buying stuff (eq's, compressors) give advice/product reviews
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Posted on Feb 29, 2004 11:38 pm
josh hates you
punk rock @$$hole
Member Since: Feb 29, 2004
hello,
First off im new to this site.I am going to be upgrading my studio after I get my tax returns and the 2 highest things on my list are compression and EQ. Followed by effects more mics and a preamp.
i am using an Alesis HD24 -mackie 1604- alesis 3630 compressor and a lexicon mpx 110 processor. i also have an akg d112-oktava mc012(2)-oktava mkl 2500 tube condenser- sm 57 - and some cheap mics kicking around.
i play drums and i am super anal about my drum sounds. so after some research i found the Alesis DEQ 830 teamed with a Presonus acp 88 seems like a pretty unbeatable combination for the price-- its like adding 8 channels of gated compression and 30 band programable EQ to my Mackie.--Has anyone used these???
another question is, Mackie consoles are revered for their preamps how much will a outboard preamp like the presonus bluetube affect my signal as opposed to running straight into the mackie XDR preamps??
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juesContributor
Since: Dec 30, 2002
Mar 01, 2004 03:22 am Hey josh, I hate you too.
Umm, frivolities aside - I personalyl would not bother with the Alesis EQ unit, a 30 band graphic eq would be more at home in a live sound rig, rather than a recording setup - the EQ on your mackie desk should be ample. If you really want to spend money on an EQ unit, then I would maybe look into the TLA range.
As for the preamps - yes, the ones on the mackie are pretty good (not amazing, but pretty good for solid state). If you want to warm things up noticably, then I would not bother with a Presonus Bluetube (I've used them in the past and it didn't exactly wow me) - again, maybe look into the TLAudio Range of Valve Preamps - failing that there is always SPL, Avalon or Focusrite.
Regards
jues.
Mar 01, 2004 08:56 am thats what i was lead to assume on the mackie preamps so you think the $400 would be better spent on a decent mic pre than the alesis deq 830. the compressor is still a good idea right? cause for right now i use the alesis 3630 and when i record drums i usually add it to the kick and snare to tape the add compression slightly to the mix down after it makes my kick and snare stand out. but i still want to use the gates to get the cymbals out of my tom mics.
(i never used one so)mic pre question: i will gain the most benefit from recording vox with the mic pre and some guitars too but would it affect a drum sound as much? should i look into a mic pre for my drums or just something like the focusrite EUREKA for vocals
i am still fairly new at this i record mostly heavy metal if it helps and i am sorry for the questions but i want the most quality from my recording with the least cost. eveery book i read stresses mic placement EQ and compression.
Mar 01, 2004 09:07 am Yes, that Alesis EQ is for ringing out rooms in sound installations and such, would help you much with your situation I don't think. Mic placement is important when getting drums recorded, as is compression. The most important compression being on the kick and snare. If you have limited resources use a stero compressor with one side for kick and one side for snare. If you can get an eight-channel compressor, do it, that would rock. The Mackie pre's, in my opinion will work fine for you. First concentrate on good placement, decent mics and make sure your drums are tuned well and in a proper, low reflection room and use a couple good overheads to capture a little amience of the room.
Oh, and I know josh and he doesn't hate me...he said lame things about you tho! LOL
Mar 01, 2004 09:16 am i use a akg d112 on the kick with compression to tape - i use sm 57 on my snare (top and bottom) and my toms i have a stereo pair of oktava mc012 for overheads.
as i said i use my compressor on the kick and snare to tape then on the whole mix after. the original post was to see if i should get the presonus acp 88 (8 channel compressor and gate) with the alesis deq 830
----my idea behind the 830 is the fact that i can store 100 user presets-- at the push of a button i can change my kick drum sound from fat and boomy to tight and punchy and go from a thick snare sound to a popping cracking sound. will save time testing eqs. i figure i could go from hip hop eq'd set a rock sound without adjusting levels-set it and forget it
