New member/New Gearlist

[sanctuarysounds]

Hey guys, I'm a new member to the forum.... I've decided I'm ready to upgrade my studio setup.... I'm familiar with protools, fundementals of recording and mixing, as well as the effect of room acoustics on a recordings outcome. But I was hoping I could get some opinions on the sonic capabilities of my gearlist. I primiarily work on recording and mixing Rock, Pop, Country, and Jazz tunes. Also mobility is important to me...... Take a look at the following items and tell me if you think this setup is capable of not just good, but professional commercial results if handled correctly... if you have any alternatives let me know.... Thanks so much!


(Computer/Storage)
Macbook Pro 2.4GHz Intel Core Duo (upgraded RAM)
LaCie External HD 500GB

(Interface/Software)
Digidesign 003r Factory
Digidesign Music Production Toolkit


(Converters)
Apogee Rosetta 800

(Preamps)
API 3124+ 4ch Mic Pre
Vintech X73i
-Assortment of Seventh Circle audio pres-

(Monitors)
JBL LSR4328's

(Mics)
Cascade Fathead stereo pair
Karma K35

thats currently my wishlist, with the exeption of of necessary cables, headphones, headphone amp, acoustic accesories, etc.....

I currently also have:

iMac G5
Digi 002
M-Audio Octane
M-Audio BX-8's
Rode NT1a
MXL 990's
Shure sm57's
Samson 7pc mic set
etc.....


What kind of quality product could I achieve with items, what are the weak links..... etc......

Thanks a lot guys, I look forward to your replies.

[mixman499]

that gear is certainly capable of making great records....

not a problem.

the quality of the product you could obtain will have EONS more to do with WHAT you are recording...and HOW you do it...the tones you get at the source, where you put the mics...what the room sounds like....etc...etc.

the gear is such a small part of making a great record. the gear you listed...is MORE than sufficient to make a great recording. i personally own and use api preamps, and the fathead ribbons. i have used alot of the gear you have listed....(with the exception of the karma mic and the m-audio stuff.) its all good stuff.

i suppose something to consider is...HOW are you tracking your stuff. is it one instrument at a time...or are you trying to track full bands ? how are you sending your talent cue mixes ? do you have a space of your own...or will this always be a "remote" setup ? how are you going to mix everything ? do you plan on using only the digi and bomb factory plugins that come with the le rigs ?

are you planning on having all your gear connected to your a-d-a's and mic preamps at all times ? or...do you need a patch bay ?

and finally.......CABLES, HEADPHONES, STANDS...that is ALL stuff to factor in. (for what its worth...do not WASTE money on low end cables....in the long run when you keep replacing the cheap cables...cause they WILL break....you will spend MUCH more than if you just spend the $$ up front on decent stuff....i personally make all my own cables...mics, line, headphones...with canare and mogami cables...and neutrik or switchcraft ends)

everyone here will have different opinions as to your SPECIFIC gear choices....especially when it comes to your choice of daw, converters, mic preamps and mics.

what is your personal aesthetic ? what sounds do YOU like ? its always strange to me how folks on here ask for very specific advice on gear...your PERSONAL aesthetic should ultimately help shape the gear you own and use. i happen to really dig api, daking, chandler and old altec tube preamps....thats what I use....you may end up with something totally different in your world.....and you SHOULD.

as far as a fully capable "starter-kit"...i think you would have it covered fairly well.

i assume you have chosen that gear for a REASON. my suggestion would be to just go with it...find some cool music to record...and record it...often...try stuff...experiment...enjoy the GEAR...but focus on the MUSIC.

really....its fun.

good luck,

jchristopherhughes

ps...get an sm-7. it will make you happy.

[leebridges]

i would say that your weak-links are the converters in the 003/002 and your JBL monitors (although that's more of a subjective thing).

otherwise, i'd say you're ready to make great records.

just don't forget that the control room and tracking rooms are just as important (if not more) as the gear. make sure you can hear well in your control room and that things translate. then you're ready to make some music.

[sanctuarysounds]

thanks for the replies guys, you rock.....

anyway, leebridges, i agree.... I'm expecting weak performance from my 003 converters, as my 002 converters translate into a thick fog.... Thats why I'm upgrading to the Rosetta 800 for an adat relief.... But, if I were to get my hands on an API A2D pre or an SSL alpha would I be able to bypass the 002/003 converters on line channels 5-8, or is there even a way to bypass the converters and pres on 1-4 via line in? If so that would be awesome.... I dont want anything to do with those stinking pres or converters anymore....

As for the JBL's I'm just attracted to the idea that they tune to your space, being a plus as I'm doing a lot of mobile work.....

Let me know what you guys think...

[mixman499]

have you considered keeping your digi 002 and trying out the black lion mod.

i can tell you from my experience...it makes the 002's converters totally usable. certainly not in the same class as a high end lavry, mytek, prism, or the like...but def usuable.

i still often track to an ancient mix3 tdm rig with apogee 8000's and some crane song stuff....i happen to LOVE the sound of the ad8000's...i also work alot on radar and 2"....which is always my PREFERENCE......HOWEVER...i have used a digi002r with the black lion mod many times....its TOTALLY usable for making records. the improvements to the converters are NOT subtle. i agree that the stock converters are nothing to write home about...though i have used them on projects as well when needed.

the bla mod is a cool improvement to a piece of gear you ALREADY HAVE.

is it the best ? not even CLOSE...BUT...if you kept your 002....got bla to mod it...then got a better 8ch converter to use with the adat ins...you could still find a REALLY nice a-d-a 2ch to use with the spdif in/out on your 002. use the $$ you were going to put into the digi003....to do the bla mod...and maybe splurge for a REALLY nice 2ch a-d-a.

this would give you 18 total ins and outs....and if you can splurge for a benchmark or even a crane song hedd...you could have a REALLY nice monitor path as well....which is IMMENSLEY helpful.

just an idea.

for what its worth...i would probably dedicate a bit of budget to a outboard compressor of decent quality. a distressor will cover ALOT of ground. or if you want more mojo...put out some $$$ for a 1176 or purple mc77. these are tools that will LAST you forever...and you WILL find MANY uses for them.

as far as monitors go...i have used ns10s for years...and now have been working with proac100's which i love. no real comments on your jbls...as i have never heard/used them. find something that you like to work with...that sound good...and translate well...and make music on em !!

all the best in your quest. keep the music at the top of the list !!!

jchristopherhughes

[mixman499]

Originally Posted by leebridges

i would say that your weak-links are the converters in the 003/002 and your JBL monitors (although that's more of a subjective thing).

otherwise, i'd say you're ready to make great records.

just don't forget that the control room and tracking rooms are just as important (if not more) as the gear. make sure you can hear well in your control room and that things translate. then you're ready to make some music.

thumb sup

[ddageek]

First thing I would do is send the 002 to Blacklion this gives you better pres (not great but better) nice conversion ( a BL Modded 002r is close to my Lavry DA10 always prefer the lavry, but could live without it!
The JBls are to these ears OK but My hunch is over time you would dump them my advise shop a little more and find something your going to keep for almost Forever!

Mic pre wise if your going the seventh circle route and can solder go with their API Clones and Neve Clone both are close! or I would go 500 series because like the Seventh circle you can add a channel at a time and there are way to many choices these days!

No one said it but I will put more money in the mics The pres matter less!
Look the Idea here is other than the DAW to do it once do it right and buy stuff that your never going to think about getting rid of ( think a U87 some Beyer ribbons AEA Bock audio Josephson ect) Trust me I bought a TLM103 and KM184 and I keep thinking If I spent a little more I wouldn't toy with the idea every 2 weks of putting these on ebay and gettting something I am never going to sell!

[529 Pro Audio]

Just one question, why upgrade your 002 to an 003 if you are still planning on getting a Rosetta 800? Why not just keep the 002 and put that extra cash towards microphones or an outboard compressor?

As for the former, you can cover a LOT of sonic ground with one each of the Pearlman TM-1 and TM-2...

The 3124+ is near impossible to beat for a mobile setup to say nothing of its price per channel.

Best,
Chris

[Ethan Winer]

Originally Posted by sanctuarysounds

As for the JBL's I'm just attracted to the idea that they tune to your space

That feature is not as effective as you might hope. You still need bass traps for mixing, and absorption at the reflection points.

--Ethan