As of the past few years, I produce pop songs performed in a pastiche of Leonard Cohen's mid-late 80's style (when he really started to sound super cool). My buddies and I call ourselves The Three Leonards. Our covers of Toxic and Rusted From The Rain have proven very popular. They're not jazz but they're also not not jazz. The cool kids seem to like them. We've made over 20 bucks in streaming which is as close to success as you can want. Have a listen and see what madness sounds like.
As far as home studio kit goes, I run Reaper: it's just great.
Also a shout-out to ReEQ for Reaper which is free and as close to FabFilter as I need.
I have a Nektar 61-key MIDI keyboard. Just the right size. One slider on it has gone wonky but I don't use the sliders that much. I like the touchpads; they're fun.
I record vocals and acoustic instruments using a Scarlett interface and a really sweet mic from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blue_condenser_microphone_(Unsplash).jpg evidently from before they got bought out. I got it as a gift and it does the trick.
I have a reasonably decent multi-effects pedal from Boss that I mostly use for gigging but occasionally for studio tracking.
I did buy Diva and Kontakt and SSD and Analog Lab : they're all super handy, and are the ones I lean on the most. There are plenty of free VSTs out there to use: only when freeware/demo versions are insufficient should you consider spending money.
It's easy to get a home studio, just pick a piece of furniture you don't use any more, and get rid of it and make a tiny studio in its place. Then you allow your studio to grow until it fills the room.
Examples:
"I could just sleep in a sleeping bag on the floor, then I can get rid of this bed and use the space for a studio"
"If I just eat cold food, or microwaved food, why waste space on this oven, or these cupboards of ingredients. This space could make a great studio"
That is what makes this art. True art! It provokes a reaction, makes you question it and yourself.
Is this a mistake or can I reach my next phase today?
Also notice how the vertical lines of that middle part are the longest - in contrast to the length of the horizontal line. A brilliant emphasis of our impression. It plays with its beholder. It's genius on so many levels.
Also, notice the slight curvature of the vertical lines to the right? It implies the fact that even new circumstances can, in retrospect, feel like they've always been there. It's the lovely little details that make this piece so valuable.
the third stage in life can vary. weirdo with a home studio is the best possible outcome. But the most likely outcome involves busking and homelessness.
I'm 36. It happens bit by fucking bit. My studio right now:
Scarlet 18i8
Scarlet 4i4
Krk Rokit5, x9 (5 on 18i8, 4 on 4i4).
Shure sm7b x2, Sm57 x4, sm58 x4
9 guitars. 2 basses. A ukulele. Banjo.
Engl invader II, Mesa Boogie JP-2C and a Laney VH100R
And orange 2x12, a marshall 4x12
Kemper, fractal fx II
Like 20 pedals.
MIDI switches/pedals/controllers
MIDI pianos (weighted keys digital frand piano).
Don't get me started on my home server, and VST collection (served to Windows, Apple and Linux clients on the network). Ugh that setup was a nightmare. Reaper rules.
