Hello everybody, I have $2000 to lay down on to try to get some workhorse mic preamps for my studio. Right now I have a cheap mixer (Alesis) and an ART Digital MPA Pro (which I really like on vocals and guitar), all going into a Digi 002. My main goal right now is to put together something that will sound good on drum tracks, so a combined 8 channels would be preferred.

I have been getting mixed answers on whether or not small diaphragm or large diaphragm mics are better for overheads on drums. What do you guys think? Can you give me a recommendation for some mics that cost between $299 and $399? If it was between a pair of RODE NT1000's or Shure SM81's which would be better?

HERE'S what I'm looking for:

I need sealed type.
Very comfortable.
Not too bright (fatigue factor).
Under $250

Sorry for posting off topic but I've been contemplating on getting an mp3 player to run off rough mixes instead of burning 1 or 2 tracks to CD. Is anybody doing this? Which ones do you use? IS anyone aware of a player that will be compatible with .wav files?

Hi,

I'm new here... just wondering if anyone might want to share their views on 'real world' converters. I do full band recording, rock and metal...usually 8 tracks for drums, plus scratch vocal, guitars, and bass. So I need 16 in, minimum. Here's my setup right now:

Im after a reasonably priced control surface with motorized faders for use with Nuendo and/or Reason.

Im arent too knowledgeable about Control surfaces so any help/recommendations would be great. Would like to control as much as possible.

many thanks

Kristian

Hi all.
I'm looking for an analog mixer to position between a John Hardy M1 4 channel preamp and a LynxTWO soundcard.

Kurt,

I read with interest your 'sticky' (sounds rude!) in the Recording Studio thread concerning 'studio standard' mics. Although I am sure there is a lot of good advice there I was wondering if you could do a similar list for those of us on a tight budget.

Here's a list that I decided to compile that may help those of you who are asking what are the "studio standards" when it comes to mics. These are the ones I think are a a bare minimum requirement, the "must have" to run a respectable project or professional studio. The up side is this is a complete "wish list" which should serve almost any pop production house.

I recently added a SonicStudio HD system to our mastering room and I am seeking some suggestions for a brickwall limiter. I've currently got an API 2500 compressor which offers some nice old school character but I really need a decent sounding limiter. Unfortunately the local shops are no help since the salesmen typically don't use the gear they're selling.