The mainstay of my sound studio are my keyboards and musical instrument samples. These comprise of a Fatar SL760 (mother) Keyboard which has weighted keys giving the feel of a piano, a Korg KARMA workstation, a Korg i5M music module and a Hammond GM1000 which although it has many sound samples I bought it principally for its range of organ voices.
Both the Karma and the i5M have inbuilt sequencers capable of playing either standard MIDI files or their own form of sequenced file. When I first started producing music (prior to buying the KARMA) I would create my songs using the i5M sequencer. Although effective for the simple creation of sequenced chords for a basic rhythm section, it was slow and got difficult when introducing more instruments and the complexity that that involved. So I then decided to try using my computer for sequencing. I could not afford the likes of Cubase (nor indeed a computer powerful enough to run it) so I scouted around and found a simple sequencing package called Evolution (subsequently renamed Sound Studio Gold) for a very modest £15. I say it is simple but the screen views are pretty much the same as Cubase and it connects to my Fatar keyboard and i5M via MIDI, and will act as master or slave to my external sequencer. Evolution does not have any virtual instruments but I don't need them. I tend to create MIDI files using Evolution then load them into the KARMA, substitute the standard MIDI sample for appropriate KARMA samples and save the whole thing as a KARMA file sequence. I have tried many of the more sophisticated packages since but none measure up to the simple effectivness of Evolution. Incidentally, I'm afraid that when Evolution was taken over some years ago the new owners decided to stop producing the sequencing software so unfortunately it is no longer available.
For mixing I use a Eurorack MX 1604A mixer which has 4 mono and 4 stereo channels and all the inputs I need. For recording vocals I use a Roland VS840 workstation which allows me to edit any errors without redoing the whole thing. More recently I also use a TC Helicon Voiceworks for effects, pitch correction and creating backing vocals. The microphone I use is mainly an AKG C1000s condensor mic, although I also have Fender P-51.
When mastering the whole thing is channelled through a TC Electronics Finalizer express. I have an ALESIS M-EQ230 equaliser but don't make much use of this since buying the Finalizer. Amplification is provided by a Samson Servo 200 and a pair of ALESIS Point Seven speakers.
I record to CD but also to Mini disks which are easier to handle. I also have a Matsui CD player which I use to check my CDs have been created properly and don't only play on the computer.
Finally the whole caboodle connects together via two patch panels - one for phono jack plugs and the other for MIDI connections.
Read my Blog for more about how I create and produce my music.