A nice home studio start up list...

[BrandRecordingCo]

What do you think of this set up for a nice project/home studio: (not including obvious important factors like the room, my name/client list, cables, etc. Just gear guys.)

Goals/Plans: To start off recording my bands record, other local bands, and move up from there. Doesn't matter what genre...probably mostly rock/indie/pop.

I have been recording local bands/my bands with a portable pro tools rig for about 5 years here and there, have done an internship, recorded in a few studio's, etc. and just graduated with B.A. in audio production (like that means anything.) I am just wanting to make records in my own studio without taking out a huge loan, and then also plan to just freelance around in my spare time. It will have to just start off as a part time gig for now. Here goes it:

Computer:
Macbook w/ 2GB Ram
2 Mercury Elite External H/D's

Interface/converters:
RME Fireface 800 Interface
M-Audio FW 1814 running PT M-Powered w/music production tool kit.
Lynx Aurora 16 Converter

Software:
PT M-Powered for editing/tracking
Apple Logic 8 for mixing from

Console/Preamps:
Toft ATB 24 Channel Console
SSL Alpha VHD Preamp

Outboard Compression:
(2) dbx 160A
1176LN

Speakers/Headphones:
Yamaha NS-10's
Roland DM-20's
(I will also pick up another pair of speakers for reference as well..not sure what).
Sennheiser/Art studio Headphone pack (for artists)
AKG 141 Headphones
Vic Firth Isolation headphones

MIC's:
AT 4051
AT 4041 (2)
Shure Sm 57 (3)
Shure Sm 58 (2)
Shure Beta 52
Shure Sm7
AKG Perception 200
Rode NT 5 (2)
EV RME 20

I of course plan to upgrade as I go, eventually getting a PT HD rig, more outboard effects/compression, etc...more plugins, mics, etc. But to start off a home studio, I am hoping this is enough to bring in some business to get me going. Of course, the room will need to sound good and be treated, which I plan to build or fix up a nice big room/garage for this on my property. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

[warhead]

I don't understand buying 3 totally different interfaces like that.

You could get a 003 and buy an Aurora8 and use the ADAT option to feed it while tracking, and add additional conversion of course if needed during mixdown. The RME seems pointless to me, unless I am missing something.

Are you going to mix through a console, or track straight to DAW without use of EQ etc?

The Toft may be overkill.

Hard to know exactly what you're going for with that list!

I've used virtually all of those mics on your list, I would reconsider most of your choices.

War

[kludge]

Take some of that extensive/expensive gear budget and invest it into some studio-quality instruments that belong to the studio... a decent drum kit and cymbals, 6 and 12 string acoustic guitars, a fine quality recording amp (i.e. something in the 5-25 watt range, not a Marshall stack). Lots of bands will bring either poor quality or poor-sounding gear, and having stuff they can use will go a long way.

Drums, especially, are a killer. Most drummers don't know how to tune or care for drums, and therefore most drum kits don't sound very good. Even a budget kit can sound GREAT with proper heads and proper tuning. Make sure you have some recording-quality hi-hats, a couple of good crashes, and both dry/jazzy and wet/loud rides. And a cowbell, we always need more cowbell!

And make sure all your studio instruments are tuned within an inch of their lives by pros, if you don't know how to do it yourself. Out-of-tune guitars with bad intonation can ruin a record a lot more than your choice of dang mic preamp.

[matskull]

Originally Posted by warhead

I don't understand buying 3 totally different interfaces like that.

You could get a 003 and buy an Aurora8 and use the ADAT option to feed it while tracking, and add additional conversion of course if needed during mixdown. The RME seems pointless to me, unless I am missing something.

Are you going to mix through a console, or track straight to DAW without use of EQ etc?

The Toft may be overkill.

Hard to know exactly what you're going for with that list!

I've used virtually all of those mics on your list, I would reconsider most of your choices.

War

I agree.

[BrandRecordingCo]

Originally Posted by warhead

I don't understand buying 3 totally different interfaces like that.

You could get a 003 and buy an Aurora8 and use the ADAT option to feed it while tracking, and add additional conversion of course if needed during mixdown. The RME seems pointless to me, unless I am missing something.

Are you going to mix through a console, or track straight to DAW without use of EQ etc?

The Toft may be overkill.

Hard to know exactly what you're going for with that list!

I've used virtually all of those mics on your list, I would reconsider most of your choices.

War

Ok...here is my plan and reasoning. Suggestions welcome.

Starting off, I won't have the money to buy an HD rig. I want to be able to track and edit with Pro Tools, since that is what I know and already have. However, with PT le or M-Powered, I can only have up to 16 outs (really 8 if you don't want to use the 003 or m-audio converters). So my work around so that I can mix on an analog board is to mix from Logic 8 through the RME and the Aurora 16 (24 outs/ins).

So, I have the FW 1814 to run PT, and thats really it. I will then use the RME 800 via ADAT connected to the FW 1814, and the SSL VHD as 4 more mic pres combined with the 8 mic pres on the RME to track up to 8 inputs at once into PT M-Powered using the RME conversion, NOT the m-audio. I figure this will give me 8 decent preamps and conversion, or at least better than the m-audio stuff. After all tracks are recorded and edited, I would dump everything in Logic and run all tracks out through the RME (8 outs) and the Aurora 16 (16 outs) for a total of 24 outs into the Toft for mixing.

Yeah it will be time consuming in-between tracking and mixing, but that is fine with me. I want to mix analog, but can't with PT M-Powered unless I only use 16 tracks...and even then will have to use the m-audio conversion which I don't care for. So that is my plan.

If I were to go out and buy an HD rig to avoid the RME and Logic 8 work around, I would then have to buy a new computer, and more. Eventually that sounds nice, but to start, I was hoping this would work out well.

Does that make sense?

This is just an idea...I'm sure mics will change and things like that, but just getting an idea. Thanks guys.

[drethe5th]

Focus. That's first.

You gave a few work arounds. However in my experience the work around is costly in the end.

I've bought mics, interfaces, keyboards, ect..... That I said were "just to get by." Then I want to upgrade and have bought the same type of gear again and the old one us hard to sell for decent money.

You'd save more in the long run by getting an interface and DAW that you're happy with now. Even learning a new one like Logic and getting some apogee stuff would in the long run be better than trying run and rig up 3 interfaces.

Your mic selection spans very far, why? The AT 40series us good but why have a AKG Perceptio. In the bunch as well? Make solid choices even if they cost more upfront. You could go with one of several more expensive "all around" mics and save more than buying a ton of cheaper mics.

PTHD? Again why? There's a huge misconception that it's absolutley neccessary. Not true. It is very stable. It sounds better than LE interfaces. The processing power is awsome.

Look at what you need ultimatley and drive twards it.
However most people barley crack the surface of it. Don't get it untill you need it.

[ebot9000]

Looks like a nice start to me, although I agree it's worth giving a little more thought on the most efficient interface options.

But honestly it looks like a great start to me. On the mics, consider just getting a pair of overheads/room mics and otherwise a bunch of great workhorse dynamics. There are a few on there already, but at least you won't have to ditch half your mic locker once you're ready to upgrade, and they'll perform better in less than ideal acoustic situations.

Just my 2 pennies, good luck!

[3rDegr33]

In all honesty, for starters you already have a decent set up. I would concentrate on acoustics, studio comfort and the like. My main recommendation as far as gear is the "Beats By Dre" Studio headphones ESPECIALLY if you get into recording/mixing hip hop. It is incredible how well these headphones translate and the base response on them is the most accurate I have ever seen. Just my 2 cents

[skatmatt]

acoustic treatment is just as if not more important than alot of the stuff you have mentioned.

also id be looking at a slightly more high end computer than a macbook

[YRLK]

Goals/Plans: To start off recording my bands record, other local bands, and move up from there. Doesn't matter what genre...probably mostly rock/indie/pop.

Computer:
Macbook w/ 2GB Ram *maybe 4GB would be better in the long run
2 Mercury Elite External H/D's

Interface/converters:
Just get a used 003 and get a used Mytek 8x96 in or Apogee Symphony
*I agree with what another post said... don't intentionally buy things as "in-betweeners" when it's unnecessary. P.S. ProTools HD is QUITE unnecessary, btw.

Software:
Apple Logic 8 for mixing from *maybe not a priority right now... that's another 500 bucks spent on software. I'd stick with ONE software for now, and concentrate on hardware. Software changes so fast, but good hardware is usable for MUCH longer periods of time.

Console/Preamps:
Toft ATB 24 Channel Console
*Toft is great. Powerful EQ's that everyone raves about, but the channels aren't the greatest greatest, neither is the SSL, in my honest opinion.
I really think you should probably get yourself a lunchbox and 2 API's (512c or BAE 312) or 2 MA5's to have a different sound *probably go with MA5's myself. It gives you room to build in the 500 factor, and you'll never regret having either of those channels. They are amazing on everything.

Outboard Compression:
(2) dbx 160A
1176LN *Might want to consider the Purple. Lots of people are starting to prefer it over the 1176. Either this or some Daking FET 2 (or the 3 now). I have those, and they are amazing, very flexible compressors.

Speakers/Headphones:
I'd actually recommend getting ONE really good pair of monitors. Say some Dynaudio BM-15's, for example. Better monitors really improve one's mixing. NS-10m's (unless you know them VERY well) are really better for referencing mid-range sounds, and even people who mix with them almost always use a second reference set of speakers.

AKG 141 Headphones or just some Sennheiser HD-280pro's. Don't spend tons of money where it's not necessary. That's my motto. Headphones affect very little in the end product.
Vic Firth Isolation headphones *these or the other iso headphone company... don't recall the name right now.

MIC's:
AT 4051
AT 4041 (2) *I think the 4031's may be better for some reason, but these are a good pair for sure.
Shure Sm 57 (3)
Shure Sm 58 (2)
Shure Beta 52
Shure Sm7 (the SM7 or SM7B???)
AKG Perception 200 (I might eliminate this one... rather have 1 or 2 NICE LDC's than a few that sound just good)
Rode NT 5 (2) *Don't think you need these if you get the AT sdc's.
EV RE 20 *Great mic. Also consider Heil PR-40 as a substitute. It just captures so much more of the body of the instrument (esp. kick). **Either this, or consider just sticking with the 52 for now and getting a Yamaha SUBKICK!!! to compliment it. That's a REALLY useful piece of equipment for drum sounds. Sometimes, less options means better quality.

Another thing I'd recommend for you is don't buy new on items that you don't have to. You can quickly save quite a bit of money by doing this. I've been doing it for years, and I have so much more equipment because of it (and have just saved lots of money in the process). As long as it works and will continue to work, "new" doesn't matter.

Feel free to PM me if you wanna chat this up further, but those are my honest thoughts, and I've also loved the feedback of others here too. GO FOR IT, man!