2021: A Year in Gear (What You've Bought or Want to Buy in 2021)

[WatchTheGuitar]

Yup, £1400 from Music Matters

I googled Music Matters and it’s a hi fi audio online store, guessing you meant Music Matter (singular). Dangerous, yet another store I can browse for hours.

[SLiC]

Yes, that's them: https://www.musicmatter.co.uk/ I can recommend them, I have switched from mainly using Euro stores (like Thomann and BAX) to UK stores and its a pleasant experience and less wait!

Juno still my most often used (https://www.juno.co.uk/ 'ask me for a better price' button is addictive!) but now a days its more about who has stock than best price!

[WatchTheGuitar]

now a days its more about who has stock than best price!

yes, so many sites quote stuff on back order with an ETA of months

[foosnark]

I am really digging that Launchpad X. Honestly I find it a better grid controller than Medusa's, which is already quite good. Super customizable. I have a couple things on my wishlist for the firmware but they're minor (I'd like the Custom layout's CC pad to support pressure, rather than just on/off, and custom colors for Note mode would be nice.)

[kcearl]

I am really digging that Launchpad X. Honestly I find it a better grid controller than Medusa's, which is already quite good. Super customizable. I have a couple things on my wishlist for the firmware but they're minor (I'd like the Custom layout's CC pad to support pressure, rather than just on/off, and custom colors for Note mode would be nice.)

I bought the pro mk3 and last week sold my Push 2, I never thought Id ever sell the Push but honestly the launchpad just has better features, and better pads.

[Digivolt]

Finally decided to pull the trigger on a new Audio Interface, was close to buying an Ultralite Mk5 last month but waited too long and it went out of stock at the place which had the best price, worked out in my favour as I've just found a deal on a Babyface Pro FS for £539 so gone with that

[WatchTheGuitar]

Was looking into external effects and other things to take load off my cpu which led me into researching current hardware multi fx, that then led to units like the Zoia Empress, Bluebox and Mod Duo X. These units are in the £400-£600 range and that got me thinking why not just buy a second hand Mac Mini or MacBook, not even M1 needed, and use one of those instead?

I already have a KVM switch for keys/mouse/monitors if I went Mac Mini plus a number of no longer used USB audio interfaces best of which is an Arturia Audiofuse.

I’m guessing even a 2 or 3 versions old mac would run more effects simultaneously than the Mod Duo X and I’m not gigging with any of this so space is no issue.

The only downside I considered is latency, but most of this would be for big ambient reverbs and echoes so not a problem.
Getting a Mac would also mean access to stuff like Sinevibes FX that isn’t currently available on PC. Most of my plugins licensing would cover using on two things at once, but I’d generally only be using the FX on the mac. I own so many plugins already like Soundtoys, Eventide, Valhalla etc that are fantastic.
M1 is tempting, but expensive and certain vendors haven’t updated yet though not many I use plus opens up potentially using my ios apps.

I could add an ADAT expander to the Audiofuse to open up to 5 stereo ins and outs to send audio to and from my main pc.

Is there a major downside I’ve not spotted other than added complexity and Bones moaning at me about how I should only use one pc?

[elxsound]

What is everyone using for cable management on busy patches, or are you?

The below video is one of the first Morphagene videos I saw and she's using velcro to keep the cords out the way. I have these and could see their use during a performance, but less on patching when things change often.

I have some other magnetic ties that are of good use and I'm looking at buying some more but thought it'd be a good idea to see if there are any other suggestions for something different.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qn5wzWguT-4

[WatchTheGuitar]

Well the patches are all on my synths so I keep the cables hidden round the back, the way the gods intended

[Shabdahbriah]

What is everyone using for cable management on busy patches, or are you?

These are used primarily for cable management in custom desktop case mods, but I have found them quite useful in my modular set-up.

A4RE_1318889628492965125GDqdw7xUL.jpg

https://www.newegg.com/p/38Y-005B-00006

[pekbro]

Heh, I don't do anything to organize patch cables, at least when they are patched. Though I rarely leave them patched over a session. If I want to carry over a patch, I just remember and reproduce it. My system is up on a wall as well, so cables don't really lay on top of each other as they do when modules are not at a right angle to the ground.

[K-Bee]

I got rid of my Roland XV5080 in favor of an Integra. Love it so far, the SuperNatural sound engine still rivals the best libraries despite being from 2013. The guitars in particular are amazing.

[foosnark]

My system is up on a wall as well, so cables don't really lay on top of each other as they do when modules are not at a right angle to the ground.

I find for some case arrangements, stiffer braided cables keep themselves less in the way. (For my curved case I like regular soft cables though.)

I have a few Nite Ize Gear Ties if I need to temporarily bundle some cables to make them less annoying, but usually I don't bother. I patch from scratch each session, and whenever I can, I will use a fader on my Sweet Sixteen, or a joystick or pressure controller or something, to control most "live" parameters so I'm not doing a lot of reaching through the spaghetti to get to something awkward.

[kcearl]

I let em hang au naturel!

[elxsound]

I ordered 1 of each... cable comb, magnetic ties, and some lightweight velcro ties.

I'm pretty sure I can make use of them all, so they shouldn't go to waste.