Richie proudly endorses products by
Helix
Richie has been using the Line 6 Helix guitar processor since 2016. Check out this video to see exactly how Richie has his Helix setup for Blue Öyster Cult gigs.
Richie has made several of his custom presets available for download. They can be found at the Line 6 Custom Tone Site.
If you’d like to commission Richie to create custom presets for you, contact him at richie@richiecastellano.com
Live Setup
For live gigs, Richie keeps his rig very simple. He brings 2 guitars on the road. His Slime-Burst Music Man Axis (equipped with DiMarzio pickups) and a black Line 6 Variax Standard.
The Variax Standard is equipped with chrome covered DiMarzio pickups including a Tone Zone S in the bridge, a Heavy Blues 2 in the middle and an Injector in the neck. It connects the rest of the rig with a Line 6 VDI cable.
The main guitar is connected with an Audio Technica 3000 Series wireless.
Both guitars are connected to the Line 6 Helix Floor Unit. In one of the Helix’s FX loops is a Digitech Freq-out pedal which is used to get feedback at lower volumes.
The Helix’s 1/4 inch output goes mono to a DI direct to Richie’s in ears and Front of House. The XLR output goes to a Line 6 Powercab 112 Plus on stage near the backline for some stage volume. The Global EQ inside the Helix only affects the stage monitor.
For in-ears, Richie uses the JH7 Pros from Jerry Harvey.
For microphones, Richie uses the Audio Technica ATM-510 Dynamic Mic.
Studio Setup
Hardware
At the heart of the Band Geek studio is a MOTU 1248 interface. This not only acts as an audio interface but also a digital mixer that handles up to 8 discrete monitor mixes. Each Band Geek mixes their own feed via an iOS app.
For Mic Preamps, he uses:
- SSL Alpha Channel
- Universal Audio 4-710D
- API 512c
- Vintech 573
- Plus several additional channels of clean MOTU mic pres
Monitorning
For speakers, the Band Geek studio is equipped with a pair of Genelec 8030c powered monitors. The Band Geeks exclusively use Audio Technica M-50 and M-40 headphones. The discrete monitor mix outputs all feed into an 8 channel headphone amp where the mono sends are converted to summed stereo for headphones. The studio is also capable of mixing 7.1 surround sound thanks to a recent upgrade including additional Genelec 8010 speakers and a Drawmer MC-71 speaker controller.
Microphones
The Band Geeks primarily use Audio Technica mics. Richie’s favorite vocal mics are the Audio Techica AT-4033a and Audio Technica AT-4047. Aside from the Audio Technica mics, the studio also has a small collection of Neumann, Shure, Electro-Voice and Sennheiser mics.
Software
Richie runs Avid Pro Tools on an Intel Xeon equipped Precision Workstation by Dell, on Windows 10. For processing he uses mostly plugins by Waves and Izotope. For sound libraries, he uses Native Instruments Kontact, IK Multimedia Sampletank, FXpansion BFD and others. For guitar processing he uses Line 6 Helix Native software.
Guitars & Basses
Richie has an extensive collection of guitars and basses. Here is a list of frequently used studio instruments:
- Line 6 Variax JTV-69
- Music Man Steve Morse Y2D
- Music Man Luke III
- Music Man EVH
- Music Man Sillhouette Special
- Music Man Axis (Tuned to Eb)
- Music Man Axis Sport (Red Special configuration with DiMarzio Brian May pickups)
- Kramer Pacer (Tuned to D)
- Fender Road Worn 50’s Telecaster
- Fender Road Worn 50’s Stratocaster
- “The Disgustocaster” (Fernandez Special Edition Strat tuned to Eb)
- Gibson Les Paul Tribute Faded
- Burns Brian May Red Special
- Rickenbacker 325V59
- Rickenbacker 360-12V64
- ESP Eric Bloom Model
- Eastwood Classic 12 String
- Martin D-15M Acoustic
- Ibanez AEF-30 Acoustic
- Cigano Gypsy-style Acoustic
- Music Man Sterling HS
- Ibanez SR-505 Yellow 5-string BOC Bass. (with Bartolini pickups)
- 1974 Rickenbacker 4001
- 1973 Rickenbacker 4001s
- Fender P-Bass Special
- Hofner Icon B Beatle Bass
Amps
Richie has a small collection of amps, including:
- Engl Steve Morse 100
- VHT Pitbul Classic 30
- VHT 2/50/2 Power Amp
- Tube Works TD-752
- Vox VBM-1
Preamps & Modelers
Since the Band Geek studio is a home studio, volume is definitely a concern. Thankfully, digital modeling technology has finally caught up with analog tech as a viable substitute for low-volume situations.
Richie’s main guitar amp for 99% of his recording the the Line 6 Helix Rack. He records both stereo outs and a buffered pass-thru into Pro Tools.
For guest guitarists, the Band Geek studio has a great VHT GP3 Tube Preamp. This is connected to a Line 6 HX Effects pedal via 4 cable method using Ownhammer Impulse Responses.
Pedals
Even someone who mainly operates in the digital realm still loves pedals!
Richie keeps a JHS Andy Timmons distortion pedal in Loop 1 of the Helix and a TC Electronic John Petrucci Dreamscape in Loop 2.
When using an analog wah, Richie prefers the Ernie Ball wah. The studio also has a decent collection of modern, vintage and boutique pedals.
Other Instruments
- Roland FA-06 Keyboard
- Roland TD-11k Electronic Drumset (with CY-13R Ride addition)
- Roland HPD-10 Handsonic Percussion Instrument
- Roland SH-101 Vintage Analog Synthesizer
- Roland SP-404SX Sampler
Video Production
Band Geek videos are recorded with both Zoom Q2n cameras and Logitech c920 webcams. While the Zooms were used to produce many Band Geek videos, they have recently switched to 5 Logitech c920 webcams for recording direct to the computer. Richie also uses these for his live streams.
The Q2ns still remain a vital part of Richie’s portable video recording rig. The portable video recording rig consists of 3 Zoom Q2n cameras, the Zoom H6 multitrack field recorder and occasionally an iPhone for additional video shots.
To edit the videos Richie uses Magix Vegas Pro software and Adobe software.