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CPU

Apple PowerBook G4
•1.25 Ghz Processor
•768 MB Ram
External Glyph 80 GB firewire hard drive

DAW

Digidesign Digi 002r

Audio Software

Pro Tools LE 6.4
Reason
Ableton Live

Plug Ins

Waves Platinum Bundle
AmpliTube
Sampletank

Monitors

KRK V4

Mic Preamps

Digi 002
•4 Mic Preamps
PreSonus DigiMax
•8-Channel Digital Microphone Preamp with Limiter, EQ enhancement, and 24-bit/96kHz Digital Output

Microphones

(2) Studio Project C1
(2) Studio Projects C4
Audix DP5 Drum Kit:
•(1) D1 Snare
•(2) D2 Toms
•(1) D4 Floor Tom
•(1) D6 Kick Drum
(2) Shure sm57
(1) Shure sm81

Cue System

Samson C Control(bought this for the talk back button) routed to a Samson C Que 8 ( 4 channel head phone amp)
(4) Samson CH700 (Closed Circumaural Studio Headphones)

Mic stands, M Audio 49e midi keyboard, furman PL8 power conditioner

I actually bought cable and connectors/jacks from parts express so I put together the mic cables, mic bay, 1/4 TRS line extenders for headphones(which I'm very glad i made).

Most of the gear is mounted in a nice rackmount case with wheels..damn thing is heavy!
Click links below for pics of the case and the mounted equiptment..
Front
Rear
Case

I spent roughly 10k on the set-up. It's mobile. I've been doing the live tracking at the bands homes and then the overdubs and mixing is done either on location or at my home studio which is in a make shift state right now. I just recently moved.

So how did I do and be brutal? I want to know if I really messed up. (I know the k4 are small but I've used them for a while now actuall and i've done fine working on them. And I expect I'll get rediculed for having just them to mix on, oh well.)

Maybe down the road when I get more business and income, I'll get the API 3124+ it seems like everyone likes those pres a hell of a lot.

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Comments

therecordingart Thu, 02/03/2005 - 10:21

I'd say you've got a damn good start...my only concern would be the small monitors. Myself...I use 8 inch monitors and still mix in way too much low end, but that is user error on my part.

A lot of the guys around here that work with the "big boy" equipment are going to tell you otherwise, but my set up is slightly smaller than yours and I'm doing ok in my book. I haven't had an unhappy client yet....knock on wood.

stickers Thu, 02/03/2005 - 15:25

I actually bought and returned a pair of tapco sp8( i think there were called) but they were to big for me at the moment. Once I get a proper mix station set up in my place, i should be able to upgrade the to a larger pair of monitors, well see.

Thanks for your input. And please the more the better.

LittleDogAudio Thu, 02/03/2005 - 17:17

The setup looks very concise and efficient.
I'm wondering how the Powerbook holds up on bigger mixes. Does it ever choke with a lot of plug-ins?

Regarding the monitors. If your happy how your mixes travel to other systems, then don't sweat it.

Regarding the API 3124+, yes, yes, yes. I have 8 channels and they are abused on a daily basis. I love em'

You have more than enough tools to make a good recording.

Btw, how's the acoustics where you record the band(s), that might be what I'd think about next.

Chris

anonymous Fri, 02/04/2005 - 18:36

the thing you need to work out is the monitors. i have a pair of krk v4s, and there is ZERO bottom end. they were the first monitors i bought, and i didn't even know bottom end existed when i mixed on those. on mine they seem to help with good midrange and highs, so occasionally, i'll hook them up and check my mixes, but you need some nice monitors. i would recommend the genelec 1031a. i have mackie 824s, and they are really finicky. i feel like you really have to "learn" them, and they tend to make everything sound good (when it is not in fact a good mix.)

also, i am not a big fan of the audix drum mics. the d6 is good from what i've been told by friends, but the tom and snare mics should eventually be upgraded to something better. (on snare you can use the 57 with good success) i like the md421s for toms, YMMV.

i have used my octava 012s on toms and they actually sound good. i also have used my SP C3 on floor tom, and it sounds great. maybe expiriment with your C1.

if your doing a lot of rock vocals, "the" mic to have is the shure SM7. i am planning on purchasing an EV RE20 as well. these both can be used as kick mics as well with relatively good success. (sm7 is used by john feldman on a lot of his productions including the used and story of the year, weird i know)

your setup is a good start, you will very likely get a particular sound, and if you want to change and improve it you will need more mics / better preamps. get a great river mp-2nv, and an api pre, a few more mics and then you'll really have a nice selection to work with.

good luck.

steve