Hi! OK- just curious as to why both of my posts/questions are going unanswered. I am not "trolling," nor am I looking to start any big flame wars. Just looking for some honest opininions based on solid experience. Of all the public forums out there, this seemed one of the better, and that is why I posted here. I am getting ready to dump about 30k into my "home/project" studio, plus building a room specifically for it, plus a drum iso and vocal iso.
Yes, i understand the money would be better spent using pro facilities, but the closest are a minimum of 3hrs away, plus or minus. The money comes from a severe motorcycle accident that has left me paralyzed, and since I have a year (minimum) of recovery, but still have use of my arms and hands, but cannot drive, I am very limited in what I can do, and distances able to be travelled.
I have worked in studios before, but not many full-blown pro studios. Also done front of house, travelled the country doing it (along with playing in bands also). Been told I have a good ear. Primarily I am a player/songwriter, and would love to have a decent medium to put my ideas down, and self-release a cd or so. It is primarily for me, and any that may appreciate what I write. I'd just like to have the best possible means to record it within the constraints (budget and mobility)I have. I have helped several local acts from my area in the past, all by word of mouth. I have had a few ask to record on my current set-up, but I told them they would be far better in at least a local studio (not the greatest), or pack up and head to Tampa or Miami.
ANyway- if anyone would be so kind as to help out, I would really appreciate it. If you don't want to post here, or wouldn't mind email, feel free to write: purens9@hotmail.com
I am just trying to avoid any pitfalls (like going PT, and then grabbing the Waves plug-in suite) that others may have experienced. I am not taking anything away from anyone, and do NOT expect to produce some epic with pristine results; only a way to get my ideas down, send to a mastering house, and put up for others to enjoy IF they like it. Thanks ikn advance :) Nikki :)

Originally posted by nikki-fla:
Hi! OK- just curious as to why both of my posts/questions are going unanswered.Sorry, just about everything i've worked on recently is a hybrid of digi/analog. Therefore I have no relevant examples to give you on this question.

I am getting ready to dump about 30k into my "home/project" studio...
-chop-chop-chop-
Primarily I am a player/songwriter, and would love to have a decent medium to put my ideas down, and self-release a cd or so. It is primarily for me, and any that may appreciate what I write.
-chop-chop-chop-
I am just trying to avoid any pitfalls (like going PT, and then grabbing the Waves plug-in suite) that others may have experienced.
-chop-chop-
I am not taking anything away from anyone, and do NOT expect to produce some epic with pristine results; only a way to get my ideas down, send to a mastering house, and put up for others to enjoy IF they like it.Ah, well this I could possibly comment on. If this is really just for your personal enjoyment and to put ideas down to "tape", why are you spending $30,000 at all? What makes you consider protools when there are so many other systems available that might enable you to do what you describe? And why would you care about the pitfalls experienced by commercial studios when you don't intend to go the commercial route yourself? I have to wonder whether all this technology is going to help or hinder your creativity in the end.

Originally posted by nikki-fla:

I am just trying to avoid any pitfalls (like going PT, and then grabbing the Waves plug-in suite) that others may have experienced.

Sorry to hear about your accident. Hopefully you will gain complete recovery as soon as possible. I'm curious as to your reference to the Waves products as a "pitfall". I've used many of the Waves plugins, especially the Renaissance Line, for many years and feel they are an excellent value. Does the current accepted wisdom run to the contrary?

Hi!
Waves as a pitfall. Well, after reading many posts, it seems most have tried the Waves stuff, and find it to be fine. But... when asked for favs for each "type" of processing, Waves did not seem to come up very often for MOST. Therefore, I just saw it as being more beneficial to grab the more popular ones first. Nothing wrong with the Waves stuff thoough! I guess pitfall may have been the wrong way to put it.
30k. Already spent part of it on a Mac, since I originally planned on ProTools. Why PT? Mostly due to the popularity in pro and project studios. I had some friends recording some songs last year and they wanted me to listen to the tracks. I said sure, but dont have time. They no prob! We'll bring them to you- we recorded in PT. Hehehehe... sorry- dont have it. Hmm- we'll convert- we want your opinion on the songs (from a "producers view, not sonically). Anyway- being able to bring tracks to other studios, internet networking, extensive editing, etc. On top of that, I d/l'd PTfree, and really like the software (believe it or not). Very unclutered, yet very deep.
I looked at the MX2424, and it looked sweet, and other similar units, but I guess I am just used to working in a computer these days :) Bane of the coming generations I suppose...
Anyway, I figured that with an "interface " I am comfy with, a common media, and some decent outboard/mics, I could at least have decent tools to work with.
As far as looking to commercial sites/personel for advice/tips- I figured the best place to look for info is the "road most travelled," that being a commercial facility I guess. Thanks for the help :) Nikki :)

You were asking about analog CD's. I believe Craig Chaquico (probably spelled his name wrong), the guitar player for Starship, has a Jazz CD out that he recorded on a Fostex 16 track reel to reel. It sounds great. There is also the Bruce Springsteen CD (can't remember the name) that he did on a four track cassette a couple of years ago.

I frequently record to analog tape to get more "crunch", especially when recording my classic rock band. It just seems warmer and requires less processing than the all digital tracks. My understanding is that there are still a lot of folks recording to analog tape.

Y'know, it really would be great to have a short list of good-sounding records that were mixed all in PT, as the original poster asked... if for no other reason than to know what is sonically possible within the medium. Especially true for me at the moment, as someone who is seriously considering jumping off the cliff and going all-in-the-box with a ProControl and the new "PT HD".

C'mon guys, I know y'all follow this stuff... Jules? Anyone?

Here's 3 I found:
Left of Cool - Bela Fleck
Gospel Favorites - the Osmonds
La Vida Loca- What's his name