Unlimited $ to Spend on a World Class home studio.

[FrankSolari]

Guys,

Goal: To build one of the World's TOP Home Studio for Tracking/Mixing a variety of musical styles, no mastering here....I want the most flexibility.....

I would like to get some feedback to this question to where you would be with Equip and your system if you had unlimited $ to Spend on the items below:


Assumptions:

This $ are to be spent solely on:

a) Computer(s) Systems: indicate whether PC or Mac, PT or Nuendo or anything else, System Specs)
b) Console/Mixer/Control Surface
c) AD/DA converters / Interface
d) Softwares: Plug-Ins, Samplers, etc..........
e) Pre-amps (also indicate number of preamps...)

ASSUMPTIONS:

1) This is not for business, but for personal enjoyment since you are already a millionaire.....although if someone asked for the studio, you would open its doors for a select few.....

2) you had an Unlimited Amount of $ to spend

3) You already own the real estate (BTW, it is beachfront.....)

4) Construction costs, Any other Outboard gear, Instruments, not to be included here. This $ is solely for the above a-e list. If you had the $ for all this, 4) would not be a problem here, and everything would be world class....

5) Don't want to hear:

a: "I would buy this instead of that because it makes more sense $ wise......" Even if the increment in quality is only 1%, but the costs are 90% more! This is for the best of the best system....

b: " I would not need all this...." The goal is the BEST of the Best in your opinion.....

[kats]

I'd probably go with a SSL AWS900 for mixing into a Radar Nyquist. My preamps would be in groups of 8, specifically:

Neve 1084
Helios Type 69
V72s
TG Channels
API

Mics, all the standards in pairs. Ela M251's, U47s, U67's, etc etc you know the drill. I wouldn't be dealing with software much since most of the gear would be outboard: All the standards in pairs or 4s:

1176s
La2a
La3a's
Distressors
TG1


I mean you said unlimited budget, so the list could be unlimited. But it's really a simple matter when there is no budget concern. There are industry standards, just get all of them.

The console and monitoring is pretty personal though - it's kind of a balance between workflow and sonics with the board - but with all the outboard, I'd be leaning towards workflow, routing, and automation when picking a desk.

[robmix]

Fun,

A). PT HD on a maxed out G5 with a 30" cinema display.

B). Console - I'd get an SSL 9000K and a Digidesign ICON for mixing. They'd be placed on a huge, motorized lazy susan in the control room, so that whichever one I need could be rotated into the listening position. (I actually know someone who has this !!!!!!)

C). Personally, I'd be happy with Digi 192's but you could look at Prism, Lavry or Mytek. 48 ins and out.

D). Software - money's not object - just get it all.

E). Mic pre's - 3 sidecars. 16 channel Daking, 10 channel Wunder, and a 10 channel Neve BCM-10.

[FrankSolari]

Originally Posted by robmix

Fun,

B). Console - I'd get an SSL 9000K and a Digidesign ICON for mixing. They'd be placed on a huge, motorized lazy susan in the control room, so that whichever one I need could be rotated into the listening position. (I actually know someone who has this !!!!!!)

Wow, This will sound crazy, but I was actually thinking about this exact set up!!

I wasn't even sure if this was possible.....

[gainreduction]

Did you win the lottery or is this hypothetical ?

Personally:

A: Maxed out PTHD

B: SSL 9000K, the bigger the better

C: Prism

D: Like stated earlier, $=no issue...just buy everything available

E: a bunch of neves does it for me

[by-tor]

Step one get a Neve 88r. Higher a development team to implement Pro-tools control.

Then get three massive g5 based pro-tools rigs. One that has stock 192's one that has lavry conversion and one that has apogee conversion.

Then go to www.mercenaryaudio.com and just buy 8 of everything.

DONE!

[reid]

I understand that EMI is (unofficially) always open to serious offers on Abbey Road.

I'd buy that, retain all the staff, have the LSO on 24hr stand by and get on with it.

A lot less fiddly than arsing around with 3 of this, 8 of that and what about the upgrade on the whatchamacallit. The staff can make the gear sit up and beg, leaving you to get on with making / producing the music.

Sweet.

[FrankSolari]

Originally Posted by gainreduction

Did you win the lottery or is this hypothetical ?

Lets say it is hypothetical....

[sage691]

My list would be as follows:

- Brand new Studer 24 track 2" tape machine (they still have some left)

- 64 channels of Lavry GOLD A/D and D/A converters

- Pro Tools HD Accel 3, with EVERY plug-in made for it on a pimped out G5

- Amek 9098 Console for mixing, and a Trident A range console just for tracking and EQ (and I'd pay for a great tech to live in a beach condo nearby to keep the A range going, and make sure he had lots of young girls to keep him around)

- SSL 9000J hanging around just in case there is a technical problem with the 9098, and the tech is too busy with his head buried in young muff

- 2 of EVERYTHING that D.W. Fearn makes!

- 2 each of ALL of the Pultecs (speck'd by the best tech), ORIGINAL Sontec mastering EQ, Fairlight 660, 4 Urei 1176 LN (Rev. D), 2 ORIGINAL La2as, 1 Urei Blue Stripe 1176, 2 Distressors, 1 Manley Vari Mu, 1 Manley Massive Passive EQ, 2 gates Sta Level, 2 Altec 436c

- U47 tube and Fet, M49, Elam 251, Akg C24, Akg C12, 2 Akg C12a's, Rca 44, Rca 77, pair of Coles ribbons, matched pair of km84s, matched pair of km83s, 12 Senn. 421s, Shure SM7, Neumann CMV563, matched pair of AKG 414s, and all of the other normal mic stuff any great studio has!

- 10 Neve 1073s, and 10 Neve 1084s

- 4 of the very best Lexicon outboard reverbs, 2 Eventides, and a TC M5000

- All of the very best cabling, and a tech to hook it all up while I smoke a blunt and get fresh with several hot babes on a $10,000 leather couch.

That's probably about $1 million already, NOT including any of the instruments, guitars, and amps I would buy.


Sage

[FrankSolari]

Originally Posted by by-tor

Step one get a Neve 88r. Higher a development team to implement Pro-tools control.

I thought that you now have standard PT automation with Encore Plus on the 88RS?

[FrankSolari]

Originally Posted by reid

I understand that EMI is (unofficially) always open to serious offers on Abbey Road.
.

If you had to put a price tag on Abbey Road, where would it be?

[DirkB]

DAW: PTHD
Converters: Apogee 16x
Console: SSL 9000J
Preamps: Neve 1073, BAE312, John Hardy M1, Chandler TG2's (16 of each).

Or if budget was limited :
Nuendo rig with 32I/O of Lynx Aurora
Audient ASCP-8024 48 channels inline console with flying faders installed and a Mackie controller in the centre.
8ch of 312's, TG2's and M1's.

Actually, the second is what I hope to get in the somewhat distant future, although the flying faders is wishful thinking at the moment...

Greetings,
Dirk

[mtstudios@charter]

Unlimited? Get rid of the home part. Buy a building.

www.bluethumbproductions.com

[Greg Curtis]

Originally Posted by mtstudi@pacbell

Unlimited? Get rid of the home part. Buy a building.

www.bluethumbproductions.com

Agreed! How can you make "world-class recordings" in a home studio, where the accoustics, by definition, are compromised? All the gear in the world won't overcome a lousy home studio environment.

And gettting giant consoles and multiple 30" computer monitors in the control just adds really undesirable flat objects to the control room.

Sorry to piss on the parade, but home studios will never sound as nice as Abbey Road or Capitol, no matter how much slutty gear you cram into them.

greg

.

[Berolzheimer]

Originally Posted by sage691

......, Fairlight 660, ........

Sage

Funny, I though Fairlight only made digital gear....

[T_R_S]

You can buy Mutt Lange's old home studio in Switzerland for 20M Euro.

That guy had everything there.

[GYang]

Originally Posted by sage691

My list would be as follows:

- Brand new Studer 24 track 2" tape machine (they still have some left)

- 64 channels of Lavry GOLD A/D and D/A converters

- Pro Tools HD Accel 3, with EVERY plug-in made for it on a pimped out G5

- Amek 9098 Console for mixing, and a Trident A range console just for tracking and EQ (and I'd pay for a great tech to live in a beach condo nearby to keep the A range going, and make sure he had lots of young girls to keep him around)

- SSL 9000J hanging around just in case there is a technical problem with the 9098, and the tech is too busy with his head buried in young muff

- 2 of EVERYTHING that D.W. Fearn makes!

- 2 each of ALL of the Pultecs (speck'd by the best tech), ORIGINAL Sontec mastering EQ, Fairlight 660, 4 Urei 1176 LN (Rev. D), 2 ORIGINAL La2as, 1 Urei Blue Stripe 1176, 2 Distressors, 1 Manley Vari Mu, 1 Manley Massive Passive EQ, 2 gates Sta Level, 2 Altec 436c

- U47 tube and Fet, M49, Elam 251, Akg C24, Akg C12, 2 Akg C12a's, Rca 44, Rca 77, pair of Coles ribbons, matched pair of km84s, matched pair of km83s, 12 Senn. 421s, Shure SM7, Neumann CMV563, matched pair of AKG 414s, and all of the other normal mic stuff any great studio has!

- 10 Neve 1073s, and 10 Neve 1084s

- 4 of the very best Lexicon outboard reverbs, 2 Eventides, and a TC M5000

- All of the very best cabling, and a tech to hook it all up while I smoke a blunt and get fresh with several hot babes on a $10,000 leather couch.

That's probably about $1 million already, NOT including any of the instruments, guitars, and amps I would buy.


Sage

I like this list

2nd million $$$ on couple of dedicated monitoring systems in acoustic ideally treated rooms with pure gold cabling on critical interconnections. Converters should be mixture of Weiss, DCS and Lavry Gold (24 ch of each preferable)

3rd million $$$ to be spent on collection of guitar, basses, pianos, organs and other acoustic instruments.

4th million should suffice for rare pieces of history purchased on auctions to add vibe to space

IMMHO 5 M seems enough for top home studio incl. specialized construction works.

Let us know 'bout progress !

[Lindell]

Originally Posted by FrankSolari

Guys,

Goal: To build one of the World's TOP Home Studio for Tracking/Mixing a variety of musical styles....

a) Computer(s) Systems: indicate whether PC or Mac, PT or Nuendo or anything else, System Specs)
b) Console/Mixer/Control Surface
c) AD/DA converters / Interface
d) Softwares: Plug-Ins, Samplers, etc..........
e) Pre-amps (also indicate number of preamps...)

ASSUMPTIONS:

1) This is not for business, but for personal enjoyment since you are already a millionaire.....although if someone asked for the studio, you would open its doors for a select few.....

2) you had an Unlimited Amount of $ to spend

3) You already own the real estate (BTW, it is beachfront.....)
.....

OK, time for the kill; "you have an Unlimited Amount of $ to spend "

a) DAW; Mac G5 and Protools HD Accel 7 with 160ch of Digital I/O interface. 64 pieces of Lavry Gold DA, 24 pieces of Lavry Gold AD, 16 pieces of Cranesong HEDD, audiophile cables.
Chump of change; approax $870,000

b) CONSOLE; Harrison Series 12 analog with all options, 192 channels of eq and compressors, 96 faders/strips in a curved frame. Fukk Icon....!
Chump of change; approax $1,000,000

c) MONITORS; Custom made Focal Mains. 4x15" 2x6,5" 1xBeryllium Tweeter. Dual tripple 15" sub-woofers. 26,000 Watts of Class D power amplifiers. DSP controlled system.
Chump of change; approax $250,000

d) SOFTWARES: pfffffffh

e) PREAMPS; 12ch Neve BCM10, 12ch Wunder side-car, 24ch Neve 1081's, Buzz Audio A-Rack, 12ch Helios side-car (have someone build one), 12ch API side-car, 16ch Millenia, 8ch Massenburg 8300, 8ch Telefunken V76's, jaddah-jaddah-jaddah
Chump of change; approax $200,000

f) ACOUSTICS and FURNITURES; Chump of change; approax $1,000,000

Grand "peanuts" of $3,320,000


Now when you built this place and need someone who can rock all this shít...... call me

/L

[Meriphew]

Paul Allen's building a new studio huh?

[kats]

How can you make "world-class recordings" in a home studio, where the accoustics, by definition, are compromised? All the gear in the world won't overcome a lousy home studio environment.

Depends on the home now doesn't it. But if you have an unlimited budget for a home studio, my guess is that the "home" isn't a 1200sq ft bungalow

[seaneldon]

i'd buy an 827, ATR102, 8058 with flying faders, outboard pres from API, Fearn, select others, distressors, la2as, 1176s, smart c2, others, and your typical list of mics. ideally, it would cost me absolutely nothing and i'd just record nothing but my favorite bands for free.

[weatherbox]

probably spend it on a good therapist and divorce lawyer.

[FrankSolari]

Originally Posted by Greg Curtis

How can you make "world-class recordings" in a home studio, where the accoustics, by definition, are compromised? All the gear in the world won't overcome a lousy home studio environment.

Sorry to piss on the parade, but home studios will never sound as nice as Abbey Road or Capitol, no matter how much slutty gear you cram into them.

.

Greg,

I think you missed the boat here….
The goal was not to make it better than or to sound like Abbey Road or Capitol...

Lousy Studio Environment? Ths studio has not even been built yet.... Chill out :-)

Why do you think that just because the studio is in someone's home you think the acoustics are compromised????

The plan is for a separate 3500sf structure connected to the main house that would house the live rooms and one ultimate control room. This "Structure" will be designed from the ground up, so how the acoustics would be compromised??

Why did you think one would spend this much money on gear, just to have it all sitting in a guest bedroom?

[Jules]

Is the footprint of the console an issue? Or would you like it compact...?

The words Home studio to me indicates "compact" "making the best use of limited space".. If you have an out building on your property the size of an aircraft hangar and $5 Million to spend.. - you could get some 72 ch SSL J, a live area the size of a tennis court..and some top designer to build it for you..

[yeloocproducer]

Don't forget a studer C37 2 track deck custom modified for 1/2" use as well as 1/4". That should be on your list of esoterics.

[FrankSolari]

Originally Posted by Jules

Is the footprint of the console an issue? Or would you like it compact...?

The words Home studio to me indicates "compact" "making the best use of limited space".. If you have an out building on your property the size of an aircraft hangar and $5 Million to spend.. - you could get some 72 ch SSL J, a live area the size of a tennis court..and some top designer to build it for you..

Footprint should not be an issue. Definitely not a hangar, but about 3700 sf of space, including a 2 or 3 small guest bedrooms suites....leaving me about 2900 sf or so for a Control Room and live room(s)

[andyspiller]

I keep trying to win the UK lottery as Wheeler End Studios is now for sale and just down the road from me (Wheeler End is where Oasis, Robbie Williams etc. etc. record their Rock stuff, and I'm told that the rooms sound great) with a 7 bedroom house thrown in for free, if you have £3,000,000 . . . . . . Oh I wish. . . . . .

Probably still have to find another £1m for gear. . . . . . .

[kats]

This is not for business, but for personal enjoyment

That's why I went for the AWS900 and not a beheamoth of a board. Just because the budget is unlimited, doesn't mean it's going to be more fun working in a cluster**** of an enviroment, nor does it mean you'll realize any sonic improvement. And the last thing you want is a big PITA. Just keep it clean, top of the line, and an enjoyable atmosphere with as little maintenance issues as possible.

[thenoiseflower]

SSL 4064 g+ OOOOR a huge ****ing tonelux

48 channels radar

16 little labs IBP (f'in right)
8 Chandler Germanium
8 1081
8 1073
4 Portico dual Mic Pre
12 API 512/312
4 Portico Compressors
4 Chandler LTD-2
8 Distressors
8 1176/mc77/Blue stripe/ whatevers
8 LA2A
8 Thermonic Culture Pullet
4 T.C. Culture Vulture
4 Massive passive
2 manley slam
2 vari mu
an avalon 737vt
an avalon ad2055


Monitors to taste
Fresh fish and vegtables

[robmix]

Originally Posted by Greg Curtis

Agreed! How can you make "world-class recordings" in a home studio, where the accoustics, by definition, are compromised? All the gear in the world won't overcome a lousy home studio environment.

And gettting giant consoles and multiple 30" computer monitors in the control just adds really undesirable flat objects to the control room.

Sorry to piss on the parade, but home studios will never sound as nice as Abbey Road or Capitol, no matter how much slutty gear you cram into them.

greg

.

I don't know, depends on the home. Mark Howards Paramour estate comes to mind:

http://www.deadmanonline.com/gallery/6.html

U2 recorded a record in a nice home:

http://www.slanecastle.ie/