When I usually go to my studio to work, I start with something that is going to take two minutes just to put some idea down and the next thing I know, ten hours have gone by and my family is screaming at me because they want me to come up to have dinner with them.
Other times, I'll just sit with the lyrics and, basically, the lyrics will inspire me to write a particular melodic part or vocal melody.
I like to feel I can use any piece of equipment that strikes me at the time and I don't want to be overly obliging to any company.
When I do a take, I very often try things that I haven't planned to try to see if I can pull it off.