On a Budget

[Bridge Audio]

Yo here's the question? If you only had 15,000 to spend on gear when starting up a studio - how would you budget it. We're going to be producing mostly hip-hop and electronic music, but would like the flexibility to record a drumset as well. Console and DAW are already configured, so suggestions on pre's, mic's, outboard gear etc are appreciated.

What would you spend your money on??

-J

[XHipHop]

What console and Daw do you have, first off?

[Bridge Audio]

G5 with PTools and other software, then a Soundcraft Sapphyre 28 X 28.

[LexFactory]

Mics you can't go wrong with:

AKG C414 (overheads, vox, acoustic instruments, etc)
AKG C451B (hi hat, snare bottom, acoustic guitar neck, etc)
Sennheiser MD421 (tom drums, guitar amps, bass amps, loud stuff)
Shure SM57 (just buy 5 of them. you'll need them.)
AKG D112 (the kick mic of kick mics, sounds great)
Soundelux U195 (great general purpose vocal mic for all types)
Blue Dragonfly (THE hip hop mic as far as I'm concerned)
AKG C12 (the King of all vocal mics if you have $5000 to blow)

Mic pre's that are awesome:

Great River
GMH
Manley
Crane Song
DBX


As for compressors, reverbs, delays, etc., you're best off with plugins these days. I especially love the Waves RVox vocal compressor for hip hop and other pop tunes.

That should be a mouthful for you to start with!