What gear would create a pro sounding home studio for under 1500.00?
Home > Home Recording Forum > Recording Techniques > What gear would create a pro sounding home studio for under 1500.00?
Posted on Dec 23, 2002 11:34 pm
AccidentalDream
Member Since: Dec 23, 2002
I need to find a way to record my music at home! I've been using an old analog Tascam tape system with drum machines and acoustic instruments/vocals but now want to create and burn my own CD's. I've had much advice from "friends" but they have given me a wide variety of answers, none of which were economical or very intelligent. what are your feelings about a digital workstation with CDRW? I've noticed that many of you use computer based systems but that is not going to work for me. I want to branch out digitally. I need suggestions for:
1.8-16 track digital recorder/workstation for under 1200.00. Best use and best sound options. I don't play base or drums and am sick of using my old machines!
2. Powered monitors? which ones? affordable and good?
3. Mic(s)? I'll be recording both digital and acoustic instruments as well as laying down vocal tracks/harmonies.
4. Anyhting else that will help to make this creative artist's dreams come true? (Even at this old age!)
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Dec 24, 2002 01:26 am As far as the DAW goes.....you can find a Roland VS1680 for around $600 if you look around. You might even want to try a 1624, 1880, or 1824.
If they have both FX cards in them....your set. which all of the newer ??24 models have built in.
the ??24 models also have built in CDMastering and an internal CD-R/RW Drive.
If you go with a ??80 model you'll have to find a compatable cd burner to work with.
I've worked with quite a few people on these systems and have had great results. I'd swear by them.
Dec 24, 2002 01:22 am Check out the Roland workstations. I dont know how you feel about used equipment but there are lots of reputable sellers on ebay. You can get a 16 track for under a grand. I like these units much better than other kinds I've used. They might be intimidating at first with so many features but when you get to know it you cant go wrong. You can also link them up for more tracks very easily. Some of these come with internal effects and all have the option to install them.
Otherwise for effects make sure you get yourself a compressor and something for reverb like a nanoverb. Those sound great and are pretty cheap.
For microphones, its endless. I always tried to cut corners with mics thinking "how much better could it be" but there is usually a huge difference. Get a shure sm57 for guitar and snare (although I've been using other mics lately). Check out some kits for drum miking. AKG makes one with 2 toms clip mics and a bass drum mic which sounds amazing. I used the bass drum mic on a bass guitar live that was basically blowing up and it sounded clean as can be. Magic I think. With mics you're always going to be adding more so dont necessarly feel overwhelmed and buy tons of crappy ones.
Other must haves are a pop filter for vocals and a decent set of headphones.
JAYMember
Since: Dec 22, 2002
Dec 24, 2002 09:41 am As terror and J@Platinum stated the rolands are a good bet. You can purchase a Roland VS1880 (18 Track) for $1299 from Musicians Friend, a used VS1880 $1049 from Shreve Audio, A used VS1680 (16 Track)for $999 or the now discontinued Akai DPS16 (16 Track) for $1199 brand new from Shreve Audio. Keep in mind you're not going to get automated faders with these units.
As far as Microphones, I think that AKG is a true champion for recording at somewhat affordable pricing. Look into the Bi-amp powered Events P series monitors, they average about $500 for a pair. Good Luck!!!
DanMember
Since: Nov 21, 2002
Dec 24, 2002 11:49 am Did roland stop making 880's? Cause i was looking for them on sam ash and musicians friend, and couldnt seem to find it. my friend's 880 is as real useful piece of equipment, i am sure the 1880's are even better
LokiCone PokerMember
Since: Apr 07, 2002
Dec 24, 2002 05:19 pm I'd say try to set up a PC for recording
tonyd1970The fat one always watches us.Member
Since: Nov 08, 2002
Dec 26, 2002 08:30 am Im with loki. its dual use and you have sooooo much flexability. Just get lots of memory, big hard drive, really good sound card(the delta's are the choice around here i suppose)and good software-(sonar,cakewalk) and some others. Throw in a small mixer-less than a hundred bucks and youre rolling, plus checking email and playing counterstrike.
JAYMember
Since: Dec 22, 2002
Dec 27, 2002 07:27 am Setting up a pc for recording should not be the end all for a complete home studio setup. PC's are not 100% reliable as we all know. It's great if you are triggering midi gear only, however, everyone here is aware of digital audio and how it eats away at your hard drive space. Take it from a guy who's had experience with Mark of the Unicorn Digital Performer and SonarXL. I would agree that no studio should be without a good software sequencer. I currently use sonar and I can sync it with the AW4416 Digital Multi-track recorder where the vocals are recorded straight to the CD Burner on the AW4416. Or I can do everything on the MPC and AW4416. That's flexibility. Conclusion - have a go-to aside from PC.
Dec 27, 2002 08:14 am Well, consider this for a moment, your DAW, the 4416 I think, is made to be propreitary issofar as it is made to specifically have all those particular components to work together, and it also has an operating system that is made just for it, therefore, it stands to reason it would be far more stable.
PC's on the other hand are made to record music, check email, visit HRC's forums, Play Half-Life, etc...all on an OS that is supposed to be made to do ALL these things.
If a PC is built with recording as it's only task, and that is kept in mind when choosing hardware and software, it can be very, very reliable. I have no other recording device other than my computer, and my PC is for audio and video work only and was built from the ground up with that in mind. It has been months since I had any crash and well over a year since I had any data loss...
Most of the people that have stability and/or reliability problems with their PC either have not chosen their hardware properly or have a ton of other software that are making problems on their systems.
I am not saying you are wrong, as you do have a decent point, however, I have to say that PC's can be a very reliable and stable means by which to record. It's the only way I do.
Dec 09, 2005 11:52 am PC are more than capable if maintained and set up properly.
I think the difference is a matter of personal preference. I like DAW's because of the stability and knowing that anything I try to do within it will not run into a compatibility problem. I also like to have my hands physically on the sliders and buttons rather than operating everything from a mouse. I feel more in control that way.
Dec 09, 2005 07:32 pm A DAW will surely get you up and running quicker and will be simpler to operate, but in a couple of years, you'll have an obsolete system that can't be upgraded. If it has a hardware problem, you're at the mercy of the repair service. I recommend a computer based system. Upgrades are easy and inexpensive and with backup of important recordings, you can easily recover if your disk drive crashes. DAWs have hard drives and other components that fail too.
PCs are very inexpensive now (P4 or AMD 64 for under $700). With a $200 -$300 sound card and and $200 mixer and a $300-$400 mic or 2 you can do some really good work.
Dec 11, 2005 05:07 pm A PC with an ADAT input sound card. There are a few options for software that a quite reasonable including Cubase (SE, SL?), Adobe Audition or Protools M-Powered. To connect to the Adat you'll need a A to D 8 input interface such as the Behringer Ada8000 8 input thingy: www.thomann.de/thoiw2_beh...0_prodinfo.html
you can probably get all that for under the price you specified :-)
Dec 11, 2005 05:09 pm oh and go Rode microphones...
jmailjimmie neutronMember
Since: Feb 14, 2005
Dec 12, 2005 02:30 pm Most SIAB (Studio In A Box) solutions do not have 8, much less 16 pre-amps (unless you want to pop about $3200 US), so you'll require pre-amps, either separately or in the form of a mixer. Let me ask this question, though: Why do you need 8 or 16 inputs? A drum kit can be done rather nicely with 3 well-placed quality mics (2 overheads & one kick, out front). 4 makes it easier (sort of) (add one for the snare)... But I have seen very good results with 8, of course (close-micing). You can get yourself a SIAB with 2 XLR inputs & six line inputs with either ADAT onboard or available as an option, but be sure the machine is able to use all those inputs... Some machines advertise "16 tracks with 96 virtual tracks" but can only record 2, 4 or 8 at a time...
I agree with the flexibility of a PC setup. I myself prefer a PCI card, 8 analog inputs with ADAT (there aren't very many out there), and settled on my 1820M. A Behringer ADA 8000, as dragonorchid mentions, is a future option to add 8 more inputs for the ocassional time I'll be called upon to do a "live" gig. I myself do not play in a band and have no "need" for it yet.
I also agree with dragonorchid about the Rode mics. You almost can't go wrong with them. They seem to be as reliable as a Shure, but less expensive. I just got myself an NT2-A. The SE stuff seems to sound almost as good for a lower price, but their reliability isn't quite there. The CAD, MXL & Marshall gear is all similar, and seems acceptable. Of course, Audio-Technica, AKG and others make great mics, for a price... A great buy for a large diaphragm appears to be the Behringer B-1. I've not tried one myself, but a bunch of folks like 'em. You must have at least one Shure SM-57 and one SM-58...
jmailjimmie neutronMember
Since: Feb 14, 2005
Dec 12, 2005 02:34 pm Hey, where'd this come from all of a sudden? 2002? lol...
Dec 12, 2005 10:00 pm Pickstix did it! I mean.. Picksix.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Dec 12, 2005 11:05 pm OK, I think this one wins the award for dragging up the oldest deadest thread.
Dec 13, 2005 10:51 am just look through everyone's profiles to get ideas. I'm 48 and still go computerless. By the way, I use the fostex VF160 16 track w/burner. You can get one for 800.00 now. (I paid 1000.00 two years ago). It all depreciates quickly in this business. mwaynew
piyanMember
Since: Dec 10, 2005
Dec 13, 2005 10:41 pm A high end computer use for recorder and media burner. A multiple I/O port sound device like Delta 1010 or ESP1010 with 10 I/O port so can record 10 tracks at once or if your the only one doing the recording a high end soundcard with 2 or 4 port is adequate. A lot of preamp with simulation. A software sequencer and midi controller combination. Mic & midi instrument for vocal and midi input and if you good at midi than you can program tru software seq for drum track. A software base effect VST DX etc. This is only for home studio not for pro. The best thing is that you dont have to spend on mixer, multitrack recorder, the downside is you have to learn the software part. Hey, it's only my 2cent.
PS- I just noticed the message was 2 years ago, well sorry for late reply lolll.....
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Dec 13, 2005 11:52 pm This thread is actually a few days away from being 3 years old. You guys really kill me.
Dec 14, 2005 06:01 am lol, I didnt even notice the date!
Mike, I also use a fostex VF-160, and I adat it into a digi001 :-)
Dec 14, 2005 01:30 pm HAHAHAHA......Freekin' Grave Robber.
Dec 14, 2005 06:03 pm OK, with inflation, let's make it $1800. lol
still good to see what people are thinkin! With the 300 xtra, you can throw in a decent tube mike, hahaha
zekthedeadcowEat Spam before it eats YOU!!!Member
Since: May 11, 2002
Dec 14, 2005 06:24 pm ok... by the time this thread resurfaces again 3 years from now I would suggest a quadcore workstation with atleast 32gigs of RAM and you should be able to pick up a used SCSI Ultra320 2TB RAID for $100 on ebay. I suppose PCI-Z interfaces will be invented capable of the 1800MBps throughput that modern music demands...
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Dec 14, 2005 07:59 pm zek that is way to good. I can see it happening though for sure. Who woulda thought a 3 year old thread would get this much attention???
Dec 21, 2005 04:49 am I think it's great thread, just as relevant now as it was 3 years ago :-)
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Dec 21, 2005 10:59 pm OK, we'll all take turn's stoppin in at this thread once a month for the next ???? and it can be the thread that just wont die.
And ya, it is still relavent.
