Here you will find

  • Microphones

  • Guitars

  • Computer Hardware

  • Pianos

  • Drones

  • Cameras

Each with a link to tell you more about them should you wish to delve deeper than a picture.

Microphones

Microphones are so important, unique and specific for multiple uses with different instruments and vocals. I am proud of my collection. See here the different varieties I use in the studio. My favourite for recording vocals is the Lewitt LCT 640 TS. However the UAD LX Sphere uses unbelievable mic modelling, allowing you to record your voice and hear it played back, as if you were singing through some of the best microphones in the world.

Guitars

I have three guitars and one Bass guitar .

  • An acoustic Baby Taylor BT-1 layered walnut back and sides

  • Semi-acoustic Takamine G Series Late 90s Beautiful Sound

  • Fender Stratocaster Sunburst Mexican Made Player 3 tone 2009

  • Peavy Millennium AC 4 BXP

    Combined with endless plugins these are able to create beautiful mellow chords or raging metal solos.

Video Equipment

In the Air

I have two drones. The Avata 2 is a fast FPV chase style drone whereas the mini 3 produces a more cinematic slow beauty. Each boast their own magic but for colour and speed the avata 2 wins. It is after all the newer model yet the Mini 3 shouldn’t be forgotten. Not that I can fly two drones at once. It has been used successfully in some work I did with MH Treecare which will soon be up on their website.

This is stunning fast and fun to play with. Control is intuitive and flips and tricks come naturally. Great for shooting fast moving moments and trick shots. whilst wearing the goggles it really feels like you're flying. See below my friend’s solid capture of stunning scenery. This beast also boast a powerful C-MOS sensor and can record in Log for those who want to take colour to the next level. Thats if you have the memory for it! phew its a powerful tool but that imagery at 60fps in 4k sure eats away at the memory card! However as I own the fly more kit its safe to say 3 x 28 minute batteries should be plenty to capture enough footage.

This drone can capture 4k 30fps. Stunning colours. High altitudes and remain stable though quite heavy winds for a small drone. With some clever master shots it will circle objects, Fly away holding steady on an object of choice. All with out a wobble in frame. Has to be seen to believed. Combined with the avatar and ground cameras there’s plenty to play and create with. It also has the capacity to take RAW 48MP pictures. Some of which hang in my house. Though towards the budget end of done flying its ability should not go unnoticed. I also have this in the flymore variety with 3 batteries boasting up to 38 minutes of flight time.

Craig Bennett. A close friend, we went to school together I think we’ve always shared a love of photography and drones have defi.itely been in our lives for a few years. I saw the video on Facebook and instantly asked him to send me this video so I can attempt to write some music for it.

I also instantly went online and bought the avata 2. Stunning footage! See more on his Intsagram. You won’t be disappointed. Thank you Craig for emptying my bank account! Keep smashing those drone videos.

This photo is taken above my house. I live out in the middle of nowhere in Cheshire. Lucky man if you don’t mind driving everywhere!. But a hint at what the DJI Mini 3 can do. It’s always been a favourite. I can walk to that canal in 2 minutes. Far off in the distance looks towards Jodrell Bank, Liverpool and eventually I guess you’d end up close to my heart’s home. Ireland.

On the Ground

These are three state of the art cameras I have specifically chosen to give us the best possible quality yet still remain unobtrusive while you are concentrating on the musical aspects of your day.

Anyone who uses Apple, knows the powerful cameras that come with each device. The iPhone 15 pro is no exception. Slow motion, Timelapse, Cinematic videography Paired with the small rig for iPhone this can become a very handy mobile video creator. It records in 4K 60fps, however Pro Res is also an option.

A powerful mirrorless camera. Fantastic for stills but also incredible able at video. A maximum of 4K at 60fps. It can be secured in a small rig for handheld recording or on a tripod for that steady focus.

This is my latest edition to the camera collection, bought specifically for its face tracking abilities, moving timelapse, and of course its ability to record 4K at 120fps. The possibility to use slow motion footage in 4K is just unbelievable from a camera so small. Plus the gimbal utilises rocksteady 3.0; the smoothest motion to be captured even when moving about.

Other Equipment

The UAD Quad Interface is unrivalled in its abilities. Not only do you get fantastic preamps on Four XLR inputs, you also get two Hi-Z DI inputs for Guitar and Bass which can be used simultaneously. This means that a guitar, bass and two microphones can record at the same time. As well as the hardware I also have access to nearly all of the UAD plugins including the Neve 88RS preamp.

I record all my music through Logic Pro X on a Mac Studio M2 Max with 64GB of RAM so there is no running into any problems. I also have three screens enabling viewing of the entire operation simultaneously.

There is plenty of room so feel free to bring a friend for comfort or support during your session.

An iPad clamp is available so you can read lyrics whilst standing in front of the microphone if necessary.

The Arturia KeyLab 88 MkII is a flagship MIDI controller, boasting 88 keys sitting beautifully on a Fatah keybed. Connected to Logic Pro X, it can control any MIDI instrument along with the mod and pitch wheel for specific articulations. This is particularly impressive when creating realistic string and brass sounds.

For a full list of my Virtual Instruments and Effects plugins. See here