Whilst I've moved to computer based recording for my project studio, you can't really get away without a mixer. I use a Samson 2242 mixer which, whilst not the best in the world, gives me alot of flexibility. It has 16 channels (6 of which are stereo) routes to 4 buses 1+2 being connected to the edirol input.

It also allows me to patch my outboard gear (see below).

There are better mixers available, but the samson is solid as a rock and bang for buck it offers one hell of a lot.

Bass was the first instrument I ever picked up, and after many years of good service I decided to trade my westone thunder 1A for this wonderful instrument. This is a Cort Curbow 5. A five string bass with a really smooth tone. I rarely effect this bass at all. I simple DI into the desk and record clean.

Occasionally I go through my DBX compressor, and somethimes if I need a littel extra thump my Boss Bass EQ pedal.

This bass is a joy to play, it's light weight doesn't compromise it's tone and if it's slung over your shoulder all night to don't feel like a hunchback in the morning.

I also have two six string guitars, a 1990 Patrick Eggle Berlin Standard and a Westone Corsair Custom. Putting these through the Line 6 gives me just about any tone you can think of.

Line 6 have built a reputation over the last few years as the best of the bunch at serious guitar amp modelling. The POD has become the de facto standard in studios around the world, offering a realistic alternative to a warehouse full classic amps.

I'm sure that if you've got the money you can buy better but to my ears and given the limitations of my studio environment this is wonderful. Hey if this wasn't so good, then why would Behringer be copying them with the new V-ampire.

I use this amp live and simply flip the switch at the rear for studio use. I can then model the speaker outs and DI direct into the desk.

Really this is my son's kit, a present for his eight birthday, but he lets me play it. Whilst electronic kits are not a patch on accoustic kits, try getting an accoustic kit past the wife when you live in a semi-detached house. The DT Express has a good range of sounds and, with the exception of the high hat give a great sound.

But let's think out of the box, link this baby to the rest of my gear and you've got a trigger set that can build wonderful loops using sound that you'd never get from a "real kit". Four to the floor wasking basket with milk bottle hi hats anyone ?

Korg N1. I bought this keyboard a couple of years ago as a master controller keyboard and I think it's great. It has an 88 weighted action keyboard that is comparable with the Yamaha eletric pianos. Internally it has 1000+ sounds and four performance knobs.

But, truth be known I use it for the piano and organ sounds. The rest are good too, but these days I prefer playing with my sampler.

The Emu E5000 is fully loaded with 128 Mb Ram and a 20Gb Hard drive, CD Rom Drive and 250 Mb Zip Drive. I have a number of sample CD's now the most interesting of which is the "The Post Industrial Cybr Sound Depot" from TweakHeadz.

Although I had some problems early on with the mother board on this sampler, I have never had a word of complaint about the sound quality.

It's also pretty easy to use and I tend to build Drum sets to play from the DT express and strange sounds for atmospheric loops.

I do use a limited amount of outboard gear, and since the move away from my Fostex 8 track and towards the Sonar laptop, it gets used less and less. Here is a zoom studio 1204 providing basic reverb, a DBX compressor for bass and vocals and a Samson Servo Studio amp.

The amp is used to drive a pair of spirit absolute 2's which are far better than the environment in which they are placed.