Software I use, gadgets I love, and other things I recommend.
I get asked a lot about the things I use to build software, stay productive, or buy to fool myself into thinking I’m being productive when I’m really just procrastinating. Here’s a big list of all of my favorite stuff.
Workstation
16” MacBook Pro, M4 Max, 64GB RAM (2024)
This machine is an absolute beast—40-core GPU, 16-core CPU, and 2TB of blazing-fast SSD. It's quiet, cool, and handles everything from Docker containers to Logic Pro without breaking a sweat.
2019 iPad Pro 12.9” with Apple Pencil
Great for sketching, writing, and casual browsing. It also doubles as a side monitor thanks to Sidecar.
Roland FP-30X Digital Piano
Full-weighted keys and solid onboard sounds—this is my go-to for piano practice and MIDI input.
MPC Live II + MPK Mini Plus + Studio Monitors
Perfect combo for beat-making and music production. The Live II’s standalone capability pairs nicely with the MPK Mini for portability, and the monitors keep everything sounding clean.
Development tools
VS Code + Cursor
My daily drivers for most coding. VS Code for its ecosystem and extensions, Cursor when I want AI superpowers baked right into the editor. It's like having a pair programmer who actually knows what they're doing.
JetBrains IDEs (WebStorm, IntelliJ IDEA)
When I need the heavy artillery for complex projects. The refactoring tools and intelligent code assistance are unmatched, especially for TypeScript and Java projects.
Warp
The terminal that convinced me terminals could actually be fun. With its block-based structure, AI command suggestions, and collaborative features, it's like having a chatty assistant who never judges you for forgetting how to exit vim... again.
Design
Figma
We started using Figma as just a design tool but now it’s become our virtual whiteboard for the entire company. Never would have expected the collaboration features to be the real hook.
Music Production
Logic Pro 11
My main DAW for everything from quick ideas to full productions. Runs like butter on the M4 Max and plays nice with all my hardware.
MPC 3.5
The inception setup: MPC software running as a VST inside Logic while my Live II acts as the controller, sometimes with the Roland or MPK Mini thrown in for good measure. It's beautifully chaotic—MPC controlling MPC while Logic records it all.
Splice
My go-to for fresh samples and sounds. The subscription keeps me stocked with everything from obscure vinyl chops to modern trap kits when inspiration strikes at 2 AM.
Tracklib
Legal sample clearance made simple. Digging through their vault of original recordings feels like crate digging, but with the paperwork already sorted out.
Video Production
Final Cut Pro 11
Lightning fast on the M4 Max. The magnetic timeline still feels like magic after all these years.
Motion + Compressor
Motion for graphics and effects, Compressor for encoding. The perfect Final Cut companions.
Productivity
Alfred
It's not the newest kid on the block but it's still the fastest. The Sublime Text of the application launcher world.
AI & Automation
🤖 Why I Have All These AI Tools
Look, if AI is coming for my job (and let's be honest, it probably is), then I'm going to make sure I can at least direct the takeover. Think of it as career insurance with a side of existential dread. I'm not just learning to code—I'm learning to speak fluent AI. Because if robots are going to replace me, I want to be the human whispering sweet prompts in their digital ears. Plus, mastering prompt and context engineering means I can either work for myself or help others navigate our inevitable AI overlords. It's like learning to ride the wave instead of getting swept away by it. 🏄♂️
Claude (Anthropic)
My go-to AI for thoughtful conversations, code reviews, and writing. It's like having a really smart colleague who never gets tired of my dumb questions.
ChatGPT
The Swiss Army knife of AI tools. Whether I need quick code snippets, brainstorming sessions, or help explaining complex concepts, it's always ready to help.
GitHub Copilot
My coding sidekick that finishes my thoughts—sometimes better than I would have. The autocomplete suggestions are eerily accurate.
JetBrains AI Assistant
Seamlessly integrated into my IDEs, this makes refactoring and code analysis feel like magic. Perfect for when I need AI help without leaving my development environment.
Notion AI
Helps me organize thoughts, draft content, and manage my knowledge base. It's particularly good at turning messy brain dumps into structured documentation.