It is a contemporary recording facility, centred around a computer-based Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) which utilises a wide range of VST instruments and effects, with input through a MIDI keyboard controller.

Hardware is deliberately kept to minimum as this allows Neil to work in an environment that is not chaotic and fussy, but organised and clutter-free. Key to him is the need for a relaxed and comfortable environment that is both easily accessible at all times and unobtrusive or an inconvenience to anyone else in the property. This has negated the need for racks and stacks of equipment connected with miles of cabling. In turn, running costs are significantly reduced and in some respects, gives something of a nod to the environment in terms of lower energy usage. At this stage, only one computer, a small mixing desk, a firewire audio interface and one MIDI keyboard controller take care of the playing, recording, mixing, editing and programming of the music, the synthesizers and the effects used by Geigertek.

Neil's recording setup makes full use of Virtual Synthesizer Technology (VST) for sound generation, effects and sound editing. Computer software takes care of the sound sample and vocal treatment aspects of his music, and the traditional stalwart outboard effects such as old favourites like digital delay, reverb, vocoder, phasers and flangers etc are VST based programs, all currently under control through Steinberg's Cubase SX sequencing software and EnergyXT v1.4.1. sequencing/modular environment. With such power at his fingertips, Neil can take single sound sources and turn them into instruments and soundscapes through simple cutting and pasting, soundwave manipulation and sound treatment techniques. The use of Cubase SX and EnergyXT has further enhanced the sonic capabilities and flexiblity of working practices for Neil.

Neil's recording facility is a "project studio" put together for his personal use, therefore it isn't really suitable for bands etc. But, for Neil, it is the perfect environment for songwriting, electronic music recording, vocal recording and production. Neil has been fortunate enough to have aquired a range of good quality equipment and software that enable him to keep control over all aspects of vocal and instrument recording. Neil's aim when setting up his little "studio" was to make the process of making music easy, comfortable and enjoyable, but still put him in a position whereupon he can deliver what he hopes are quality productions.

Studio Equipment List:

Hardware

AMD Athlon XP PC
Intel Celeron Laptop
Mackie 1202 Micro Mixer
Zoom Studio 1201 MultiFX Unit
Behringer C-1 Studio Condenser Microphone
Behringer FCA202 Ultra low-latency 2 In/2 Out 24-Bit/96 kHz FireWire® Audio Interface
Evolution MK449C USB MIDI Keyboard Controller
Evolution MK249C USB MIDI Keyboard Controller
Evolution MK261 MIDI Keyboard Controller (live use only)
Yamaha PSR620 61-Key Full-Size MIDI Home Keyboard (don't laugh, great song-writing/practice keyboard with some cool sounds and an excellent MIDI Keyboard Controller)
Jen SX1000 Monophonic Synthesizer
Trust USB Graphics Tablet

Monitoring

Software

Sequencing/Modular Environment:
Steinberg Cubase SX3
Energy-XT 1.4.1

Synthesizers:
Steinberg Hypersonic II
Arturia Synthesizers (Minimoog V and CS80V)
Edirol Orchestral
Novation V-Station
HG Fortune Algorithm Synthesizers
Rob Papen Blue
Rob Papen Albino
Native Instruments Kontakt 2
Native Instruments Battery 3
Minimogue VA (freeware Minimoog emulation)
Pokegy (freeware emulation of the Moog Prodigy)

Effects:
Arts Acoustic Reverb
Camel Audio CamelSpace
Kjaerhus Classic Series
Cycling 74 Pluggo
Ohm Force Effects
Izotope Ozone 3