what's my next logical studio purchase?

Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 11:16 pm

hey guys,

I've grown fairly comfortable with what i have in my home studio right now, and don't really feel like i *need* anything right at the moment....but, I always like to consider my next route, next purchase, newest idea, etc. I'm a bit at a loss of what I could consider for my next item(s).

Here is my current setup:

Computer

- Apple G4 Powerbook w/ 160GB internal HD, 1.5GB ram
- runs a 22" samsung monitor (when recording/mixing at home)
- 500 GB Western Digital Mybook external HD
- Logic Pro Studio

Monitoring:

- Yorkville YSM1P Powered monitors and matching sub
- a few pairs of mediocre headphones

Outboard:

- Presonus Firepod interface
- Joemeek OneQ Channel Strip
- Sansamp RBI Tech 21 Bass pre-amp
- Furman Power Conditioner
(all mounted in a 6-space Gator Case)

Microphones:

- Shure SM57 (x4)
- Shure SM58 (x2)
- Shure beta 52 (x1)
- Sennheiser e-604 (x3)
- Audio Technica AT3031 (x2)
- Rode NT2A (x1)

Also, various stands, cables, pop shields, etc

So, there's a few things i've been considering:

- headphone amp and a few pairs of good headphones (and maybe one really quality pair for mixing reference)

- some sort of rack-mount reverb unit with some good sounding reverbs in it. (any that are specifically recommended for recording use?)

- at the more extreme end, a new computer altogether. The G4 powerbook is starting to lack a little. I've been looking a bit at the G5 2.7 Ghz dual-processor desktops, as they can be had (in vancouver canada) for between $800-1000, and with 4+ gigs of ram and many hundred GB of hard drive. of course, I do like to keep mobile, and a new macbook pro would do nicely as well.

- some sort of workstation, so i can get a little more hands-on and less clicky-click on the mouse

- new or different monitors....sometimes i wonder how good these yorkvilles are.

Any recommendations would be great. I'm not a big-budget kinda guy, so probably not anything that are 'best-of-the-best' type suggestions. I like to think I've made good choices in my studio as far as bang-for-the-buck, and would like to continue to do so. I record anything from hard-rock to soft acoustic singer-songwriters. Not much for techno, digital music, hiphop or anything like that.

thanks,
matt

Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 12:24 am

The room treatment. Wink

Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 12:28 am

what, my queen size bed and open closet full of clothes aren't enough of a bass trap?

Razz

Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 4:54 am

for trapping the hot chicks maybe, not for bass waves Smile

Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 10:22 am

A better computer is always to your benefit.

A second pair of monitors for some perspective can be a big help, or get something especially nice with a sub.

Soundproofing means less noise bothering your neighbors and less outside noise interfering with your work, and room treatment means better mixes.

More/better plug-ins are always a treat.

Adding to your mic closet gives you more options.

A great mic pre can make a huge difference.

A second computer monitor can really improve your work flow.

Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 6:58 pm

A chair which tilts backwards about 20 degrees changes posture to the less painless, and looks infinitely cool (if you're into tilted chairs and lots of knobs buttons and LEDs around you).

Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 7:53 pm

Codemonkey wrote:

A chair which tilts backwards about 20 degrees changes posture to the less painless, and looks infinitely cool (if you're into tilted chairs and lots of knobs buttons and LEDs around you).

Already set in the tilty-chair department! Wink

Ironically though, I hate it. I'm actually looking to get a more straight-backed chair that sits me nice and upright with good back support. All this leaning back is going to my head...I practically think I'm a seasoned engineer at this point! Razz

Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 7:58 pm

I'll trade you lol.
I HATE my chair right now. Feels like my lower back is going to fold up and out like a lower-back hunch one day. If I had a tilty chair, I'd tilt it and sit about as much as possible....and live my student life horizontal! Oh wait...

Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 3:42 pm

hmm, i bet paying shipping to Scotland from canada on two chairs is totally worth it.......right? ..right?

Confused

Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 9:45 pm

Depends lol...if the chair is worth any amount (coated in gold leaf?) then well ok never mind, you win.
Dirty crappy chair with half the screws missing for me then Sad

Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 9:57 pm

Quit yer bitchin' and get a new chair, would ya?

Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 11:44 pm

back on subject,

does anyone have any other suggestions besides those that have been noted, or thoughts on the ones that i've been thinking about?

Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 7:13 am

ok... my stock answer, then...

Good mic's and mic pre's are a financial investment.

Improved room acoustics are an investment in your career.

Start with those two and go from there?

Just reminding yourself of this axiom;
"Good Stuff Ain't Cheap, and Cheap Stuff Ain't Always Good."

Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 9:15 am

Get a new computer. I see you're interested in a used Dual G5/2.7, but if you can squeeze out a Quad G5/2.5, that would be better. I'm running Logic Studio 8 on a Quad G5 and it runs beautifully.

But, if a newer computer isn't the first priority, I'd agree with MadMax and get good mic's and mic pre's.

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