Hello again,
The spectrum of good instruments is very wide. But I'll try:
* Try to have one or more
analog / virtual analog synths. They really sound fatter than usual synths.
Good for basses, strings/pads, house (trance) sounds.
Good v/a (and not so old) are the Novation SupernovaII (superb !!!!) and
the Access Virus B (superb too, but I'd prefer the SupernovaII)
Excellent "vintage" analog synths are
the Roland Juno106,
the Roland Juno6,
the Roland TB-303 (less possibilities but awesome typical sounds),
the Yamaha CS-80, ... Try to find them "midified" (i.e. you can send midi messages to them).
* Try to have an
(expandable) sound-module. There you have the "classic" sounds like piano, classical strings, guitar, trumpets, horn, ...
Thé studio standard is
the Roland JV-1080 or
JV-2080.
* Try to have a good
microphone:
I have
a Rode NT2, and he's very good, other good ones are the AKG mics, and many more
* Try to have (if you haven't one) a good
master keyboard :
Exemples are the Roland A-series (A-33, A-70 or A-90EX), less known (but from Oberheim !!)
Oberheim MC1000 76/88, ...
* other things who are ± necessary:
- midi cables & audio cables (of course)
-
midi interface (recommend 8 IN & 8 OUTS), like
the eMagic AMT-8, the MidiMan USB Midisport 8x8, ...
for the finishing touch (mastering) :
- a good
compressor
- a good
aural exciter like the APHEX 104: read the review by Tricky:
APHEX 104 Aural Exciter
Good luck !!