Wise Investment - new studio

HighRockEnt · 31st March 2008

This question pertains to my near future upgrade in my second studio.
I operate out of two studios in Atlanta. My main studio consists of a DBX 576, Focusrite Red 7, an akg c-12 and 414 running HD2. I have an avalon 737 i carry around with me in a mobile unit. I'm looking to upgrade my other studio which currently consists of a rode NTK, 414 and avalon 737 and mbox 2 pro. I've already taken care of the booth, monitoring situation, DAW and room, I have $14 grand left to invest in my new studio. I record a lot of pop singers and a lot of hip hop. My main focus is to build a solid vocal chain around a new pop singer along the lines of a britney or christina. All equipment at both studio's is entierly interchangable but I would like to keep the chain at the other studio intact if possible (yes the c-12 and red 7 sound great but i want more options). $14 grand must get me a new vocal chain and a big ben, i have my ideas but i trust these forums, lead me in the right direction.

kooz · 31st March 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by HighRockEnt

an akg c-12 and 414 running HD2.

I'd like to know how you pulled that off, since neither microphone is big enough to fit the cards into, nor are they on digi's supported/approved list. You must be cookin' up some serious kludge-voodoo down there. Send some pics, please!

gainreduction · 31st March 2008

With $14K to spend on a vocal chain you have a lot to choose from. If the "B-room" will be mainly for a particular artist the best idea is to do some shootouts with that singer.

Christina and Britney have been recorded extensively with Tele 251's (x-tina) and Manley Ref C's (britney) so you might want to try those out. Now $14K won't get you an original 251 but certainly one of the fine remakes by Telefunken USA. Both mics are in the "bright and airy" department.

For a detailed and modern sound, look at Brauner microphones.

For a round "Neumann tone", look at Microtech Gefell.

All quality pieces that you probably won't regret buying.

For tracking vocals, my favourite compressor is the Buzz Audio SOC 1.1 Check it out.

I don't have an opinion on preamps other than in my world I like what a 1073 (or good clone) does to most any source. Others may think differently.

You might want to get better AD-conversion than the M-Box. Lavry AD-10 ?

Best of luck with your project.

edcampos · 31st March 2008

"Wise Investment - new studio"

These two sound funny together. (The smiley options are endless here...)

I think some of the suggestions above are very good. I would spend my money this way:

Mic @ <$6,000 - with this budget you could get an original 47, anything from the Telefunken USA line (if I am not mistaken), Bock 251, a few different options from Brauner, etc. You get the picture. I don't know if the C12 would be readily available for your use at all times. If so, then getting one other mic would probably be enough. If not, then I would shoot for two mics within this budget. If that's the case, I would also look into the local used market (so you have a means of testing the mic).

Pre @ <$3,000 - endless options. Neve, Fearn, Martech, API, Chandler, etc. If you get something like a 1073, you'll probably be over the budget here, but if you get something like a Chandler Germanium you'll have plenty left for other stuff.

Comp @ <2,500 - LA2a, CL1B, Neve 2254, Purple MC77, etc. Again, lots of options. Another piece where you could either go over budget or save, depending on what you get.

Converter @ >$2000 - Here is where I would make sure not to go cheap. I haven't bought single or dual channel converters in a while so I don't know what they go for, but I'm assuming if you can get an Apogee AD16 for around 3 grand, you should be able to get a nice 1 or 2 channel unit for around $2,000.

Big Ben @ 1,000 - You should be able to find a BB for $1,000 on the used market.

Well, that's where I would start. I don't think it needs to be stated but, obviously, if you go for the more expensive pieces in each category you'll be over budget, so spend accordingly. 14k is a lot of money to spend on a vocal chain and you should get a really nice one with some options if you shop wisely!

Best of luck,

Ed

HighRockEnt · 31st March 2008

Telefunken Ela M 251F $6,0000
NEVE 1073 DPD Stereo Mic Pre $3,300
Distressor Stereo Comp $3,000
Lavry AD-10 $1,400
Big Ben $1,000

$14,700 so with tax it's probably like $16 grand but damn I think I found my next chain, thanks for ya'lls advice.

-Onetrack

aotwmusic · 31st March 2008

Have you considered the Korby KAT 5 system? I have one and I swear by it. It comes with U47, U67, 251, C12, and 800G heads and each one has been tuned to the specifications of the best sample of each in the closet of Blackbird Studios. You can get the whole set for $8400.

That would leave $5600 - you could use that for a Martech ($2000), a nice compressor like a Purple Audio MC77 ($1600ish), and a Big Ben ($1300). That leaves $700 for a pop filter!

31st March 2008	#1
HighRockEnt Gear interested Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 7 Thread Starter	Wise Investment - new studio This question pertains to my near future upgrade in my second studio. I operate out of two studios in Atlanta. My main studio consists of a DBX 576, Focusrite Red 7, an akg c-12 and 414 running HD2. I have an avalon 737 i carry around with me in a mobile unit. I'm looking to upgrade my other studio which currently consists of a rode NTK, 414 and avalon 737 and mbox 2 pro. I've already taken care of the booth, monitoring situation, DAW and room, I have $14 grand left to invest in my new studio. I record a lot of pop singers and a lot of hip hop. My main focus is to build a solid vocal chain around a new pop singer along the lines of a britney or christina. All equipment at both studio's is entierly interchangable but I would like to keep the chain at the other studio intact if possible (yes the c-12 and red 7 sound great but i want more options). $14 grand must get me a new vocal chain and a big ben, i have my ideas but i trust these forums, lead me in the right direction.

31st March 2008	#3
gainreduction Lives for gear Joined: May 2005 Posts: 2,377	With $14K to spend on a vocal chain you have a lot to choose from. If the "B-room" will be mainly for a particular artist the best idea is to do some shootouts with that singer. Christina and Britney have been recorded extensively with Tele 251's (x-tina) and Manley Ref C's (britney) so you might want to try those out. Now $14K won't get you an original 251 but certainly one of the fine remakes by Telefunken USA. Both mics are in the "bright and airy" department. For a detailed and modern sound, look at Brauner microphones. For a round "Neumann tone", look at Microtech Gefell. All quality pieces that you probably won't regret buying. For tracking vocals, my favourite compressor is the Buzz Audio SOC 1.1 Check it out. I don't have an opinion on preamps other than in my world I like what a 1073 (or good clone) does to most any source. Others may think differently. You might want to get better AD-conversion than the M-Box. Lavry AD-10 ? Best of luck with your project. __________________ http://www.fixitinthemix.se http://www.detonamusic.com

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31st March 2008	#4
edcampos Lives for gear Joined: Aug 2007 Location: Miami, FL/Boston, MA Posts: 1,018	"Wise Investment - new studio" These two sound funny together. (The smiley options are endless here...) I think some of the suggestions above are very good. I would spend my money this way: Mic @ <$6,000 - with this budget you could get an original 47, anything from the Telefunken USA line (if I am not mistaken), Bock 251, a few different options from Brauner, etc. You get the picture. I don't know if the C12 would be readily available for your use at all times. If so, then getting one other mic would probably be enough. If not, then I would shoot for two mics within this budget. If that's the case, I would also look into the local used market (so you have a means of testing the mic). Pre @ <$3,000 - endless options. Neve, Fearn, Martech, API, Chandler, etc. If you get something like a 1073, you'll probably be over the budget here, but if you get something like a Chandler Germanium you'll have plenty left for other stuff. Comp @ <2,500 - LA2a, CL1B, Neve 2254, Purple MC77, etc. Again, lots of options. Another piece where you could either go over budget or save, depending on what you get. Converter @ >$2000 - Here is where I would make sure not to go cheap. I haven't bought single or dual channel converters in a while so I don't know what they go for, but I'm assuming if you can get an Apogee AD16 for around 3 grand, you should be able to get a nice 1 or 2 channel unit for around $2,000. Big Ben @ 1,000 - You should be able to find a BB for $1,000 on the used market. Well, that's where I would start. I don't think it needs to be stated but, obviously, if you go for the more expensive pieces in each category you'll be over budget, so spend accordingly. 14k is a lot of money to spend on a vocal chain and you should get a really nice one with some options if you shop wisely! Best of luck, Ed

31st March 2008	#6
aotwmusic Gear maniac Joined: Jul 2007 Location: Spring Hill, TN Posts: 185	Have you considered the Korby KAT 5 system? I have one and I swear by it. It comes with U47, U67, 251, C12, and 800G heads and each one has been tuned to the specifications of the best sample of each in the closet of Blackbird Studios. You can get the whole set for $8400. That would leave $5600 - you could use that for a Martech ($2000), a nice compressor like a Purple Audio MC77 ($1600ish), and a Big Ben ($1300). That leaves $700 for a pop filter!