15k-20k to spend, what to buy?

[OneUp Ent]

First off, this will be for sound enhancement for recording/mixing only. I have a ton of sounds and a reliable sequencer. I also have a ton of plug-ins such as the SSL G-series pack and Waves Mercury bundle among others.

My current setup: Old school Yamaha O2r, Big Ben clock. I go light pipe from my computer to the O2R and mixdown to cd going through an analog Peavy VC/L-2 dual channel Compressor/limiter to warm things up a bit before going to CD. I use an Utramatch Pro D/A converter between the Peavey and CD recorder. My mix skills are decent and my mastering guy (Masters a lot of major records) thinks they sound great and compare very well with Big studio mixes. I know there is room for improvement.

I mix on PC using Sony Vegas 7, because it gives me unlimited tracks and does 48k/24bit. Sometimes I record with Protools LE. I have a Sony C800G, Neumann U87, and M149. I record though an Avalon 737SP.

Protools HD has not been in my budget which is why I'm still using a PC. I would consider purchasing an HD rig if that would significantly improve my sound over keeping what I have and buying better outboard gear/ better converters.

Right now I think high grade converters would help out the most as I mostly rely on the 20bit converters in the O2R. I think my mixes a good but lack some of the depth, punch and detail of Big studio mixes. I will be mixing a Rap project.

You can follow the myspace page link to listen to one of the songs I mixed ( "Customer remix" or "Ghetto").

Thanks for the space and any input.

[dhiltonlittle]

what monitors?

any room treatment?

start with those.

you've got some good mics. i'd add a nice 47 to you're collection.

also some better pre's, converters, and a few different tracking comps.

a better comp on your 2mix would make you're tracks pop more too.

[drewrevolution]

If I were you and had $17,500 (in the middle of 15-20K) I'd consider getting...

SSL Logic XLogic G Series Compressor
run this on the two bus

UA 2192
2 channel ad/da - great to run for your important tracks going in and as a da to your monitors to really show the mix.

then after that, get some comps to use with vocals like maybe la3a, la2a OR consider upgrading from your avalon to a pendulum quartet?

little stuff you could get maybe some dbx 160 compressors?

anyway, hope that helps! let us know what you end up getting!

[OneUp Ent]

Originally Posted by dhiltonlittle

what monitors?

any room treatment?

start with those.

you've got some good mics. i'd add a nice 47 to you're collection.

also some better pre's, converters, and a few different tracking comps.

a better comp on your 2mix would make you're tracks pop more too.

Im working with some Mackie HR824s, which aren't great, but I know them pretty well. I of course do the car test and reference on small computer speakers to see how things translate. My room is fairly tight and I mix mostly at a low level to try and eliminate as much "room" as possible. At this point I really don't want to spend anything on another mic, but do want to purchase another pre for tracking. Maybe a neve 1073.

[Stitch333]

You have a great mic selection...

A pair of Neve 1290 preamps and an API 3124 (or some BAE clones) would lock in all the preamps you would need.--->~5k

If the 02R has 24bit ADAT I/O connections, I'd get an Apogee Rosetta 800 as well with ADAT I/O.---->~2.5k

a couple of distressors to track through--->~2.75k

Get a nice pair of mains or midfield monitors and have them soffit mounted in your room, then have your room professionally treated as well--->~6k

You can use the distressors for vocals, but an ADL 1000 or a Summit TLA100 would be real nice for your vocal recordings--->~1.5k

An old SSL 384 or C2 smart comp for the 2 mix to print--->~2.5k

Screw pro tools if you know what you have really well.
The difference in DAW program sound is minimal. The difference in converters is big!

[emgbiotch]

buy a new watch.

this is the hip hop forum right?

[phillysoulman]

Before you go out and buy gear more gear,ask yourself whether or not you have hit songs.
Otherwise,all the great gear in the world does not make a hit song..

[MYAMS]

Originally Posted by phillysoulman

Before you go out and buy gear more gear,ask yourself whether or not you have hit songs.
Otherwise,all the great gear in the world does not make a hit song..

Yeah I wouldnt spend 15-20k on equipment unless your future work will pay it off and then some. Might want to include some standard outboard for hip-hop like a distressor or two.

[OneUp Ent]

Originally Posted by emgbiotch

buy a new watch.

this is the hip hop forum right?

Did that make you feel better? Pure ignorance.

[OneUp Ent]

Originally Posted by MYAMS

Yeah I wouldnt spend 15-20k on equipment unless your future work will pay it off and then some. Might want to include some standard outboard for hip-hop like a distressor or two.

My Production company has so far sold over 20 million records, I'm pretty sure it will pay for itself.

Definatly going to pick up a couple Distressors.

[OneUp Ent]

Originally Posted by Stitch333

You have a great mic selection...

A pair of Neve 1290 preamps and an API 3124 (or some BAE clones) would lock in all the preamps you would need.--->~5k

If the 02R has 24bit ADAT I/O connections, I'd get an Apogee Rosetta 800 as well with ADAT I/O.---->~2.5k

a couple of distressors to track through--->~2.75k

Get a nice pair of mains or midfield monitors and have them soffit mounted in your room, then have your room professionally treated as well--->~6k

You can use the distressors for vocals, but an ADL 1000 or a Summit TLA100 would be real nice for your vocal recordings--->~1.5k

An old or C2 smart comp for the 2 mix to print--->~2.5k

Screw pro tools if you know what you have really well.
The difference in DAW program sound is minimal. The difference in converters is big!

Excellent post, thank you!

What do you think of the SSL XLogic channel strip?

[Stitch333]

Originally Posted by OneUp Ent

Excellent post, thank you!

What do you think of the SSL XLogic channel strip?

Not my personal favorite (most of the 'new' SSL 19" rack stuff is pretty damn flimsy in general IMHO). I think its pretty sterile compared to something like an API 7600 or such BUT if your beats or vocalists are ROCKIN' you can probably get away with just bout anything...

You looking for an all-in-one channel instead? API 7600 is a great piece of kit.

Cheers, mang!

[solostat]

The rosetta 800 is nice to get those extra 8 crispy I/O's

The SSL 19" rack has not gotten much burn. The API's are good. I myself would look into the neve 8801 channel strip.

I would look into getting some Good main monitors. Although, If your mastering guy is getting a good end product to work with, then i guess you are OK.

When i get a budge to work with i sit on it for a little while and I find that the things I need will make themselves known.

I hit you up on the myspace by the way.

MySpace.com - Solo Sound Labs - AMHERST, Massachusetts - Hip Hop / R&B / Reggae - www.myspace.com/onlinesolo

[Teo Macero]

I'd spent it on room treatment first b4 you go buckwild on "gear".

[gearaddict]

Originally Posted by emgbiotch

buy a new watch.

This is the hip hop forum right?

lmfao!!!!

[brian_delizza]

i would definitely look at getting a smart research C2 or similar bus compressor...

[soundeq]

Originally Posted by emgbiotch

buy a new watch.

this is the hip hop forum right?

Breitling Emergency's are going for a good rate $$$... I'm looking at one, but have a hard time justifying it still...

No diamond bezel tho...

Some better D/A's and A/D's might help... 737 works well, not my fav, but PLENTY of hit records have been made with them. You have great mics... good plugs... room and monitors would be next on my list..

[phillysoulman]

Originally Posted by OneUp Ent

My Production company has so far sold over 20 million records, I'm pretty sure it will pay for itself.

Definatly going to pick up a couple Distressors.

If your company sold over 20 million records, then 15-20 stacks is just chump change.

[nukmusic]

15k-20k to spend, what to buy?

a new shotgun with lots of ammo/

then put the rest fo you money under you mattress. Shit's about to hit the fan

[Stitch333]

Originally Posted by nukmusic

then put the rest fo you money under you mattress. Shit's about to hit the fan

You gotta transfer it into gold tho, the 'legal tender' won't be worth the paper its printed on...

[themaidsroom]

studio time

[zimma1314]

I mix on PC using Sony Vegas 7, because it gives me unlimited tracks and does 48k/24bit.

Sony Vegas is primary for Video production. I would buy at least a "real" Audio Sequencer and of course mastering and mixing plugins. You never can have enough of these...

[DHMcC]

Originally Posted by Stitch333

If the 02R has 24bit ADAT I/O connections, I'd get an Apogee Rosetta 800 as well with ADAT I/O.---->~2.5k

Second that.

[Thebassist]

+1 studio time.

Tracking vital elements (or mixing) in a wicked studio will DRAMATICALLY improve what you're doing.

Also

As everyone says here, if you don't have broadband absorbers are and mixing in a non treated room with questionable monitors, nothing in the world is going to improve your mixes.

Also invest in some books like Bob Katz' Mastering Audio.

See

I just saved you 15 grand. This sort of practical advice will do more for your tracks than any gear under the sun. Besides good compressors.