I'm wanting to put together a PC based portable project studio to record demos for bands on location (where they rehearse,live shows,etc.). Here's the gear I'm looking at. I'd like to know if anyone thinks I'd be making a mistake with any of these items! Thanks!
PC: ADK pro audio Pete Leoni system w/ M-audio delta 1010lt card
Preamp: SM pro audio PR8 MkII 8 channel preamp
Headphone Amp:Behringer HA 8000 8 channel
Phones:Sennheiser HD202
Mics: Shure SM57x3, Kel HM-1 x3, Studio Projects C-1, CAD M-9
Rack: SKB 8 space rack case
Assorted cables, stands, patch cables, etc!
It looks like the whole setup will come in around $4000. I think this will give me a good start. I'd like to track drums, bass and guitar live, then overdub solos, vocals, etc. Pretty basic, but I think it will work out.
Comments
mic pre, etc... Yeah, getting a *good* mic pre for vocals will
mic pre, etc...
Yeah, getting a *good* mic pre for vocals will be"phase two" if I start getting regular work doing this. Right off the bat, I'm leaning to the Groove Tube Brick. As for software, I'm going to be using Kristal Audio Engine. Its freeware, but they do have a comercial license available for very cheap (whatever 29 euros translates to!). Also, the Delta 1010 does come with someting...can's remember what, though! Thanks!
Just remember to add in cost of calbles. I have a mobile record
Just remember to add in cost of calbles. I have a mobile recording set up, and you have to remember that cables can be half the budget. And stands, mic clips, headphone extentions, etc. Power strips. You might want to also think about rackmounting the computer so you can keep everything hooked up... this is much faster. And a good monitoring set up at home at least for mixing. A snake is good to have too, and a split snake is even better because you can record live shows.
K
Thanks...I got it! Well, I already have cables, phone extension
Thanks...I got it!
Well, I already have cables, phone extensions, stands, etc figured in. Also, the computer I've selected comes in a rack mount case, which was a specific requirement of mine. Its a 4 rack unit case, the preamp is two units, headphone amp is one unit, so that's seven. I'm probably going to go with a ten unit rack case (SKB), to allow for good air flow. And yes, I have a monitor setup at home for mixing. Will be using Event TR5's on site. Small, self powered, etc. Just need to build a box for those to travel in. Snake is a good idea for live use. I probably won't look into that until I have someone ask to record them live!
Not familiar with the Leoni PC thing, but everything else sounds
Not familiar with the Leoni PC thing, but everything else sounds solid. Check into the SM Pro item a little more ... I've heard of some units having issues out of the box or soon after. The Behringer ADA8000 is comparably priced with equal features, though many will chime in with Behringer horror stories too.
How about software? Maybe the Delta comes with Cubase, but if not you'll need to look into a multitrack sequencer. I think you can still download Mackie's Tracktion for free.
Only other thing I see missing at first glance is a nice mic pre. If you're going to be recording vocal overdubs, you may want to look into a nice channel strip to pair up with your C1. Something from the Focusrite platinum line at a lower price point, or their ISA line if you want to shell out some bucks. I was torn between the Avalon 737 and the ISA220 before finding a 737 used. Both nice units. DBX's silver and the Presonus Eureka are other budget units that have gotten decent reviews.
Good luck!