Single biggest “difference maker” you’ve bought 4 ur studio?

A computer based recording setup let me finally get the sounds I always wanted and eliminate any middlemen who wanted to give me their sound, which at the time was something like a bad imitation of a Poison or Motley Crue record.

My 1969 was one of my first pro-grade pieces of outboard gear, and I too still mix into it often even though I have many other options these days.

My answer to this thread is probably the least exciting one possible, but getting a console with a full-sized patchbay (and then the DL cables to go with it) was an absolute game changer.

Can we mention five?

Actually, a good cue system makes the session more enjoyable for everyone. The mics don’t matter if you can’t hear the music. Our Aviom system is indispensable. 

Mmmm ATCs

I’d say my monitoring situation. So really three things but they count as one.

-Barefoot 01’s
-Dangerous Dbox+ (conversion is awesome and I can control every function from my phone or an iPad which is awesome)
-Sonarworks

Metric Halo interfaces. Not really what you think about as a "game changer" but in an industry that relies on churning gear, hooking up with a company that thinks their interfaces should last DECADES changed the way I look at purchases and manufacturers.

Trinnov St2 ..also one of the most expensive single purchases I've made.

Owning one of the classic Neumann condensers.

When I was first starting out, I bought a high-end U47 clone and a Neumann KM86. Paid several thousand for the 47.

After comparing the two, the clone was promptly returned. The vintage Neumann just had that magic. Sounded like a record, as they say.

I had to sell that KM86. Now I own a U87 from the 70s.


...Runner-up= 8 channels of Collins tube preamps EMRR sold me. Unfortunately, they don't get along with the Neumanns hahah

As much as I wish it were a piece of gear my single biggest game changer was breaking down and getting ASC Tube Traps a few months back. Working in non designed spaces like I do I finally felt like I was able to capture things like when I'm in studios instead of fighting and fixing later. Honorable mentions: Barbaric 49, Silver Bullet, dual conversion sinewave UPS.

I’d have to say the V Drums/SD3 setup.

As a dude that just records his own music because he wants to, drums have always been a challenge. I love mic’ing/using acoustic drums and I’ve lugged them all over this state to various rooms and scenarios to get something cool tracked. But I’m in school and have two little kids. Those hours of mic’ing/lugging/being super loud don’t exist anymore. And when I’m done with school I’ll be working as an EE. Not really gonna have that time then either.
The fact that I can take a break from studying and be tracking drums in 30 seconds, seamlessly punching into whatever track I’ve been working on, getting my actual drumming tracked, silently, is mind blowing. It would be a revelation for me even if the sonics were just passable. The fact that they’re the best drum sounds I’ve ever gotten make it absolutely amazing.

#1? Reaper.
It does it all, insanely flexible routing, 64-bit floating point sound engine, insane performance, working automation, and accurate delay compensation. It kicked Pro Tools Native and Logic back in the day.

#2? Every monitoring, DA conversion, and power amp upgrade. You can always improve the room that you listen in. You can't easily improve the room that the drivers sit in. Sure you can stuff and crossbrace the speaker cabinet but that can only go so far. Good drivers are the source of everything. Good amplification and conversion too. There's a lot of gross rice krispies stuff out there. Most of the plate amps suck. The PA amps suck. What's in all my powered monitors sucks.