Shopping List - It's A Biggie!

As all this gets more serious I'm starting to think about equipment.  I can't seriously record with what I have so far and although I'm a long way from needing studio quality (home studio quality!) I still need to think about getting to a place where I can record to a much better standard.  That leads us to a very expensive list of "I wants" and it's going to take time to get it all sorted so I'll just have to do it bit by bit.  Luckily I've got years of learning so a few months to compile what I need won't hurt will it.

What's on the list then?

The most important things I need so far are.

Guitar pedals, my amp does effects but it's nowhere near the same.  Zak brought over his today and I'm drooling ...!  It's very high on the priority list especially a few of the basic ones because I do want to start recording more in electric.

Monitors, I can't keep playing back my songs through a bass amp!!!  It sounds terrible and then I have to mixdown the song so I can listen on my surface pro, then import it into itunes so I can check it over Sonos.  And then go adjust - repeat.  Not good, it's why my songs all sound a bit dodgy - well ok - it's not the ONLY reason (haha) but it is one of them and it's a big problem.  Monitors are very much up there on the list.

A new drum kit - I have a very basic Roland starter set and it's not going to do.  I'm sticking to electric even though I really REALLY want a proper acoustic kit *drool*, just imagine the fab noise I could make on that at 6am to annoy the kids!  I'm unsure yet how far to go with this because it's a lot for a good kit but a hell of a lot for a pro kit however if I'm going to be using it to record properly in the future do I want to upgrade again or just go for it?  Or will the lesser kit do the job even in the long term?  Good questions, I'll go find the answers and get back to you!

A microphone.  I want to start recording my acoustic through a mic because I don't like the sound it makes through the pickup.  Also I want to add shakers, tambourine and other sounds to my songs which I can do some of through the piano but it's difficult, clunky and sometimes  with things like a tambourine 'shake' you just can't.  Plus then I can do more cowbell!  (I did add cowbell to the song btw and it's cheesy and brilliant!).

So lots to think about and it's going to take time to get it all sorted that's for sure.  Going to be fun though :D

Head on over to my Instagram account if you want to hear more of my silly guitar noodling and a taste of the new song and I'll see you tomorrow!!