---
title: "Uses"
description: "The hardware, software, studio, and guitar kit Tim Benniks uses to build, write, livestream, and ship. Updated when something actually changes."
url: "https://timbenniks.dev/uses"
markdown_url: "https://timbenniks.dev/uses.md"
---

# The kit that gets out of the way.

Hardware, software, and studio gear. Updated when something earns its spot, not when something new ships.

![Illustrated desk with laptop, mic, and lights](https://res.cloudinary.com/dwfcofnrd/image/upload/v1788714234/website/boring-setups-tim.png)

---

> Pro jank. Mattresses absorb audio very well.

A workspace that doubles as a studio. Always one Stream Deck press from being ready to roll, even when the kitchen hits the spot.

---

*A note on gear*

## Boring setups win

Fancy tools are a tax on attention. I upgrade when something breaks the workflow, not because a launch video was good.

![Illustrated case for keeping a boring creative setup](https://res.cloudinary.com/dwfcofnrd/image/upload/v1779343148/website/boring-setups.png)

The list below the fold is the honest one: what I actually reach for. If you're assembling a desk or a studio, steal freely. Skip anything that makes you think about the tool instead of the work.

- [Read: The case for boring setups](/writing/the-case-for-boring-setups)

---

On this page

- [Computer & desk](#computer-desk)
- [Audio & video](#audio-video)
- [Software](#software)
- [Music](#music)

---

*Office*

## Computer & desk

Boring on purpose. Reliable compute, a sit/stand desk, and enough Stream Deck buttons that recording never requires a scavenger hunt.

### Compute

- **14" MacBook Pro**: M3 · 36GB
- **LG UltraFine 32UN500-W**: 32" 4K
- **CalDigit TS3+ dock**
- **Logitech MX Master 3**
- **Custom mechanical keyboards**: Tactile · lubed · swapped often

### Desk

- **Yaasa Pro II sit/stand desk**
- **Autonomous ErgoChair 2**
- **Elgato Stream Deck**: Full size + Mini

---

*Studio*

## Audio & video

Built to record talks, livestreams, and YouTube without thinking about gear mid-sentence. Redundant interfaces on purpose. Failure during a live session is not an aesthetic.

### Audio

- **Rode Rodecaster Pro**: Main interface
- **Rode Streamer X**
- **Focusrite Scarlett Solo**: 3rd gen
- **Shure SM7b + TritonAudio FetHead**
- **Shure NT4**: Stereo for music
- **M-Audio BX5 monitors**

### Camera

- **Sony ZV-E10 + Sigma 16mm f/1.4**
- **Sony ZV-1**: B-cam · vlogs

### Lights

- **Elgato Key Lights + Flex Arms**
- **Godox TL 60 tube lights**
- **Aputure Amaran 100D + Godox light dome**
- **Aputure Amaran 60D S + 50cm lantern softbox**
- **Aputure Amaran P60x**

---

*Software*

## What runs all day

A small kit, swapped slowly. The fewer surprises in the editor, the more attention left for the work.

### Editor & terminal

- **[Cursor](https://cursor.com)**: Daily driver
- **[Visual Studio Code](https://code.visualstudio.com)**: Night Owl · Material Icon Theme
- **[Warp](https://www.warp.dev)**: with zsh
- **[Claude Code](https://docs.anthropic.com/en/docs/claude-code)**: Heavy lifting in the terminal

### Browsers

- **[Arc](https://arc.net)**: Daily driver
- **[Chrome](https://www.google.com/chrome/)**: For DevTools

### Design & video

- **[Figma](https://www.figma.com)**
- **[DaVinci Resolve](https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve)**: YouTube edits
- **[OBS](https://obsproject.com)**: Livestreaming

---

*Off the clock*

## Music

What happens after the laptop closes. Mostly tube amps, mostly old pedals, mostly loud.

### Amps

- **Marshall JCM-900**
- **Fender Blues Deluxe Tweed Reissue**

### Pedals

- **Ibanez TS9**: 1984
- **Maxon TS808**
- **Fulltone OCD**
- **Fulltone Full Drive**
- **Boss DD5 · CE2**
- **Cry Baby wah**

### Guitars

- **Fender Stratocaster 50s Black Japan**: 1991
- **Fender Prodigy Stratocaster**: 1992
- **Fender Telecaster Deluxe**: 1998
- **Parts Telecaster**
- **Sire S7 Larry Carlton Strat**
- **PRS SE Custom 24**
- **Gibson Les Paul Gem**: 1994
- **Epiphone Greeny Les Paul**
- **Ibanez Artstar AS113**
- **Taylor Big Baby**: Acoustic

---

The list changes slowly on purpose. Stable tools, sharper attention.

- [Contact Tim on LinkedIn](https://linkedin.com/in/timbenniks)

- [More about Tim](/about)