13k for Startup Project/Semi Pro Studio. PLZ Help!!!

[jb4play]

Hi all? First I'd like to introduce myself to the Gearslutz family, my name is Rel and I'm an engineer/producer from Jawja (Georgia :) )Recently, an investor who wants to get into the music field contacted me about helping plan and run a startup Project/ Semi Pro Studio. The location is already soundproofed somewhat, has a vocal booth that is fully soundproofed, and has carpeted floors in the control room. I believe that it is a pretty nice location for a studio (even more so due to the fact that the previous owners ran a studio out of the location, so all of the wall wiring and soundproofing was done in the past). My question is... with a 13k budget to focus on equipment only, is the budget list that I have the best overall regarding a balanced, solid, studio to begin with? More can be added as clients are booked and money comes from their sessions. The genres of music will be primarily Hip Hop/Rap and R&B. Mixes will more than likely be sent from the studio to other engineers to mix/master, depending on the client. Tracking (vocal, guitars, and small percussion instruments), rough mixing/editing, and track production are the primary concerns of the studio. We are trying to stay in the digital realm for now; an analog console may be added in the far future if funds permit. We are looking for a clean, clear, yet somewhat warm, round sound (contradicting I know!) that can be manipulated afterwards and can keep up with and compete with radio/album material of studios in our area (Atlanta, Sandy Springs area). Pro Tools and Cubase are the software sequencers we will be running. Any help, comments, and/or feedback are wanted! Thx in advance. Here's the list:

Sandy Springs Studio Setup

*Peluso 2247 Limited Edition- $1675.00 ($1,591.25) (Money Order)

http://www.atlasproaudio.com/peluso.html

*Vintech X73i with PSU- $1,550.00

http://www.atlasproaudio.com/vintech.html

*Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor Compressor- $1,349.95

http://www.zzounds.com/item--EMPEL8DIST

Yamaha HS80M Active Studio Monitor (120 Watts, 1x8 in.) Pair, With HS10 Subwoofer- $1,099.00

http://www.zzounds.com/item--YAMHS80M

M-Audio Project Mix I/O Control Surface/Interface- $1,249.95 ($958.95)

http://www.zzounds.com/item--MDOPROJECTIO

Mac Pro (Georgia Southern University Student Discount) - $2,877.00

NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT 256MB (single-link DVI/dual-link DVI)
Apple Keyboard and Mighty Mouse - U.S. English
2GB (4 x 512MB)
Two 2.00GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon
160GB 7200-rpm Serial ATA 3Gb/s
One 16x SuperDrive
1 Apple Cinema Display (20" flat panel)
Mac OS X - U.S. English

http://www.apple.com/macpro/

Studio RTA Producer's Station- $499.99 (Store Pick Up)

http://www.guitarcenter.com/shop/pro..._sku=102460813

M-Audio Trigger Finger MIDI Controller with Pads- $199.95 ($166.95)

http://www.zzounds.com/item--MDOTRIGGER

M-Audio Keystation 88 ES 88-Key MIDI Controller- $199.00 ($193.95)

http://www.zzounds.com/item--MDOKEYSTAT88ES

Numark TTUSB Turntable with USB Output- $169.95 ($125.95)

http://www.zzounds.com/item--NUMTTUSB

Neutrik NYSSPPL 48-Point TRS Balanced Patchbay- $89.95 ($69.95)

http://www.zzounds.com/item--NTKNYSSPPL

Mackie Big Knob Studio Control Center- $299.95 ($283.95)

http://www.zzounds.com/item--MACBIGKNOB

Auralex MoPAD Isolation Pad (4 Pads) - $39.95 ($28.95)

http://www.zzounds.com/item--AURMOPAD

QuikLok PS25 Universal Sustain Pedal - $13.95

http://www.zzounds.com/item--QLKPS25

QuikLok A346 Microlite Microphone Stand - Straight (Tripod Base with Telescopic Boom) - $39.95

http://www.zzounds.com/item--QLKA346

Monster Cables- $550.00 (Estimate)

http://www.zzounds.com/cat--Monster-Cable--3230

LACIE Design by F.A. Porsche 301103U 500GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache USB 2.0 External Hard Drive – Retail- $187.60

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822154150

Microsoft Windows XP Pro SP2b 1pk w/Upgrade Coupon for Vista – OEM- $144.98

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116175

Furman M8 Merit Series Spike Protector- $54.95 ($38.95)

http://www.zzounds.com/item--FURM8

OnStage ASVS6GB Microphone Pop Filter- $19.95

http://www.zzounds.com/item--MUSASVS6GB

Auralex Deluxe Plus Roominator Kit ROOMDLXPLUS- $799.95 ($684.95)

http://www.zzounds.com/item--AURROOMDLXPLUS

Meinl Nino Conga Set- $199.95

http://www.zzounds.com/item--MEININO

Meinl Nino Small Cabasa- $15.95

http://www.zzounds.com/item--MEININO701

Rhythm Band True Colors Tambourine- $14.95

http://www.zzounds.com/item--RHYTC40

Latin Percussion Studio Chimes (25 Bars) - $64.95

http://www.zzounds.com/item--LBL449

2 Sennheiser HD280Pro Headphones- $199.90 ($135.90)

http://www.zzounds.com/item--SENHD280PRO

D-Link DUB-H7 7-Port USB Hub – Retail- $31.63

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817111402

World Tour DXKS Double X Keyboard Stand - $29.95

http://www.zzounds.com/item--WORDXKS

QuikLok BX5 Economy Keyboard Bench- $24.95

http://www.zzounds.com/item--QLKBX5

Final Total- $12,994.40

Budget Left- $5.60

[Traxx]

Welcome to the board..heres some advice..keep ur questions simple..its hard to stay focus on such a post with so much info.. thats prolly why no one has responded to u yet..but at a glance u are investing into some good gear..good luck but honestly u should do ur research b4 jumping into the market of a "recording studio" for making money..its hard when most ppl buy mbox's nowadays and interfaces..don't know the market where you are located but i would really do my research..good luck man

[TonyBelmont]

There are only three things on that list that actually worth purchasing (Mac Pro, Peluso, and Distressors). I would pass on a lot of the other stuff and buy better gear.

I don't have time to configure your studio on GS, but if you need some advice feel free to give me a call. Consultant based studio projects sales are what my company specializes in, and buying your whole studio from one company can ease the stress of this type of endeavor(and save you money).

[jb4play]

thx for the replies! I'll give you a call tomorrow TonyB!

[ShaneFontane]

i agree with tony... and in addition to that - you need more hard drives... try and get 1GB sticks, it's a better future investment cause you won't throw them out when you upgrade like the 512's ie... you use more slots fo rthe 512's and with the gig sticks you have more room for future upgrade without wasted sticks...

[jb4play]

Thx for the reply, we do have extra hd's, just not internal. I prefer external hd's so I can move from spot to spot so that's already covered. 2gb of mem for the macpro isn't enough to handle alot of tracking and some mixing? My last daw I ran 2gb of ram and never had a problem with performance (amd 64 3000+) and I know the dual xeons will blow it out of the water.

Originally Posted by ShaneFontane

i agree with tony... and in addition to that - you need more hard drives... try and get 1GB sticks, it's a better future investment cause you won't throw them out when you upgrade like the 512's ie... you use more slots fo rthe 512's and with the gig sticks you have more room for future upgrade without wasted sticks...

[(DC)]

$13k?

002 Rack (1.2k)
Apogee 800 AD/DA (2.7k)
API A2D Mic Pre (1.7k)
Shure SM7B (350)
RE-20 (400)

$6,350

Maybe start with this. Once you need compressors go with the British Mod Distressors (just under $3000 at High Profile Audio with Tony).

This is a solid collection right here. You should spend about $500 in cables/cable converters/stands etc....

[jb4play]

Nice, the more and more I see (and read on here) about the API A2D i'm leaning towards maybe getting it instead of the vintech. I don't want the 002, I'm leaning towards the project mix due to it's faders and I can get it for a cheaper price than the 002. I really want the 2247le as the main mic to handle mostly rappers and every now and then the r&b singer, might use it and a sm57 to mic instruments as well (guitars, congas, chimes, etc...) what is the re-20? As far as a compressor i'm really feeling the distressor with the brit mod, I have a good deal on it so far, I have a fmr audio rnc right now, but I don't think i'll use it at the new lab. I'm still gonna need room in the budget for the mac pro, monitors, workstation, stands, and cables.

Originally Posted by (DC)

$13k?

002 Rack (1.2k)
Apogee 800 AD/DA (2.7k)
API A2D Mic Pre (1.7k)
Shure SM7B (350)
RE-20 (400)

$6,350

Maybe start with this. Once you need compressors go with the British Mod Distressors (just under $3000 at High Profile Audio with Tony).

This is a solid collection right here. You should spend about $500 in cables/cable converters/stands etc....

[ShaneFontane]

Originally Posted by jb4play

Thx for the reply, we do have extra hd's, just not internal. I prefer external hd's so I can move from spot to spot so that's already covered. 2gb of mem for the macpro isn't enough to handle alot of tracking and some mixing? My last daw I ran 2gb of ram and never had a problem with performance (amd 64 3000+) and I know the dual xeons will blow it out of the water.

2gb's is "enough" but not the limit... certain applications can access up to 4gb of ram plus you must include ram being accessed by other background processes or other applications such as plugins, etc... i have 4gb and wouldn't mind havig more but i run a dual 1.8

i was also refering to the ram config though... instead of purchasing 512 sticks which take up 4 slots, i would suggest gig sticks that take up ne slot so when you come close to maxing out, you will not throw away any ram to make room for your gig sticks.. it will expand accordingly :)

[(DC)]

RE 20?

Commonly used as a broadcast mic... sounds great for most Rap or R&B Vocals.
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/RE20/

Also the 002 is a control surface if that's what you want. I'm just suggesting the rack version, because later you might just want to add an analog board ( I recommend the Mixwizard 16:2 from my personal experiences at this price range - $1k ).
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MixWizaard316/

[DivineMusic]

Rel i don't know if you checked your email yet but i hit you back..
i didn't see this full list but i put some stuff in th email...

me personally...
i'd switch the 2247Le for the 22 251
drop the vintech for a pacifica
but keep the distressor

the yamaha hr80's are alright. we have a pair,but don't mix on them.
upgrade up to mackies,jbl's or adams....

check your email cuz

you know i'ma make it up there to help you get everything setup

[jb4play]

... Waiting to get word back, but I may be able to stretch the budget to 14k, maybe even 15k. Looking at getting the 2247LE and 22 251 (best of both worlds) now. Monitors... Dynaudio BM5a's (I've used them b4, never done any critical mixing on them though) API A2D (solves the preamp and convertor problem at the same time). Any more suggestions?

[DivineMusic]

budget monitors thats translate well...
Adam A7's.. no contest

[riecespieces]

I'd spend 5k on equipment and the rest on marketing and misc maintainance expenses thats just me tho...

[jb4play]

Great idea, we already have a marketing budget as well though, maintainance shouldn't be a problem either.

Originally Posted by riecespieces

I'd spend 5k on equipment and the rest on marketing and misc maintainance expenses thats just me tho...

[riecespieces]

If thats the case then be a Boss and do it big just cop an Oasys or Maybe you can barter and get a used Buchla system... This is bad advice by the way altho my next purchases is going to be one or the other tho. I hated on the Oasys til I actually played with it. Its definately worth it.. jus my opinion tho

[jb4play]

haha, while I'm at it I might as well buy a Sony C800g to be my talkback mic, a icon console to hold drinks in the guest lounge, and by a lamborghini and park it in the kitchen. Ballinnnnnnnnnnnn

Originally Posted by riecespieces

If thats the case then be a Boss and do it big just cop an Oasys or Maybe you can barter and get a used Buchla system... This is bad advice by the way altho my next purchases is going to be one or the other tho. I hated on the Oasys til I actually played with it. Its definately worth it.. jus my opinion tho

[riecespieces]

Haha

[treymonfauntre]

i'm not sure why anybody would want that usb turntable

[jb4play]

I use the non usb version of the table at my home setup and I heard good reviews about it, thought it would help bypass a mixer... I've always wanted to digitize my vinyl collection.

Originally Posted by treymonfauntre

i'm not sure why anybody would want that usb turntable