Help me spend $1500

[bobx]

So i finally got rid of some old junk around the house that i no longer needed, and saved up some of my extra cash and i've got about $1500 to spend on some gear! =) My room sounds pretty good... i built some bass traps out of 703 fiberglass. it's good enough for me to understand how my mixes translate to the real world. my current gear list is here: http://www.myspace.com/lsrpro under the left column. as well as some pictures (no, this is not an attempt to plug my site )

i posted a thread a few weeks back talking about converter upgrades, and i think that might be the weak link in my signal chain. the option i was leaning towards was selling my motu 828 and getting a fireface 800, which leaves me with about $1000 for other stuff (more 500 modules, mics or better DA).

i was wondering if anyone has any opinions? would this benefit me in the long run, or should i do something else. any help is greatly appreciated.

[bobx]

little help?

[cramseur]

But you've given no guidance as to type of music, type of sounds, what instrument you'll be recording etc. or your existing gear and needs.

Around here you need to provide a complete explanation before anyone will think your question is serious.

Just so you know.

[bobx]

sorry. my current gear list was in the link as well as a couple of songs, but here's a list of what i have:

PC running Cubase SX 3.1
MOTU 828MKII
Mackie Control
Mackie HR824
Event TR6
Presonus Central Station

Mics/Pres/EQ:
Audio Technica AT4047 (2)
Audix I5
Audix D2
Oktava MK-219 (2)
Sennheiser MD421
Shure SM57 (2)
Shure SM58
Shure Beta 52
Shure Beta 56
Shure Beta 57a
Studio Projects B1 (2)

A-Designs EM Red
Eisen Audio DIY500 (2) (512c circuit)
API 560
Presonus Digimax LT

Guitars/Amps:
Fender American Deluxe Telecaster
Fender 50th Anniversary Telecaster
G&L ASAT Classic Bluesboy
Taylor 314
Bad Cat Lynx 50
Bad Cat 4x12
1982 Marshall JCM 800
Marshall 1960 4x12

as far as the type of music. i mainly record my own band (link in sig). and plenty of local acts which usually range from indie, hard rock, or metal.

thanks for the help.

[El Fatso]

you should get a cool ass tattoo. like a 1/2 sleeve or something.

[glitch]

Well, I'm only seeing the 4047 as a suitable vocal mic. It's good, but you'd probably do well to get something to complement it. Maybe Soundelux?

Go with a mic. Better converters would also make a lot of sense.

On second thought, I like your Fireface plan. Get the Fireface and a U195 or something along those lines.

[cramseur]

I'm with glitch...

either a great mic or converters

I lean (slightly) to the mic... I think it'll provide some distinction between tonality lead and bg vocals.

great energy...good songs..I like hopefield. kinda like the Gin Blossoms but more energetic (like maybe you still like each other ).

[bobx]

thanks cramseur! it's always nice to hear some kind words. i definitely was a big gin blossoms fan back in the 90's. haha.

but i was leaning towards the u195 when i saw one used a couple of weeks ago for under 800. i just wish i had the money then because i definitely would've pulled the trigger on that one.

but i wonder, how do u like them on electric guitars?

[AdamLazlo]

When I have spare cash for gear I've been spending it on microphones first and mic pre's second.

With your gear list, after the converter purchase, I'd invest in one good LDC mic.

Actually, I don't hate the sound of the MOTU you have. I know a lot of other people of which feel differently.

Personally I'd take the full $1500 and get either a Soundelux U195 & a pair of AT Pro37r's, or just a Charter Oak SA538B mic.

Or... get a new AD/DA, an EV RE20, and a matched pair of Peluso CEMC6's.

-- Adam Lazlo

[Steffmo]

Might consider one or two Chameleon 7602. A pair runs around 1500.00.

I think its the most reasonably priced 1073 type pre EQ. While none of them really sound quite like a 1073, they sound good and fit into that area of the sonic spectrum.

[jdjustice]

Originally Posted by AdamLazlo

Personally I'd take the full $1500 and get either a Soundelux U195 & a pair of AT Pro37r's, or just a Charter Oak SA538B mic.

i will second this recommendation. the U195 is a great-sounding microphone and is built really well. it's my go-to choice for vocals and kick drum (haven't yet tried them out on electric guitar though), and my favorite microphone in the $1000 range along with the AT4060 tube mic. For a little more money the Charter Oak microphones seem to have a great reputation (haven't used one yet so i don't know what they excel at) and would probably be worth demoing.


J.D.

[Soldier777c]

Take that $1500 and stick it on one number in Roulette . . . and if it hits, take the $45,000 and buy yourself a handful of great mics, pres, EQ's, and comps. And if it doesn't hit, tell the casino that they owe you some serious comps . . . then enjoy the presidential suite and all you can eat prime rib buffet.

[AdamLazlo]

Originally Posted by jdjustice

my favorite microphone in the $1000 range ..... the AT4060 tube mic.

I love the 4060 as well but it's a completely different creature to some... still a great bang for the buck.

-- Adam Lazlo

[Pohaku]

I agree on the mics. For the kind of music you do, I'd also consider an SM7.

[cramseur]

Sorry, I never tried a u195. I'm a big Peluso fan though (22 47LE in particular) for vocals.

Believe it or not, I am liking a "lowly" Audix i5 dynamic on guitar amps. I haven't figured out how to get an LDC to record an amp right.

Remember though, I'm not a professional. I do this only as a hobby, and I only record myself.

[bobx]

thanks for all the suggestions. i do record a lot of "screaming" vocals and i have been jonesin' for an sm7 for it. maybe i can get lucky enough and score them both used with my budget.

i haven't tried the i5 on guitar cabs yet... although i probably should, as it has taken over 57 duties for snare. i find some of the audix "drum" mics to be rather useful.

as much as i'd like some 1073 flavor, i still have 4 spaces left in my 500 rack and more modules would probably be the most cost effective for me.

i'm going to see if i can test out an at4060 and the u195. see which one would suit me best.


and to a certain extent, aren't we all just hobbyists? =)

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by cramseur

I'm a big Peluso fan though (22 47LE in particular) for vocals.

I agree... I would have to seriously consider the Peluso 22 47 LE or Pearlman TM-1 if I were making this upgrade.

[bobx]

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

I agree... I would have to seriously consider the Peluso 22 47 LE or Pearlman TM-1 if I were making this upgrade.

would you consider these good "all-around" mics?

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by bobxhopefield

would you consider these good "all-around" mics?

I think that either of those would be considered more of a top shelf vocal mic, rather than a utility, do it all type of mic. You would most often be using either of these on vocals, but I have used both on a lot of different things like percussion, room mics, etc.

If you do a search, James Lugo posted samples of the Pearlman and bunch of different high end microphones (2 x U47's, M49, E49, U99, Brauner VM1 KHE, etc). That would give you an idea of what it sounds like, as well as compared to some other really great microphones.

[cramseur]

Originally Posted by bobxhopefield

would you consider these good "all-around" mics?

To tell you the truth, I don't think an "all-around" mic would be what you need. You've got the AT 4047, and i5, 57, 58, and 421 already.

You need a kick ass vocal mic. Not necessarily an expensive one, but one that is clearly a step up performance-wise. Then move to the next kick ass piece of gear.

I love the Audix i5 on guitar cab, btw. (I just got it last week). Much smoother than the 57 with a similar vibe. Hard to describe...but better-er.

[bobx]

cramseur, i think you're right. i just figure i should get the most with my money, but maybe getting one really good mic for a few things would be a good idea. i'll just have to start testing some out.... but from sound clips i've heard and specs, i'm really leaning towards the u195

[jdjustice]

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

If you do a search, James Lugo posted samples of the Pearlman and bunch of different high end microphones (2 x U47's, M49, E49, U99, Brauner VM1 KHE, etc). That would give you an idea of what it sounds like, as well as compared to some other really great microphones.

..and to add to this i believe that James, after doing these extensive tests, preferred the Pearlman to the others and purchased one for his personal studio.

James's Pearlman was actually immortalized on television when it appeared, along with James of course, on a very funny episode of the E! channel program entitled "The Chelsea Handler Show". James (in this episode) was "hired" to train and record Chelsea singing a track of her own (i think) composition. Chelsea is a comedian and a horrible singer so most of the bit was her singing through the Pearlman in James's control room in a god-awful timbre with no semblance of pitch or timing whatsoever!!

did you guys see this? if not maybe James has the episode recorded and could post it on YouTube or something; it was really hilarious. James, if you are reading this, congratulations on both that episode and your purchase of the Pearlman!!

anyway i wanted to relate this story, sorry that it was a bit OT but i never saw any postings about Mr. Lugo's TV appearance here for some reason...


cheers
J.D.

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by jdjustice

..and to add to this i believe that James, after doing these extensive tests, preferred the Pearlman to the others and purchased one for his personal studio.

James's Pearlman was actually immortalized on television when it appeared, along with James of course, on a very funny episode of the E! channel program entitled "The Chelsea Handler Show". James (in this episode) was "hired" to train and record Chelsea singing a track of her own (i think) composition. Chelsea is a comedian and a horrible singer so most of the bit was her singing through the Pearlman in James's control room in a god-awful timbre with no semblance of pitch or timing whatsoever!!

did you guys see this? if not maybe James has the episode recorded and could post it on YouTube or something; it was really hilarious. James, if you are reading this, congratulations on both that episode and your purchase of the Pearlman!!

anyway i wanted to relate this story, sorry that it was a bit OT but i never saw any postings about Mr. Lugo's TV appearance here for some reason...


cheers
J.D.

It looks like they have a clip on the E site:

http://cache-origin.eonline.com/On/C...er/index.html#

It's the clip "Tone-Deaf"...

[jdjustice]

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

It looks like they have a clip on the E site:

http://cache-origin.eonline.com/On/C...er/index.html#

It's the clip "Tone-Deaf"...

that sh*t is so funny i can't even watch it without cracking up!! some of James's facial expressions are classic!
i think he really does deserve his own show; he's got great comedic timing!!


thanks a million for the link; it really made me laugh hard!!!


~peace
J.D.

[bobx]

oh man... great clip! the sad thing is that i know people like that.