have I know I’d miss it if I sold it and made the mistakes in the past selling gear then years later think why did I sell it I wish I had it now.
Must feel good to no longer work for Focusrite so you can finally throw them under the bus lol. I had all kinds of issues with my Clarett as well, so happy to be back on RME now
Hey Ricky, I would love to see a video of you going over your latency experience with Logic as you did with Ableton, that was really informative and Id maybe like to make the swap too if latency is easier to deal with
I use an RME fireface 400 with my M2 Mac mini and it works fine except I have to unplug my thunderbolt nvme drive each time I start and then plug it back in because for some reason it doesn’t accept both in from the boot. As for effects I just use plugins but lately I incorporate some old outboard effects like the Zoom 1212 and Lexicon MPX 100 for that vintage lo-fi flavour.
Hi Ricky, I have a question related to overbridge, not that much about today's video. Is there a posibility to use overbridge with push3 in standalone mode? Also can you make a video with overbridge and Logic Pro and how you set it up?
IMO when you bring an iPad to the equation everything becomes more complicate as little fiddly things start to pop-up all the time admittedly I did have an older iPad with the lightning connector and no Mac but still I feel like "iPad" and "streamline music making" don't go well hand in hand might be wrong I do get the appeal tho...
im a cubase user. i invested in ableton suite because of the granular max for live plugins. bit scary since it works diffrent. was also looking into bitwig. have you have experience with ableton or bitwig?
For the use case you have and with a mind to stability over the long term (esp considering Thunderbolt-vs-USB) you really can't go wrong with RME. Its worth it.
The new stand is gorgeous! Was hoping for a bit more of a showcase on it. Are those trays fully extendable for playing? Are the keyboard wired up or is it storage only? Also thanks for the real talk in regards to owning gear and feeling bad about making mediocre output. I wish it was easier to be not so subjective on your own stuff!
The trays do fully extend and you can play on it! I think I MAY remove one tray and spread the trays out a little more to have room for slightly taller items. Especially with the steel bar below each shelf that provides support
I shifted recently into the IPad synth/sequencer space hooked up with my Maschine+ in standalone. Soooo many amazing music apps for 10-20 Bucks each, midi control of the iPad via usb, creating Maschine instruments via Autosampling my iPad patches or whatever… minimal hardware setup, so much fun and possibilities… and being in bed at night and screwing on new patches before sleeping is like meditation. i recommend Drambo, Nambu and ButterSynth 🎉
@@jamesbond339 it’s really worth it. And also funny that AUv3 Apps there with similar functionality (sometimes even more creative solutions with touch input) only cost like 1/4 off similar vsts for Desktop/Mac
Basically, getting new gear stopped me from making music. I got myself a studio desk a year ago and pretty much spent the whole last year under the table, laying cables, fixing things and improving stuff. Also I switched from the Polyend Seq sequencer to the Squarp Hapax and got a few new synths, so learning those (and setting everything up, especially MIDI program changes) took forever and I had to find a whole new workflow to do things as I can do things live now instead of sampling loops first. But I finally got my dream setup, it's all connected all the time and I can start within 20 seconds. Or I could, if I weren't busy editing TH-cam videos 😖
Love your videos your philosophic approach and that dark cozy zen studio of yours. 3 months ago I did a complete tear-down of my 9 synth, 2 drum machines, MC-707M etc.etc. studio. I just needed a change of creative atmosphere. Starting with a complete absence of musical tools. Everything tucked away. Recently I’ve been slowing easing back into casual musical tinkering-took out the Arturia Keylab 61 just to keep the tunes under my fingers-playing VSTs from-not even my M1 Mac, but a 2014 MacMini that I primarily use to watch television. Not pressure to create anything, just to tinker and practice. When all my gear was setup, I found a lot of the time I would be distracted by the temptation to tinker or create something new instead of finishing something old😂. So hopefully, this self-hiatus will make things fresh again. And I don’t have plans to set everything back up until my house move next May.👍🏽
Thank you for the great videos. Recently I’ve done all new patchbay and cabling - went from janky 1/4 inch patchbay to sleek and silent TT. Also, I got OUT of the Apollo game and into the apogee world and I feel that it was a huge upgrade. I imagine the RME thing you mentioned is along those lines. Apollo interfaces are kind of a gateway drug to get you buying the plugins. I have a satellite now so I can still use the plugs I bought but moving to the apogee was a big deal. Next move is a midi interface so I can control all my hardware synths from the desk. Take care
Ricky cracking himself up when coming up from under the desk is so funny to me 😂
It is still making me laugh
He did it to be silly, he knew it was silly, and he owned it 😂 And he went back 😅🤣
Same. I laughed out loud for a minute😂
Before i moved abroad, i had a full blown studio, then went minimalist with only a push and ableton. Now I'm actually making more music than before..
Wow, love that keyboard cabinet! 😻 I hope IKEA is watching 😝
RME! So solid. Not overkill, just end game. (Also if you want some liberation from options, grab a Dirtywave M8. They're killer.)
Ricky! This video is awesome great job!! Isn't it so weird how we create these mental blocks through pressure we put on ourselves? I'm pretty sure most of us do that, I'm glad you talked about it. It's so essential to shuffle things around and simplify every once in a while.
I don't know that I'll ever land on a "final" studio setup, but I think the thing that's affected my workflow the most has actually been my dogs 😅🐶 When they're in the studio, my anxiety is down and I have more confidence in my creative endeavors. Having fun becomes easier too, which translates to better music 😁
You are where I was about 2-3 years ago when I started the exact journey you're on. For me now it was you who ignited the fire in me to break out my MPC4000 and I've been using it ever since. At heart I'm a hardware guy that loves classic MPC devices so that part was a no brainer. I recently picked up a Roland XV-3080 with 4 cards in it that gave me the outboard synth and basses that I needed and then I purchased a mixer to route everything to. For me it was as simple as getting back to how I use to make music with less tools because like many others it seems that less is more and we are more creative that way as well.
Great video!!!
Having everything plugged in and ready to go all the time has been the biggest gamechanger
Inspirational vid, as always! For me there are a couple of things that really changed everything for me. First of all, I need to say I've been dipping my toe in electronic music production for about 2 years now. At the start I always had to setup and route everything whenever I wanted to just create some music. That always ended up me losing the attention by the time everything was setup. I put a lot of thought into what I needed in ways of space (mind you, I don't have the luxury of a separate room/studio) so I let my dad and uncle create a small desk for me that we attached to the wall in my living room. This way, I can always just turn on the equipment and have a go. Secondly, I get sensory overload very quickly, so for me a basic minimal setup works best. For now I have the Digitakt as the main device, a Waldorf Blofeld with additional effects pedals (Generation Loss mk2, Microcosm and Specular Tempus at the moment) running into the DT's audio inputs and a Keystep as a Midi keyboard for the DT. For now, that's all I need and the setup that actually is most efficiënt for me. And I just love the multimode on the Blofeld. Working on some electro right now and that also really got me out of a creative rut.
A live show with a short deadline has been my cure
I have moved to a new studio location and I have made one massive shift: I got a laptop instead of a stationary computer. This made a bigger difference that I expected. It feels like fun now, instead of work. And I enjoy making music in the couch, disconected from the studio.
Secondly, I have started to have everything I use connected, ready to go. But I have also gotten rid of all the gear I don’t use. So it is a small, very effective setup and I just love it.
I use a RME btw and it just works. It sounds excellent and it is rock solid. I think everyone should get one.
I think Rick is on the right track slimming down the studio. For a long time I had a bunch of gear connected to a mixer. That was fun but I spent more time jamming rather than making songs.
Then I had even more gear but no mixer. I do not recommend.
Now I have everything I need within an arms reach. I dont know but it really makes me inspired.
The beats in the background were dope!
dude, i laughed so loud when you come in saying, "another issue ive been having" that was quite funny.
I went from an Allen & Heath ZEDi 10 FX, which served me well for 5 years, to a RME UFX MKII and the sound difference is massive. One thing I miss about having a mixer is the immediate results from tweaking EQ's and send and returns. I've yet to set this up in RME's Totalmix but it's doable for sure. Unless you need MADI, I think the MKII is best bang for buck with RME. Add an Arc controller and you're set up for life.
Tom!!! I know he makes some cool stuff.
I had a custom cabinet made for my synths as well and after like a year of having it, i sold it. Once you can just store the synths there is much less immediacy unless you can have everything chained all the time
Detaching yourself and your "artistic expression" from the equation can be extremely liberating and productive. As soon as it's client work (for example), you can kind of detach yourself from it and let the music pretty much write itself... do whatever the music needs to accomplish its goal, and you'll find yourself doing stuff you normally wouldn't do. You'll explore a ton of things that you didn't know were fun, and you can later incorporate them into your own music.
Also Updating my monitoring situation did a lot for keeping things fun in the studio.
Nice man. Going to be moving into a new house and building a new studio in September and this was inspiring!
Me too ..🎉
For anyone whose considering doing the plank of wood on a keyboard stand setup like what is shown at the beginning, I have a tip for you. Once you find the ideal height and balance the board, measure and mark where the cross beams line up. Then drill holes large enough to thread zip ties. Then zip tie the board/plank to the stand. You can get very strong and reusable zip ties from B&H. They have a little tab you can press so you can loosen them anytime without need of clipping them. This will make your stand much more stable and reduce wobble.
👏👏
Great idea
True, true, I was thinking this watching this video... My whole setup is jerry rigged, hand made with shiz for tools, and found lumber.
My idea was get 2 ratchet straps and cut slots just far enough out from the center of the plank so you can strap it down to the horizontal supports the plank is sitting on, so there, s absolutely no risk of knocking the plank off the stand. I'm fairly confident that he's nowhere close to it failing due to the amount of weight it has on it. it should be able to hold pretty much the heaviest fully weighted stage EP currently in production no problem.
I love the vive of this video!
On my end, I recently got a Push 2 and it changed everything for me. I was working dawless for years because I disliked the whole « computer » experience for composition. Now I work on just my computer and the Push, record guitar and vocals into it, play synths on the pads, use great multisampled instruments… it is really what I didn’t know I always wanted
I had a sound system for doing bush raves.. 21” subs, 15” top cabs, all active. Lately I’ve been feeling it less and less, it’s a ton of work, people are generally thankless, and so yah… I sold it, and bought a eurorack case and some modules, I’m going to mostly use it as an fx rack and run my akai force through it and tweak away. Feels great to change it up. My office has so much more room due to not storing the sound system here too😂
And yah, Pam’s new workout, maths, a pico input, z5000, data bender, beads, dual dagger filter, and fx aid2. In a nifty case. So I can still do some cool synth like stuff with it, and I’ve a Moog subharmonicon on the side, we’ll see if I keep that or move it along.
How’s it feel knowing you inspired someone to blow about 4 grand on live gear and they feel great about it? 😂
Keep on rockin it along Ricky, you’re one of the best on the entire TH-cam platform
I definitely need a keyboard cabinet like that one. Very nice!
Having watched tons of videos from TH-camrs with GAS it has become very clear to me that I should keep gear to a minimum. For me, that is a Push 2 to control Ableton and have more fun working with this DAW. Together with an MPC Live 2 (which doubles as my audio interface) to have fun making music outside. And that's basically it. It's all about fun and if I can't finish proper tracks with these tools then a studio full of hardware definitely won't make any difference.
you are totally right. key issue with "TH-camrs" that they totally DO NOT PRODUCE MUSIC. Just try to find that music what Ricky "recently produced". LOL
@@a.k.8731 You're right that many of these TH-camrs are more content creators than music producers. Not sure what Ricky has been putting out but I really do love his style of house music though. Which for me makes this channel enjoyable to watch, although I have never envied him for his gear. In that sense, it kinda reminds me of a video out there of famous producer Junkie XL clearing out 70% of his seriously impressive gear collection and feeling a whole lot happier afterward.
Thanks for sharing Ricky, hope your new setup will give you much joy to work with.
In my case I currently try to ditch the daw, mouse clicks and computer entirely. Wanna have more of a jam situation (and less of checking mails situation) to separate jamming from editing/mastering. Just ordered the Zoom LiveTrak L20 to have a mixer and recorder (records each channel separately + main) in one device.Hope it will work out as I imagine it. Btw... it also can be used as an interface and should record simultaneously on a sd-card (if I understood the description correctly).
hey ricky,
i‘m following your great work for quite a while now. love your live setups. i highly recommend the rme fireface ucx II. it restricts you to 8 ins and 6 out, has adat and can be used standalone. you can switch prepared setups via midi on the go. i integrated it into my studio and live setup. sold my apollo for it. give it a try dude ;)
cheers
Really inspiring video, love the way you share it with us
Thanks for sharing - great keyboard shelf! Have thought about putting up slatwall but like how yours is on wheels. I'm using the same wood shelf technique 😆on a keyboard stand except on the 2nd tier to hold the smaller items and an 88 keyboard on the 1st tier. I have really liked the Apollo Twin X for simplifying. I definitely like the big volume knob to change headphone and monitor volume and ADAT input. The X4 looks nice and has ADAT in and out.
I def made a similar decision. While I have been switching from Daw to hardware. I have made the MPC live 2 the center. And I run the JU-06A and my guitar into that. Routing from the MPC into a mixer and doing stereo out to Logic has been great. Really helps me separate creatively making music from mixing.
I need to do a compete revamp to my studio. Just got Ableton and want to start using it to control my hardware synths. Kind of moving away from the dawless setup I’ve mostly been using the past few years.
Just letting you know, the RME Fireface UCX II is amazing. If you don't need the added I/O of the UFX III, I think it's the way to go, and still getting a rock-solid (super clean -- best drivers in the business) professional interface.
I was just about to ask about that synth cabinet. Any chance the people who made it for you are willing to make more?
Yes please
❤❤❤
Have you considered Metric Halo’s interfaces? Their routing capabilities are excellent plus you could have an iPad as a digital input/output in your system
On top of UAD and RME, I would seriously also look into Audient iD44 MKII and maybe the Arturia AudioFuse lineup.
But, if you're set with those two options, I would definitely pick up any RME instead of UAD Apollo. The UAD DSP thing is a dying technology (modern computers are so fast that they've become pretty redundant) and the UAD DSP plugins are helluva expensive. And that's what you're paying for in UAD premium interfaces, the DSP. Kind of an ecosystem where you need to go all in or you'll pay for an "air". Definitely check the plugin offerings first, if they're something you really want to commit into.
Oh and I also hear you with the simplification. Did that myself as well and man... it has been SO inspiring. Also: don't hesitate to jump into Logic, if it feels right for you.
It's always a struggle
I think of setups like a song or an album. Like get everything set, then mine what you can from it. The setups doesn't have to contain everything you've got. It's just a combo, like a band, like you've got a bassist, a guitarist, a drummer, and a hot chick that dances. Like what can they do?
Milk that setup for all its worth, then when its stale, boring, physically painful to work with, time for a new setup. So, new bassist, new guitarist, maybe a keyboardist, this time, and a new hot chick that dances. What can this new combo/setup do?
This is a nice approach, as all the physical/digital setup headaches are done up front, the system is set, and ready to play and record, so no faffing with cables, or cryptically sketched out patch bay layouts that are 2 generations out of date, all by candlelight.
Nope, its set, and it is ready to go. And with these further benefits:
1. Simplicity. In the setup, but also in choices, like you've gotta lay some strings down, what in your setup can do that best? Maybe you have a better string synth in the closet... but you can't use it, it's against the rules, can only use what you have in the setup. Maybe the strings on what you have in the setup are not ideal, but maybe they are unique, maybe you have to rock them harder, maybe you process them differently, anyway, you get your strings, but outside of your comfort zone, out side of your rut. That struggle, and novelty is like gasoline on the fire of your creativity. The brain lights up, like, "oh shiz, we're gonna have to think now, this is not a normal situation. The idea is this restricted simplicity produces new, novel sounds, rhythms, fx, in your music, but also novel ways of thinking about components of music, of ways of music making, of problem solving... like, maybe you want strings, but you can't make strings... okay, so what can you do in your setup that is like strings, fills that role, but isn't strings... there is so much good that comes from this. I'm saying it changes your music, but it also changes the way you think about making music, which actually has a greater impact on your music.
2. When you've milked the setup for all its worth, like once your brain has figured it all out, and goes back onto autopilot... you're done. That setup is done. Time to start setting up a new setup, a new cast of characters to which you limit your music making on. The brain sees this, and spits its coffee out while sitting in the airport ready for its vacation... like wtf, I was outta here, I had this music thing figured out, now I've got to go back into the office. Yeah brain, do your damn job. Figure shiz out. So, you're confronted with novelty again, all new challenges to figure out... and dealing with that novelty, creative problem solving, the unique sound/working releationship between your new setup... again, its like gasoline on the fire of your creativity.
3. I'll only reveal further points to my patrons, those wealthy enough to send me money for nothing, I don't have time for the pennyless plebs who have to chose between spending their last dollars on gas or food.
I find myself moving away from Ableton Live and the Mac in general. Logic Pro for iPad has really been a “game changer” for me. Finally a real DAW for the iPad.
nice haircut, enrique!!
My biggest change was eliminating a mixer from my dawless jam setup
My newest desk is electric height adjustable, and the top board is made with chopsticks.
I ditched Ableton and moved to Cubase because it became painfully obvious that Live was the actual bottleneck in the overall performance of my PC when mixing. I hate switching DAWs but being able to actually utilise my hardware resources and mix dozens of tracks with tons of processing was absolutely worth it.
I sold all the hardware I had and now just have the tiniest midi controller, BUT, have been toying with a Push for a while..... to use plugins and plugins only / sample via Note. HOWEVER, I no longer have access to Ableton so have been putting off the hefty purchase for a while which has kinda led me to consider Logic... can you use the same array of plugins as Ableton?!
RME a thousand times. Future proof and TotalMix is THE BEST. Drivers never fail and the best AD/DA converters. Plus, configure it and control everything with any midi controller….
For audio interfaces, I've been really happy with my Antelope Discrete 8, and would recommend their entire line based off that. An utter apogee killer for the price, if you can stand its requirement that you log in all the time (grumble grumble). It was surprisingly easy to hook mine into my friend's Antelope Zen Tour, to record a full professional band set up at his home.
Its preamps are stellar, and the reamp outputs are an absolute necessity IMO. Now that i'm using overbridge for outboard gear sync, I put away my Sync-Gen, which would've used up my reamp outs. Previously I was using a Motu Ultralike MkIV which has insane IO and flexibility. I still have it for when i travel, or in case I ditch Overbridge and need more IO for my Sync Gen
Since Elektron devices can act as an interface, has anyone done conversion comparisons with them?
I'm pretty sure the Antelope Audio Zen Tour Synergy has the highest number of inputs of any true desktop type form factor interface on the market. I feel like there's about to be a lot more choices for everyone with A/D conversion that offer more inputs around the end of January though.
Update: I put away my overbridge enabled Elektron devices, so I'm back to using my sync-gen. I found i was able to route the Discrete 8's outputs 5+6 through the Headphones 2 output, so I'm now back with even more sync features, without sacrificing my Re-amp outputs... brilliant!
Namasté Ricky querido
Yo Ricky, bit unrelated, but I just wanted to ask how is your M1 Air holding up in ableton. Planning to buy a new macbook but not sure if I should go for the pro or is the air enough.
For me the biggest difference was selling off everything I don’t use and focus on writing in ableton. Currently have a Peak as a workhorse, a Moog for bass and mono stuff and a Lyra-8 for weirdness.
So I have noticed that my music arrangements improved as soon as I stopped focusing on the gear and the technical aspects of the hardware. An MPC + Keyboard or Launchpad is my fav standalone setup and I stopped using Push for Ableton because mouse and keyboard are extremely fast and efficient.
RME is awesome, not overkill at all. Overkill would be HILO for production. 🤣
The only benefit UAD interfaces have over RME is their integration with UAD plugins. If that's not a big deal, go with RME.
I've had many audio interfaces over the years, but the biggest improvement to my music was to not use one at all. Just using the built in audio on my pc. I worried too much about the audio quality which got in the way of the creative process. Who cares if the audio is 16 bit. For electronic music, I don't think the audio quality is super important. All my favorite music is from the 90's and 16 bit and tape was how it was recorded back then. I using a cheap berhringer 802 mixer with the aux send to the pc audio input. I really like this simple setup.
I don't recognize this dude without glasses 😅😅
Driver issues? Rme all the way. Get a babyface pro. If you need more pres use the adat of your goodol focusrite. Throw it in the bag with your ipad stellar rme quality on the go. No better ipad interface out there. Imho.
Love the new table, that looks amazing man. I went from UAD to RME and switched to an M1 Macbook Pro and sold a lot of gear. Switching to Bitwig from Ableton was the game changer for me. That's an incredible DAW for house/techno..anything that needs creative sound design. Its just incredibly fast and easy. I love Ableton but the v5 of Bitwig with the project macros is like having multiple Octatracks to modulate your entire track with. Its the Octatrack of DAWS..lol. Highly recommend it, plus it can slave to your hardware so you can sync to an MPC and get that feel in your DAW.
You still liking the RME?
@@RickyTinez Yeah I absolutely love it. Super reliable, low latency. I can run in 32ms if I want. And their TotalMix software is next level.
Word of caution about the Apollo: I'm kicking out mine because of the problems I'm getting with my M2 MB Pro... kernel panic and forced restart every time I put the Mac in sleep mode or it enters it by itself. My 10 years old Audient ID14 doesn't do that. Will finally switch to RME now, because (according to a vast amount of testimonials) it just works. Keeping the Audient for my mobile rig. Same reason I'm using Logic Pro ever since... started out in GarageBand way back then and when I had outgrown it I took the step up. Ableton is cool, but I never get it to work properly for my flow...
the biggest watershed moment for me was moving from piano roll style sequencing and linear recording to triggering my synths in less decisive ways with sequencers and messing with gates and quantizers. I will still start a track from scratch sitting at a keyboard sometimes, but I never have to get frustrated with writer's block.
I’ve had a dream of a big synth setup for a long time and I made it a reality a few months back. It was a multi year process, but I now have everything I want. The biggest thing is that I can setup an ambient track from scratch while holding my 4 month old in one hand!
the infant years were some of my most productive... just plop the nugget in the back of my studio during his nap and mic him up and patch him into a thru channel so i can hear him stir, and then record it!
My 'watershed moment' was years and years ago, the first time I booted up Reason. Like you said with Logic, 'It just worked.' It changed everything about how music flows for me, and Reason is still my DAW of choice all these years later... Though Logic has been calling my name as of late. 😂
I too used 16 channels of audio ins, everything hooked up at once, but then I got a 1010music Blackbox alongside with my Squarp Pyramid and now I've been doing most of my music with just those two devices. Maybe I'll make a video of this setup, it's really powerful, fast and fun.
1st world problems
Biggest change was getting an RME UCXII. It's rock solid, sounds awesome (yes, the mic preamps sound better so much so, you can hear it) and with DuRec as well as loopback sampling and full access to all of the vast TotalMix settings even when running standalone, I am thinking of somehow getting it to run in some kind of mobile powerbank, because I want to take it everywhere.
Also, don't overlook it while considering the bigger brother UFX! The UCXII has ADAT, too and can be the central hub for all of your sound sources while still packing a much smaller format
That new keyboard cabinet looks amazing! It’s nice to have handy friends!!
Dude, you've got the most expensive synth on that thing 😵😵😵
Edit - the new unit is 🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻
Well, since you asked...
I finally got my S2400 out again, updated it, and now it's front and center (also on my Output Platform lol). It will do audio over USB, plus I have it hooked up to and from my interface for different sampling and shuttling sounds back and forth (no onboard effects...).
It also works as a MIDI controller, now, so I have a bunch of buttons, knobs, and faders for my DAW.
I don't really need any hardware synths around me because I have, well, my whole ass VST collection to sample from now lol into a gritty, characterful sampler :) I keep my Model:Cycles and OP-1 handy, and a Volca Drum, add my Proteus 2000 is still racked because I love the pianos and will take Dance Piano over the M1 any day :)
I swapped my mouse for a Slimblade Pro wireless trackball and it's changed my life.
I still need to put my K5000S on the Platform's keyboard tray but I think it's sliiiiightly too tall. Might take off the feet lol...
My 18i20 has a pair of front inputs so I can record guitar/bass and bring in basically anything I want to record/sample.
+1 to RME. You really don't need to get involved in UAD, so many fantastic alternative native plugins now.
At least I’m not the only one who has modules and synth’s boxed up and only used on an “as needed” basis. Which is code for never.
Yo Ricky! where the synth cabinet reveal? couldn't see what you had on there! as soon as it was done you were all over the Nord!
I've wired my studio so that everything can go into anything - took an additional audio interface (same one you have), a lot of planning and a LOT of cables. And cable costs really add up! However, now I'm pretty happy the way things are wired and I always have an extra pair of inputs available on the front of my audio interface if I'd wanna record something on the fly that's not a permanent hookup, only takes a few seconds to plug in a cable.
RME is the best, you never can go wrong with it
he's describing his keyboard stand with the slab of wood like it's not the most common thing in every bedroom studio in the world
Interesting how you’re going Ableton -> Logic // I’m the complete opposite rn!
K&M Omega Pro is a good keyboard stand to consider. Can also be used as a table.
It's expensive, but has many add-ons available to customize it to your needs.
I believe they also have a motorized standing desk version.
Head appearance and disappearance is something you should definitely do more of. 😂
building my own custom studio furniture has improved my workflow by 75% having thing comfortable really makes a difference also recording one thing at a time really makes you focus on each thing then you get to basically jam with yourself as you build more layers and parts.
You look really happy with this new set up, it's nice to see, thx for sharing ❤
My biggest and longest lasting change has been selling all of my physical synths and keeping one synth and a delay pedal. Everything else is in the DAW. Now I focus more on writing interesting melodies instead of getting lost in sound design. This really helped my process and I write way more songs (and more people seem to like them too!)
I think a lot of people are coming to the conclusion that less is more in terms of music gear. Focusing more on creating a track then looking for an instrument you don't know how to use
Yeah, I just sold many of my synths recently. Got to the point where I didn’t want to go in my studio because I was too overwhelmed. Sold my Jupiter 6 because I basically have all the Roland Boutique modules and never use them. Also sold my Moog Opus 3 and will get a Behringer Solina at some point to replace my string machine with a much smaller footprint. Getting over my “need to have vintage gear” problem. Stuff gets old and doesn’t work 100% and that just compounds not wanting to go in the studio.
Getting a 2nd Behringer 1820 i/o for the mpc one has expanded my system greatly. The 1st one was for the dedicated audio laptop. Now I can work on ideas on either system, and integrate them.
I try and go through gear every year or so and determine if I need it in my life, having a 10x10’ space makes every inch count. And I’ve used logic for years, I tried cubase and protools but the interface always felt miserable to use, logic’s always made more sense and they’ve been pretty good about updating their internal effects to make pro-level results
I love that mechanical keyboard. What kind is that? Or does anyone else here know?
It looks like a Keychron K2
The biggest change was switching to RME and be able to use their Totalmix-Software.
It is easy to control via a small remote controller and you can setup your studio for different needs via a fingertip.
Every device (Instruments and FX) is connected individually (and all the names are in the mixer)
If I need my FX for my guitar amp - Preset A, if I need my 404 in serial with my Blackhole for the MBrute - Preset B
Every output can be a Loopback-channel so I don‘t need my patchbay anymore…
Long story short: RME UFX3 is a mighty tool which can handle more than 90 inputs AND outputs. For somebody like you, the „de-facto standard Totalmix“ which works the same for every device is something.
Want to spend less? Use a Digiface USB - 32 in and 34 outs and you can use your converters. It is less then 500 $ - but supports Totalmix big time….
Thanks for this video Ricky. The new storage solution looks amazing and looks like something I really need🎉
I too have been going through a bit of a mad time we’re in the process off selling my house .and the house we’re going too will be a new start both with my family and musically.
I have two full studios and tons of gear in storage which I need too reinstall but I’m thinking I might be better just do a smaller high end studio instead of a massive over crowded one.
But my delema is some of the gear I have I know I’d miss it if I sold it and made the mistakes in the past selling gear then years later think why did I sell it I wish I had it now.
Must feel good to no longer work for Focusrite so you can finally throw them under the bus lol. I had all kinds of issues with my Clarett as well, so happy to be back on RME now
Amen bro! I’ve been stacking my synths in my closet so I can have space to be creative with less 💚
Hey Ricky, I would love to see a video of you going over your latency experience with Logic as you did with Ableton, that was really informative and Id maybe like to make the swap too if latency is easier to deal with
I use an RME fireface 400 with my M2 Mac mini and it works fine except I have to unplug my thunderbolt nvme drive each time I start and then plug it back in because for some reason it doesn’t accept both in from the boot. As for effects I just use plugins but lately I incorporate some old outboard effects like the Zoom 1212 and Lexicon MPX 100 for that vintage lo-fi flavour.
Yoooo, how does one get thy hands on another one of those dope keyboard tray cabinets? Yummy
Hi Ricky, I have a question related to overbridge, not that much about today's video. Is there a posibility to use overbridge with push3 in standalone mode? Also can you make a video with overbridge and Logic Pro and how you set it up?
IMO when you bring an iPad to the equation everything becomes more complicate as little fiddly things start to pop-up all the time
admittedly I did have an older iPad with the lightning connector and no Mac but still I feel like "iPad" and "streamline music making" don't go well hand in hand
might be wrong
I do get the appeal tho...
im a cubase user. i invested in ableton suite because of the granular max for live plugins. bit scary since it works diffrent. was also looking into bitwig. have you have experience with ableton or bitwig?
I am always battling pc issues. I love all my hardware synths and drum machines. They never give up on me its the pc bug. I am getting new PCs.
For the use case you have and with a mind to stability over the long term (esp considering Thunderbolt-vs-USB) you really can't go wrong with RME. Its worth it.
started selling all my hardware stuff because it just slowed down the process for me. Do everything in DAW now
I hate multi tracking...its just me all I do I want it to all happen at once and be finished ,,,and I want to do it my self .
Giving up weed huh? ....... You'll be back!
4:24 - hilarious. Thank you. 😂
The new stand is gorgeous! Was hoping for a bit more of a showcase on it. Are those trays fully extendable for playing? Are the keyboard wired up or is it storage only? Also thanks for the real talk in regards to owning gear and feeling bad about making mediocre output. I wish it was easier to be not so subjective on your own stuff!
The trays do fully extend and you can play on it! I think I MAY remove one tray and spread the trays out a little more to have room for slightly taller items. Especially with the steel bar below each shelf that provides support
@@RickyTinez oh damn the trays are even moveable vertically? How did he do that!?
Dude, get a jasper stand from thomann
I shifted recently into the IPad synth/sequencer space hooked up with my Maschine+ in standalone. Soooo many amazing music apps for 10-20 Bucks each, midi control of the iPad via usb, creating Maschine instruments via Autosampling my iPad patches or whatever… minimal hardware setup, so much fun and possibilities… and being in bed at night and screwing on new patches before sleeping is like meditation. i recommend Drambo, Nambu and ButterSynth 🎉
This is totally the direction I’m moving and it’s great to hear someone else down that path and happy!
@@jamesbond339 it’s really worth it. And also funny that AUv3 Apps there with similar functionality (sometimes even more creative solutions with touch input) only cost like 1/4 off similar vsts for Desktop/Mac
Yeah that Keyboard stand was Hella risky 😂
That cabinet with sliding trays is similar to Moby’s setup
th-cam.com/video/cnC9ABlhGe4/w-d-xo.html
Basically, getting new gear stopped me from making music. I got myself a studio desk a year ago and pretty much spent the whole last year under the table, laying cables, fixing things and improving stuff. Also I switched from the Polyend Seq sequencer to the Squarp Hapax and got a few new synths, so learning those (and setting everything up, especially MIDI program changes) took forever and I had to find a whole new workflow to do things as I can do things live now instead of sampling loops first. But I finally got my dream setup, it's all connected all the time and I can start within 20 seconds. Or I could, if I weren't busy editing TH-cam videos 😖
Love your videos your philosophic approach and that dark cozy zen studio of yours. 3 months ago I did a complete tear-down of my 9 synth, 2 drum machines, MC-707M etc.etc. studio. I just needed a change of creative atmosphere. Starting with a complete absence of musical tools. Everything tucked away. Recently I’ve been slowing easing back into casual musical tinkering-took out the Arturia Keylab 61 just to keep the tunes under my fingers-playing VSTs from-not even my M1 Mac, but a 2014 MacMini that I primarily use to watch television. Not pressure to create anything, just to tinker and practice.
When all my gear was setup, I found a lot of the time I would be distracted by the temptation to tinker or create something new instead of finishing something old😂.
So hopefully, this self-hiatus will make things fresh again. And I don’t have plans to set everything back up until my house move next May.👍🏽
Thank you for the great videos. Recently I’ve done all new patchbay and cabling - went from janky 1/4 inch patchbay to sleek and silent TT. Also, I got OUT of the Apollo game and into the apogee world and I feel that it was a huge upgrade. I imagine the RME thing you mentioned is along those lines. Apollo interfaces are kind of a gateway drug to get you buying the plugins. I have a satellite now so I can still use the plugs I bought but moving to the apogee was a big deal. Next move is a midi interface so I can control all my hardware synths from the desk. Take care