Dweeb about Equipment..Please Help

sweetestsound · 17th February 2007

I have a budget of about $800.00 give or take for some equipment..Vocals are my main concern, but i would like to dig in more to the production as well..I want something simple to use at least 8 tracks maybe with instrumental loopings, as I don't always have access to other musicians, wanting something i can upload directly onto Myspace and other websites easily..I have a very crystal voice that needs a really warm mic sound but also want to be able to punch it..Go very initmate and breathy to edgy and soulful..Any suggestions for how I should go..I have used a digital Korg 8 track before with decent results..I know the mic is key and the pre-amp..Someone suggested the marshall MXL V69 tube mic..Any help would be appreciated

JonCraig · 17th February 2007

i'm sorry... what i originally posted here wasn't very nice. let me try again:

welcome to the board! $800 isn't much for the results you desire. start by giving us some information. do you already own ANY recording gear? how about a computer (like the one you're typing on). what is it?

--jon

Engine Room · 17th February 2007

Well Sweetestsound, if you're starting from the ground up, you might as well just keep saving your money. You'll need something to record it all to first.

Do you have Garageband? That will alleviate your need for musicians once you pass the learning curve.

After that, if your computer is spec enough to support it, try an MBox system. We got an MBox 2 and it's pretty cool. It even comes with plugins.

However, the computer to run it on was a bit pricey. At least the Kooch can keep working once he goes home.

As far as mics go, I'll be straight with you. You can get decent results from a 57 through a dinky breakout-style preamp. It really depends on what you're willing to settle with.

If it's Garageband and some keyboards, do you really need a Neumann?

The important thing is to have fun making music.

Good Luck!

max cooper · 17th February 2007

Actually, the issue is probably that you're not enough of a dweeb about equipment, grasshopper. Just give it time.

I say get some software/interface setup that's inexpensive, probably something with a version of Cubase (no I don't use it, but I like it) and a good dynamic mic.

If you look around, some interface/software packages come bundled with virtual instrument software. I suggest reading stuff here for a couple of weeks before you jump.

vs.Gotham · 17th February 2007

I started getting gear only about a year ago so I know exactly what you're going through.

I'm going to assume you have a computer. If not, well, that's your first purchase.

You'll need software to record on. I recommend ProTools, simply because it's the industry standard. You'll have two options - get an MBox that comes with ProTools LE, or get ProTools M-Powered and an M-Audio interface. The M-Audio interfaces are better, but you get more plug ins and extras with the MBox. I'd probably recommend the MBox mini to start you off since money is such an issue. I got the MBox 2 Factory and some of the extras are quite nice.

Next you'll need a Mic. You can get a decent (re: not amazing but surprisingly good) vocal condenser mic in the $300-$400 range. Check the sticky thread at the top of the forum. Top picks would be the AT4050, AT4033, AT3060, Apex 460, and Studio Projects C1.

If you got the MBox mini ($300) and one of those mics ($300-$400), you'll have $100-$200 left. If you're still gung-ho about getting a preamp, the Joemeek VC3 is around $150, but check the sticky thread for other ideas. You could always get an instrument mic with that money (SM57 is a safe bet). Don't forget about things like cables, mic stands, etc though.

17th February 2007	#1
sweetestsound Gear interested Joined: Feb 2007 Location: Bi Bear lake , Ca Posts: 1 Thread Starter	Dweeb about Equipment..Please Help I have a budget of about $800.00 give or take for some equipment..Vocals are my main concern, but i would like to dig in more to the production as well..I want something simple to use at least 8 tracks maybe with instrumental loopings, as I don't always have access to other musicians, wanting something i can upload directly onto Myspace and other websites easily..I have a very crystal voice that needs a really warm mic sound but also want to be able to punch it..Go very initmate and breathy to edgy and soulful..Any suggestions for how I should go..I have used a digital Korg 8 track before with decent results..I know the mic is key and the pre-amp..Someone suggested the marshall MXL V69 tube mic..Any help would be appreciated

17th February 2007	#2
JonCraig Lives for gear Joined: Apr 2004 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 1,800	i'm sorry... what i originally posted here wasn't very nice. let me try again: welcome to the board! $800 isn't much for the results you desire. start by giving us some information. do you already own ANY recording gear? how about a computer (like the one you're typing on). what is it? --jon __________________ "My job is to make music sound great and to not whine too much." --George Massenburg Learn PT Techniques from Multi-Platinum Engineers. Click Here. Last edited by JonCraig; 17th February 2007 at 12:50 AM.. Reason: felt guilty

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17th February 2007	#3
Engine Room Gear nut Joined: Mar 2006 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 116	Well Sweetestsound, if you're starting from the ground up, you might as well just keep saving your money. You'll need something to record it all to first. Do you have Garageband? That will alleviate your need for musicians once you pass the learning curve. After that, if your computer is spec enough to support it, try an MBox system. We got an MBox 2 and it's pretty cool. It even comes with plugins. However, the computer to run it on was a bit pricey. At least the Kooch can keep working once he goes home. As far as mics go, I'll be straight with you. You can get decent results from a 57 through a dinky breakout-style preamp. It really depends on what you're willing to settle with. If it's Garageband and some keyboards, do you really need a Neumann? The important thing is to have fun making music. Good Luck!

17th February 2007	#4
max cooper Lives for gear Joined: Aug 2004 Location: tx Posts: 8,802	Actually, the issue is probably that you're not enough of a dweeb about equipment, grasshopper. Just give it time. I say get some software/interface setup that's inexpensive, probably something with a version of Cubase (no I don't use it, but I like it) and a good dynamic mic. If you look around, some interface/software packages come bundled with virtual instrument software. I suggest reading stuff here for a couple of weeks before you jump.

17th February 2007	#5
vs.Gotham Gear nut Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 88	I started getting gear only about a year ago so I know exactly what you're going through. I'm going to assume you have a computer. If not, well, that's your first purchase. You'll need software to record on. I recommend ProTools, simply because it's the industry standard. You'll have two options - get an MBox that comes with ProTools LE, or get ProTools M-Powered and an M-Audio interface. The M-Audio interfaces are better, but you get more plug ins and extras with the MBox. I'd probably recommend the MBox mini to start you off since money is such an issue. I got the MBox 2 Factory and some of the extras are quite nice. Next you'll need a Mic. You can get a decent (re: not amazing but surprisingly good) vocal condenser mic in the $300-$400 range. Check the sticky thread at the top of the forum. Top picks would be the AT4050, AT4033, AT3060, Apex 460, and Studio Projects C1. If you got the MBox mini ($300) and one of those mics ($300-$400), you'll have $100-$200 left. If you're still gung-ho about getting a preamp, the Joemeek VC3 is around $150, but check the sticky thread for other ideas. You could always get an instrument mic with that money (SM57 is a safe bet). Don't forget about things like cables, mic stands, etc though.