project studio start up help

[D]

OK, first post to the forum here, and I could really use some help.

I have about $2000 - $2500 to get my project studio started. I know that's not a whole lot, but it should be enough to get me started at least. My ultimate goal is to someday soon be able to add enough equipment and learn it well enough to get professional results. So I'm thinking long term here, and would like to avoid cheap stuff I'll have to replace if possible.

Having said that, I currently have:
Solid PC (fast, enough ram, hd, and win2k)
Audiowerk8
Mackie Microseries 1202-VLZ (which is a really tiny board with about 4 in and 4 out, I guess maybe 8 of one at a time if you know how to work the thing, which I don't.)
A cheap Mic (V-Tech or something)

What I am thinking is that I will try to get:
-a good mic (maybe a BLUE Blueberry?)
-a good mic pre (maybe a Vintech?)
-and then if there is enough cash left over a new sound card (maybe the delta 1010? But I really don't need all the inputs it comes with, I just have read here over and over that's it's a great card for the money, and I really don't want to buy something that I'll be complaining about in a year or 2).

Yeah I know, my first 2 choices put me at my budget already, that's why I'm asking for help here, I don't know what to do.

So if you were going to get me started on my project studio, and I really hope you will, what would you buy on my behalf? Oh, and if it helps, I am mostly going to be recording heavy modern rock stuff with a goal of warmth, clarity, and lots of melody.

Budget $2000-$2500 - What would you do?

Thanks a million!

 

[anonymous]

Realistically, you can't afford a Vintech and a Blueberry and have enough left over for other essentials. Sounds like you're going to be recording a lot of real instruments - including drums. With your budget, I can't see any way of getting around buying a few SM-57's and maybe a couple of the Oktava MC 012's for overheads. A D-112 wouldn't be a bad idea either for Kick and/or Bass cabinet. Guitar Center is practically giving the Oktavas away (forgive me, Fletcher, for I have sinned! ) Does the Mackie have phantom power? If not you definitely need some outboard pres. The Sytek 4 channel model might be a good way to maximize limited cash. I've never used the super-cheapies from Presonus or ART, but that might be a way to get started. Try one of the Rodes or Studio Projects large diaphrgm condensers instead, and hopefully you'll have enough left over for an RNC compressor. You will also need a DI box or two, plenty of cables, mic stands, and did you forget monitor speakers?

 

[anonymous]

... and headphones, and headphone amps, and some acoustic treatment for your space, and... um... well, maybe you're going to need a partner with another $2500. :roll:

 

[soulconnect]

You might want to check into one of the Roland all in one recorders. I think Yamaha makes them too. I had a Roland VS 1680 for a while. It's possible to do pretty good work on them. That gets you a board and a 16 or 18 track recorder for a couple of grand. Your computer can still run midi and chase the recorder. Add a CD burner (you have to get the one that Roland recommends) a few mics and speakers, and you are in business.

Steve

 

[anonymous]

Yes I had thought about one of those all in one boxes too..

Biggest question is - drum kit or no drum kit?

We can take it from there...!

 

[D]

Thanks for the replies I really appreciate it.

I don't plan on mic-ing a drum kit anytime soon, so I'll worry about that later.

The reason that I don't like the idea of a Roland or some other all in one harddisk solution is that it doesn't seem very long term. I want these pieces to be the start of a semi-pro recording studio.

Here's what I've been thinking about.

Mic: Blueberry or Neuman TLM 103
AD converter: Apogee Rosetta AD
Soundcard: ? maybe gina, maybe Delta 1010. I just need one that has output to hear the audio, and lightpipe and wordclock if I understand correctly.
MicPre: Still a little unsure. Maybe an Avalon, which would run around $1800, maybe something a little cheaper like the Vintech 1273 (right number?)

And that ought to put me well over the top of my original budget. But like I ever expected to stay under-budget! I just want to get stuff that will last forever, or close to it at least.

Give me some feedback if you have any, if not, wish me luck, I just might make this purchase today.

Thanks everyone.

 

[anonymous]

"I am mostly going to be recording heavy modern rock stuff with a goal of warmth, clarity, and lots of melody."

"I don't plan on mic-ing a drum kit any time soon..."

Well, I guess you better have LOTS of melody, because it doesn't sound like you're going to have much rhythm!!!

:w:

 

[D]

I see the confusion.

I'm setting this up to record my own stuff. I do a lot of midi work, and plan to start by programming drum tracks and using that instead of worrying about not having the ability to properly capture a drummer. I have pretty decent midi gear, so that should do the trick for now. The real drums can come later on when I have a more complete list of gear.

was that clearer?

I'm pretty bummed, there's no way that I can afford to just start a semi-pro project studio with as little as $2000. I know, it was a pipe dream, but I was really hoping. After my most recent research I have come up with this list.

Comment if you like, or not.

Mic: Neuman TLM 103 or Shure KSM32
AD converter: Apogee Rosetta AD
Soundcard: Hammerfall or Delta 1010
MicPre: JoeMeek VCQ1

This I think will put me between 2000-2500 without cables, a mic stand, or pop filter. I think that I'm at least more on the right track now.

 

[anonymous]

Seems OK, you might swap the Apogee for a Lucid (new kid on the block) and try an HHB Radius 40 instead of the Joe Meek it goes well with the TLM 103.

Does that make it any cheaper?

 

[anonymous]

I would definitely go for the TLM 103 over the KSM32 for most vocals.