What to Buy Next?

[Dick_Money]

I think I have a pretty sweet set up, but just wanted second opinions on what to get next. I do albums for up and comming bands, they all have been very happy and tell me not to change anything but I just feel I should upgrade, even though it will be hard to part ways with anything.

My Setup:

Cubase SX 2
Presonus FireStudio
Behringer PMH5000 Mixer
Mackie HR824 Monitors
Peavey Valve King 112
Peavey Predator
Line 6 Pod
Yamaha 5 piece DP Seies
(2) MXL V63M Mics
(4) Shure Beta 58A Mics

Thanks in Advance,
Dick $

[redddog]

A vintage large format console.

[Dick_Money]

Thought about that, don't think I really have the room. Also I've heard vintage really isn't worth the time with maintance. But thanks I really appreciate all and any advice and will keep that in mind for the future.

Dick $

[Goliath|Audio]

Other than the crapass behringer board, more mics are always good to have. If those are your preamps, you might want to upgrade that first.

[dickiefunk]

I would invest in better mics :-

Rode K2
Audio Technica 4050
SE Electronics Z5600a mk2
Neumann - any

etc.

then a better pre :-

DAV BG1
Universal Audio 110 / 610
True Systems Solo
SPL Gainstation
API

etc.

I would recommend these provided that your recording and monitor spaces are properly treated? If not then I would sort that first!

[Dick_Money]

Originally Posted by Goliath|Audio

Other than the crapass behringer board, more mics are always good to have. If those are your preamps, you might want to upgrade that first.

What do you mean I love my Behringer PMH5000, what do you use instead? Just as a side note my clients love the look of it! Is there any A/B of this to a mackie?

Dick $

[dlmorley]

Mics!
If the rest is working fine, then mics!
Hard to say depending on how you work, but I'd maybe get a better main vocal mic and preamp.
but good mics are the instant improver I think.

[c.gymer]

I would look at where you want to be in a few years time and put a list together of GOOD mics/pres that are going to help you to get there and last you a very long time.

For example, my list is currently populated with about 25 mics including a pair of Coles 4038s, Beyer m88, Telefunken m16, Audix i5 etc, and 5 or so mic amps including the John Hardy m1 and A Designs Pacifica.

These are all items that will last me 20+ years and so are worth the investment. Yes it will take a long time to acquire them all, but I have a goal to work towards, and as my gear improves my experience, ability, and rates can go up to which means I can acquire all the pieces on my list in an exponentially shorter period.

I know that's not what you wanted, but hopefully it's good advice.

[dlmorley]

+1 to the above

Also, I would recommend not just buying on price. Some of my favorite mics are cheap.
The Beyer M69 I LOVE. IOn fact all Beyer are excellent I think.
ADK Hamburg I have been using and it's a great mic.

[1monkey1]

buy the best clock you can afford.
trust me, you won't disappointed.
it will make all your other gear sound better.
jitter blows -- a good clock will give your tracks more clarity and depth.
not in a cheesy, new age way, but a musical more organic way.

i know this from experience.
a clock sounds really boring, but it's a pretty crucial function.

steven walcott
Engine Studios

[uncle duncan]

The Behringer mixer won't last forever. Pretty soon you'll start losing channels. It's just the nature of their gear. So enjoy it while you can.
More mics, definitely. Look at how you EQ vocals in the mix, and then find mics that have that same EQ curve built in. Talk to someone like Warren at Front End Audio. Granted, he's trying to sell gear, but at least he'll sell you the gear you need, instead of the gear GC needs to sell in order to make their quartely profit projections.

[b3player]

Hey Dick $

Check out high end places like Mercenary and Atlas Pro.
There is a reason high end exists and until i heard it I
had no Fuxxxxx idea. Until I treated my rooms I had
no clue how much easier mixing can be.
And untill you record a beautiful female vocal through
the likes of an AEA 44c through Cranesong and Great River
level gear, you'll not fully hear behind the veil.
I reply not to gloat or appear wise but rather to share
what took a long time to get through my hard head.
Every aspect of the signal chain matters, from mic cables
to the room you listen in.

So acquaint yourself with what's out there, replace your
weakest links with highest quality gear one piece at a time.
Set goals and make great records.
What next probably your input. One great mic through
one great pre should get you going. You'll hear and you'll know.

g

[*CISKO*]

Step 1 GET RID OF THE BEHRINGER MIXER, get outboard pre´s

step 2 get more and better mics, those 58`s will come in handy, but get something like a great pair of LDC´s like some blues, or neumanns, or peluso`s
and better drum mics, like md421´s or if you want to save some money on the drum mics the audix drumkit set is real good for the money

[Flying_Dutchman]

I would drop the mackies and go for adams and than get some preamps

[yrlk]

Actually, while they're not my personal favorite, I think the Mackie monitors are one of the nicer things about your setup. I've heard them in action at several studios (and an advertising firm that makes millions off of them), and they work great.

As for the rest... everyone's had some good thoughts. I like what B3 player had to say.

For two years, I tried to get "the simulation" or whatever of the next thing, and while there are some great simulations out there, I agree with what he said... there is a difference.

I started getting some higher end mic pre's lately, and I also got one good large diaphragm condenser microphone, and already, I feel like I'm getting higher quality sounds than I ever did with some of the other stuff I had been buying. Not that the other stuff is bad... I'd venture to say that a lot of the consumer/prosumer stuff is even still usable, but the difference comes at the end, after you've recorded multiple channels through something "not so good" vs. recording multiple channels through pres and mics that are great. Easier said than done, and money money money... it's always money.

So like others have said, focus on where you feel your weak points are, and build from there. I'd get some pre's (maybe an API lunchbox, to keep it simple and easy to use) and maybe go for one good condenser mic. I've heard good stuff about some of the GT mics, and those won't break the bank either. Then there's the SE stuff which I believe Sarah McGlaughlin has been using, and her voice is just sweet, so anyway.

Best of luck to you, and remember... YOU make the music: not your equipment. If people are happy with what you're doing, then that is a GOOD thing. SO... focus on what YOU would like to upgrade... what you think will enhance things because it sounds like you've already got a good work ethic, and you're able to discern what sounds good vs. bad.

P.S. SM57's or Senn 421's would be great too. For the money, get the 57. And you may want to get a mic for a kick drum??? Do you have one of those yet? D112 or Beta 52. I've heard both. D112 sounds more natural to me. 52 seems to give it more attack or scoop, maybe? Thoughts anyone?

[8th_note]

I do albums for up and comming bands, they all have been very happy and tell me not to change anything but I just feel I should upgrade, even though it will be hard to part ways with anything.

It sounds like you and I are in a similar situation. I also record emerging local bands and they've been quite happy with the results we get from a rather modest setup. I've moved a little farther up the gear ladder, however, so here's what experience has taught me so far.

1) First, watch your pennies. You can get very nice sounding gear for modest prices by boning up on what's recommended from other's experience and reviews. I've bought a lot of gear on ebay and I believe I've gotten excellent value by being patient and disciplined.

2) You definitely need more microphones. I've got a lot of great deals on ebay, and many times I bought something that I wasn't familiar with because it was cheap and it turned out great. Over the last several years I've put together a collection of very useful but low cost mics. I have over 40 mics in my collection now and I seem to find a use for most of them on a regular basis. A few examples of excellent cheap mics:

Audio-Technica AT MB2K: This mic is great for snare and guitar cabs. Clearer and more detailed than an SM57. <$60

AT MB4K: This is what I use for overheads. It has a fairly flat frequency response and captures the shimmer of the cymbals very nicely without getting an overabundance of room sound. <$90

AT Pro37: SDC that is great for instruments, overheads, and toms. Handles high spl's with ease. <$120

AT ATM29HE: This mic is out of production but there's one on ebay right now for 8 bucks. Buy this mic. If you don't, I will, even though I have one already. It's an instrument mic specifically made for loud applications like snare or guitar cabs. This mic beats the hell out of a '57 on snare and it is great compliment to a '57 on guitar cab (double tracking with two mics). I'm a big fan of AT mics. Overall a very good value.

A good kick mic is a necessary investment if you're recording drums. I got an Audix D6 that improved my kick sound tremendously. <$200

Groove Tubes GT55 or AM11 (same mic): You can find these used once in a awhile and this is a very neutral mic for vocals. I believe the new version is the GT50.

3) Micing and mixing proficiency overwhelm differences in preamps, and to a large extent even microphones. You didn't mention plugins but in my experience that is a crucial area. I'm not saying that you should run out and buy a bunch of new plugins if you're happy with what you have but they are more important than preamps and nearly as important as microphones.

4) IMO you don't have to spend a grand+ to get a substantial improvement in preamp sound. You're probably using the pres in your Firestudio mostly but if you invest about $250 in an ART MPA Gold it will be a good compliment to what you have. You can also upgrade the tubes for a different/better sound. The GT55 through the MPA Gold with a Mullard tube gives a pretty darn good vocal & acoustic sound. I did a budget preamp comparison on the TapeOp board and here's the link if you would like to check it out Budget Preamp Comparison

It takes more work and a little more risk to stay on a budget but if you take a long term approach and are not afraid to buy and sell gear then you can consistently improve your sound. Don't believe the people who say that mid-range gear loses its value more than expensive gear. If you buy it right in the first place you can sell it for a reasonable depreciation. I don't know about you but I'm not going to pay new price for a used API. While you're waiting to save enough money for that Neumann or Great River you can have a substantial improvement in sound for a fraction of the cost.

[peeder]

The first thing I'd get from there would be an RME fireface 800 and flip the Presonus. If you want to swap the B-word for an Onyx you can do that too. Room treatments (I suggest Gik panels, don't bother with foam crap) are also a great idea. The clock suggestion is a waste of money.

Of course you can start collecting mics, pres, compressors, etc. but at some point that just becomes a distraction. If you don't have $25k handy you might want to forget it...what you have will suffice if you know how to use it.

[cramseur]

Perhaps another way to think about it is...


Is your room properly treated?
--proper room treatment will make mixing easier, and also make evaluating gear (and assessing differences) easier, and more accurate.

Recording guitar amps... ?
--a SM 57 and a Royer would put you in the top league without much debate or thought.

Mainly vocals?
--improve that chain, starting with the mic.

etc.


I know this is low end theory, but I would suggest ( like someone already said) that you look at this like an investment...spend your money on quality stuff that'll last a long long time.

Pick a specific area, and upgrade that...get more money...repeat.

[johnwayne]

Sm7
Dav pre
At 4050
421

Better vocals Sm7-Dav
Overheads Dav
Acoustic guitar 4050-Dav
Guitar cab 421 and 4050 Dav
Toms or kick 421 or Sm7

Those 4 things improved my sounds drastically.

Sm7 will work on almost anything but you need an awesome pre to push it.

[chrisnickey64]

hi i'm new 'round these parts. how does everyone like the podxt i just bought one for recording and also got a used short board to go with it anyone got any insights on how best to use it for recording???

[Mondo]

Originally Posted by 1monkey1

buy the best clock you can afford.
trust me, you won't disappointed.
it will make all your other gear sound better.
jitter blows -- a good clock will give your tracks more clarity and depth.
not in a cheesy, new age way, but a musical more organic way.

i know this from experience.
a clock sounds really boring, but it's a pretty crucial function.

steven walcott
Engine Studios

you've GOTTA be kidding. this guy has 1 digital device, an external clock isn't going to help him out one bit.