Hmmm... basically up to you.... as a business its good not to spend cash unless you need to. If you are only spending money to make money then ask what are your clients gunna be most impressed with and whats gunna make them give you more of their money, its that simple. Big shiny mics impress as do big consoles. You only have two and ins and outs and it sounds like you are happy like that and as you are not screamin gout for new computer (although i'm surprised!! Surely your 2.4Ghz machine is limiting you, no?) so if its was me i'd be looking for 1) good speakers (and room treatment) 2) Good mic (and pre) 3) good AD 4) Sick plugins 5) Outboard compression... not necessarily in that order : ) genelecs? no to MPC, do drums with battery and a keyboard

Thanks jahtao, my notebook is limiting when it comes to using the amount of plug-ins that I would like to use but other than that it is working fine. I have been thinking of replacing the notebook with a desktop PC just for faster processing power for the plugs. Any suggestions on specific mic pres, or a hardware compressor? I think that I will upgrade to a desktop for my clients benefit and for the studio overall. I also would like to add the command 8 and digi002 so that I have more available voices. Thanks for the input.

BigTrey~CEO-Battleground Recordz

yea man, look at new desktops. your not gonna be moving your studio to different locations to record, so there isn't really the need for a laptop. also, look for some nicer monitors.

what do you guys think of the samson rubicon series? they seem pretty nice, especially with the ribbon tweeter, although i've never tried them.

also, more mics. check out more expensive condensers and maybe some dynamic mics if your going to record loud sources, like guitar amps or drums or something.

if your recording mostly vocals, look into better condenser mics and some nice preamps.

Thanks Nirvalica, I mostly do vocals as far as direct recording into the box, most of the time I use samples and drum kits to get the music done. Do you have any suggestions as to any specific preamps or condenser microphones? Right now I am looking at getting a condenser that I can use for different artists who don't sound too hot using the MXL 990. It's a good cheap microphone and it works for some of the people whom I work with but not all of them. Thanks for any suggestions you may have.

BigTrey~CEO/Battleground Recordz

i know i've heard good things about the rode nt-1a. but thats for budget kinda gear. if you want real studio stuff, maybe check out Neumann or some high end senneiser. theres a link in the pro audio gear forum, a sticky, that is some of the mics a basic recording studio should have. check that out for more ideas. ive never tried any of these mics, im just basing this off of what people say. but if your serious about recording, i know a mxl 990 isn't the best choice for a mic.

for mic pres, i dunno much about them. if you want a warmer sound though, maybe check out a tube mic pre. there might be more threads about mic pres in the pro recording and recording studio forums. look through those.

sorry i can't really recommend any certain mics or mic pres. basically, even though the price looks nice, don't just automatically gravitate towards them. even if the reviews look good, most likely the people reviewing them and buying them will be beginners or people that have never tried the higher end gear.

the rode nt1 is very nice, i own one, keyboard or...eq did a very nice review on them about 2 months ago, the noise level is fantastic, i'm going to have to say that "budget gear" is "real studio stuff" too, some "budget gear" is in fact better then "real studio stuff"... :oops:

An MPC is a total waste of money for anyone using software sequencers. There's nothing is does you can't do with FLS and a trigger finger.
However the reality is that the hip-hop crowd wants to see 3 things in a studio, an MPC, a Korg Triton, and an Avalon preamp.

Though if you plan on recording other artists you should invest in a flexible synth (workstation) that can do different things. Like a Fantom, Motif, Alesis Fusion (looks really interesting!), and as much as I hate what they represent - a Triton. You'll want to provide something to lay down ideas on.

IMO, with your 3k you should get:

1. Fantom x6 - used for 1200-1400
the xa's are only 1400 with an expansion board and other stuff right now http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/FantomXa/
2. 2 Shure sm58's - 200 for the pair new
3. Then pick out a multi pattern mic that is going to shine, like an NT2A or a Shure KSM44. Say 400-700
4. Spend the remaining 1k on a good preamp like an Onyx 800R for many channels, or the Great River ME-1NV for 1 kick ass channel.

Thanks Saemskin, those are good suggestions. I am leaning more towards the Fantom as far as a workstation goes, mainly because I have heard that the sounds in it haven't really been touched like the old Tritons and Motifs. I will check all of these things out and let you all know what I decided to purchase. Thanks again.

BigTrey~CEO/Battleground Recordz

1. Add a nice mic to you mic closet.

2. A great mic pre.

3. Better monitors.

4. Computer - bigger better faster more!

5. Some really dope plug-ins.

Why, do I hear you ask? The secret to a great recording is great source material and the ability to hear it accurately. Once it's in the box you can fool around with it to your hearts content. The ability to add more tracks and plugins enhances your mixing capabilities. The only reason to have things like the MPC or a workstation is for marketing to a specific client base.

If it was me, I would spend the whole budget on a mic and a pre then use the rest to tighten up the rest of the studio. Or I would spend it all on monitors and room treatment.

1. Add a nice mic to you mic closet.

2. A great mic pre.

3. Better monitors.

4. Computer - bigger better faster more!

5. Some really dope plug-ins.

Why, do I hear you ask? The secret to a great recording is great source material and the ability to hear it accurately. Once it's in the box you can fool around with it to your hearts content. The ability to add more tracks and plugins enhances your mixing capabilities. The only reason to have things like the MPC or a workstation is for marketing to a specific client base.

If it was me, I would spend the whole budget on a mic and a pre then use the rest to tighten up the rest of the studio. Or I would spend it all on monitors and room treatment.

1. Add a nice mic to you mic closet.

2. A great mic pre.

3. Better monitors.

4. Computer - bigger better faster more!

5. Some really dope plug-ins.

Why, do I hear you ask? The secret to a great recording is great source material and the ability to hear it accurately. Once it's in the box you can fool around with it to your hearts content. The ability to add more tracks and plugins enhances your mixing capabilities. The only reason to have things like the MPC or a workstation is for marketing to a specific client base.

If it was me, I would spend the whole budget on a mic and a pre then use the rest to tighten up the rest of the studio. Or I would spend it all on monitors and room treatment.

Uncle Bob's been drinkin again (y)

Nope, Just getting this:

General Error

Line : 275
File : emailer.php

So it either multiple posts or doesn't post at all.

Besides, saemskin, who's got the money to drink? I own a studio! :-?