tools

Here, you’ll find a list of things I use. There’s a page of this website dedicated to tools because I often found myself trying to find out what people use. But the thing is, none of this really matters. I knew it didn’t really matter, but I still tried to find out what brand of watercolor Hayao Miyazaki uses. Even if I somehow got my hands on that limited edition watercolor palette, I would still be no closer to creating work anything like the Ponyo storyboards.

All to say, this is just what I use. There’s likely better options out there, but I don’t need them at the moment. Many other options will probably work just as fine as what I have listed below. In some cases, it might even be better to have a tool with less bells and whistles. I’d argue that I learned the exposure triangle faster using a film camera compared to my pricier digital camera because of how intuitive the trusty old light meter was compared to the PASM exposure modes. I’ve also seen illustrators mention how they use plain drawing tablets over screen tablets because it’s better for their neck. I’ve never used a screen tablet, but they’re probably right because my neck does hurt after staring down at my textbooks.

software

• Clip Studio Paint Pro : digital illustration software
  • I didn’t buy the update because I don’t need it. I also don’t really agree with the direction that things are going with the subscription model and AI integration, but I bought it before those things came out, so I’ll just use it until I need to change software (if that ever happens).
• Reaper : digital audio workstation
  • Solid DAW that has quite a few base plugins, though you’ll definitely have to download more if you want to produce music and not just mix covers.
• OpenUTAU : vocal synth software
  • I would highly recommend learning to use vocal synths on the original UTAU because you can see the nitty gritty details, but once you get to making covers, OpenUTAU adds so many features that it’s difficult to go back. The phonemizer and pre-rendering capabilities changed my process for the better.
• Obsidian : anything text related honestly
  • I wrote out everything on this website with Obsidian first before turning it into HTML. I’ve been using it to keep track of ideas, but it can handle most text-related things. Supports markdown and files are all locally stored.
• Visual Studio Code: code editor
  • I used this for an intro to computer science class at school and ended up using it to work on my website as well.
• Brackets : code editor specifically for web dev
  • Honestly, if Brackets didn’t exist, I don’t know if this website would get made. Brackets shows changes in real time so that there’s no need to continuously save and run code.
  • edit 2024.07.13: I don’t use Brackets anymore because I don’t write in pure HTML anymore (Currently using Hugo with VS Code) though it was a fun time using it.

hardware

• Wacom Intuos Small : drawing tablet
  • Trusty little tablet. I’ve had small driver issues with it every now and then over the years, but nothing major.
• Steinberg UR22 : audio interface
  • I got this audio interface second hand for cheap and it works great. Two inputs are all I need and there’s a Hi-Z function button.
• Sony MDR-7506 : headphones
  • Yes, these headphones are wired and not noise cancelling, but they’re meant for studio use. If you’ve ever seen behind the scenes footage of movie or music production, you’ll probably spot these.
• Shure SM58 : microphone
  • Works great. I haven’t dropped it yet, but I don’t think it would break if I did. Funny enough, the person at the music store selling me the mic tried to sell me insurance on it…
• Unknown ??? Fifine : microphone
  • This USB microphone was five dollars at a garage sale. Still works fine, though I don’t use it much anymore because I now have the Shure SM58.

cameras

• Minolta SRT MC-II : film camera
  • This camera is built like a tank. The body is almost entirely metal. I like how the camera is almost entirely mechanical as well- the battery is purely for the light meter- so if the battery died, it’d still be able to take photos.
• Sony a6400 : digital camera
  • Has all the functions I need. Can do video, but I mainly use it to capture moments in photos.