At the moment I have about $700 I'd like to use to upgrade my home studio so I figure this would be the best place to get advice. I've been reading around here for a few months, but just didn't register until today, and I know there are definitely a lot of people here who know what they are talking about
I think it would help to talk about what I already have, so right now I have a Presonus Firepod, BX5a monitors, an MXL 2001, MXL 990 and 991, a couple of Audix F10s and an F11, a Shure sm57, and a Zoom H4 (which I sometimes use to record overheads because of the instant and easy XY pattern). I also have a Mackie DFX12 but that was from before I got the Firepod. I record everything into Ableton Live.
My problem is I really don't know what I could go with next with the $700. I've used all this equipment almost daily for ~4 years and I really feel like I've hit the limit to the quality I can get out of it. It's a small budget, but I could probably hit $800 if it would make much of a difference.
I'm usually recording my drums for myself, but I also have a couple of small time bands and rappers that record at my place so I figured a good condenser mic pair that I could use for overheads or vocals would be great, but also maybe a good dual channel preamp, or maybe even a good compressor?
I'm completely lost as to what I should do so all advice is welcome.
Thanks!