La Porte Gifts - playing and learning guitar, TZ Audio and their Stellar X3 and Stellar X2 microphones

We're having a fantastic time at La Porte Gifts, enjoying the vibes. So, the park is expanding with a whopping 500 new parking spots. It makes me wonder where all those people will magically appear from to fill them up. Well, at least the players will get the convenience of closer parking.

You know, one thing that really bugs us is the outrageous prices for name-brand equipment that simply doesn't match up to the quality available in the rest of the world. Just look at SpaceX! From being the subject of ridicule to becoming the largest rocket company in the universe. It goes to show that appearances can be deceiving.

Sure, a Martin D-28 guitar feels absolutely amazing, no doubt about it. But you know what else feels just as incredible? The LAG 30. I've had people pick up my LAG and they simply couldn't put it down. It's like holding a soft, warm puppyâ€”so comfortable and soothing. And the best part? It's only $1500 compared to the eye-watering $4500 price tag of the Martin. In terms of feel and sound, they're practically indistinguishable. Definitely not worth the $3000 difference, that's for sure.

Now, there are certain pieces of equipment that have no substitutes in their league, like the Boss RC-300 Looper and Pyle Mixers. They play in a league of their own. However, when it comes to instruments, microphones, cables, interfaces, and such, there's a wide range of options out there.

Speaking of microphones, we've really fallen in love with the studio mics from TZ Audio. These cardioid condenser studio microphones bring a warm, crystal-clear sound to the table. The fidelity they provide is simply mind-blowing. And the best part? They don't require batteries! Well, you do need to supply +48 (phantom power), but that's a small price to pay. We've used them both in the studio and out in the woods, carrying a lightweight boom for the Stellar X3, a tripod for the iPhone, and even our trusty companion, Luka the Husky. Oh, and of course, the reliable LAG 30 guitar. Everything worked like a charm, no worries whatsoever.

Audigo, mics are fun. They bluetooth into your cellphone and have a 30 foot range with a magnetic mount.
Cloud storage and a few other tricks.

PowerDeWise : lapel mic plugs into iPad and iPhone. 30 foot cable. But it is a lapel microphone.

A Donner Keyboard is good enough for a guitarist and is a $170 investment for a linear musical scale. Yes even with a little theory desired a linear keyboard helps learn scales and there interactions.

A FiFine USB mic is okay for simple on-line Zoom meetings. But we did not feel it had the clarity of the TZ Audio Stellar X3. The Fifine is a decent $40 gaming and audio meetings microphone.

This is some basics on equipment there is more detail on other pages.