$4000 Budget

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Member Since: Aug 04, 2003

Well, I've already got a room built and a windows xp machine that i'll probably be recording onto. What i need now is advice from you guys on monitors, preamps, equilizers, compressors, rack effects, software, consoles, etc., all for under $4000 preferably.
thx

P.S. would going ADAT be cheaper/better?

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a.k.a. Porp & Mr. Muffins
Member
Since: Oct 09, 2002


Aug 04, 2003 09:21 pm

I would definately recommend going the computer route. Computers are incredibly versitile and are what the big studios are using right now. I would recommend going through some of the previous threads for information on these subjects since they come up quite often. If you want to keep costs down, I would recommend going with products from Behringer and M-Audio. They make great stuff that's well priced. The Behringer UB mixers are great. Get whatever size works for you if you go that route. I'm not the one to ask about pre-amps, but you could get away with using the mixer's pre-amps, at least to start with. You'll need a compressor, there are lots of choices when it comes to those. Check out the "Gear Bag" section for some member reviews on equipment. If you're going the computer route, you don't have to worry much about rack effects (Other than compression), just computer plug-ins. Whatever recording software you go with should provide you with some nice effects to start with. You WILL need a good RECORDING sound card, however. M-Audio, Aardvark, and Echo Audio make great recording cards. I own the M-Audio Delta 44 and It's great. The sound card is the single most important part of your signal chain. Get a good one!!! Any more questions, just ask :-) Glad to be of any assistance.

-Porp

Bane of All Existence
Member
Since: Mar 27, 2003


Aug 05, 2003 12:39 pm

preamps and compressors:
www.fmraudio.com/

they all fit on universal racks, which is great. if you went for that option, i'd say get 4 of each, which will give you 8 channels of excellent preamp for a relatively cheap price.

get a MOTU (mark of the unicorn) card as well. there is a $750 one that is 8 channels, and is connected to your computer by firewire. get good monitors too!

Contributor
Since: Sep 09, 2002


Aug 06, 2003 12:11 pm

Hadleman, I really recommend hanging around here at HRC for a couple of weeks, reading the old threads and tips and participating in the discussions. ask questions on individual subjects like "which compressor is better, this one or that one?" and stuff like that. What you're asking is a very broad question that could easily be spread across ten different threads, in fact, all of your questions have probably been asked before and answered several times on this site. fell free to use our search option (link at top right) which dB Masters recently optimized for us.

The reason I say this is, you're obviously pretty new to all this, and I want to see you make an informed descision, because $4000 can net you a nice setup to start with and I'd hate to see anyone end up with gear they don't need/use/want.

lets start small - Every style of music, whether it's rock, techno, hip hop, whatever, requires a differnt approach and therefor different equipment. What kind of music do you want to produce?
-j

a.k.a. Porp & Mr. Muffins
Member
Since: Oct 09, 2002


Aug 06, 2003 03:07 pm

Really shop around the internet and see your options so you can make informed decisions. What worked out great for me might not be the thing for you. For example, you could go with something like the Aardvark Q10 ($800, I believe) for a soundcard that would eliminate the need for an external mixer and still allow you to put a compressor or other effects unit in your chain. The Q10 has 8 XLR / 1/8" inputs and some very decent pre-amps built in for each one. I believe the Aardvark cards may even come with a respectible recording software package bundled in. The card has recieved great reviews and has an awesome software mixer that allows you to control all your input volumes, and even the brightness of the light on the front of the break out box :-) Echo audio also makes a 4-input card like this, although I wouldn't recommend it because of its kind of inflated price. For me, however, the M-Audio Delta 44 was the way to go because I already had an external mixer and I like to be able to actually play around with all the controls and hook things together with wires and such. It worked out well for me. This kind of setup also allows for more flexibility if I want to update some of my equipment. But in the end, I think I'm spending more for the same features. I think that if you're someone like me who is interested in possibly making a career out of production and engineering, it's better to go the route I did because I get more experience working with physical equipment. If you want to make things easier and less expensive (And just want to make music!), then I would consider the Q10. That will leave you with enough cash to get some really nice mics, a good compressor, and maybe a really nice pre-amp or 2 to use for special occations. The possibilities are really endless. Good luck!

Member
Since: Aug 04, 2003


Aug 06, 2003 04:47 pm

Well, Jamie, I'll mostly be producing rock music but with elements of jazz and blues incorporated in the music. Some of it will have vocals but alot of it will be instrumental.

Contributor
Since: Sep 09, 2002


Aug 06, 2003 07:43 pm

okay, well it sounds like we need to determine how many simultaneous inputs you'll be needing. If you need to track the entire band all at once, this can get expensive because you will need a powerful soundcard, a large mixer with many preamps and inserts/busses, amd many microphones. If you think you can get away with recording just the drums at first and then going back and tracking the other instruments only one or two at a time, then you can get by with a smaller soundcard like the Delta 44. Read up on the soundcards Porpoise mentioned and check out our Gear Bag section to read up on our favorite sound cards, mixers, preamps, compressors, mics, etc. And let us know if you get stuck on anything

If I can offer my advice again, please, take your time and learn everything you can. This is big hobby to be getting into, and there's alot to learn. Almost three years ago I got a new PC with a Delta 44 soundcard and some multitracking software (Cakewalk) and a wave editor and mastering program (wavelab) thinking i was going to start recording my guitar and bass playing and write some of my own music. What I didn't realize is just how much there is to know before you can start producing decent sounding music. Here I am almost three years later, I still don't have any songs finished that i feel are up to my expectations because i'm so interrested in learning everything i can about audio. It wasn't until i found HRC that things began making sense. okjay im rambling

Seconds From The End
Member
Since: Jun 16, 2003


Aug 06, 2003 10:51 pm

Props to Jamie Garrett He pretty much said it all and i was a nobody in recording until i stumbled ovet this site youll learn EVERYthing you need to know if you check in here at least 3 times a week... its great topics, great people

Bane of All Existence
Member
Since: Mar 27, 2003


Aug 07, 2003 01:12 am

i second that emotion!

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