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Equipment Index
The following is the technological architecture through which the Architect constructs landscapes and immersive musical worlds that populate The BELLAS Universe.
- Studiologic SL88 Studio
- Studiologic SL-161
- Alesis QS8
- Roland D5
- Quik Lok System Stands
- Liquid Stands Stands
Keyboards
- Roland JV-2080
- Roland SC-88
- E-mu Proteus 1
- Alesis S4 Quadrasynth
- Alesis DM Pro
- Roland String Ensemble
- Roland Orchestra
- Roland Bass and Drums
- Kawaii GMega
- AKAI S5000 Sampler
Sound Modules
- Emagic Unitor 8 MIDI Distribution x2
- Opcode Studio 4 MIDI Distribution
MIDI Connectivity
- Fender 1957 Resissue Stratocasters
- Gibson Flying-Vs
- Gibson 1960's Reissue Les Pauls
- Fender Acoustics
- Ovation Acoustics
- Taylor Grand Auditorium Acoustics
- Fender Precision Bass
- Music Man Stingray Bass
Guitars & Basses
- Shaller Locking Tuners
- Graph Tech Graphite Nuts
- Graph Tech Graphite Saddles
- Ernie Ball Straps
- Shaller Strap Locks
- Glass Slides
- Metal Slides
- Ernie Ball Fret Wraps
- Mogami 1/4" Cables
- GA Custom Foot Stool
Guitar Accessories
- Fender '57 Single Coil
- Fender P-Bass Pickup
- Fender Jazz Bass Pickup
- Seymour Duncan JB
- Seymour Duncan '59
- Seymour Duncan SMB-4D
- Taylor Piezo Pickups
- Gibson 498T/490R
- Gibson 500T/496R
- Gibson '57 Classic/'57 Classic Plus
- Dimarzio HS-3
- Dimarzio Super Distortion
Pickups
- Dunlop Jazz III Black Max-Grip
- Dunlop Jazz III Red Max-Grip
- Dunlop Flow 2.5mm
- Dunlop Flow .88mm
- Dunlop 1.14mm Tortex
- Dunlop 2.0mm Nylon
- Dunlop .60mm Ultex
- Dunlop Flow Green Tortex
- V Picks Small Pointed
- Ernie Ball Regular Slinky Guitar .010 -.046
- Ernie Ball Beefy Slinky Guitar .011 -.054
- Ernie Ball Super Slinky Bass .045 -.100
- Elixer Phosphor Bronze .012 -.053
- D’Addario Phosphor Bronze .010 -.027
Picks & Strings
- Marshall 100w Superlead
- Marshall 50w 1959 MKII
- Marshall 100w JCM800
- Marshall 100w JCM900 4100
- Marshall 100w JCM900 4102
- Marshall 5w JTM-1 MKII
- Marshall 1w MS-2 Mini
- Marshall 9005 Power Amp
- Alesis RA-100 Power Amp
- Hafler P1500 Power Amp
- Johnson Reptone 15 30w
- Scholz R&D Soloist
- Ampeg SVT Classic Bass Amp
- Ampeg SVT-610HLF Cabinet
- Marshall 300w Celestion Cabinets x12
- Celestion G12T-75 12 inch Speakers
- Mogami Speaker Cables
Amplifiers & Cabinets
- JJ Electronics - 6L6
- JJ Electronics - 5881
- JJ Electronics - EL34
- JJ Electronics - E34L
- JJ Electronics - 6550
- Groove Tubes - 6550
- Groove Tubes - E34LS
- JJ Electronics - ECC83
- JAN-Phillips - ECG 8652
- Raytheon - 12AX7a
Tubes
- Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamers
- Ibanez Turbo Tube Screamer - Keeley
- Nokina Designs Maestro Tube Screamer
- Nokina Designs Custom Tube Screamers
- Dunlop Cry Baby
- DOD 250
- BOSS DD-2 Digital Delay
- BOSS CE-3 Chorus
- BOSS GE-7 Equalizer
- BOSS PH-2 Super Phaser
- BOSS OC-2 Octave
- BOSS PSM-5 Power Supply & Master
- BOSS Pedalboard
Pedals
- Boss Dr. Beat
- Yamaha RY-10
- Soundbrenner Metronome
- Custom Guitar Pro Sheet of Rhythms
Metronomes
- Shure SM57
- AKG C 414 XLII
- AKG C 451B
- AKG C3000 B
- Sennheiser MD421
- Electro Voice PL92A EDS
- Audio-Technica ATR-55 Telemike
- Mogami Microphone Cables
- Ultimate Support MC-125 Stands
- sE ELectronics Reflexion Filter Space
Microphones & Accessories
- Focusrite Red Series Mic Preamps
- Focusrite ISA Series Mic Preamps
- Apogee AD/DA Converters
- Apogee Big Ben Wordclock
- Yamaha SPX90
- Coleman Audio SR5.1 MKII Speaker Distribution
- Furman Power Conditioners
- Rackrider Power Conditioners
- Art HeadAmp 6 Headphone Distribution
- BBE 822A Sonic Maximizer
- Tascam CD-RW5000 Burner
- Marantz Receivers
- Korg DTR-1 Tuner
- Neutrik Patchbay
- Mogami Patch Cables
Outboard Gear
- Soundcraft Spirit Digital 328
- Mackie SR24 4
- Mackie MS1202
Mixing Consoles
- Mackie HR824 Monitors
- Bowers and Wilkins Monitors
- Alesis Monitor One Monitors
- Alesis Monitor Two Monitors
Monitoring
- AKG K240 600 ohms Headphones
- AKG K92 Headphones
- Sennheiser HD 600 Headphones
Headphones
- Apple Mac Pro
- RME RayDAT I/O Interface
- Other World Computing SSD's
- Western Digital Backup Drives
- Sandisk Backup Thumb Drives
Computers
- Logic Pro
- Logic Remote
- Garageband (Mobile)
- Studiologic SL Editor
- RME Totalmix
- RME Digicheck
- Swift Scales
- Voice Memos
- Guitar Pro
- Waves
- Native Instruments
- Vienna Instruments
- Toontrack
- EastWest
- Abbey Road
- Sonnox
- Plugin Alliance
- Audiority
- Softube
- Synchro Arts
- TSE Audio
- Snoise MIDI Monitor
Software
- Mid Atlantic Straight Desk 8-Space Rack
- Mid Atlantic Corner Desk 16-Space Rack
- Mid Atlantic 12-Space Straight Rack x3
- Mid Atlantic 20-Space Angled Rack
- KK Audio Products 3ft Speaker Stands x4
Studio Infrastructure
- Creativity by Limitless Imagination
Magic
Functional Architecture
This section details the major components of the Architect’s creative environment, the functions they perform, and their roles within the system.
Studiologic SL88 Studio Keyboard
This is the primary fully-weighted 88-key keyboard used for brainstorming, composing, and recording. It is a controller with no built-in sounds. The keyboard is connected straight into the computer with a USB cable. Numerous parameters, including joystick assignments, are configurable in the SL Editor or within the menu screen on the keyboard. The MIDI channel assignment function is used often when working with orchestral libraries and multi-voice staves.
Studiologic SL-161 Keyboard
This is the secondary keyboard used for brainstorming, composing, and recording. It is a 61-key semi-weighted controller with no built-in sounds. The keyboard is connected to the RME RayDAT interface using a 5-pin MIDI cable. MIDI Channel, transposition, aftertouch, velocity, and the two wheels can be configured within the internal system. The MIDI channel assignment function is used often when working with orchestral libraries and multi-voice staves.
Alesis QS8 Keyboard
This is a subordinate vintage sythesizer used for brainstorming, composing, and recording. It is an 88-key weighted synthesizer with built-in sounds. The keyboard is connected to an Emagic Unitor 8 MIDI distribution interface using a 5-pin MIDI cable. It is also connected directly to the RME RayDAT with an optical cable. Numerous parameters, including the assignment of the four sliders, can be configured within the internal system. The MIDI channel assignment function is used often when working with orchestral libraries and multi-voice staves.
Roland D5 Keyboard
This is a subordinate vintage synthesizer used for brainstorming, composing, and recording. It is a 61-key synth-weighted synthesizer with built-in sounds. The keyboard is connected to an Emagic Unitor 8 MIDI distribution interface using a 5-pin MIDI cable. The audio outputs are connected to a mixing console using unbalanced 1/4" cables. Numerous parameters can be configured within the internal system. This was the main keyboard used to record Turn of the Millennium
Unitor 8 MIDI Distribution
There are two Unitor 8's housed in a rack with numerous sound modules. The Unitor 8 is routed to each sound module using a standard MIDI cable.
Opcode Studio 4 MIDI Distribution
This piece is housed in the same rack containing the sound modules. The Studio 4 is routed to various sound modules using standard 5-pin MIDI cables.
Sound Modules
All sound modules are routed in stereo to the Soundcraft Spirit 328 Digital mixing board or the Mackie console using unbalanced 1/4" cables.
Soundcraft Spirit Digital 328
This mixing console serves as a MIDI sound module hub, where the outputs of the MIDI sound modules are connected into the mixer and sub-mixes are created. The output of the Soundcraft Spirit Digital 328 mixing board is connected directly to the RME RayDAT card using optical cables.
Mackie SR24•4 Mixer
This Mackie SR24 four buss console functions as a secondary mixer for sub-mixes of MIDI sound modules and keyboards with built-in sounds. The output of the Mackie console is routed directly into the Spirit 328 mixer, which then sends the signal to the computer via optical cables.
RME RayDAT Digital I/O Card
This card is housed in a Mac Pro computer. The inputs and outputs of the RayDat I/O card are connected to an Apogee Rosetta 800 Digital/Analog converter using optical cables. This is the main hub that all the outboard gear interfaces with.
Apple Mac Pro
The built-in optical output of the Mac Pro is routed to a Marantz NR1403 receiver, which is then routed to Bowers and Wilkins bookshelf speakers. This signal is used for composing, listening, and system sounds. The output of the RayDAT card within the Mac Pro is routed to an Apogee Rosetta 800 digital/analog converter. This is the signal used for critical audio work.
Apogee Rosetta 800
The Apogee Rosetta 800 is a digital/analog converter. It is connected to an Apogee Big Ben word clock distribution unit using a BNC cable. The analog outputs of the Rosetta 800 are routed to a Coleman Audio SR5.1 Audio distribution center using balanced XLR cables.
Apogee Big Ben
The Apogee Big Ben functions as the master word clock of the entire studio. All connections to other digital equipment are made using optical and BNC cables.
Coleman Audio SR5.1 Audio Distribution
The outputs of the Coleman Audio SR5.1 are routed directly to the Mackie HR824 studio monitors and the Art Headamp6 headphone distribution center using balanced XLR cables.
Mackie HR824 Studio Monitors
These speakers are used for critical production work, including listening, mixing, and mastering.
Bowers and Wilkins CM1 Speakers
These gloss black B&W speakers are primarily used for composing, listening, and system sounds.
Electric Guitar
Each electric guitar is routed into a Tube Screamer, which is then connected directly to an amplifier. The amplifier is recorded using a Shure SM57 and/or a Sennheiser MD421. That signal is then routed to a vintage Focusrite Red Series Red 8 microphone preamp.
Acoustic Guitar
Each acoustic guitar is recorded using an AKG C 451B microphone that is pointed on an angle toward the bottom left side of the guitar body when in a seated position. This signal is then routed into a Focusrite ISA microphone preamp.
Bass Guitar
Bass guitar is connected directly to an Ampeg SVT Classic bass amp and Ampeg SVT-610HLF Cabinet which is recorded using a Sennheiser MD421 microphone. A direct output out of the SVT amplifier plus the microphone signal are both routed into separate channels of a Focusrite ISA microphone preamp.
AKG C 414 XLII
The AKG C 414 XLII microphone is primarily used for recording vocals. It is also used for recording room ambiance. This microphone is set to omni-directional and is routed into a Focusrite ISA microphone preamp, which has its impedance selector set to ISA 110.
AKG C 451B
The AKG C 451B microphone is primarily used for recording acoustic guitars. It is also used for recording room ambiance. This microphone is routed into a Focusrite ISA microphone preamp which has its impedance selector set to ISA 110.
Sennheiser MD421
The Sennheiser MD421 microphone is primarily used for recording bass guitar. It is also used for recording electric guitar. This microphone is routed into a Focusrite ISA microphone preamp which has its impedance selector set to ISA 110.
Sure SM57
The SM57 microphone is primarily used for recording electric guitar. It is placed off axis of the speaker cone. This microphone is routed into a Focusrite Red 8 microphone preamp.
Focusrite Red 8 Microphone Preamp
The output of this vintage Focusrite Red 8 microphone preamp is sent to the Apogee Rosetta 800 digital/analog converter.
Focusrite ISA Microphone Preamp
The output of this Focusrite ISA microphone preamp is sent to the Apogee Rosetta 800 digital/analog converter. This preamp is primarily used for acoustic guitar, bass guitar, and vocals.
Signal Routing
The following diagrams map the principal signal paths through the Architect’s creative system, illustrating how instruments, MIDI hardware, sound modules, recording equipment, processing, and monitoring are interconnected.
Diagram 1 - SL88 Keyboard
Diagram 2 - SL-161 Keyboard
Diagram 3 - Alesis QS8 Keyboard
Diagram 4 - Electric Guitar
Diagram 5 - Bass Guitar
Diagram 6 - Acoustic Guitar
Diagram 7 - Vocals
Diagram 8 - Sound Modules
Diagram 3 - Alesis QS8 Keyboard
Diagram 4 - Electric Guitar
Diagram 5 - Bass Guitar
Diagram 6 - Acoustic Guitar
Diagram 7 - Vocals
Diagram 8 - Sound Modules
Diagram 5 - Bass Guitar
Diagram 6 - Acoustic Guitar
Diagram 7 - Vocals
Diagram 8 - Sound Modules
Diagram 7 - Vocals
Diagram 8 - Sound Modules
Technical Philosophy
Technology is not the creation. It is the architecture through which the creation becomes possible.
It all begins with a vivid imagination willing and bold enough to look beyond what is to see what could be. The tools on this page represent the interface between the imagination and the worlds of sound that are created. It is never about looking outward to the gear for inspiration; rather, it is always about looking inward to the extraordinary vision awaiting to be revealed.
In an expansive universe of musical worlds, there is always a landscape over the horizon waiting to be discovered, waiting to become part of a larger vision—a universe of immersive musical worlds.
