Pictures of your steel/recording workstation?

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 21 Nov 2012 7:48 pm

You got it, Russ--I love that guitar...

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 23 Nov 2012 11:55 pm

I've been getting into reggae lately. Found this picture of someone's studio on the web:

Dom Franco · Post by **Dom Franco** » 10 Aug 2013 1:57 pm

Quentin Hickey · Post by **Quentin Hickey** » 12 Aug 2013 5:26 pm

b0b wrote:I've been getting into reggae lately. Found this picture of someone's studio on the web:

Hey Bob, check out the band 'Dub Congress' if you are listenning to reggea now listen to some dub reggea its really good, good rythym to it.

Len Amaral · Post by **Len Amaral** » 15 Aug 2013 6:04 pm

OK....here is the old dog and new trick question for someone wanting to get into recording without banging my head against the wall.

Sliders, buttons, cursors, monitors and such frustrate the heck out of me. It took me years to learn how to post a picture on the forum.

So, is there a 4 or 8 track recorder that is somewhat user friendly with a CD burner? I have a handheld Zoom recorder that I have had for a year and still trying to figure out.

Dom Franco · Post by **Dom Franco** » 16 Aug 2013 6:00 am

Len I share your frustration... I have several recorders (software and hardware based) Each one requires a fair amount of time spent reading the manual to learn how to record and mix tracks.

If you check out ebay you may be able to find an old Teac/Tascam reel to reel and you should be able to figure that out... however the cost of tape is insane now. Better to read the manuals and perhaps find a young person to help you understand digital speak.
Dom

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 16 Aug 2013 9:35 am

I have the same problem. In the days of reel-to-reel everything was easy, but nowadays you need to spend hours reading manuals, and it's too bad if you have a bad memory. I have a 24-channel Tascam machine that I bought five years ago that I've never used. It even came with a course on DVD as to how to use the machine.

Another problem is that they're all different. Learning how to use one machine doesn't help using one of a different manufacture, and even upgrading to a newer machine of the same brand won't help, as they often change the functions from one model to the next. Imagine if every car had the pedals in a different place and a different sequence.

It's become the same with cameras, televisions, microwaves, video recorders, etc. Most of the time they have far too many variables and far too many functions that few people ever use. At least with cameras they usually have an "automatic" setting, which most people leave on for ever. Someone should realise that the only controls most people ever use on a VCR are start, stop, record, fast forward and rewind. We don't need a clock continually blinking 12:00.

Len Amaral · Post by **Len Amaral** » 16 Aug 2013 4:12 pm

I stated this in another thread about a Roland GP-100 that was discontinued in 1995 and I have been working with it for many years and figured how to use it by buying the VHS instructional tape. 400 programs and use several reverbs and delays.

Still trying to figure out my Galaxy III cell phone. Constantly trying to figure out the complicated dashboard on my wife's car.

It's not just an old dog new trick thing, it seems many items are over engineered. I had to pay someone to program my remote on the big screen TV to get the volume control, cable and TV on one remote rather than three.

Oh yeah? Back to recording. I'll keep looking for something that is user friendly and maybe get someone that has a unit to get some insight.

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 16 Aug 2013 4:19 pm

Len Amaral wrote:... I'll keep looking for something that is user friendly ...

Good luck, Len. Most stuff nowadays is user-hostile.

As I get older I realize that, even if I did become an expert on my recent (i.e only 20 yrs old) purchases, with my short-term memory restrictions I would have to learn it all again a month later

Larry Lenhart · Post by **Larry Lenhart** » 16 Aug 2013 5:00 pm

Well, this isnt a "studio" per se, but it is where I hang out while playing and practicing steel...if I record, I have gotten lazy lately and just use my Tascam digital recorder thru the built in mics and use biab or rhythm tracks for backup, for a "live" sound...haha...

Len Amaral · Post by **Len Amaral** » 16 Aug 2013 5:15 pm

Alan....I still have a wind up alarm clock....there is hope!

Larry, nice setup and I like the riser. I wish I was as organized as you....

Guido Hausmann · Post by **Guido Hausmann** » 27 Aug 2013 12:05 pm

Here's my first step!

Russ Tkac · Post by **Russ Tkac** » 28 Aug 2013 12:22 pm

Mine's pretty functional but a bit overrun ...

My steel and amp get used as tables at times ...

My recorder is under the pink towel ... Tascam 2488, I think ...

ZB Custom D-10

I'm going to have to work on cleaning up the inside a bit ...

Russ Tkac · Post by **Russ Tkac** » 28 Aug 2013 12:24 pm

I was too late to delete the double post, so here is a picture of my steel modification workshop!

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 28 Aug 2013 2:38 pm

What I used to have in my apartment a few years ago. All of it is gone now.

Steve English · Post by **Steve English** » 1 Oct 2013 11:34 pm

Sven Kontio · Post by **Sven Kontio** » 22 Oct 2013 3:17 pm

Here´s my creative work space... Beer fridge included...

John McClung · Post by **John McClung** » 24 Oct 2013 2:57 pm

Joe Gall: the worst club I play in has a stage 5-feet deep, it's just not deep enough for the steel, seat and amp. Widen yours if at all possible, you won't be sorry. It's so bad, I advise bands I simply won't play there anymore.

And 5 feet just barely fits a small drum set.

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 8 Aug 2015 5:25 pm

I've posted these here for Bishop Ronnie Hall for lack of a better place among all these palatial installations--and maybe as a demonstration for Earnest
that if he dig a little deep into his studio space, he might find untold treasures for re-purposing or to turn into valuable cash.
Here's how it has been working:

The space is the former video room, taken over by me, and also serves as the serious writing room, and not so serious living room.
That's the studio in a suitcase that has the Zoom 4-track, outmoded with its SmartMedia capacity, but a nice portable unit
with full range Sony speakers and Realistic 2 w. amp, now in dry dock. The white dot is the meantone tuning chart.
The stool is a cut-down prototype of Pete Petre's ingenious picking stool, but here's compact gig rig with the new used Carpsteel:

(Can't hear? What the volume pedal is for. Complaints? What the screaming skull of for. It's not my style, came on the guitar, soon gone.)
That's my old main axe, 1969 fretless Precision, leaning on the Rhino speaker.

The amp, now retired, is housed in this post-modern anti-steampunk arts & crafts dress that can come off

which, with one of the rebuilt Rhino speaker carcasses (for final mixdown) serves as keyboard stand, thereby saving space and face.

Thus, the transitional studio is looking more like this:

Note the tetrahedral speakers atop the bookshelf, made from guitar top blanks, that provide general music support,
one of three stereo pairs in the room built by yours truly.

Here's what's in front of my face; DAW peripherals are behind the screen, beside the refrigerator.

That reminds me of who I am.
This reminds me of how I see myself:

And that's the virtual tour. I hope you've enjoyed it, Ron, and any time-travelers left over from 2013.

Tom Wolverton · Post by **Tom Wolverton** » 17 Aug 2015 12:25 pm

Bishop Ronnie P Hall · Post by **Bishop Ronnie P Hall** » 21 Aug 2015 4:00 am

Hi Charlie!

(McDonald)
Sorry I`m late in responding to your powerful display of your superb studio. I`ve been involved with the Sacred String Showcase in Toledo, and of course my clerical duties in these past few weeks.
But I have but one word to say about your studio, "WOW!" Thanks for sharing. It is encouraging to say the least. Thanks again my friend, and brother, this meant a lot to me. Keep up the good work. BTW, I`ve been listening in on some of your early works. They too have been inspiring. Keep it cooking!
Ron

Dale Rottacker · Post by **Dale Rottacker** » 21 Aug 2015 5:18 am

There sure is a lot to admire here...

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 21 Aug 2015 8:14 am

a Tardis cooler! Is it bigger on the inside, Charlie?

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 22 Aug 2015 5:59 am

b0b wrote:a Tardis cooler! Is it bigger on the inside, Charlie?

It claimed to be, but its relativity to the 'real' Tardis stops at the front door.
Won't even hold a six pack. But who cares, it has the light and sound!

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 22 Aug 2015 10:47 am

Charlie McDonald wrote:
b0b wrote:a Tardis cooler! Is it bigger on the inside, Charlie?
It claimed to be, but its relativity to the 'real' Tardis stops at the front door.
Won't even hold a six pack. But who cares, it has the light and sound!

...and all this time we thought you were a Time Lord, Charlie.

The Steel Guitar Forum

Pictures of your steel/recording workstation?

Avid MBox Pro, Sarno V8, Telonics VP,etc