The $6,000 Question

[rashadrm@hotmai]

OK, Im down to the last $6,000 in my gear budget, here's what I have so far..

PT HD3 (64 inputs /32 outputs
Genelec 1031A / Dynaudio BM5A's
Avocet,
Tascam RA1000/Masterlink
Z-SYS Detangler
TC6000
Pcm81
Finalizer
Distressors x 2
API 560C x4
Vari-mu / massive passive
Trakkers x 2
CL1B x2
lil freq x2
Ibis
LTD1 x2
Hedd 192
Riosetta 800

The system sounds great as is, but the 6 grand is a store credit, so I've got to spend it. I still think about Tonelux or something that would help the overall package as opposed to another EQ or compressor etc. Any suggestions from the more experienced slutz? Theres got to be another franchise piece that would bring the entire system up another notch.

[cajonezzz]

I'd go for a 8 ch D- command ( your about 6 k shy) but seriously , if you haven't used the icon control surfaces, you should check em out.

Are you doing any surround?

[Solunaris]

you could go with the giant mouse, or the tonelux... might as well spend it something that will improve your sound

[Berolzheimer]

What kind of work are you doing? What's your room like? What about instruments?

[cajonezzz]

Originally Posted by arrogantbastard

you could go with the giant mouse,

Ever mixed on one?

It's pretty much the party line to slag it- bit I've yet to meet an engineer that's put in any REAL fly time that feels that it's a "giant mouse" when they get used to the work flow. And fully understand the power of the custom fader groups, and detailed control of automation.
I do see how one could assume that- but it really is worth a an honest try.

[blueman]

What about upgrading your monitors

You can buy new mics too.

[rashadrm@hotmai]

Originally Posted by cajonezzz

I'd go for a 8 ch D- command ( your about 6 k shy) but seriously , if you haven't used the icon control surfaces, you should check em out.

Are you doing any surround?

I did one concert mix for dvd last year, thats when I bought the Bm5's. I'm not sure how much I will do in the near future but I am prepared for it.

I actually have 24 channels of the mackie controls since I switch between logic and protools it was the best choice. I like the Icon though, I used it at supersonic in miami. But for 60 to 80 grand I would buy more outboard etc..

[The Byre]

Mics???

[rashadrm@hotmai]

Originally Posted by arrogantbastard

you could go with the giant mouse, or the tonelux... might as well spend it something that will improve your sound

exactly what I am thinking. I am really trying to find someone who has the tonelux rig in a real world enviornment so I can really live with it a little. I did go to the shootout in NYC that vintage king had , but I still came away unconvinced.

[rashadrm@hotmai]

Originally Posted by Berolzheimer

What kind of work are you doing? What's your room like? What about instruments?

mainly R&B, POP, a nice combination of live and midi. A full V-Drum set when we use drummers, guitars and bass, live horns and voc. There is an older picture of the room on this site.

Thanks Gearslutz/Alto Music/ and Bob Katz

[rashadrm@hotmai]

Originally Posted by blueman

What about upgrading your monitors

You can buy new mics too.

I am seriously thinking about the Dynaudio BM15A's ,
as far as mics, I'm pretty hardcore U87 but I should upgrade my cabinet. Right now I have. U87 x3 - C414 x2 - SM58 - an old classic RCA ribbon and a couple other low end mics.

[rashadrm@hotmai]

Originally Posted by The Byre

Mics???

What I really need to do is keep working towards a facility like yours , your studio is serious, and the property is amazing.

[The Byre]

Thanks for the nice words - years of struggle and sleeping in the back of a tour truck, cuddled up to a Great Dane or two for warmth and comfort went into building this place.

It's the store credit thing that bugs me - if I was in the position of HAVING to spend $6,000, it would be on something like a great big pair of used B&W monitors or perhaps a set of used M&Ks with sub, which are truly amazing and easier to get in the US (where I asume you are).

Also, a nice desk would be a good addition, a great, big, hairy used Amek, but as it is a store credit, well, hmmm . . .

Nope, all I can think of would be instruments (Rhodes suitcase? Wurly? Vintage amp stack? Old analogue synth?

Nope, it would have to be mics. Audix drum mics (D6 etc), some Sennheiser 421 and 441s and how about some DPAs? The baby 4061s are great as PZMs for drum OH and piano

review here http://www.dpamicrophones.com/Images/DM03368.pdf

I know that some people hate Audix mics and the D6 in particular because it has a very modern and beefy sound - but it happens to be the sound that most people want to hear, which for me settles the argument once and for all.

The Sennheisers for a more mellow sound and the DPAs for wonderful stereo and lots of experimentation.

That still leaves you with $2,500 to spend.

Some rack cases and a small, good desk, so that you can do remotes?

[rashadrm@hotmai]

Originally Posted by The Byre

Thanks for the nice words - years of struggle and sleeping in the back of a tour truck, cuddled up to a Great Dane or two for warmth and comfort went into building this place.

It's the store credit thing that bugs me - if I was in the position of HAVING to spend $6,000, it would be on something like a great big pair of used B&W monitors or perhaps a set of used M&Ks with sub, which are truly amazing and easier to get in the US (where I asume you are).

Also, a nice desk would be a good addition, a great, big, hairy used Amek, but as it is a store credit, well, hmmm . . .

Nope, all I can think of would be instruments (Rhodes suitcase? Wurly? Vintage amp stack? Old analogue synth?

Nope, it would have to be mics. Audix drum mics (D6 etc), some Sennheiser 421 and 441s and how about some DPAs? The baby 4061s are great as PZMs for drum OH and piano

review here http://www.dpamicrophones.com/Images/DM03368.pdf

I know that some people hate Audix mics and the D6 in particular because it has a very modern and beefy sound - but it happens to be the sound that most people want to hear, which for me settles the argument once and for all.

The Sennheisers for a more mellow sound and the DPAs for wonderful stereo and lots of experimentation.

That still leaves you with $2,500 to spend.

Some rack cases and a small, good desk, so that you can do remotes?

I dont do a any live drums at the time, just V-drums. But I like the idea of a great used desk or a new modular system like a tonelux etc.. thanks for the info

[cdog]

Originally Posted by The Byre

I know that some people hate Audix mics and the D6 in particular because it has a very modern and beefy sound - but it happens to be the sound that most people want to hear, which for me settles the argument once and for all.

I'm not oppssed to the "modern kick drum sound."

There are other mic combinations that do it MUCH better than the D6.

The D6 is a mediocre quality large diaghram dynamic mic that has a massive EQ curve built in which creates the horribly unnatural phase shift in the audio.

It fine for live sound where you don't have time to tweak and you WANT every kick drum to sound the same.

But in studio setting? Thats just laziness.

AT 4047 + a Yamaha Subkick OWNS the D6 on modern rock kicks.

Or the AT AE2500

Or the U195

I could go on.....

[Tone Laborer]

If you're using v drums, I'd recommend DrumKitFromHell software --excellent sounds and you'd still have around 5700 left over.

[Bat Head Sound]

What about a "money" lead vocal mic? R&B and Pop are ALL about the vocals.

[DirkB]

Better speakers.

Greetings,
Dirk

[mltamisin]

The Focal monitors are pretty nice and a decent option if you're in the market for monitors. What about a nice tube mic like the Manley Gold Reference! Should be quite different from the U87 and will give you more options.

[GearHunter]

Have you heard the API setup in a real world situation. While I havent heard the api stuff I went through the neve/ the dangerous 2 bus/and the chandler mini mixer but did not hear nything hat I thought made enough difference to sum out the box. I get great results treating my protools setup as a mixer, bussing to the outboard. maybe the API rig would change my mind. I never tried the manley mixer though, thats still something that I would like to hear. thanks for the info

Yes indeed. I have a few good clients who have the API rig as-well. We all agree it's punchy and big and subtly colored, and we all agree it beats mixing in the box.

[rashadrm@hotmai]

Originally Posted by Tone Laborer

If you're using v drums, I'd recommend DrumKitFromHell software --excellent sounds and you'd still have around 5700 left over.

Who makes it, I'll check it out. Ive got tons of drums though, BFD , Stylus Rmx and
Battery 3 is it any better than these?

[danasti]

Originally Posted by rashadrm@hotmai

OK, Im down to the last $6,000 in my gear budget, here's what I have so far..

If you decide to get monitors check the Barefoot MM27.

Grab a fulcrom or two and a nice preamp with a large amount of headroom for the +40db of makeup gain. That will be a step above the PT mix buss.

Maybe add a smart C2 or ssl bus comp..

[chrisp2u]

Originally Posted by rashadrm@hotmai

Who makes it, I'll check it out. Ive got tons of drums though, BFD , Stylus Rmx and
Battery 3 is it any better than these?

If you already have BFD and other stuff, I probably wouldn't bother with DKFH. Do you have all of the BFD expansion packs?
---
c

[rashadrm@hotmai]

Originally Posted by chrisp2u

If you already have BFD and other stuff, I probably wouldn't bother with DKFH. Do you have all of the BFD expansion packs?
---
c

Ive got 2 packs for BFD and I'm waiting for the percussion pack to ship. Way too many drum sounds already but the percussion pack will definitely come in handy..

[dlmorley]

Buy a U47!

[Jim Williams]

Buy used! Or put half that money into someone's pocket.

That $6k will seem like $12k!

Jim Williams
Audio Upgrades

[polyphonix]

Hey just a quick note.
Adam speakers are designed from a much different approach than most of the other lines that we are all very familiar with. If the P11's did not satisy your thirst for extended low end, I doubt the p22's are gonna feed that hunger.
Try the s2.5a's. (9" HexaCone/CF)
The cone is made out of different material than the P Series (paper cone) series which in my humble opinion is more like an NS10 response, somewhat hype on the High's and rolled of low-end.
The S2.5's give you better pf both: more LowEnd Extension and better clarity in the mids due to polished hi-end.
Give them a try you might be surprised
P-PHUNk