Stage 2: Buy some gear

Saturday was spending money day. I needed to get lots of equipment for the home studio. On my shopping list was:

-> Focusrite Forte USB Audio Interface – This is the interface between the vocals/instrument and the Mac.

-> sE Electronics X1 Vocal Pack with Shock Mount, Pop Shield & Cable

-> Shure PG81 Condenser Mic – I’ll be using this is for recording acoustic instruments

-> M-Audio BX5 D2 Monitor Speakers (Pair)

-> AKG K77 Closed Back Headphones

I already owned:

-> Mac Mini + Garage Band (this is the software I'm planning to record with, although that may change)

-> Instruments

-> Cables

I decided to head to Andertons in Guildford (www.andertons.co.uk), partly because I dislike internet shopping (which ultimately means several trips to the Royal Mail depot) and mostly because I've heard good things about their customer service and they had everything I needed in stock (and a lot more).

It should have been an hour and a quarter drive...

Two and a half hours later I had to negotiate the perils of a service station toilet but after I had got everything done, I was able to appreciate the view.

15 minutes later and I arrived.

It's an amazing shop with friendly staff; I'd recommend a visit if you want to try anything out. A chap called Rob Dean helped me get everything on the list. I asked if I'd had a shocker with anything I'd chosen and he said I'd picked well. I also picked up guitar strings and some necessary cables, which they put through separately and I got money off due to the points I'd accumulated.