Hey all, I have been looking recently to move up in the world from my little old MR-8 to a semi-pro portable studio. I will be acquiring my gear one or two pieces at a time until I have them all as it takes a while for the money to come in. I look to be able to record mainly drums, guitar, bass, vocals, and other acoustic instruments. I have no interest in MIDI or synths and things of that nature. I also plan to totally exclude computers from this process as they are unstable and I don’t feel like dealing with drivers, updates, and software. I am mainly asking for advice because I can’t find a source that’s as good on portable DAW’s as there is on computer-based ones, like this site. I will divide my questions up at the end to simplify the answering posses.
I plan on getting these items. Now, you must remember that I will not be able to afford much more then I have already budgeted for each item. I plan on getting enough use out of them, and keep them long enough before upgrading, that they will be worth their cost.
- Korg D16XD (16 tracks, 40g HD, can record up to 16 tracks at once)
- 2* Behringer T1952 Tube Compressor
- 3* ART TPS Preamp System
- R0DE NT-1A
- 2* AKG C1000
- 2/3* Shure SM57
- 1/2 Shure SM58
- Shure Beta 52A
- Event TR-5 Powered Monitors
That’s my future setup as I have it planned now. I figure I can use the SM57/58’s for just about anything and they are cheap. The AKG’s are mainly for overhead mics but will find their way into other things I am sure. The NT-1A is there for an all-around good condenser for my price range. The only iffy things are the preamps.
1) I have heard that because of low plate voltage, the ART pre’s aren’t that great. Unfortunately nothing in my price range is that good. I would like to know if it would be better to go with these/PreSonus BlueTube pre’s or…
2) Go with a Behringer Mixer. The one I would get would be the UB1204-Pro. I have heard for the quality the mic preamp’s aren’t that bad. Of course, I would only be able to run four of the mics through the pre’s so; do the Shure’s really need the preamp? If it isn’t crucial then I would run the kick, snare, and overheads through the pre’s and just run the tom mics through with nothing.
3) Compressor? I like my current one, a Behringer MDX2200 Pro, but I have nothing to compare it too. Anyone have any feed back on this one?
I know that this stuff is somewhat primitive but I can’t go out and spend $500+ on one mic. Will these things allow me to get semi-pro recordings? I know of course, that it takes practice and patience but it also takes equipment too. Last note; are there any mic’s that I haven’t considered that really stand out? Any and all help greatly appreciated. Thanks!
-Bennis
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So really my set-up is looking more like this: - Korg D16XD
So really my set-up is looking more like this:
- Korg D16XD
- 2 Shure SM57
- R0DE NT-1A*
- Shure Beta52*
- Behringer UB-1408FX-PRO*
* - Now these are iffy.
Two SM57's for toms and snare. Beta for kick, and R0DE for overheads.
I can either run all four mics through the Behringer mixer *or* if you all really hate it that much, and it's not much better then running straight into the korg, I can forego that expense. Now, should I forego a compressor too and just use the ones in the Korg? This would allow me to get a better condenser mic. I need the condenser to track not only drums but vocals and acoustic guitar too.
-Bennis
Ok - now that we have that out of the way.... Let see if we c
Ok - now that we have that out of the way....
Let see if we can't help the young man.
Prior to my taking the turn down the road i am currently traveling - I too owned an Alesis ADAT... and although i loved it for my 1st step into digital audio - i know what i went through with it - and - coupled with the fact that it is destructive editing - i personally would not head back to there - nor would i reccomend it to any one else -
One of the lardge reason for this is the learning experience itself - this is old technology - which - although it is still gonna hang around for a while - is never going to be expanded on - i suggest that a new format will be more worthwhile for the learning experience.......
This of course is just my opinion - and that Bennis is one of the issues here. A lot of informed people - who do good job and know what they speak of - will have differing opinions - not right/wrong - just different.
Your task then is to listen to what everyone has to say - and then make your own descision out of all the GOOD suggestions you get - and to be honest - although i might differ from others - they are not "wrong" because of that.
One other thing - if you are really considering the Korg - why are you even considering another mixer - That is all a part of the package.
Rod
Bennis, Thanks for the info, glad to hear you are putting your
Bennis,
Thanks for the info, glad to hear you are putting your own money into this. We will help you spend it wisely.
Ditch the Behringer mixer. Soundcraft and Allen & Heath make better small mixers that will do you instead. I don't know much about the Korg, but do you really need a mixer- what for? Doesn't it already have pres, aux sends, FX, all you need?
don't forget a headphone amp. The Behringer one is cheap and useable (anyone have a good alternative?).
Buy an RNC. Great, cheap compressor and you will benefit from learning how to use it.
Go with the Yamaha MP-5s for monitors, if you need monitors.
The mics seem to be a safe bet, I like the Beta 52, but you can't go too wrong on AKG or Sennheiser or Audix.
Don't feel you need to spend your money all at once. It is better to get going on a basic system, come to grips with the intricacies, then add stuff as you need to. Visit the Small Steps Forum for good tips as well. David
I might as well enter the fray here I guess. Here's how I see it
I might as well enter the fray here I guess. Here's how I see it. You're young and still educating yourself so why not learn a bit while you're at it? Make yourself valuable to others with your knowledge. Building a computer is not hard. There are lots of mags and web sites with plans on how to do it. The hardest part is finding the parts that work together so find a recent plan where this is already done for you. It's like tinker toys really. Just put the parts together. You don't even need a soldering iron. All you need is your handbuilt PC, a Q10 like Kurt suggested, recording software, monitors and mics and you're good to go. No mixing board necessary. You could use the EQs and compressors in your software until you could afford some outboard gear. Most studios do editing on a computer so you might as well learn it now.
Just to comment on "bypassing" the Korg pre's. The Only way to d
Just to comment on "bypassing" the Korg pre's. The Only way to do it is to use the "optical in". Although, keeping the trim all the way down on the Korg while running an external preamp is great...it still does pass through them but with very little effect!
This is the exact method I use on mine. I use a Focusrite pre with the Korg trims all the way down. Works and sounds great.
I used to be a moderator on the Korgboards forum. I know quite a bit about these products.
Mike
Young Hooligan.... ;) You seem like a nice laddy with a very d
Young Hooligan.... ;) You seem like a nice laddy with a very determined set to your goals.Ignore my 'Old" buddies here about who's paying for what....You've had a very very good set of suggestions thrown yer way and some good advice as to the whys and such for these ideas.
DO NOT buy a berhinger anything!This is where you get to show the wisdom of your learning.These are a soon to be replaced part.When you buy something now, consider your learning curve...ie. the time it will take you to master the ins and outs of the gear you choose now.....How Long Will This Be?
The answer is ..."How much patience do you have!"
I know where there is a WRT Ramsa mixer for sale....Its in excellent condition.I dont remember how many channels it has....I think its a 12X4....This has GREAT preamps...direct outs...pads...a very good eq....4 subs....at least 2 sends and possibly a third if theres a separate monitor bus.Its rugged...you can use it live...it sounds better than any Mackie ever built...It was around $4500 when new...thats 1987 dollars....under $500...nice big meters....padded armrest...its the shit....ya know?!..This is the kind of thing you need to research and check out BEFORE you spend a dime...Get it all very clear in your head....For more detailed info on Ramsa mixers...do a google search...peace
Thnat is an interesting question John...It is a dealer friend of
Thnat is an interesting question John...It is a dealer friend of mine...I did get the original retail wrong...this one was only $3299...sorry...It is a WRT8112...12X4 and well you know the rest and it is @499 right now...lemme know if you want it...I personally love these mixers...If I could have found the 24X8 or the 32X8 I would not own my Ghost ...
I´m with Kurt on the Computer thing, because these standalone DA
I´m with Kurt on the Computer thing, because these standalone DAW´s use hard drives and hard drives are getting bigger every day(allmost).
I would think its easier to exchange a hardrive in a PC than in a standalone DAW. If you get the serious work you are hoping on, a 40gb drive will be filled up in no time. And also when uppgrading from 24/48 to 24/96/192 youre not on ground zero with the Computer.