Small tools in the studio that you can't live without.

Brett Siler · Post by **Brett Siler** » Thu Aug 02, 2012 2:33 pm

There's tons of threads about new mics, preamps and consoles; but what about the small things we have to get that help out in a big way? What are some cool small tools you have that you use on lots of sessions? Ok lets get the obvious snark ones out of the way. Mic and 1/4' cables, ears, etc.. So how about it, whachu got?

RoyMatthews · Post by **RoyMatthews** » Thu Aug 02, 2012 2:48 pm

Good white artist tape....

biasvoltage · Post by **biasvoltage** » Thu Aug 02, 2012 2:52 pm

Here are a few non-audio things that I have in my studio and use all the time:

Leatherman
Roll of paper towels
Caig D5 and Pro Gold in the little bottles
Soldering iron / solder
1/4" drive socket set with SAE and Metric sockets. Harbor Freight!
Maglite
Suction cup on a stick thing from Lowe's to change recessed light bulbs with
Gaffer's tape, masking tape
small sandbag from a photo studio supply place
Precision oiler from Fry's - not a spray like WD40, so it's safe to use on that squeaky bass drum pedal with all the mics set up.

The Scum · Post by **The Scum** » Thu Aug 02, 2012 4:21 pm

Everything that you'd expect to have in a well-equipped office desk drawer:

Scissors
Stapler
Scotch tape
Masking tape
Gaff tape
Ruler
Tape measure
Pencils
Pens
Markers
Notebooks
Index cards
Clipboard
Silver-ink sharpie
Paper clips
Bulldog clips
Clothespins
C-clamps
Post-its
Flashlight
rope
sandbags
screwdrivers
pliers
utility knife
gloves
PB&J

A.David.MacKinnon · Post by **A.David.MacKinnon** » Thu Aug 02, 2012 4:40 pm

masking tape. I prefer the green painters tape because it comes off easily.
a sharpie
clip board and paper (I make notes one everything)
digital camera
in-line polarity reverse
in-line pads
ear plugs.
those mic stand adapter things that let you hang an extra mic off the side of a stand that your already using. Like this -

Great for setting up and under-snare mic on the snare mic stand or getting a vocal and acoustic guitar mic onto the same stand.

DougK · Post by **DougK** » Thu Aug 02, 2012 5:16 pm

I'll add an iso splitter to the list,
I have a whirlwind sp1x3. I love being able to run two extremely different chains on a single source, for choosing/ blending later.

vvv · Post by **vvv** » Thu Aug 02, 2012 5:23 pm

line2amp
Snark tuner
XLR snake (for pre's)
wall-mount patch-cord holder
pick-holder
universal pedal power supplys (3-18 w.)
tambo
butterfly mic clip
multi-tip ratchet screwdriver
needle-nose pliers/side-cutters
feather duster
nail clippers
air freshener spray
lava lamp

blungo2 · Post by **blungo2** » Thu Aug 02, 2012 5:55 pm

Interchangeable blade screwdrivers, normal size and tiny. I use them both daily.

EasyGo · Post by **EasyGo** » Thu Aug 02, 2012 7:59 pm

A good electric guitar/bass tuner, such as the Boss TU-3
A good tuner with a built-in mic for acoustic instruments
Good quality DI boxes for bass, keyboards and guitar
A variety of small guitar amps, both tube and solid state for spontaneous inspiration and character sounds
Guitar string winder
Drum key

biasvoltage · Post by **biasvoltage** » Thu Aug 02, 2012 9:09 pm

My first post reflected some non-audio tools I have in my studio, but I guess the OP could also be interested in actual audio stuff, so here goes:

Accurate tuner (like the Peterson. They have an iPhone app!)
A high quality DI box. Radial makes a bunch of different ones, or you can make your own at diyrecordingequipment.com
Ebtech Hum Eliminator
Reamp device - mine is from Radial but there are many
One can never have enough patch cables
At least one really nice mic cable. Mogami, et al
Isolation headphones - for the drummer, also keeps the headphone bleed out of the mic for things like delicate acoustic guitar tracks
A buncha different kinds of picks
Extra guitar string sets in .009 and .010
An extra 14" snare head and 20" and 22" kick drum heads
750ml bottle of Johnny Walker red

jrsgodfrey · Post by **jrsgodfrey** » Fri Aug 03, 2012 10:46 am

Frontier Tranzport.

chris harris · Post by **chris harris** » Fri Aug 03, 2012 12:53 pm

I use my iPhone for lots of stuff in the studio. Tapping in tempos, tuner in a pinch, animoog, SynthStation, ProRemote for controlling PT, etc...
I also use moon gels, Little Labs STD, and an Earthworks KickPad on nearly every session.

Brett Siler · Post by **Brett Siler** » Fri Aug 03, 2012 5:41 pm

I kinda meant audio stuff but non audio stuff is welcome.

I use my iphone for that free tap tempo app too. It's great.
Blue Painters tape
extra drum sticks
Measuring tape
string
office supplies
recording books (always good to reference when no one is looking

)
reamp
DI's

hmmm some more will pop in my head

No Wave Casio Kitsch · Post by **No Wave Casio Kitsch** » Fri Aug 03, 2012 5:56 pm

I never want to do another tracking session without:

Little Labs/Mercenary Signal Transmission Device
A really comfortable chair

digitaldrummer · Post by **digitaldrummer** » Fri Aug 03, 2012 6:18 pm

I have a couple Hygrometers (nothing expensive - you can get them at Walmart or a place that sells cigars, etc.) I have two because probably neither is accurate - but between the two I can get an idea of the humidity level and when its time to run the dehumidifier.

Did I mention I have a dehumidifier? Turns out the ultra air-tight design of the studio and the hot Texas sun wants to create condensation in my studio. Weird, cause outside its a drought... but inside its a must.

paper towels and wipes for when careless people spill stuff.

Fresh Batteries -- 9V, AA, AAA, etc.

Swiffer duster + refills

rhyming book - silly but when you're struggling with lyrics...

blankets and pillows - but not for sleeping. I use them for muffling/baffling sometimes

Brother TZ label maker

Message Board

Small tools in the studio that you can't live without.

Small tools in the studio that you can't live without.

Who is online