My source material ranges from vinyl, reel to reel / cassette tape to CD's and legal internet downloads. Currently my library is over 16,000 songs that are stored on a Dell PIII 733mHz computer with 185gb's of disk space. I ripp my CD's and organize my library using Voyetra's AudioStation 6, then convert my 160kbps digital files to 56kbps using MusicMatch 7.2's convert feature. I use MMJB to organize the 56k library for play on Frank's Americana. For recording vinyl and tape and making sweepers I use Sonic Foundry's Sound Forge 5.0 and record the whole record or tape as one file. I then use Voyetra's AudioSurgeon to place markers at the track points, and to make an audio CD. If I need to mix multiple audio tracks when I make sweepers, I use Sonic Foundry's Vegas Video.
For playback in the studio I have Radio Shack Nova 75's bookshelf speakers and an Advent sub-woofer powered by a Sony STR series 5.1 Receiver. The computer has a Turtle Beach Santa Cruz sound card, and I run the coaxial digital out from the Santa Cruz into the Sony. To get analog into the computer, my turntable (with a phono preamp), the analog out of my Turtle Beach AudioTron, my Shure SM 58 mic, and my guitar processors, compressor, and effects unit are all plugged into my Mackie 1202VLZ mixer. The output of the Mackie goes back into the line-in of the Santa Cruz sound card.
When I broadcast live on Thursday evenings, I play the mp3's on the AudioTron and the setup sends the mic and mp3 mix to the input of the Santa Cruz. I use Live 2.2 software from Live 365 to encode the files to 56k and stream them out to the Live 365 servers. Using the AudioTron takes a considerable load off of the computer, and reduces dropouts (stutters) in the audio stream you hear.
I also pick, play, and record in "Little Pink's" recording studio. The same Mackie, Shure, and Dell PC. I use Voyetra's Digital Orchestrator Pro and PG Music's Band In A Box to record and arrange the midi and audio tracks. Click on the pictures above to see the instruments and gear. Want to hear Frank's original material? Download Frank's Tunes
Or if you've already read the How do I listen? page and are ready to enjoy some good pickin' click for Frank's Americana