Taylor Sappe

Also consider Presbycusis, which starts around age 40 and gets progressively worse as you age. I am well beyond the age of mild presbycusus, so I use reference tracks and watch my spectrum analyzer to avoid overcompensating the upper mids.

I usually go back and forth between headphones and speakers. Sometimes when you get a good mix on one it doesn't sound so good on the other and requires some adjustments. I also watch my spectrum analyzer to make sure it plays well on every system. Reference tracks of commercial releases are also helpful.

I have a small setup at home: A desktop PC with 32 GB RAM running Cubase Pro 9.5. 2 monitor screens: 1 20-inch computer monitor and 1 32-inch digital TV that I use for a monitor. The TV comes in handy for editing because I can see the wave file in fine detail. I own 5 guitars, but record mainly with only two of them. For acoustics I use a Fender acoustic electric recorded through the direct inputs. For electric guitar I use a Parker P38. For keyboard work I use an Alesis Q88 MIDI controller keyboard. I have several mics, but my main goto mic for vocals is Pacific Pro Audio PPA-1 large diaphragm condenser. When I use a microphone on acoustic guitar I usually use a Nady CM90 small diaphragm condenser. My audio interface is a Steinberg UR44. My main headphones for mixing are Sennheiser 280 pros. For speakers I use Altec Lansing computer speakers with sub woofer. My setup at work is similar, but I use one video monitor, Tascam headphones, Larger speakers and a Steinberg UR22 interface. The room at work is treated with acoustic foam to avoid standing waves. My home studio is not treated, but I use obstructions to avoid parallel walls.

Hi everyone! I'm new to songstuff. I am a multi-genre songwriter/composer and producer. I use Cubase Pro 9.5 to write, record and produce music. I majored in music composition at Berklee from 1976 to 1979 and am still learning more about music every day. Trained on analog recording gear, I eventually migrated to digital recording. I have been writing songs since the early 60s, and recording since 1971, but am always looking to improve my skills as a songwriter, producer, mixing and mastering engineer.