Screw cars, I'm getting a studio! Starting my home studio.. Input!?

[Austin Alexander]

Hey guys! I just joined the forum after being linked here multiple times with recording questions and it's great. Everyone really seems to know their stuff.

Basically, I'm 16 years old, and am looking to start a home studio with two back-to-back basement rooms (Both 14x10 ft. with 8 ft. ceilings), and will be recording pop/rock for the most part. I know there are probably several posts with this same topic, but I was hoping you guys could take a look at the equipment I've had in mind, and let me know what you think.. revisions, new ideas, etc.

I have an iMac G5 (2.16 GHz with 1 GB of RAM) and will be using Pro Tools LE with a Digidesign 003r interface. As far as everything else goes, here is my wishlist...

PreSonus Digimax D8
Mackie MR8s (2)
Studio Projects C1
AKG D112
Rode NT5s
Shure SM57 (3)
Sennheiser 421 (possibly?)
Sennheiser HD 280 headphones

For more miscellaneous things such as stands, cables and all that: Horizon Lo-Z Microphone Cables (10), On Stage mic stand set (6) Behringer AMP800 stereo headphone amp.

I'm attempting to stay at a reasonable budget, at the same time as willing to spend extra money for better sound.

Any input is very, very appreciated.. so let me know what you think! Revisions? Thanks SO much.

Austin

[RTR]

Originally Posted by Austin Alexander

Hey guys! I just joined the forum after being linked here multiple times with recording questions and it's great. Everyone really seems to know their stuff.

Basically, I'm 16 years old, and am looking to start a home studio with two back-to-back basement rooms (Both 14x10 ft. with 8 ft. ceilings), and will be recording pop/rock for the most part. I know there are probably several posts with this same topic, but I was hoping you guys could take a look at the equipment I've had in mind, and let me know what you think.. revisions, new ideas, etc.

I have an iMac G5 (2.16 GHz with 1 GB of RAM) and will be using Pro Tools LE with a Digidesign 003r interface. As far as everything else goes, here is my wishlist...

PreSonus Digimax D8
Mackie MR8s (2)
Studio Projects C1
AKG D112
Rode NT5s
Shure SM57 (3)
Sennheiser 421 (possibly?)
Sennheiser HD 280 headphones

For more miscellaneous things such as stands, cables and all that: Horizon Lo-Z Microphone Cables (10), On Stage mic stand set (6) Behringer AMP800 stereo headphone amp.

I'm attempting to stay at a reasonable budget, at the same time as willing to spend extra money for better sound.

Any input is very, very appreciated.. so let me know what you think! Revisions? Thanks SO much.

Austin

You might want to think about one good Preamp..and make sure you do not get the 003r + (plus) it has 8 pre's and you will not be able to by-pass them with your own!!

[Chris Lago]

Shure Sm7b for vocals.

[mikethedrummer]

Originally Posted by RTR

You might want to think about one good Preamp..and make sure you do not get the 003r + (plus) it has 8 pre's and you will not be able to by-pass them with your own!!

The rack+ is an amazing piece of gear, especially for a beginner. The pre's are decent and can be upgraded mad style at Black Lion Audio for pretty cheap.

Heres why I would recommend the rack+. Youre going to need 8 inputs to get a good sounding drum recording for rock and pop. If you have the money to get 2-4 high end preamps, you should just get the 192 I/O.

Dont forget you can use the S/PDIF for a solid pre such as the API A2D, so 10 inputs, a stereo pair of which are as good as it gets.

Keep in mind kid, if youre taking this shit seriously, go big or go home. Find mics and pres that will last you a lifetime. Nothing will cost you more than getting half ass gear and then trying to practically give it away here on this forum in 5 years.

why the presonus??
check out the yamaha hs50m and hs10 deal for $800
The sm7b would do some damage for vox, guitar and drums
d112. bomb.
nt5s are nice but you should consider the Oktava modded 012s. While i have not personally used them, the reviews are sick. They would last you until youre in the market for a fly ass pair of matched ribbons
I would get 2 sm57s (top and bottom of snare) and save for a couple of the md421s for toms. sm7b on the floor
I personally like the Vic Firths. They isolate much better.
The headphone pre wont be necessary as the 003+ has 2 headphone outs.
Consider getting a mic cable snake. They are pricey but will last you a very long time and save you many headaches.

But before you buy a single thing on this page, get some acoustic treatment for your rooms. With less than $180 I made three movable 4x6x4" walls and three 2x4 bass traps. Check out ATS' DIY section. The roxul is incredible. The most important part of any recording is the source. Anything that improves the sound of the source will be your most notable investment.

[Bouldy]

[QUOTE=mikethedrummer;4271693]But before you buy a single thing on this page, get some acoustic treatment for your rooms.QUOTE]
+1
But with 2 basement rooms, expect to spend plenty treating these rooms, it will be well worth the end result.

Dave

[Austin Alexander]

Thanks a lot guys, especially mikethedrummer for such an informative response haha. For the most part I plan to record myself.. I have high hopes of making it as a musician and figured I'd rather record my own bands songs with a possibility of recording others once I've learned quite a bit and believe the quality is up to par to charge for..

I had planned on just getting an 8 channel preamp to add onto my 003r for drums.. but I haven't been able to decide on what a good one would be for a fair price.. I'm trying to stay in the ball park of $5,000 for this project as a whole, but will continue to add on when i can. I guess the big part I left out in my first post is that I'm mostly planning on doing this myself. Thanks though, for real.. and please, keep them coming

austin

[MikeyMike]

Screw cars, you'd rather have a studio before personal transportation, damn, you're on the right for forum.

[RTR]

Originally Posted by mikethedrummer

The rack+ is an amazing piece of gear, especially for a beginner. The pre's are decent and can be upgraded mad style at Black Lion Audio for pretty cheap.

Heres why I would recommend the rack+. Youre going to need 8 inputs to get a good sounding drum recording for rock and pop. If you have the money to get 2-4 high end preamps, you should just get the 192 I/O.

Dont forget you can use the S/PDIF for a solid pre such as the API A2D, so 10 inputs, a stereo pair of which are as good as it gets.

Keep in mind kid, if youre taking this shit seriously, go big or go home. Find mics and pres that will last you a lifetime. Nothing will cost you more than getting half ass gear and then trying to practically give it away here on this forum in 5 years.

why the presonus??
check out the yamaha hs50m and hs10 deal for $800
The sm7b would do some damage for vox, guitar and drums
d112. bomb.
nt5s are nice but you should consider the Oktava modded 012s. While i have not personally used them, the reviews are sick. They would last you until youre in the market for a fly ass pair of matched ribbons
I would get 2 sm57s (top and bottom of snare) and save for a couple of the md421s for toms. sm7b on the floor
I personally like the Vic Firths. They isolate much better.
The headphone pre wont be necessary as the 003+ has 2 headphone outs.
Consider getting a mic cable snake. They are pricey but will last you a very long time and save you many headaches.

But before you buy a single thing on this page, get some acoustic treatment for your rooms. With less than $180 I made three movable 4x6x4" walls and three 2x4 bass traps. Check out ATS' DIY section. The roxul is incredible. The most important part of any recording is the source. Anything that improves the sound of the source will be your most notable investment.

umm..the 003r has 8 input's!!! it is the same as the 003+ without the extra 4 preamps, and you can get a very nice pre for the cost of the BLM, and you can get different flavor pre's..with the BLM and the R+ you are stuck with those pre's..I have an old 003 sitting here and I can tell you that the Maudio 610/2626 walks all over it!!! He might want to look at those instead!!

[BLUElightCory]

Also, once you own a studio you will have no other life, negating the need for a car anyway.

[Austin Alexander]

Originally Posted by MikeyMike

Screw cars, you'd rather have a studio before personal transportation, damn, you're on the right for forum.

Haha, I'm extremely glad you think so! I feel as if a studio could eventually take me more places than a car ever could though..

[Chrislpp]

I would use one room for drums then keep guitars and vocals in another along with a mix room.

Kit makes or breaks the sound.

[dominic hoenig]

Originally Posted by BLUElightCory

Also, once you own a studio you will have no other life, negating the need for a car anyway.

aye aye, i'm going on my first holiday in 7 years next year... so 8 by then, booked flights to nyc today. booking accomodation later when can afford the deposit!

ANY RECCOMENDATIONS!?
haha




also, as far as a studio taking you further than a car would, in terms of enjoyment i agree 100% but when things go wrong it can get stressy, or when you're tracking the worst band you've ever came across - that's pretty horrible.

[lazarus]

It is one hell of a rabbit hole! Make sure you're ready to see wonderland before you jump. I was once in your position and a few years, and many many thousands of dollars later I'm still falling. Have to say though I have loved every minute of it. Just take the advise a few people already gave, get the best stuff you can the first time around. Mid grade stuff will rapidly become obsolete as you learn and it can be difficult to recoup any money on it. oh and make sure you get a really good converter, something better than the digi stuff

[Chrislpp]

Originally Posted by dominic hoenig

or when you're tracking a band

Yea, that's the worst part of recording.

[guy0012]

are you looking to buy stuff used?

[dominic hoenig]

Originally Posted by Chrislpp

Yea, i love behringer.

did someone change what i said in thier quote


i joke my friend !

[Chrislpp]

Originally Posted by dominic hoenig

did someone change what i said in thier quote


i joke my friend !

I was actually pretty offended, you could call me what you like but NEVER say that.

But wait, I love the ADA8000 and some of their compressors that have 1 tube in them for stereo.

[dominic hoenig]

hahaha i owned an ada800, it wasn't actually /that/ bad. it got me money in my pocket !!

[Chrislpp]

Originally Posted by dominic hoenig

hahaha i owned an ada800, it wasn't actually /that/ bad. it got me money in my pocket !!

In all fairness I'd love to get a REALLY expensive converter and the 8000 just to see the difference. I guess you'll only be using no more than a couple of those pres on it if you have another interface, just some extra tracks.

Anyone got any expensive converters could lend me for the week?

[Austin Alexander]

Originally Posted by dominic hoenig

or when you're tracking the worst band you've ever came across - that's pretty horrible.

Haha, like I said, for the most part I'll be recording my own music.. but if I do record some of the other bands in the area its VERY likely.

Obviously, I don't know very much about recording.. but I didn't know how to play a guitar the first time I picked one up either. I just know how I want things to sound, and I know how things should sound (or at least I believe so).. I have a general idea on the equipment I want also, but I just want to get the best I can for the price.

My friend that "inspired" me to start a home studio records his band with an even more modest set up than I plan to have.. and their songs sound incredible to me, and have been featured on shows like "MTV real world" and has got them in AP magazine..

[Jonesfromindia]

i would use a digimax D8 with your 003r. its one of the better pre's to light pipe.

also all your mics are great. i like the sound of the Nt5's. but your speakers are a bad choice. i personally think the Mr8's sound horrible.

stick to event ASP6's or 8's, Krk, Or Find some used Adam A7's. but buy what you want, speakers dont really matter, you will like what you like, and learn to mix around what you dont like.

the worst speakers bring out the best mixers.

[Jonesfromindia]

Originally Posted by Austin Alexander

.

My friend that "inspired" me to start a home studio records his band with an even more modest set up than I plan to have.. and their songs sound incredible to me, and have been featured on shows like "MTV real world" and has got them in AP magazine..

he probably KNOWS how to record. and understands its more than putting up a mic and hitting "3".

[Austin Alexander]

Originally Posted by Jonesfromindia

he probably KNOWS how to record. and understands its more than putting up a mic and hitting "3".

Thanks for helping out man! And yes, he's VERY good at recording.. I'm pretty much just stating that I know having an ear for it plays a huge role, and with that even a very modest set up can get you pretty far.

I have heard a lot of good things on Mackie monitors like the MR5 and MR8 which I had a hard time deciding between.. but the bass response with the MR8 would be a lot better, and they seem to be pretty good monitors for what I'm doing..

[Jonesfromindia]

Originally Posted by Austin Alexander

Thanks for helping out man! And yes, he's VERY good at recording.. I'm pretty much just stating that I know having an ear for it plays a huge role, and with that even a very modest set up can get you pretty far.

I have heard a lot of good things on Mackie monitors like the MR5 and MR8 which I had a hard time deciding between.. but the bass response with the MR8 would be a lot better, and they seem to be pretty good monitors for what I'm doing..

ya i wasnt saying that you didnt know how to, it just shows that knowledge is so much better of an investment than gear.

go to your local gear dealer and listen to the monitors. bring music you are familiar with. and listen to EVERYTHING.

[Austin Alexander]

Originally Posted by Jonesfromindia

go to your local gear dealer and listen to the monitors. bring music you are familiar with. and listen to EVERYTHING.

Cool! But what would you suggest if you don't exactly have a gear dealer within like an hour/hour and half? Haha.

[Gandy]

Make the room sound good.


Before any of that stuff you're buying, set aside £500 to cover the place with rockwool and bass traps. A nice solid floor, walls and ceilings are a must as well, as well as a really heavy thick tight-sealed door.

[RTR]

Originally Posted by lazarus

It is one hell of a rabbit hole! Make sure you're ready to see wonderland before you jump. I was once in your position and a few years, and many many thousands of dollars later I'm still falling. Have to say though I have loved every minute of it. Just take the advise a few people already gave, get the best stuff you can the first time around. Mid grade stuff will rapidly become obsolete as you learn and it can be difficult to recoup any money on it. oh and make sure you get a really good converter, something better than the digi stuff

+1..I have been falling for 20 years!!!!! And the bad thing is that I probably had a great set-up years ago but you keep wanting more!!! I still get excited if I'm waiting for a mic or just a new cable to arrive...ahhh the life of a GS!!!

[Piedpiper]

Another option is to get the 002R. Get the BLA signature mod and get some different flavored outboard pres and a nice converter like a Mytek. You'll have all the quality and versatility you'll need for a long time.

...and a pair of Joly modded Oktava MK 012s, in addition to the Shure SM7B recommended above.

[Jonesfromindia]

Originally Posted by Austin Alexander

Cool! But what would you suggest if you don't exactly have a gear dealer within like an hour/hour and half? Haha.

well make that trip one day with the intention to buy then lol.

I myself work at a recording retail store. so im around this stuff 8-10 hours a day 5 days a week, not including my home studio...

heres what i think you should buy, im leaving out room treatment, cus thats another can-o-worms.

with the things you have already,

Digimax D8.
Mogami cables, cabling is over 50% of your sound.
JBL lsr2325 with mopads to separate them from your desk or stand
Behringer AMP800 is fine.
SM57, as many as you can they are on sale and have a $10 rebate. puts them at $85
Sterling Audio St66 tube mic. $400, great mic for vox and acoustic gtr and drum mic.
I-5, for guitar and under snare
D112, for bass and floor tom
D6 for kick drum mic
MXL604, i bought mine for high hat, but sounds AMAZING on MY mitchell guitar. kinda weird.
NT5's is a fine choice, ill be purchasing them too.
421, great for lowest rack tom and guitar, and bass, and vox.

and what ever software you can afford.. Complete toolkit...Or Music Toolkit.

[Austin Alexander]

Jonesfromindia, you rule! haha. I was just going to buy most of the stuff from sweetwater.. I've heard nothing but good things about them and their costumer service.

So far, everyone but you, and a couple of my friends, haven't exactly seemed to like the idea of the D8, so I'm pretty confused on that one and have been from the start. I don't think I'll be able to buy a ton of extra mics right away, but figured I'd start with like 7 or 8, including the vocal mic, the small diaphragm condensors for overheads, a couple dynamics for drums and guitar, and then the D112 for bass drum, and bass guitar..