Emax

Yes, it was really a tangent that frankly I don't get to discuss with many people without them getting an odd look on their face and walking off.

Sound Design:  I love spending HOURS on sound mod and creation.  I do feel that it helps me to take a step back and use the older equipment since everything being used in modern music is sterile and used by everyone everywhere.  I think that's where something Depeche said in an interview really stuck with me for long and got me on this road.  Make every sound your own and unique.  Don't use presets when you can tweak or make something from scratch and that's what do or at least attempt.

Even if I use a 909 kick in something I can't help but mess with the pitch or release or filter it someway so I can't recognize it as just one of 50 909 kick samples everybody else has.  Turn on the radio now and EVERYONE uses the same sounds in their music and it's maddening!!  It's like Taco Bell for sound:  The Menu: Cheese (909 samples) Beef (Roland Pianos) and Tortilla to wrap it all in (Pro Tools).  

I sometimes just want a simple 4 track cassette and my Emax!  That's it!