Studio Setup

[Esurreal]

My partner and I are wanting to setup a studio. I have been reading a bunch of info on this site lately and I've decided to ask about our situation. We will be recording mostly rock, metal, punk, indie, type stuff. At the moment we are running cubaseSX with an Emu 1820m system, Event monitors, Mics from blue, shure, heil, akg. Presonus blue tube pre's, Dbx 266xl compressor, and a trusty ole PC. Obviously we have some pretty low end stuff and need to upgrade a bit. We have 5k to spend.

We are definitely going to get an acoustical engineer to help us set up the room. What is a good price for something like that?

The biggest problem I'm having at the moment is deciding whether or not to invest in a mixing board or to buy all outboard mic pre's. I haven't mixed on a mixing board since I sold my vs880 and started mixing on a computer 7 years ago. I don't have much experience mixing with a real mixing board, meaning the board may only get used for the preamps. That's the problem. If I'm mixing ITB why should I buy a board? However, I might find that I like mixing OTB if I do get a board. Not to mention the fact that boards and studios go hand-in-hand. What professional studio doesn't have a board? The boards I've been researching are soundtracs topaz, Allen Heath mix wizard 3, soundcrafts, and yamahas. I know for a fact we are going to invest in either the api 3124+ or the daking mkIV. That gives us 4 preamps while leaving another 4 open on my 1820m. Should we buy another 4 channel preamp strip or buy a board? Whatcha think?

We're also going to invest in a decent compressor like the DBX 165, Joe Meek, Distressor, etc. Any suggestions on compressors are appreciated.

Do you know how well the 1820m will react with a mixing board? Should we invest in a bigger a/d converter? I'm just looking for some suggestions to get us off the ground and sounding good without plummeting into bankruptcy.

Thanks

e

[Matt Syson]

Hi
Many interesting thoughts and an open mind.
I would suggest if you want a desk then go for something simple, even if you need to use a few more outboard pres as a 'bargain' large/complicated desk will need maintenance which I am afraid will cost more.
'Cheap' gear used competently is likely to sound better than 'expensive' gear used incorrectly.
Getting the room to 'sound' good will possibly eat up a fair chunk of cash unless you are doing a lot yourself.
I look forward to seeing what ideas others come up with.
Best of luck
Matt S

[tomdarude]

def. stay ITB for now!!!

If you need:

room treatment
new pre´s
new mic´s
2 or 3 comps
cables
cue-system (+headphones, headphoneamp etc.)


5000,- is very little....but could give you a start at least!

[Esurreal]

Hey. I appreciate your comments. I looking for some suggestions on the gear as well. Anybody else want to chime in?