I Need Cheap Hiphop Setup!! Please Help!!

[Jose Mrochek]

Originally Posted by Ecks

The mic I've had the best results with in the studio is the u47, what cheaper mic would you say best equates to this sound? I'm doing alot of big mixtapes so I need pro quality sound. Thanks in advance for your help guys.

this is a weird question. First you want a cheap set up, then you say you need pro-quality. I would suggest you giving the sluts a bugdet, and then it will be easier to comment on the best set up for the money.

[Stoneface]

Originally Posted by Jose Mrochek

this is a weird question. First you want a cheap set up, then you say you need pro-quality. I would suggest you giving the sluts a bugdet, and then it will be easier to comment on the best set up for the money.

Amen to that!

[Ecks]

my bad 2gs

[Stoneface]

Digi002R - $900
C414TL II - $600
GREAT RIVER ME-1NV -$800

Prices are based on used items and are approximate. You should get great results out of something like this. A bit over your budget but you could substitue the Mbox or Digi001 and get there. Digi002R coverters are much better though. Worth the extra money in my opinion. AVOID BEHRINGER LIKE THE PLAUGE!!!!

Good luck!

[Reptil]

IMO check EMU or RME for converters too
EMU rocks if it works for your PC, check before commit to buy

also I like dynamic mics for rap, but that is just me

[Stoneface]

Originally Posted by Reptil

also I like dynamic mics for rap, but that is just me

Yeah, good point. You might get some great results with an SM57 through the Great River. If so, you'd save quite a bit of money passing on the 414 or equivalant.

[Ecks]

yeah I've had some good results with the the 57. What do you guys think of the EV20? My man did the majority of Jada's first album with it.

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by Ecks

yeah I've had some good results with the the 57. What do you guys think of the EV20? My man did the majority of Jada's first album with it.

You mean the ElectroVoice RE20... It's a great mic. Either that or an SM7 would be good choices. That plus an API lunchbox with a 512 and a 002rack or MBOX would be nice...

[Stoneface]

Hey Tony, what's your opinion of the API 512's over the GTQ2? Different beasts altogether? Or would the API's be considered a cheaper alternative?

[Ecks]

what about the safesound p1? You guys have an opinion on that. I'm inexperienced engineer and need something that can give me a great sound with as little tweaking as possible.

[illynoise]

Avoid the Mbox like the plague!

I personally would get a Motu interface, Logic, and get a Rode K2. It's a good mic, and the Motu Interface is better than the Digi (I have both, the digi interface is built better, but MOTU's customer service is by far easier to work with when something goes wrong) and Logic will get you on board with all of the plugins and virtuals you need. That is if you already have a mac.

If your messin with a PC, then go for the Digi. Spend all the money you can on a good mic pre. The ones on the Digi aren't good enough!

I have recorded with much less, (like on a tascam 488) and those mixes still sound great to this day!

Good luck

BaseJase

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by Stoneface

Hey Tony, what's your opinion of the API 512's over the GTQ2? Different beasts altogether? Or would the API's be considered a cheaper alternative?

They're very different sounding. They compliment each other very well, though..

[Eterny99]

to track freestyling MCs, I find hand-held type dynamic microphone works the best (in terms of their performances), I've had the most successful results with SM58 (or 57). Of course it all varies from one artist to another, but to me, it seems most of freestyling MCs are more comfortable with them. (or even I'll provide "fake" hand-held SM58 for them to hold onto, and actually mic'them with AKG Solidtube condenser just to give them the "vibe")

for pre-amps, ME1NV seems to be the best (for the money and sound)... or API lunch box as Tony has mentioned.. (I still haven't checked either of them out.. but they sure look promising =) if any, you can always pick up Mackie 1202 VLZ Pro for 200 bucks for "ok" preamp and more flexibility for your workstation.

for converters, I find RME Multiface to be the best portable solution period. Very nice converters and very affordable =)

SM58 - $80
ME1NV - $900 or 1202 - $200
RME Multiface - $900

voila! budget range of $1180 - $1880 to consider!

hope that helps

[halfguard]

tony, do you like any of the midrange pres or channel strips? or you think its just better to wait till i can get a high end pre? im using a digi 002 rack with studio projects b1 mic. do you think the sm57 is an improvement? im starting to do more vocals and i need to upgrade my pres. thanx for any help....

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by halfguard

tony, do you like any of the midrange pres or channel strips? or you think its just better to wait till i can get a high end pre? im using a digi 002 rack with studio projects b1 mic. do you think the sm57 is an improvement? im starting to do more vocals and i need to upgrade my pres. thanx for any help....

I wouldn't say the 57 is an improvement, it's different. It's a dynamic, whereas the Studio Projects is a condenser (if I remember correctly). The 57 is good because you can throw it against the wall a bunch of times and it will still work the same. I use it a lot because it sounds great in conjunction with my gear, and the artist doesn't have to isolate themselves in a vocal booth with headphones, etc. It just works for me.

As far as mic pre's go.... There isn't really an pre's that I have found to be great for under $1000.... I think an API512 in a lunchbox is a good start with plenty of options for expansion. That would run you about $1150-ish... It's worth it to spend the money and get something that you'll be happy with, than to buy something and be disappointed.

[halfguard]

makes sense, i think im going to wait get something i will be happy with and still use as my set up gets better. about the api and lunchbox, does that limit me to just api stuff? or can i use anything with a modular design(i think thats what its called) thanx again for any help.

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by halfguard

makes sense, i think im going to wait get something i will be happy with and still use as my set up gets better. about the api and lunchbox, does that limit me to just api stuff? or can i use anything with a modular design(i think thats what its called) thanx again for any help.

There's many companies that make modules for the API racks.... API, Brent Averill, Old School Audio, Purple Audio just to name a few..

[halfguard]

i was just looking at the old school audio page. i could get their vintage pre and lunchbox for 1g. any opinions......

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by halfguard

i was just looking at the old school audio page. i could get their vintage pre and lunchbox for 1g. any opinions......

Get the API setup! The API rack is cheaper and the OSA "Vintage preamp" doesn't come with the DI. You have to order the DI as an add-on. You will want a DI, so you can use the preamp to track you drum machine/ keyboards/ guitars/ bass, etc. Buy the API preamp and rack, then get a second API preamp. After that, pick up a couple of OSA preamps or Brent Averill Avedis pre's which I am hearing good things about.

[GPl]

I say jump on that. You can expand as needed with it..a good plan for the future.

[halfguard]

tony, where should i get the api from? where ive seen, the osa stuff is cheaper.

[TonyBelmont]

I'll send you a PM....

[killahertz]

yo ecks,
whats good i am friend of 730's and familiar with your work. Don't forget to budget for a compressor like dbx 160 it will allow you to get a hotter and more even signal into the converters when your tracking vocals.
hochi

[Dor]

got any links to your freestyles online?

[satellitelot]

You could buy a two hundred dollar four track and an SM57 and make pro-status mixes, if you invest in top-quality monitoring and outboard.

[Ecks]

Thanks ya'll... one more question.... what is better the MBox or the 001? Whats the difference in sound and quality between the two?