My retro hifi - A Pioneer PL-200x record player, SA 508 Amp and Warfdale speakers

I used to stalk an LP. I'd see it in a shop, study the cover images, read the sleeve notes and save all my money just to get my hands on this piece of magic. When I got home I'd play it over and over again until I absorbed every note, every little phrase. But never would I get bored with it and even today I can play these records over and over and still get the same enjoyment.

Here I am at home with my Pioneer PL-200 record deck, my Pioneer SA-508 add and warfdale speakers. I bought this set-up in 1980 but lost it (I suspect that it is hidden away somewhere, either in my house or one of my sons). I had to buy it again on ebay and it still sounds great.

I don't play CDs any more, vinyl sounds so so much better. LETS ALL GO BACK TO VINYL.

Portable digital recorder for recording live gigs

I've found a great wee tool for recording my gigs. It's the TASCAM DR-07 portable digital recorder. Easy to use and very affordable at £130.

I use it to record my solo gigs as wav or mp3 files. I can then transfer them to my Mac, do some editing and use them as samples on my website (www.arthurwilson.info).

It is so so easy to user, just switch it on, point it at he sound and press record. The quality is really good as mp3 and if I want better, I can choose wav.

You can plug it into the mains, or use two AA batteries. It also comes with a 2gig SD card, so you can start recording right away. And if you manage to record something that you want to keep, you can use the included USB cable to copy it to your PC or Mac.

For more details, see: http://www.tascam.com/products/dr-07.html

Here are a few sample live mp3s:

• Jock o' Hazeldeen
  
• This boy
  

AER Acoustic Amp for singer guitarist

I well remember the days when I had houwf speakers, stands and mixers in and out of halls and spend about half an hour getting set-up ready for my gig. All in the past now because, I've splashed out on an AER Compact 60 acoustic amp and it is brill! What a clear full sound I get, well worth the money.

It has two channels, one for an XLR Mic and the other for the guitar. It has a few simple reverb effects which you can pan to the Mic or guitar channel and you can sit it right next to you and get very little feedback. I've also done a few gigs with my mate who has one the same and you can link them up using the aux send and receive.

The AER Compact 60 is very light and it can be attached to the top of a mic stand. It also comes with a very hand carrying case with pockets that can be used to carry mics, cables etc.

So if you are a solo vocalist guitarist who plays small halls, go for it!