Last Major Purchase for a Year or Two..

[jeep]

in july, i will be going away to study full-time for 2 years
i won't be able to save for anymore gear, so i've decided to make one last decent purchase, to assist me in recording music (part time) over the next couple of years

my current set up:

RECORDER
003R Factory

OUTBOARD
BAE 500 series 11 space rack
BAE312a
Avedis MA5
Purple Action

MONITORING
Event ASP8's
Sennheiser HD650's, 280's (2), EH350's (2)

MICS
414 XLII
M160
NT1000
CAD M179
Heil PR 30
D112
58
57

OTHER
Mogami + Neutrik cables
K&M stands


my budget is about $2000aus

my thoughts:

upgrade converters - Ensemble?

more pre's - Another MA5 and 312a

one good mic - Used U87 or something..

maybe a combination of everything??


All input is appreciated
thank you!!

JP

[psycho_monkey]

converters - no point, you're most likely going to be moving around a bit, waste of time if you're not in a good sounding room. Plus the ensemble is primarily an interface that works in standalone mode, so you're paying for things you don't need.

I'd suggest one good piece that will hold it's value. A good, used 87 would be fine (if you find yourself wishing for a different vocal sound or LDC on occasion).

That'd be my vote - something that's not going to lose value in the short to medium term, so if you do run into money problems, you can sell it for what you paid for it.

OR - buy a couple of cheap pieces that you're going to get use out of in the short term - things that might fill holes in your pic collection (eg a pair of SDCs, or ribbon mics) - that might not keep their resale value, but that you're going to get lots of use out of.

[dreamsongs]

I'd definitely get another LDC...

[Matt Hepworth]

I'd say a U195 and some used Lucids. Maybe you could even squeeze in a used Mackie MCU.

[SyncSailor]

I don't think i would buy anything computer oriented ie... computers, converters, plugins, etc. Because when you get back, that type equipment will be 2 years down the short road to obsolesence.

If it were me, i'd go with a mic or mic pre. and by the looks of your list, I think your idea of a U87 sounds perfect.

[Rochey]

The room. A good room is worth just as much now as it will be in 2 years time.

Seriously... converters, computers, effects... all that stuff "generally" depreciates over time.

[jeep]

thanks everyone!

i'm slowly leaning towards the U87 idea
there's currently a new U87ai on ebay for just over $2000..

the room idea is good, but seeming as i will be in a new room, and unable to modify it much (putting up panels etc) due to me renting, there isn't too much i can do in that department


so a no on converters?

[Reza]

For 2,000 you could sort your room out with DIY acoustic panels no problems. Just be a little creative with how you mount them in a rented space.

I rent, and I've spent $3,000 in Sydney to get my room sounding awesome. Not a single screw in the wall either.

It was a shit-load of work, but it's sooooooo worth it!!!

[Rochey]

I gotta agree with Reza. You can mount foam on board and then hang the boards like paintings... everyone is allowed to hang paintings in rented places

It's not as sexy as buying gear... but all the gear in the world won't sound as good as it can do with a poor room.

you can't polish a turd.

/R

[jeep]

Okay.
my current home studio control room has been treated, as is still currently being treated - i have applied the front end absorption eliminating the first reflections as well as bass traps in all 4 corners
right now i am half way through making my own diffusers (don't worry, i got a professional to design them for me)

now the absorption panels are on stands and can easily be transported..
as for the diffusers, not so easily. they can be hand removed from the wall, and maybe placed on table or something in my new place
so i think i'm doing okay as for room treatment
if anyone disagrees, speak now!

now may i ask the question again?
- what's more important for my situation? mic, pres, converters?

Thank you all.

[ScumBum]

You gonna record drums ???

Looks like you only got 7 mic pres , right ?

Get 1 more pre to make 8 for drums ,

What about some good plugins or 500 series EQs

[jeep]

Originally Posted by MushroomKingdom

You gonna record drums ???

Looks like you only got 7 mic pres , right ?

Get 1 more pre to make 8 for drums ,

What about some good plugins or 500 series EQs

over the next month or so, yes
but after that, once i move away, probably not

thank you


oh and it's actually only 6 mic pres
4 x 003R's + 2 x 500 series

[ScumBum]

I think U87s are overrated and overpriced. They're good mics , but to me sound wise nothing special .

Get a Pearlman mic

[jeep]

Originally Posted by MushroomKingdom

I think U87s are overrated and overpriced. They're good mics , but to me sound wise nothing special .

Get a Pearlman mic

The pearlman's do seem to be getting a good wrap around here
and the TM-1 has crossed my mind several times
my main concern is that it's only cardioid!
but then again, if i'm stuck in one room (which will most likely be relatively small), i wouldn't need anything else than a cardioid pattern mic..


i listened to some apogee vs 003 converter samples last night and i am pretty hooked on the converter thing.


more opinions peoples?

anyone tried the ADK Hamburg II AUS mic?

[jeep]

Bumpasaurus!

[ScumBum]

Go with the API A2D and an SM7 .

That covers your last 2 pres , which will give you 8 .

It also gets you 2 High End converters as good or better then apogees . You said your doing drums only one time before you move , so after that you'll only need one or two high end channels to record .

If you go with the apogee you won't even use all those extra converters. Don't get me wrong having 8 converters is nice if your always doing multi tracks , but if your just doing over dubs and layering one track at a time , your only going to use two channels most the time . So you'll be spending money on extra stuff you don't need .

Now the SM7 just kicks ass , thats all there is too it . With these LDC you need a treated room , but with the SM7 you don't .

You can get both for $2000 or less ,

[psycho_monkey]

Originally Posted by jeep

so a no on converters?

+about a million.

And that's to everyone else too who thinks their mid level conversion is the weak link in the chain.

Why does everyone want to spend money on converters?!

If it's part of the A2D package...maybe...but I still think you're better off going for the neumann, or something else that's not going to date quickly.

[Silver Sonya]

This would be an obvious, fairly standard thing missing from your current set-up.

You should have at least one. You'll have it all of your life and continue to grow as you learn to use it more masterfully.

It's an instrument.

- c

[jeep]

new budget - $3500

[jeep]

With the help from you guys and several other people, I have decided on my purchases:

Apogee Rosetta 200
MA5
U87 (99% sure)

the rosetta and MA5 are on their way and should arrive tomorrow

still saving for the 87, but will get there in the end
selling my NT1000 to help save (never really liked it too much anyway)


Thanks y'all!