Today I prepared the studio for my upcoming recording sessions. I received my way cool POD X3 Pro yesterday, along with a 2U Shallow Gator rack case. I un-racked the PreSonus MP20 preamp, Alesis 3630 compressor and Rane SM 82 from my 4U Gator rack case, leaving the Furman M8L power conditioner taking up 1U. I installed the POD X3 Pro into the rack, taking up the remaining 3U, filling the rack. For straight ahead gigs or sessions, this is the rack; grab it and go! I re-racked the PreSonus MP20 preamp and Rane SM 82 mixer into the 2U rack case, which stacks nicely on top of the 4U case. If I were adding guitar synth I'd bring along this unit, too. I simply plug into the Furman in the 4U rack and I'm good to go. Or, if I'm playing through amps and mic-ing them, I could just bring the 2U rack. Flexible, modular, and easy to carry.

That means the Alesis 3630 is de-commissioned and slated for eBay. If you want it drop me a line. Otherwise I'll post it in the next day or so.

I tweaked the studio layout a bit, as well, placing the racks at an angle to the left of my DAW desk, with the FBV Express in front of the racks, the Boss RC-50 Loop Station and its controlling pedals to the left of the racks, and the GR-33 to the left of the RC-50. Nice, functional, ergonomic and I can get to everything quickly. I, of course, carefully placed the power cords away from the audio cords and wrapped everything up nice and neat.

I tested the whole she-bang with my white Strat and my Box Guitar running through the POD X3 Pro and RC-50. ClayLoop-ing was the order of the day and I made joyous noise.

For those that missed the tweet, my import Weissenborn copy arrived safe and sound. I'm thrilled with the instrument; it plays and sounds great. I'm not thinking it will be on the next project but I'm working with it just the same. For some reason I've been arranging a Frisell-inspired version of the Hank Williams classic "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry". I'm not sure why, the song just called to me the first time I picked up the Weissen-copy, so there you go.

The final piece of the studio puzzle is my copy of the SoundToys Native effects bundle. Should be here within the week. Following installation I'll be ready to get to work.

I am itching to lay down demo tracks for the new songs and look to do so over the next couple of weeks. I'll move quickly through the process and edit on the fly, just looking to memorialize the things I've been working on before recording proper begins.

I am off shortly to pick up Claypool: The Next Generation, along with Miss Hollis, from the airport. Christmas break begins and it will be wonderful to hear the patter of big feet around the house for a change. We're picking up a new puppy on the 23rd, a Miniature Schnauzer we've named Walt. We're all looking forward to welcoming Walt into our home, just in time for Christmas.