New software/plug-ins this year...

Kush UBK-1 - this is a multi-function processor, which provides dynamic control, saturation and harmonic distortion. Each module has independent controls for mixing with the dry signal - very effective for comprehensive tone-shaping.

BFD2 & SSD drum production software: both have great sounds, and the programming interface of BFD2 is amazing. I used it on several tracks on Phil Odgers new album.

Alloy2 - another multi-function plug-in

Pendle Poucher sample libraries - unique instruments, lovingly sampled with several layers of dynamics - very expressive

Sonic Couture sample libraries - another provider of unique sampled sounds - great Broken Wurli instrument.

Great iPad app's (and cheap!):

Polychord (designed by my friend, producer Hugo Nicholson)

Drumjam (percussion programmer with extensive instrument library and great grooves)

Korg iMS-20 (based on the classic MS-20 analogue synth)

Autoharp (program your own tunings)

Auria - comprehensive multi-track recorder

Lemur programmable MIDI controller

A review of new equipment acquired....

This year, I've been adding significantly to my collection of effects pedal. I recently acquired several boutique fuzz and distortion pedals:

You might think that I already had enough fuzz pedals (Roger Mayer Fuzz Face, Vox Valve-Tone, Ashton DS-30, Electroharmonix Dual Muff, Classic Sansamp) but, believe me, they all sound different, and many of these boutique pedals have great octave options, and feature discrete transistors instead of op-amps, which vastly improve the sonic character and are very low noise. Of course, I use them to process lots of different instruments, not just guitars. 

I also bought a Ravish Sitar pedal by Electroharmonix - their products are all so unusual! It's great on keyboards and vocals.

I finally managed to acquire a Neumann M149 large diaphragm tube microphone. I'd been thinking about gewtting a classic Neumann for a while; a U67, U47 or M49, but the problem with vintage mics is that they can become unreliable, and you have to shell out for tube replacement (not easy!) replacement of leaky capacitors, etc. - not a lot of fun. So I decided to buy a brand new, with warranty, Neumann re-developed version of the classic M49. It sounds fantastic!

After watching Dan Auerbach playing a similar guitar on the Jools Holland show, I bought an Eastwood Supra Dual-Tone.