Family

John Shepherd

I’ve been a musician for 39 of my 50 years. I started as a bassist, and also learned guitar, keyboards, vocals, and drum programming. I played in live bands since age 15, performing a wide variety of styles in many, many bands. I’ve had the pleasure of opening for a few ‘name’ acts along the way. I recorded a CD of my rock compositions with a band I was part of in 1999, called Hurricane Ruth (no label). I haven’t played live since 2000, but I’m still very much a music nut.

I purchased my first DAW in 2005. One of my first investments was Steven Slate Drums. Having purchased SSD back at 2.0, I’ve had the distinct pleasure of helping Mr. Slate behind the scenes with things from manuals to setting up Kontakt presets, and beta testing. I was a very early forumite (shep), and I love helping people get the most from SSD.

My studio is mostly an ‘ITB’ studio. Though not currently, I am considering opening for business. Here’s the ‘nuts and bolts’ of my setup:

Recording App of choice: Sonar 8.5 I/O RME 9632 Presonus Digimax FS

For drums: Roland TD-3 triggers Steven Slate Drums 3.5. The drummers that have been here to record have all been willing to perform ‘electronically’, much moreso after hearing the truly excellent/diverse sounds from SSD which sound great from the first hit.

I record bass direct and through Ampeg SVX. I recently purchased a Axe-Fx Ultra for recording guitars. I have a variety of soft synths/libraries for all keyboard occasions. The only time I break out a mic is for vocals or acoustic guitar. My studio is one room, and a spacious 11 X 11 to boot!

I currently do mixing and mastering here. I’ve spent hours demoing plugins to use in the processes. I am a very satisfied owner of all three Slate digital products - Trigger, FG-X, and VCC.

VCC has become a tracking must have for me. I love the Neve sound, and VCC really opens up the color/tone/large format sound, and brings that analog goodness that includes saturation that digital is missing.

It’s rock/modern rock recordings here, so I want a big, open, non-compressed sound. That describes FG-X. I’ve found it to be natural and transparent, gluing my mixes together, and bringing level up to pro standards. I’m still learning this craft, Slate plugins are helping me over the curve. My studio experiences are enhanced by these fine products. I am eager to see where Mr. Slate takes me next.

Thanks for these great audio tools.

– John Shepherd

The Difference - "Bleed For You" (Recorded, Mixed, and Produced by John Shepherd) by Slate Family