Adrian Clement: Tools I’ve Been Using
I thought it might be worthwhile sharing information about what kind of software/hardware I’m using at the moment. If anything, I consider myself an amateur artist and in many ways I’m still learning about and testing out all this stuff. This is in no way a definitive list of what stuff you should be using, but is instead of list of most of what’s been working for me. In months (or perhaps days) from now, stuff on this list may change if my needs change (which they often do). Suggestions and comments are welcome.
AUDIO
The markup of audio products in Australia is ridiculous. The RRP for the Zoom H2 in Australia is $599, whereas you can (and I did) pick up one from B & H for $US160 plus $60 postage – making it cost something like $250 – a big $350 savings. I have had some really good experiences buying stuff from B&H so far, and I’m sure if I’m after some more audio stuff in the future I’ll be going there again. Amazon doesn’t ship a lot of their electronics to Australia, otherwise I might consider buying stuff from there as well.
I’m currently using Pro Tools on 2007 model MacBook Pro with a Mbox Mini. The endless amount of Kernel Panics and work-loss I have suffered as a result of running the extensively powerful program on my comparatively weak computer has prompted me to start saving money for a better machine (i.e. a Mac Pro). I bought ProTools LE with a Mbox Mini for under $AU400, which was pretty reasonable. Recently, I’ve grown to really dislike the limitations in the basic version of ProTools and I’m tempted to jump ship and go with Logic. The absurd track limit on Pro Tools LE has really stunted a lot of my audio work.
AudioMulch 2.0 on my Mac has been amazing so far. I’ve just been teaching myself, so I’m sure there’s a lot more to learn, but so far it has become my main program for live performances. So far I’m working very minimal, i.e. with sine waves and whatnot, but the program is clearly capable of some far more complex and sophisticated audio production. I have used AudioMulch for a little bit of recording, but not too much. I usually use Pro Tools for that. So for me it’s my staple live performance software.
With the exception of the keyboard, which really doesn’t work like a piano keyboard and more like a cheap laptop keyboard, I have been really happy with the Korg Nano series. I’m pretty sure I ordered them from Think Geek as a set of three, making them pretty reasonably priced. I mainly use them in Midi mapping as external controls for different parameters, which becomes extremely useful especially when you want to control things simultaneously. I’m no professional, so there have been no set-backs with this stuff for my use of it so far. I tend to use them with just AudioMulch.
From an audio-production perspective, I have used my iPhone 3GS pretty extensively lately (and my iPhone 3G before that). There are some really good audio applications, which I have used or sampled in live performances and recordings, including the Brian Eno-related applications Bloom and Air, as well as Star 6, Buddha Machine and NESynth.
IMAGE
Merlin Mann’s post on Tumblr perfectly sums up my recent frustration with Adobe products. In searching for a replacement for Photoshop I found Acorn and Pixelmator to be quite good. Because I’ve been using Photoshop for the past 5 years, I found Acorn to feel a bit alien, whereas Pixelmator is essentially built on the same Photoshop principles and techniques, but massively reworks the UI and usability. I’m no expert, that’s for sure, but it does everything I did with Photoshop with a lot more ease and enjoyment.
I bought the MacHeist bundle this year, but I’ve never really gotten around to using a lot of the applications that were included. I recently read about Little Snapper on the internet and later realised that I had it on my computer. It has a very sophisticated and easy-to-use UI. The Little Snapper-related online image service Ember has become (for me) the Vimeo of such sites (whereas Flickr now feels like YouTube). I bought the iPhone application recently, which also works really nicely. Both highly recommended.
I bought this for something like $AU200 a little while back, and since my DV camera no longer works, this has been in use for amateur video projects, such as my latest – Construction. It works very well, and I don’t really have any criticism for it, except for the stats and the fact that it’s not full HD. But for $200 what do I really expect? I bought this before I got my iPhone 3GS, before which time I used to take it with me everywhere in case I wanted to shoot some footage. The iPhone 3GS video seems pretty decent for low-quality spur-of-the-moment footage, though I can’t say that I’ve had use for it so far.
I haven’t learnt how to use Final Cut Pro yet (although I did have a copy of it on my computer for about a year before deleting it) and when I do, I’m sure I’ll use that. But for really quick and basic editing, iMovie HD (not iMovie 08/09) is pretty competent. It tends to be a bit buggy sometimes (like iPhoto), which is probably it’s only pitfall for me.
ORGANISING
I first bought the iPhone application with an iTunes gift card not knowing that there was a desktop application. So I soon trialled the desktop version and found not much use for it. After several months I ended up going back and buying a license and now I’m pretty dependent on it. I guess my initial dislike towards the application had to do with its steep learning curve. Video tutorials are essential in knowing exactly how and why you would use this application. For me anyway.
I recently got a hold of the new version of Yojimbo, and it’s become an excellent, simple and elegant database that I use for art references, receipts, upcoming events and so on. It supports encryption, so your stuff is pretty secure, meaning you can also use it as a password manager, though for that I’m currently using 1Password, which is extremely useful and (for me) essential.
WEB
I’ve tried out a whole series of FTP clients over the past few years, none of which seemed to do it for me. Transmit, which is made by Panic Software (who also make Candy Bar, amongst other things) is perfect for my simple needs and is fast, easy and painless to use.
I’m currently using Dreamweaver because before Pixelmator I was also using Photoshop. If anyone knows a decent Mac-friendly application for simple HTML editing let me know about it. Dreamweaver (currently I’m using the CS3 version) has always been buggy, slow and unenjoyable to use. And let’s not even talk about the software update installer… Again, reference the Merlin Mann post if you want to understand my (and I’m sure many other peoples’) frustrations.
And that’s about it for now. I’ll probably get a Mac Pro mid-way through next year, and start using Logic and Final Cut Pro. I’ll also install Windows 7 through Boot Camp or Parallels so I can install Steam and play some of the more interesting indie PC-only games that can be bought through that system, as well as some free-ware experimental games (such games are often posted about on Tig Source). Again, if you have any suggestions or comments, feel free to say what you have to.
