Computer based home studio ???????

Posted on

Member Since: Mar 06, 2005

Hello,


I am new to this forum and I am working on a project, a PC based home studio / production center for my entertainment company, and i need help. I have read the articles and it helped me a lot understanding the basics and see where i'm going with this.

But now is the time to start putting stuff together so i have a few question the people here my be able to answer.

1st, the home studio would be for producing high end, professional quality projects. From hip hop to accoustic recording demos and following the diagram found on this website at www.homerecordingconnecti...tory&id=132

If need be, studio time will be baught at a later time for the projects that will go to the next level, distribution.

Here's what I already have:

- A PC computer with everything but the sound card.

- Mic: Shure KSM 44

- Akai S-950 Digital Sampler

- 2 technics SL MK2

- Akai MPC 2000XL

- Synthetiser Alesis QS 6.1

- Headphone Sony MDR - V700

- Guitare Ovation Adamas and more on that end (bass, electric guitares...etc)


And I would like your help for the rest. SO i figured I still need:

- A sound card. Could you please tell me what's the best one for up to $1000.00?

- A mixer. I was thinking a Mackie 1604 VLZ pro. Could you please give me your opinion on that?

- Speakers. Again I don't really know how to go about this. Any recomendations, please?

- Vocal processor up to $1000.00. Any idea, please?

- Amplifier. I was thinking something in the Crown CE series. Your opinion please?

- And whatever goes in the effects rack.

- And anything you can think of that I haven't.

THank you very much for help. It is very apreciated.

All the best

Pure Entertainment.

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Dork
Member
Since: Jul 25, 2004


Mar 09, 2005 03:09 pm

This sounds like it could be a fun project.
For sound card, You want something that has a SPDIF in. Low end (But still VERY good) would be the M-audio Delta 66, about $200.00. High end, would be something from RME like the HDSP PCI about $800.00. It is a pure digital card. Meaning you would need an analog to digital converter.

For Vocal Processor, the Joemeeks TwinQ is right in your price range. It is a channel strip meaning it has EQ, compressor and preamm in on unit. I just started using this and I must say, it is the BEST investment I have. Bonus, you can use it for other instruments as well. Extra bonus, it has an analog to digital converter built right in.

I can't really help much with the other components as I do not use a mixer, and have only experience with some of the more economy based speaker solutions. I'm sure there is no shortage of folks here that can offer up help though.

Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Mar 09, 2005 05:22 pm

Not having a budget, and not knowing how you record makes it hard to give any specifics,

but,

crown is used for live power amplification. if it's quiet, then you could use it for studio work.

speakers: theres the mackie 824, pretty spendy, then there's the genelec (sp?) monitors, i don't even know how much them are. more down to earth $-wise, there's the JBL line, among many others. I use tannoy reveal myself. I think any good flat studio monitor would work, but you have to 'learn' them to actually make good use of them.

Mackie makes good boards all around. you won't be sorry there.

as far as rack effects, get an outboard compressor, as it'll keep good takes good, stopping any pesky clipping from getting into your computer. there's bunches of other efx you could drop change on, lexicon reverbs, etc. that are top-notch, but command a top-notch price as well.

Chief Cook and Bottle Washer
Member
Since: May 10, 2002


Mar 10, 2005 09:03 am

If you are going to get into the expense of a Mackie mixer you owe it to yourself to at least look over the Onyx series. There is more engineering put into the pre amps and less into the durability (ruggedness) of the unit. A little more suitable for studio use. Even Allen and Heath units would be worth a peek, possibly one of the smaller GL2200 series.

T.C. Hellicon makes a vocal processer, Vocal Works or something simple like that, that took Namm by storm this year. That's worth a look.

Mackie's 626 monitors are the flatest in the Mackie line, which I am used to having the 824's. They are powered so an amp will not be needed. If you still want a power amp for whatever reason, Crown is a good stable name and produces fine units.

It looks like per above the audio interface is covered.

The effects rack is very subjective. Some use hardware effects, other software effects. My 'rack' is more dedicated to input processing units. A couple of tube pre-amps. a few channels of compression, a few channels of Direct injection, and a headphone distribution amp. Not really 'effects' perse'.

The only thing I don't see mentioned is your core software. Pro Tools, Cubase SX or Nuendo, and Sonar would be good to research.

Member
Since: Mar 06, 2005


Mar 10, 2005 11:39 am

Thank you very much for all your help, it is very apreciated.

All the best.

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