$5,000 for Portable Rig

[ebook]

I'm not sure if this would be better in low end, becuase I'm not looking to spend a lot, but I guess I'll try here because I do want something that is used to record in churches. My brother and I are looking to spend about $5000 initially to record acoustic guitars, bass (di), vocals, cello, viola, and possibly maybe very rarely some percussion. Most of the recording would be done in church sanctuaries or a living room (we don't have a dedicated space, but we do have access to a few churches). Right now I have a little equipment that I use in my office as a bit of release. I have a G4 Mac Mini (being upgraded to a MacBook once they hit Rev. B because of my bummers with my Rev. A iMac G5), a Presonus FireBox, an ART TubePac, a Studio Projects VTB-1, and a few mics that I picked up before I found Gearslutz and a few after I found this site (MXL 990, Oktava 012, and SM57 and 58).

I think we would like to be able to record 3 or 4 channels at the least (at least guitar and vocals) and probably more if we ever had some percussion. We also do not have any decent monitors, but we do have two pairs of MoreMe's. I have never recorded any classical instruments such as the cello or viola, but my brother has been playing with a couple so he would like to add them to the mix. It would be great to record everything live.

Any help would be great, or go ahead and move this to low end. Or whatever... Thanks

[sonare]

I will simply say that the room is the most important factor you mentioned. and I have never been in a living room that compared in any way to even the worst church I could imagine.

Great recordings beging in a "space." Remember that the Bermuda triangle is the music, the musicians, and the room. Usually the engineer has really no input on any of these-- YOU, however, do!

Rich

[T.RayBullard]

Metric halo interface, DAV BG-2, Audio Technica 4050 Pair, Beyer m130/m160 pair, Studio Projects C4 pair, Studio Projects T3

[ebook]

On second thought this might be a better post for Low End Theory. How quickly I forget that one it comes to audio equipment my money doesn't go as far :( Thanks for the suggestion of the Metric Halo. I had been thinking about that possibility along with something from Motu. I had also not considered the DAV BG-2, but that equipment seems to receive some fairly good reviews and it could fit into our budget.

Thanks again, and if a Mod thinks this needs to move, no problem it was probably my bad.

[Remoteness]

I would have moved it but, it's about a portable rig. And whether or not is high end or low end gear I believe it should live here.

There are plenty of low end users around these parts. I'm sorry they have not chined in for you yet.

[Legendary]

I have had good luck with my remote set-up and I spent around $5k for it.
Here's what I'm working with: Pelican 1660 that I installed shock mounted rack rails into, 2x Motu 896HD, Furman PLPlus power conditioner, Re'an patchbay, and an Aviom A16/O for when I use the digital snake. I also have a Traveler and 828 if I need to boost track count. I have both a G4 powerbook and PC that run Pro Tools, Nuendo, DP and Sony's Vegas.

I have been really happy with the set up, its nice to roll in one case and plug into a fanout and power and be ready to go. No need for a mixer or anything.

I do have a Yamaha DM1000 and some Event 20/20, KRK Rokit5s, Alesis Mk1 IIs, and am waiting to get the SLS powered studio monitors. So I can always take the tracks back and hear them in a good mix room, or truck.

As far as mics, I use almost all Shure mics thanks to a teaching deal I have with them. I love the KSM137/141s and the KSM32/44s are great too. I have even had the pleasure of using the new KSM9 and it sounds amazing! Honestly if you get a few 58s and 57s you have a good start. Then get a good vocal mic that can cover lots of different vocalists, maybe a 86 or 87 and then I always find it helpful to have good overheads and room mics. Its reallly all about placement and knowing your mics.

Good Luck and keep the tape (uhhh or hard drive) rolling