These are companies whose products or services I use. There are also informational links for educational purposes. Finally, some religious and charitable organizations I support financially and/or through volunteer work. If you would like a link added, let me know by email or add it in a comment.

Equipment

First, some equipment manufacturers, software companies, and suppliers:

• Until recently, I have always used standard desktop PCs. Moving into audio work, the Apple MacBook Pro was recommended, and I admit I am impressed. Granted, I had not upgraded my personal hardware for eight years (Scots blood, you see), but even compared with top-line job related PC laptops I’ve used recently this machine is remarkable.
• I chose the Shure SM7B microphone for my home studio. I have been very pleased with its sound and the flexibility it affords.
• Pro Tools paired with an M-Audio interface seemed a natural pick. Reliable hardware, and the standard in audio processing software. Also, Avid has some terrific training videos available on-line and on YouTube.
• I went to our local Guitar Center to buy a lot of my equipment. The pro shop there is great, and the pricing is in line with a lot of on-line stores.

Charities

As you can tell, I have a soft spot in my heart for orphans and kids who have had a difficult start in life. I also support those who risk all in service to our country. Here are some charities I recommend (and support):

• The Anglican Catholic Church sponsors and supports an orphanage in Haiti. There is no web site for the orphanage, but donations can be made through your local ACC parish, or sent to The Very Reverend Jean Bien-Aime, P.O. Box 1731,Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
• Chinese Children Adoption International is a wonderful agency. They were a terrific help when my wife and I adopted our daughters. They also have a charitable arm, the Chinese Children Charity Fund, which provides aid to orphanages in China.
• Learning Ally (formerly Reading for the Blind and Dyslexic) is a great organization. I discovered after I started volunteering that I know several people who have benefitted from their services. The Denver branch deals heavily in text books.
• Another organization helping children is the Mount Saint Vincent Home. They are a residential home and school for abused, neglected or mentally ill girls and boys.
• The Semper Fi Fund helps injured Marines. I have a lot of respect for the Corps, and this is a small way to give back that has a huge positive effect on families and the community.
• Soldier’s Angels provides aid and support to all military branches. It is a nice way to let the men and women serving know we remember them.
• There are many causes of homelessness, and addiction is a major component. Step 13 is an organization that helps folks sober up, clean up, and find work. It gets results.

Affiliates

These are links to companies that may pay me in some way if you choose to do business with them. I still select links based on one simple criterium: is this a product or service I would recommend to a friend? I don’t really expect to make money through this affiliate network, but hope does spring eternal!

• LexiConn is my internet virtual host. I’ve used them for many years, and have been extremely pleased with their reliability and customer service.