In the studio I have my original Black Shadow Resonator kit permanently set up, and miked up. This is the kit I used on just about every Elton studio album, as well as the one you see on the video of the live (1986) concert in Sydney with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

***DRUMS***

KICK: 22″ x 14″ Resonator shell
SNARE: 14″ x 8″ wood shell (known as “the Tub”, affectionately named by Clive Franks)
TOMS: 10″, 12″, 14″, 16″ Resonators – all mounted on a hand built rack system

***CYMBALS***

HIHAT: 13″ Fusion Hats (tight and crisp, without taking over the whole kit)
RIDE: 21″ HH Vintage Ride (great definition, with a wonderful bell sound)
CRASHES: 16″ and 18″ El Sabor crashes (such a full sound)
CHINA: 16″ AAX China (great dirty sound)
SPLASH: 8″ and 10″ AAX Splashes (cheeky little things)

***MIDI MODULES***

ALESIS: DM5 Drum module (great for retriggering drums via the audio inputs)
E-MU SYSTEMS: Proteus World 3 (great unusual percussion sounds)
ROLAND: R8-M (trusty old UK voltage module, with converter for 110v.)
YAMAHA: DM7 mixing console (to submix the above modules)

***MICROPHONES***

SENNHEISER’s Evolution range
KICK: e602 (internally mounted using Randy May’s system)
SNARE TOP: e604
SNARE BOTTOM: 409 (internally mounted using Randy May’s system)
TOMS: 4x 504 (internally mounted using Randy May’s system)
HIHAT: MKH 40 P48
RIDE CYMBAL: MKH 40 P48
OVERHEADS: e664 (check these out – excellent value for the money)
VOCALS ETC: MKH800 (These are really special mics)

***MONITOR SPEAKERS***

Alesis M1 Mk2 Powered speakers (my main reference speakers)
YAMAHA MSP5 Powered speakers (wow… What an amazing punch these pack!)
M-Audio BX5 Powered monitors