My Gear List
Welcome to My Gear List, this is an extensive list created by Louis Mihael. It list out all of the equipment, hardware, software, Louis Mihael use on a daily bases to do, Youtube videos, Podcast, Comics, Graphic Design, etc.
The Apple M1 chip takes Mac mini, the most versatile, do-it-all Mac desktop, to a whole new level of performance. Despite it size, Mac mini with the M1 chip could performance under most intense workflow any content creator throws at it.
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Did have some issues with audio recordings, both in Audacity and GarageBand, randomly stopping. Haven't havd the issue for the last several months though.
Amazon:
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Experience the next level of ultimate with the 2021 Apple 12.9" iPad Pro, which features performance that is supercharged by Apple's M1. The iPad Pro is the perfect mobile device for Artist on the go and traveling. An Apple Pencil is must buy with any iPad, Magic Keyword or the Smart Keyword Case is great too.
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I almost can do about 90% of my workflow on the iPad, which is great! However that 10% I can't do, is very disappointing because they usually simple task for a computer. The price is a like too much but the 2018 iPad Pros, iPad Airs, are still very powerful and cheaper options
Amazon:
The Professional standard in creative pen tablets Wacom Intuits Pro sets a new standard for professional pen tablets. Much like Macs, Wacom has alway been the professional artist choice for many years, and can be little pricey too. One great thing about Wacom is with each purchase, comes with a code to download creative software, usually Adobe or Clip Studio Paint at discount price or for free. The Wacom Intuos Medium would be the perfect beginners tablet. If you have an iPad and a Mac, could use the SideCar feature or the Astropad app to turn your iPad to a Wacom like tablet.
Amazon:
Pro-
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Medium-
Creative Cloud has the design tools to bring your ideas to life, with apps for everything from image compositing and photo editing to website design, digital painting, 3D, and augmented reality.
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Although there are many good cheaper alternatives with one-time purchase out there, Adobe is still the best creative suite over all. However Adobe is overkill for beginners.
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Amazon:
All-in-one solution for creating stunning, ready-to-publish illustrations, comics, graphic novels, manga, webtoons, concepts/character, and animations. I can't recommend this software enough, I been using this software since it was called Manga Studio 3 and it has become the best software for digital art out there. Only difference in CSP EX and CSP Pro, is EX have page manager for comics and the Mac version on both has PDF exporter, for some reason Windows don't have it. Although if you have a InDesign or Affinity Publisher, you could get around these easily.
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The webtoons features are prefect for turning old printed layout comics to that webtoons scrolling style.
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Amazon:
High quality microphone at an affordable price. This is perfect for beginners who need the best bang for their bucks. This kit comes with mics, pop filters, clips, xls cords, table stands, and carry cases all for around $60. For the price these mics are quite good. You will need an Audio interface or mixer to computer to use.
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Amazon:
Hear the revolution in gaming audio with the Turtle Beach Recon 500 wired gaming headset. Not only is this great for gaming on any console or computer, its also great for audio and video editing. Good bang for your bucks product. Another reason I recommend these is because they are wired, Bluetooth is still little too laggy for precise editing.
Amazon:
Excluding the phone feature, I like using iPhones because I'm in the Apple ecosystem. Example; if I come up with an idea for a new comic, I can write it in Apples Notes then when I get home, it autuomaticlly sync to my iPad or Mac. All Apple's apps and many other third-party apps can do this.
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Amazon:
Good alternatives
Design, animate, and game. Step up to the award-winning Ampere — NVIDIA's 2nd gen RTX architecture, enabling ray-traced graphics and cutting-edge AI features from NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti. Excellent performance, display for color grading/correction, and drawing experience.
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I have not personally used this laptop yet, however with my many years experience with 2 other Microsoft Surface products, I can feel safe in recommending this. It's a little expensive but compare to Macs and what you get with it, its a good deal really. You're getting a gaming and creative professional laptop.
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However, I have heard the battery although good, isn't as good as most laptop in this price range. Also there is no SD card slot or USB-A and the new Slim Pen is sold separate.
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Amazon:
Even though I'm an Apple fanboy, I have always been very impressed with Samsung products and the Galaxy Tab S are great alternative to the iPad Pros. The only thing iPad Pros really had on Galaxy Tab S are the creative pro apps, but many have slowly been going to Android like Clip Studio Paint and LumaFusion.
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Amazon:
These 3 drawing tablets are alternative to Wacom. They are very much cheaper than Wacom and not as nice but they get the job done. All three are about the same prices and neither one is better than the other. Unfortunately, neither products comes with creative software like Wacom. Could be good for young beginners.
Amazon:
Huion-
UGEE-
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XPen-
Professional photo editing, page layout, graphic design and illustration – available for Mac, Windows and iPad, subscription free. Excellent alternative for Adobe PhotoShop, InDesign and Illustrator, $50 one time purchase. Affinity does about 85% of what Adobe does at a much cheaper price making this perfect for beginners, freelancer and pros alike. The iPad versions of these apps are excellent and must have for all iPad user, and work great with Apple Pencil.
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Check out the Affinity Workbooks
Affinity Photo-
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Affinity Designer-
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Affinity Publisher-