I have a Mackie 4 bus 16 channel mixer in the garage that I don't use anymore. I have some premium rack effects in boxes, patchbays, miles of cables, and other outboard gear that just isn't useful. I have converted to a software based system with one input/output box and sound card. Granted the box and soundcard are specifically designed for studio work, but very small in size and expense compared to the old days. I don't stock a stack of amplifiers for guitar, but I do have some nice boutique effects pedals from Vox, Line 6 and Electro Harmonix. Now there are certain things you just can't shortcut and that's microphones. I have a nice tube mic for vocals and several medium quality mics for other things.

But here it is, RPM 08. A musicians' event that gives us an excuse to do what we do. Make new music for a new CD with one catch, you must start on or after Febuary 1 and finish and submit before March 1 of the same year. This while keeping up my normal life, job, marriage, etc. I'm more ready this year than last. I've been taking my vitamins, eating better, and I even cleaned off my work space. I've done some inventory and made sure all the stuff I'll need is in arms reach. But it all comes down to lemons and peroxide; 8 to 10 ounces of lemon water to drink and a couple of drop of peroxide in each ear will help keep the tubes open and the vocal acoustics full. We're only days away and I'm way excited. The down side is my work schedule is much more demanding than last year so we'll see how this goes.