Upgrading from small project studio to semi-pro or atleast compete w/ pros

[StrykeBack]

So I've spent countless hours over the past couple months trying to figure out the best way to go about upgrading my project/bedroom studio from being a portable rig to track entire live indie bands to now mainly mixing tracks and if any recording it would be no more then some vocals or guitar or bass tracks. Basically no drums since I've decided to not track drums unless they shell out to rent studio time with some apis and great mics.

I've kinda got an idea of what should be done first but would like your guys input.
I'm going with the diy bags from ready traps first of all to put bass traps all over the room and deal with the acoustics.

I'd like to upgrade my m-audio audiophile bx-8s to some Focal A6s.

the 002R is out for a lightbridge and a Digimax FS for now

Selling the RNP and RNC to put money towards a A-Designs Pacifica
And then later on get a pair of API and Neve clones from SCA

I'd also really like to upgrade to a Lynx Aurora 16 down the road and eventually go PT HD with their new card but thats again down the road.

I guess besides acoustics what upgrade order should i go here that will make the biggest difference to my mixes and signal path? Monitors so I can hear better what I'm doing or are converters more important since the 002's are shite or will the digimax FS be a lot better to monitor out of for now?

[u b k]

Originally Posted by StrykeBack

Monitors so I can hear better what I'm doing or are converters more important since the 002's are shite or will the digimax FS be a lot better to monitor out of for now?

new monitors, no question about it. get both ends nailed --- front end (mic & pre) and back end (monitor and room) --- and work your way inwards from there.

you gotta capture it, or you'll be band-aiding everything and finding little joy in doing so; and you gotta hear it, or you'll be groping in the dark with sunglasses over your blindfold, and finding little joy in doing so.

if those ends are dialed, any suck has to be coming from you, and that's something you can work on. if those ends are not dialed, you'll never know where the problem(s) lay or what to do about it.


gregoire
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ubk
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[Scinx]

I wouldn't worry to much about competing with "the pro's". I would worry more about competing with yourself. Improvement is a continuous cycle. The question, I would think, should be more closely aligned to "how can I improve?" and not so much a mentality of "what gear do I need to compete?"

I'm not knocking your know-how or anything, you are quite possibly a great engineer for all any of us knows. If so - get your name known around band circles and you will become a pro by default. Upgrading equipment will then make your job easier - but I'm not so sure it would neccesarily make you better.

Improving room sound and monitor sound allow you to hear much better, and improve overall sound. I would definitely get your room setup so that it is free of the harsh evils that comes with an untreated room, or a boxy room, etc. I would then get your monitor situation in order so that you can hear what you need to hear. Then I'd look at converters and then preamps, compressors, etc.

[StrykeBack]

Thanks guys. Thats what I figured. Room and monitors, but the muffled sound of the 002 annoys me but then I was thinkin I would hear new converters as well if I didn't get great monitors.

I know I've still got plenty to learn. I've got a couple indie albums under my belt but after going to an audio school last year and interning at some hollywood studios, I can't get to that finished great sounding end nearly as close nor as fast when I'm not at an SSL or Neve loaded full of outboard. So I know my home setup is a huge hindrance.

Thanks for your guys' comments and ideas.