In the Studio

So here's my current studio.  Not much to look at, but it packs a punch.  The first picture here is my double-stacked pianos.  The top is a P-200 Yamaha and is the primary tool I used to make Healing Waters.  On the bottom is my brand new Roland Fantom G8.  Both of these pianos are 88-keys with weighted action.

 Here's my workstation.  I'm currently working with an HP computer:  i5 quad-core processor, 6GB of RAM and a SATA hard drive.  I haven't upgraded the sound card yet, but it's on my list.  You can see that I'm running a dual-screen system.  That way I can keep my recording software up on one screen and have a reference on the other screen, or I can drag one screen across both monitors.  I've been working with n-Track for my recording software.  It's what I used for Healing Waters, so I'm keeping it around for now.

The Fantom G8 is a very powerful tool.  It's officially called a workstation because within it's computer (you can actually plug in a USB mouse) you can record, mix and arrange your music directly - you can even plug in a guitar or mic!  With all that power comes a 300-page manual (but who's counting). I haven't unlocked everything this beast can do, but it's already expanded my capabilities ten-fold.  For Healing Waters, I used an external sound module by Korg, but now I have a sound module built-in with the Fantom G8.  The feel of the keys is the closest to actual ivory I've felt on an electric piano.  The weighted feel is also very nice.  Roland also took advantage of their pressure-sensing technology.  With most of the sounds that come equipped in the G8, you get at least three different sounds (disregarding the full analog variation in volume you get with different strikes).  One for a light touch (a muted pluck with a guitar), one for a normal touch and one for a heavy touch (one of the electric guitars does a harmonic effect with this strike).  I have been nothing short of impressed with what little I've already learned to do with the G8.

The Yamaha P-200 is starting to show its age.  The on-board speakers have pitches that are muddy now, one key likes to stick, there's dust in places I can't reach...  That said, this piano has a very special place in my heart.  It was purchased so that I could play for a business Christmas party back when I was in high school.  I got to go out and shop for it, bring it home, unpack it...  Its first home was an apartment I shared alone with my mother.  I was seldom away from this piano while I was home.  As a matter of fact, the song titled "Healing Waters" was the first song I completed on it so it's quite poetic that I bought a new piano after Healing Waters is finally published.  I don't think they make this piano now, but any Yamaha is worth considering.  Their Motif series piano rivals the G8 in quality, though it has its own strengths and weaknesses.

If you have any questions about my equipment, my studio setup or process, feel free to ask!  I'll expand this page over time to include other facets of my studio, but this should do for now.

Evan