gchiaren's Electronic Studio Setup

The Line 6 DL4 is one of those pedals you almost have to go out and try simply because of it's popularity amongst guitarists. To be honest, I'm not much of a delay pedal snob. I haven't owned or tried enough delays to really understand the nuances. Maybe for that reason, the fact that this pedal models 16 echo and delay boxes is perfect for me. The guitar sound I really like to emulate is a Editors/Coldplay/Bloc Party sort of sound, and this pedal has plenty of options for that.

I'm a fan of looper pedals, so the onboard 14-second looper is really what sold me on this one. I saw it as a way to get a good looper and a variety of delays all in one box... at least until I build out my pedal collection and go deep on some delays. The loop function is super easy to use, and 14 seconds is plenty of time to record a substantial loop and jam on top of it - it's pretty satisfying sounding like a one man band!

The build quality is great, I've gigged with it and have had no issues. Admittedly the price is a little steep, but I've had this thing for so long and it has brought me so much enjoyment that I don't really think about what I paid for it.

I'd say an easy 4 or 4.5 stars out of 5 for the DL4. Even if you're a delay pedal purist or collector, try this one out, it might still have something to offer you.

The Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO-80 Closed Studio Headphones are absolutely amazing. Granted they're the most high-end headphones I've ever tried, but I honestly cannot imagine how another pair can sound that much better than these. I've owned headphones in the $100-120 range from Sony, Audio-Technica, and Sennheiser, and some more expensive Beats headphones (hey nobody's perfect). I wasn't exactly looking for new headphones, but I got a chance to borrow these from a music producer friend, and was absolutely blown away from the moment I heard some sound come through them.

The mid and high frequencies are so well balanced, and the bass is nice and rounded and full. I can see why these are often near the top of the list for music producers that need a good bass response. I've used these to produce music, play guitar, and for casual listening, and they excel in all areas.

Finally, I can't say enough good things about how comfortable they are. I only feel the need to take a break every handful of hours, which is better than I can say for all the other headphones I have owned or tried. The pads are super soft, and the DT 770s are overall very light, so you'll almost forget you're wearing headphones at all (if it wasn't for the sweet sweet sounding music engulfing your ears and brain).

If you're in the market for new over-ear headphones for studio or casual use and can stretch the budget to around $200, don't make a buying decision until you've given these a shot. It won't take long for you to fall in love with em, trust me on that.