Hello all, and gear idea
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Posted on Feb 13, 2005 04:39 pm
Johnny Blaze
Member Since: Feb 13, 2005
Ok, I am new here, obviously, I've been reading a lot of the articles on the main page and found myself coming here for answers. SO I registered and here I am. Right now I'm saving up to get a bunch of gear for a home project studio. The point of it is two sided. One side, I want to do it so that I can record my current band, and on the other side I want it for alllll of my little projects. So anyway. Here is a list of stuff that I have looked around for and asked about.
DigiDesign 002R
Mackie HR824a (2)
ProCo 8ch. snake (2)
BLUE Dragonfly
BLUE Baby Bottle bundle from SW
QuickLok MI RS513 14U rolling rack
Furman PL-Plus Series II p.conditioner
Avalon AD2022 dual mic pre
FMR RNC (really nice compressor) (2)
FunkLogic NCC-1701 rackmount for two RNCs
Focusrite OctoPre w/ ADAT option
PreSonus HP4 4ch. headphone amp
What I didn't list but I do have on my list is xlr and 1/4" cables, mic stands, monitor stands, and various other things needed to hook everything up. I heard that the Earthworks Zero Distortion 2ch. mic pre is good, but I don't know. I could save about a $1,000 if I got that instead of the Avalon, but again I don't know if it's good for acoustic guitars and vocals or not. So please comment on that list. Keep in mind that I will need to be able to record acoustic guitars, vocals, and stringed classical instruments (cello, violin, upright bass, etc.) with my band. I already have 3 Shure SM57s and a Sennheiser e609, and I can get a very good guitar amp sound, so I have that covered. I normally do electric bass guitar direct, so no big deal there. Any mic suggestion to replace the two Blue mics please suggest away, as long as they would be better for acoustic guitar and vocals. Alrighty then. Latah.
JBlaze
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drakeMember
Since: Apr 13, 2004
Feb 14, 2005 12:38 am wow. that is a beatiful gear list. truly beautiful. And a ton of money being spent. You will for sure get some solid recordings.
couple questions
1. the avalon pre is top of the line. good choice of compression to compliment it. i see you're also getting the octopre from presonus... you may want to consider an 8 chan compressor (presonus makes a good one) to compliment it... also, i dont think the octopre runs tube preamps, does that make a difference for you?
2. BLUE mics are nice, no doubt... but instead of getting two BLUE mics, did you think about saving the money and getting a neumann? neumann and avalon are born for each other.
3. what are the specs of the computer you're running this system through? pro tools requires a beefy computer.
good for you for trying to find out more info before buying. this is a huge investment your making. for the sake of all of us here, make sure you know exactly what your buying and why when you spend this much :)
el musicoFreeleance Producer/Engineer/GtrMember
Since: Aug 11, 2002
Feb 14, 2005 01:17 am Hey, Nice list! (nice budget too)
1.I have a pair of the HR824's... Good Monitors. Look into the Yamaha MSP10 (no not the NS10 but I have those too)
2.Get at least a 12 channel snake with a couple TRS sends on it. With your rigg you might find it easy to hit at least 10 mics, with a total of 12 focusrite just in the octopre and 002r alone.
3.Why am I numbering these?
4.About the 2 Blues, make sure you hear them first or pick one cuz I would keep a vairety for flavor, not to mention, that an AKG C414 would be a good addition to your rig. You could get a Neumann tlm103 or 127 but if you are gonna drop that much on a Mic pre (avalon is good), then save for a U87.
4.5. If you have the $$ shoot for a Royer stereo ribbon mic. It is a great mic for pianos, strings, and acoustic.
47.The RNP from FMR is a good option for a mic pre
I have an OctoPRE with digital I/O and it works great... right now it's in our live rig.
Plan on recording drums at all?
Feb 14, 2005 05:40 am LOL I didn't notice the #3 "why am I numbering these?" until I started thinking about a reply, funny stuff. But anyway, yeah, I just got done thinking about the two Blue mics. I really think it would be better to have different brands. So I'm expanding my mic budget to $2k, so possibly a Neumann TLM103, and something else for acoustic guitars/violins. I love to use two mics on things like guitars and guitar amps, so the Neumann will be used in conjunction with the other mic. I would like to have something specific for acoustic guitars, most likely a small diaphragm condensor, as I've been told. I would absolutely LOVE a Royer ribbon but right now it's a bit out of the question as far as what I need weighed against what I want/can afford. Hehe.
Eventually I will be considering drums, however I will be using an electronic kit (very high end custom one) with Drumkit From Hell Superior, and just mic up the player's real cymbals. I have heard and seen this done and it's phenomenal(sp?). I have had a chance to listen back on those Yamahas at a Guitar Center near me, and I must say that I did prefer the Mackies over everything else they had there. Thank you for the idea though. As far as the snake, I was going to get two 8 channel ones, so that the 002R and the OctoPre have their own snake. And oh yeah....a U87 is on my "eventually" list, right there with the Royer. Drake, beleive me, I *know* that Neumann and Avalon are made for each other (drool) however, I really didn't want to drop so much money so fast. I will surely get a TLM103, but an Avalon seems too much for me right now. Eventually I will have a vt737, as well as the AD2022, also a Grace 201, and possibly a Millenia pre, but all in due time :D. I think for right now, an Earthworks 1022 should do fine, if not, I know I can find a way around it, or just deal with it haha.
I did check out the RNP, and I can't even think of an excuse for not wanting it. I guess I'm just snoody or something.
About the computer. If I get the $10k, then I will HAVE to make it work on my PC:
3.4gHz Pentium 4
2gb RAM
80gb 7200RPM internal Seagate
250gb 10kRPM external Western Digital (FW400)
If I get the $13-15k then I will DEFINITELY be getting a dual 2.0 or 2.5 gHz Mac G5 with 4gb of ram. So basically either way, I will be working to see if my PC can handle my rig, and then if not, here comes a schuweeeeeet Mac.
And for el musico, about the TRS sends...I can only assume you mean that for headphones, so to give some kind of "answer"...I will be using wireless headphones for the other guys to listen. I will have the HP4 sitting basically on my desk, and the output (mixes) will be going into the transmitter for the headphones. The less wire the better, I always say. If you meant to have the TRS sends for another reason, please tell me. I already have reallllllly long TRS cables for guitars to go into the little "booth" for guitar amps. Yep. Anyway, keep ideas coming now that all thats said. Latah.
JBlaze
Feb 14, 2005 05:49 am OH, and I know the Focusrite OctoPre is solid state preamps, thats fine. Sometimes we all need just a simple clean pre, :P. Latah.
JBlaze
drakeMember
Since: Apr 13, 2004
Feb 15, 2005 01:02 am good deal blaze... you are in good shape... just make sure you know the return policy of each item you buy in case you know right off whether something isn't working well for you.
and your computer will be fine with those specs. take a look at some of the articles in here about fine tuning windows to maximize memory usage. really helps a lot.
www.homerecordingconnecti...tory&id=253
WaltChief Cook and Bottle WasherMember
Since: May 10, 2002
Feb 15, 2005 09:46 am Looks great!
The only comment I have is that the Blue baby bottle and the Blue dragon fly use the exact same capsule and from what I understand are identicle on a scope. Maybe a little redundant. Per above, I would personaly go with a Neuman to get some variety in my closet.
Feb 17, 2005 12:02 am Yeah, I'm actually thinking of upping my mic budget to $2k so that I can get a Neumann TLM103 and something else, probably keep the Blue Dragonfly on the list for the other condensor though. Any ideas on a great acoustic guitar condensor (small diaphragm) for $1k or less? Mhmm.
JBlaze
Feb 17, 2005 12:07 am Possibly a Royer R-121????? :D Mhmm.
JBlaze
