LeonharTak

LeonharTak → Kit

Keep It Together

The stuff I use to do stuff

I am meticulous about the tools and tech I use when it comes to my work, and I invest significant time in researching and experimenting to ensure they meet my minimalist and artistic standards.

Here, you’ll find a curated list of recommended products and resources that I use. What you won’t find is an overly technical breakdown of specs, graphs, and comparisons—of which there are plenty already.

Instead, I’ll focus on how these tools enhance my workflows. Keep in mind that some of these gadgets aren’t the latest models, I don’t have endless funds and sponsorships to always buy the newest gear.

And even if I did have those things, with most of the day spent sleeping or working, it often feels like there’s not enough time to indulge in anything. So, let’s get to it!

Every Day Carry

Colloquially know as EDC

Phone: I use the iPhone 12 mini in green and really hope that Apple changes its mind and starts making small form factor phones again.

Wallet: I use the Roco slim aluminum wallet with RFID blocking. The exact one I have isn’t available anymore, but I have linked the new version.

Pen: That’s right, who doesn’t have a favorite pen? I use the white Sharpie S-Gel 0.7 with black ink. It’s just a really nice writing experience.

Knife: I like to carry my Kershaw 1640 Vapor silver pocket knife because it is slim, fits well in my pocket, and is a treasured gift.

Necklace: I’ve worn the Final Fantasy 8 Sleeping Lion Heart necklace daily since 1999. It’s so well-loved it’s melted a bit and shaped to my body.

Medallion: I always carry the Memento Mori Medallion in my pocket, backpack, or wallet as a reminder that life is precious.

Laptop: I have the 13 inch M2 MacBook Air from 2022 with 16 GB of ram. I used to have MacBook Pros, but when Apple silicon processors came out, I decided to try a non-pro version. I’m really happy with it.

Tablet: I have the first generation 12.9 inch iPad Pro from 2015 and an original Apple Pencil. It barely holds a charge anymore, but it’s still the best way to work creatively. I’d love to upgrade this beast, but you know, money.

Headphones: I resisted wireless headphones for years, but after using using AirPods, I have to say it’s been life-changing. They make listening while cleaning, walking, and moving much easier than wired headphones.

Kindle: I also resisted moving away from physical books for years. But now I have an Amazon Kindle. Reading on an e-ink screen is so much nicer than any other screen or physical book. Yep, I said it.

Every Day Apps

or at least every so often

Notion: My #1 life organization tool is Notion. I use it daily to track habits, write in my journal, and manage my businesses. It’s essential for keeping everything in order, including my campaign and world-building notes.

Audible: I listen to an Audible book every day on my way into work. It’s been freeing to not rely on physical books. Also, I like asking Alexa (Amazon’s AI) to read my Kindle books to me too.

Duolingo: I’ve been learning on Duolingo for a few years and find it to be a fun way to get a few minutes of beneficial brain activity each day. It’s also fun to play with friends!

Finch: So, I grew up in the age of Tamagotchi and Finch brings similar vibes. It’s a self-care app where a bird grows when you take care of yourself. The best part is, the bird doesn’t die if you forget about it!

Website Design

Front and back-end

Website Publishing: All my sites are published with WordPress because I have control issues. Unlike many other web publishing platforms, WordPress lets me customize and optimize everything using their extensive API. Sure, other platforms “just work”, but I want a site that “just works” exactly how I want it to.

WordPress Theme: The theme I use on all my sites is not what you would call traditional. Instead, I use a flexible template system called Thesis and a custom Thesis Skin I developed called Less. With Thesis and Less, I have complete control over performance and design without the bloat and restrictions typically associated with themes.

Affordable Hosting: If you don’t mind using the command line, DigitalOcean is great because it’s scalable and affordable. This site is hosted on a WordPress-optimized droplet on DigitalOcean.

Managed Hosting: If you want immediate peace of mind, Flywheel1 offers a simple interface, daily backups, automatic updates, caching, staging, etc. My business sites, LightlyStyled and Vostra Moda, are hosted on Flywheel.

Website Analytics: Most of what I’m interested in regarding my websites is available with the free Google Search Console. But when I want to know web traffic details, I use Plausible. It’s a privacy-friendly analytics tool with a script that weighs less than 1 KB, and for someone who wants fast websites, Google Analytics just doesn’t make the cut.

Email Marketing: My business, Vostra Moda, has a newsletter, and I use Buttondown to collect and send emails. Buttondown has a simple interface, enough options, and an API to build automations. I can also create email templates using pure CSS and HTML, avoiding the overly-complicated and unnecessary “design tools” that other platforms offer.

WordPress Development: I use Local by Flywheel to quickly develop my sites locally, push them to staging, and then pull them back to start the process again. It’s so simple and seamless because I use Flywheel hosting.

Code Editor: I use VS Code with the City Lights color, icon, and ui theme and IBM Plex Mono font because I’m a huge nerd.

Photography

What’s in my bag

Camera Body: My first full-frame camera is the original Sony a7R. I chose this camera for the amazing resolution and image quality it brought to my landscape and architecture photography.

If I were to upgrade today, I would definitely be interested in the Sony a7CR for its portability, higher resolution, and modern USB-C connectivity.

Camera Lenses: Although zoom lenses offer versatility, I choose prime lenses for their superior image quality, sharpness, and clarity.

I would also want a bright and wide lens for sweeping landscapes and astrophotography, such as the Laowa 12mm F2.8 Zero-D, Sony FE 14mm F1.8 GM, or Sony FE 24mm F1.4 GM.

Camera Bags: I like bags. I enjoy putting things in them and organizing them. So, I have bags.

  • Main Bag: Living up to its name, I use the original Everyday Backpack 20L by Peak Design in charcoal every day. The exact one I have isn’t available anymore, but I have linked the new version.
  • Auxiliary Bag: I like to pack everything I need into my main bag, and then use my Everyday Sling 10L by Peak Design in charcoal when I’m on location. The exact one I have isn’t available anymore, but I have linked the new version.
  • Filter Bag: I use the Filter Hive Mini by MindShift Gear to keep my neutral density filters safe, organized, and readily available.
  • Tech Bag: The Field Pouch by Peak Design in charcoal holds all my cables, adapters, and miscellany cords. The exact one I have isn’t available anymore, but I have linked the new version.

Tripod: I use the Brian Evolution 2 carbon fiber tripod by Three Legged Thing. The great features of this tripod are its height when fully extended and its compactness when packed.

Filters: Despite the amazing advances in software, I sometimes like practicing photography without relying on post processing. All of my neutral density filters are 100x100mm Firecrest IRND by Formatt-Hitech. I have densities of 0.9 (3 Stops), 1.8 (6 Stops), 3.0 (10 Stops), and 4.8 (16 Stops).

I also have a Firecrest 82mm Circular Polarizer that is always attached to my Formatt-Hitech filter holder.

Filter Vaults: I keep my filters fingerprint-free and my photos glare-free with 100x100mm Filter Vaults by Wine Country Camera. Because the vaults add a bit of thickness to my filters, I’ve modified my filter holder so each vault fits perfectly snug.

Photo Editing Software: I used to use Lightroom, but switched to Luminar and Aurora HDR by Skylum years ago. Now I use Luminar Neo1, Skylum’s flagship photo cataloging and editing software. The UI is simple and the advanced tools are all built-in. It’s even fun to use.

Music

Performing and recording studio

Piano: I have the P-140 Series Contemporary Digital Piano by Yamaha. I saved up for a year and bought it for $999 in cash from bartending tips at Daddy’s Junkie Music in 2006. I couldn’t afford a stand or seat, but a few weeks later, my dad made me a shiny-black painted wooden stand so I could sit and play properly.

Seaboard: I have the Seaboard Rise by Roli. I love playing and experimenting with it, but it’s very different from a piano. The exact one I have isn’t sold anymore, but I have linked the new version.

Cello: I began learning the cello in college. After graduating, I stopped practicing and lost my cello in a traumatic event. I still want to learn, but I plan to buy an electric cello next time.

Headphones: For monitoring, I trust my pair of Bose SoundTrue Headphones from 2014. They are falling apart, but I love them.

Audio Interface: I use the Mio audio interface by iConnectivity. I like to keep things simple, so I connect my piano’s MIDI in/out directly to my laptop. This lets me record without extra equipment and helps me focus on being creative.

Recording Software: I use Logic Pro by Apple as my DAW. I also use the X-DAW Art Pro Articulation Toolkit by Audio Grocery. This app saves me a lot of time when recording with orchestral samples and makes it simple to switch between different sounds inside Logic.

Sound Libraries: I have several sound libraries that I use with Kontakt. Some of my favorite samples are Noire, The Giant, Una Corda, and The Maverick. These libraries inspire me so much.

Gaming

What’s in my GM toolbox

Basic Setup: I always have my iPad with EncounterPlus and my campaign notes in Notion, both open in split screen. I also have a dice app on my phone but prefer using physical dice in a small tray.

Books: While some of my favorite books are Dungeons and Dragons related, don’t let that limit your gameplay.

Digital Tabletop: I use EncounterPlus and Module Packer to build combat encounters, track initiative, and enhance my VVT maps with virtual tokens and characters.

Physical Map: For in-person games, I use the Megamat by Chessex which comes in at a whopping 34in x 48in. I put a clear vinyl sheet on top and use colored dry erase markers to draw on it, chisel tip for big features, fine tip for small details.

  • Red is for lava and annotations.
  • Green is for ground.
  • Black is for walls.
  • Blue is for water.

Also, if I draw the map ahead of time, I use black sticky notes to cover unexplored areas and remove them as characters explore.

Physical Tokens: I love the idea of having many painted miniatures, but to keep it simple, I use an assortment of acrylic chips for tokens.

Ambiance: I use SoundTale for my pen and paper sessions. It’s beautiful, fun, and simple to quickly switch themes, moods, and use sound effects.

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