How to save money when making audio purchases?

Posted: Mon May 23, 2005 12:08 pm

using logic express instead of pro.
using a single stereo input instead of 8 and recording part by part. (until i can afford an 8 channel interface)
got a shure 57 beta for 90$ off ebay (best deal of my life!). even when i get thousand dollar condensers and such, ill STILL use this mic for the rest of my life.
bought an 800$ amp in a pawn shop for 300$ that has a great tone for solid state.

but i record in my living room not my bedroom, although when i move i will be recording in my bedroom.

Posted: Mon May 30, 2005 9:14 pm

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned this, but...

Stay away from computers! Don't upgrade. Don't buy computer audio stuff in the first place if you don't have any. I have saved over $3000 in the past two and a half years just by not upgrading any of my audio-related software. It still works just as poorly as it always did. I now use a Yamaha AW4416 (with a very upgraded front end) for audio and a Yamaha QY700 for midi. This setup works far better than a dedicated DAW (better midi timing, better audio quality, easy and reliable audio editing, perfect sync when you need it, all very easy to use, and absolutely no trouble-shooting time). (Don't know about Macs, but I tried everything on PC including Cubase with Midex8, Logic, and Cakewalk). (Not pushing Yamaha in particular--other companies make good stuff as well).

These two items together cost much less than a dedicated audio computer with an expensive sound card, midi interface and software, let alone a controller (with moving faders?) and all the other stuff you want to add to your computer setup. I expect these things will work reliably for ten years without any upgrades or repairs. What's more, I actually own them (not just a license to use them), and I don't need anybody's permission if I ever want to sell them.

So my own personal view (everybody entitled to their own, and I just wish the best of luck to those who want to use computers) is to stay away from computers, buy decent audio and midi gear that will work reliably all the time, and then spend your upgrade money over the years on more gear. I'd rather feed my habit, than the habits of some software developers I don't know!

Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2005 11:54 pm

There are a lot of good comments here and there are probably many people making better music on lesser budgets and others with better toys but consider this: I've passed on buying gear from places that don't offer returns ( or make it more difficult) or don't give me what I want. Example. What do we all want? value, yet the bottom dollar is not, in itself value. I have been loaded down with extra pieces of gear because it is easier to give away merchandise than discount a certain item the store has no flexibility on. Make sure you can use the extra gear! 2) Price reduction is no value if its a bad purchase. I bought my entire mic cabinet from stores that would allow me to return (or at least trade in) the ones I didn't like. When I recently took a look back over 4 years of gear lust I was happy to see very few busts. Mackie d8b, HDR & HR824's, Avalon Pre, Neumann TLM103, EMU B3 module, Trident S20, RODE NTK (pr), Eclipse, TC Finalizer, Lexicon MXP1, Royer121. Granted, these area few of my favorites but I bought at reasonable prices. (Trident S20 was $808, that's $404 each for dual mic pre's) and my latest purchases include an Apogee Big Ben Clock and Cascade v55 mic. I have no doubt, both will significantly upgrade my studio and will be around for a long, long time and oh yeah.....3) research, research, research. If it's a simple-stupid piece of gear like a Dr Z Boutique amp get the deal. If it's a complex piece with a huge learning curve, pay for the support it requires (Eventide-Eclipse) to make the most of your purchase. my 2 cents

Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2005 5:00 pm

Get a discount from a sales rep. Remember, most of them work on commission. If you have any reason to go elsewhere bring it up to them. I live in MA, and we have sales tax. In the past I was looking for equipment, and a GC in (tax-free) New Hampshire didn't have it. The local music store did, but I didn't want to pay the huge sales tax. I brought up the tax issue and the sales rep wacked 5% (MA sales tax) off to make the deal even. I brought up the fact that I still had no reason to go to him instead of NH, since I live equally close to both locations. (He wasn't aware that GC didn't have the item in stock). He asked what he could do to make the deal work, and although it's something small I did got a free monster cable out of him.

The point is they work on commission, and almost no price is a fixed price. Make a sales rep work for the sale, you will usually get some little accessories thrown in there. I also like to look for a flaw if I can. If there is anything wrong, even if it's just a few scratches or a really small dent, bring it up. You'd be amazed at what you can get in exchange.

Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 11:29 pm

I currently work as a commissioned sales rep. I think that if you came to me with that approach it might just work, BUT if you want really good deals say"I want to spend $xxx.xx and I need to get this". I'll work my ass off to get you the best bang for the buck. A good salesmen has your best interests at heart and he knows he can get your biz by doing a good job. When he get's your business he makes money too and everyone is happy. He'll give you a good deal and add value to your purchase by offering quality support and keeping you informed about good deals.

I ALWAYS get killer deals and develop good relationships with those whom I buy from. Try it. Smile

Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2005 4:07 pm

Developing a long term relationship with a dealer/salesperson is great thing. I've done that, having bought most of my gear from one place for the last 20 years. Believe me, after a while your loyalty will most certainly be rewarded with great prices, and you'll have someone who will probably also be willing to give you some unbiased advice as well. The trick is to find the right person in the first place.

Ebay is useful for certain things, and I have bought a *ton* of gear from eBay sellers in the past few years. However, I feel the general quality and honesty of sellers is going down, and I'm having more and more problem transactions. The feedback system is somewhat broken because few people are willing to give negative feedback, knowing that the revenge negative feedback will mess them up in return. I'm at the point with eBay where I am considering only bidding on items in my local area that I can pick up in person and pay cash for. And even then it is easy to get burned, as I know from experience as well. eBay for me is now just for items that are out of production and impossible to get new.

Nothing beats buying new from a dealer who will take care of you if there is a problem.

Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2005 10:21 pm

I don't know if it was already said but:

Just have the band pay you in gear instead of money Very Happy

Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2005 10:47 am

Hope you like Behr*nger!! Laughing

Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2005 2:43 pm

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned studying the products, planning ahead, though all advice so far is good. (did someone mention Behringer? ew, ick, horror stories!)

Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 7:36 am

"I'm surprised nobody has mentioned studying the products, planning ahead,"

Yeah, studying and research of gear is almost as good as a return policy IMO. The net and user reviews are a fantastic avenue to make the right decision first time round. I have made many purchases from overseas and I've never been let down by this method, many of the units being totally new to me with no prior experience before buying.

It's not for everyone, but I highly recommend it.

I never buy on impulse unless it's off ebay and the price is right, and every single purchase represents months of passive planning (i.e, planning when there's spare time available).

Yo Albert. Is that Albert from over at G.A.S station? If so Hi! SpeckO here Smile

otherwise, sorry for the case of mistaken I.D Smile

Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 12:24 am

I'm sorry for the post, since I'm pretty sure that this topic is really old here, yet I'm new, this being my first post and all :-S

I just finished remodeling my studio and I got a bit carried away with the accoustics, and looks of it and sorfof forgot that my budget included the microphones, so now I'm a bit short on my microphone budget, what microphones do you recomend that are full rounded and will do a pro-rated work in the studio, yet affordable, no Neumann's or Lawsons for now.

Thanx for your replies

Posted: Tue Mar 07, 2006 10:52 am

Got to admit I'm a lucky guy, have cought great sales, uhm.. Brand New Factory Bundle 002R retail 1595, I pay 600, Avalon 737 retail 2300, me pay 1600, TLM 103 retail 1200, me pay 750, all brand new and a bunch of othr cool gear too much to mention,that i run on a Dual 2.0 G5, have a Full Production Facility, and beginning to make money.

I do work a FT job, AV Crew Resorts Casino, and have a Wife and a kid pay my rent, my car , my student loans from Full Sail Evil or Very Mad

, and still have money left over too keep buying gear, How I do it I dont know.

To be fair most of My major purchases were made before my wife and kid came to the picture, so I'll advise you to do the same, AND YESSS Please buy QUALITY over Price, I can stress that more then it has already.

Wish you all Success in the AUIDO WORLD!

Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 6:25 pm

Albert wrote:

Developing a long term relationship with a dealer/salesperson is great thing. I've done that, having bought most of my gear from one place for the last 20 years. Believe me, after a while your loyalty will most certainly be rewarded with great prices, and you'll have someone who will probably also be willing to give you some unbiased advice as well. The trick is to find the right person in the first place.

This is the best advice that has been given in the entire thread. Finding a dealer/ studio professional to help you with gear decisions, and pricing, etc... The advice you will get will save you more time and money in the long run.

Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2006 2:19 am

LRosario wrote:

I don't know if it was already said but:

Just have the band pay you in gear instead of money Very Happy

WOW. We think alike. My first few bands I told them something like "I'll compromise, if you don't have the money to pay me, or you are uncomfortable with shelving out your hard earned cash, you can buy me some new equipment that will benefit you and the recording process, and you don't have to pay me in cash"

Alot of these bands (im friends with alot of them) really have NO money but they just want to get a demo out. So I charge em really cheap, I just told them when you give out your demo, my name better be on it Wink

Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 12:53 am

If you are going to set up a DAW you could build your own instead of buying a pre-built. I just priced three potential DAWs: A PC Audio Labs, an Apple Mac Pro, and a Custom Build (buying parts from Newegg.com). Here are the system specs...

Pc Audio Labs: $4155
Dual Intel Xeon 5150 dual core 2.66ghz
Supermicro Dual Xeon Motherboard
2GB DDR2-667 ECC : 4 x 512MB (Kingston)
NVIDIA Geforce 7600GS 256MB DVI/DVI
Samsung 16x Dual Layer DVD+/-RW
250GB EIDE (HD 1)
250GB SATA II (HD 2)
Logitec Keyboard-Black
Logitech Optical Mouse-Black
Windows XP Professional
Lian-Li Silver Aluminum Server case
Standard Sound Level EPS (fans and 550W powersupply)

Mac Pro: $3199
Two 2.66GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon
2GB (4 x 512MB) DDR2-667
NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT 256MB (single-link DVI/dual-link DVI)
One 16x SuperDrive
250GB 7200-rpm Serial ATA 3Gb/s (HD1)
500GB 7200-rpm Serial ATA 3Gb/s
Apple Keyboard and Mighty Mouse - U.S. English
Mac OS X - U.S. English
Apple case (w/ fans and powersupply)

Custom Build: $2782
Dual Intel Xeon 5150 dual core 2.66ghz
Supermicro Dual Xeon Motherboard
2GB DDR2-667 ECC : 2 x 1GB (Kingston)
NVIDIA Geforce 7600GS 256MB DVI/DVI
Samsung 16x Dual Layer DVD+/-RW
250GB SATA II (HD1)
250GB SATA II (HD2)
250GB SATA II (HD3)
Logitech Keyboard and Mouse
Windows XP Professional
ChenMing case
Asus 550W power supply and 2 low db fans

To be fair to PC Audio Labs, the case it was configured with had a lot more features than the Custon Build case... but for me, most of then were a little too much (like 8-12 internal HD bays) so I went with a case that was closer (feature-wise) to the Apple case.

The PC Audio Labs DAW also has less HD space. You can (obviously) always put more HD's in, but since it was alreay the most expensive setup, I left the extra 250 GBs out.

The Apple comes with more software... but for a DAW alot of it might not be used.

If you are going to custom build, just make sure to do your homework so you know that all the parts you are buying are compatible (a good place to start is the PC Audio Labs website.... they list all the parts that they put in their computers).

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