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; the current set-up was put together during the Spring/Summer of 2006.

Hardware is deliberately kept to minimum, allowing Neil to work in an environment that is not chaotic and fussy, but organised and clutter-free. Key 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, as well as a deliberate move away from the traditional studio set up. 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 for personal use and is therefore not suitable for bands etc, and to this end, most people would refer to it as a "Project Studio". But, for Neil, it is the ideal environment for music composition and recording, as it caters 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
Behringer XENYX 802 Premium 8-Input 2-Bus Mixer with XENYX Mic Preamps and British EQs
Behringer FCA202 Ultra low-latency 2 In/2 Out 24-Bit/96 kHz FireWire® Audio Interface
Evolution MK449C USB MIDI Keyboard Controller
Trust USB Graphics Tablet
Behringer C-1 Studio Condenser Microphone
Behringer HPS3000 High-Performance Studio Headphones
Yamaha PSR620 61-Key Full-Size MIDI Home Keyboard (don't laugh, great song-writing/practice keyboard with some cool sounds)

Software

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

Synthesizers:
Arturia Synthesizers (Moog Modular V, Minimoog V, CS80V, ARP 2600V)
EVM Ultrasonique
G-Media ImpOSCar
Korg Legacy Collection (comprising M1, Wavestation, Polysix and MS20)
Lennar Digital Sylenth
Linplug Blue
Native Instruments Battery 3
Native Instruments FM8
Novation V-Station
Pokegy (excellent emulation of the Moog Prodigy)
Syntheway Magnus Choir

Effects:
Arts Acoustic Reverb
Camel Audio CamelSpace
Camel Sudio CamelPhat
Kjaerhus Classic Master Limiter
Kjaerhus Classic Delay
Kjaerhus Classic Reverb
Kjaerhus Classic Flanger
Kjaerhus Classic Auto-Filter
Martin Eastwood CompressiveCM
Ohmforce OhmboyzPro
Orange Vocoder