Building Budget Studio - What To Get?, What should I get for a studio on a budget? Options

[menace23]

I'm getting some money in a month or two here, and was going to put together a little project studio. So far I've got some cheap (but usable) monitors, a Nord Lead 2x keyboard, and a 2 port motu midi interface. I'm going with Ableton live for the software (I've already got Reason 3, and the vanguard plugin). What software or hardware should I get? The presonus firebox looks nice; what do you guys recommend? thanks

[lepetitmartien]

Presonus is great, note that the Inspire way be enough, depending of your gear.
I'd see a mic too into this

besides that, it's difficult to tell you more… Assure yourself you have enough RAM and a dedicated drive for audio files too.

[aportman]

You have excellent software to record with. I, too, use Ableton Live, along with Cubsae SX3 and Reason 3.0. Some of the most important components to consider, is decent mid-level powered near-field monitors, good quality mics, and, if possible, upper-end mic pre-amps. These items will make a world of difference in the results of the end-product. I have a home studio, which I have built over the last 5 years, using Presonus and Trident preamps. I have a small Presonus Tube-Prepamp, which I paid around a ~100.00 bucks for, and I use this preamp for when I need some amped-up quick. I used it today at a location away from my studio to record a B3 Hammond organ track for a project, and it sounded great. This is the preamp that is easy to pack-up and carry anywhere easy. I use it often for this reason, connecting it direct to my G4 Mac laptop. For the money, it is an incredible sounding preamp.

Near field monitors are a critical component of the final audio mix. I recommend the KR5's for a smaller studio. I do my final mixes on the dynaudio's, and they are fantastic. I also mix on Behringers (Truth B2031A) monitors, mainly to give me a different perspective on mixdowns. I do not believe these are available anymore, but they do offer a relative true mix for the money. May can find some used ones on ebay.

I also have a Presonus 600 ADL Pre Amp, which if you can afford, and are planning to do some serious stuff, I highly recommend. This is one bad news preamp. I run almost most everything through this preamp. I also have a Trident Preamp, but mainly use it for bass guitar and vocals. It has little more warmer, and a much more vnitage sound to it.

Mics that I use and have great success with are the following. These are all excellent mics, with only the 414 costing a pretty penny. The others coast around 200.00 to 350.00, and produce excellent results.

Rhodes NT5's
Rhodes NTK
Rhodes NT2's
Rhodes NT4 (Stereo)
ShureKSM 27
AKG 414's
AKG MD421 (Bass Cabinet & Toms)
Audix - Drum Mics
SM57 ( Never lets me down)


I hope this gives you some information to base future purchases on. Whatever you do, do not cut corners on these three (3) vital components when setting up your studio. I would have saved a ton on money, if I would have went ahead and spent a little extra money in the first place and started with higher-end recording equipment.

Good Luck!!!

Allen

[rickenbacker]

The Metric Halo ULN-2 is hard to beat for decent preamps and amazing A/D/A converters. Great signal routing potential, too. One of them would solve a lot of problems. In fact, get the +DSP version and you gain even more. It looks a little pricey, but I've never looked back since getting it. I previously had a MOTU 828, the PreSonus FireBox, the Focusrite Saffire and the FMR Really Nice Preamp. Got rid of everything except my ULN-2.

If you wanted a separate preamp, I hear nothing but good things about the Grace 101.

For mics, I like the Rode K2 valve condenser.

For monitors, Yamaha DSP5s or Even SP8s (one reasonably priced, one less affordably priced, both the best in their price brackets, IMHO).

Good luck with whatever you choose. I agree wholeheartedly with aportman's suggestion to spend a little more in the first place. Otherwise, you just end up wasting money having to upgrade later. Get a few good quality pieces rather than lots of average ones.

[Kestral]

Three questions:

1. What is your budget in dollars

2. Style of music

3. What are you looking to accomplish with this studio

[menace23]

Should have been a bit more descript in my original post. I'm mainly working on electronic only stuff; I'm not sure mics / preamps / etc. will get me anywhere. I'll have around 1100 to spend; I'm looking at Live 5, bundled with an M-audio trigger finger, for 400.

I'm mostly going to be doing industrial type of stuff. So, the decision comes up for an interface, which then will leave me around 300 left to spend. I'm a student in college so I can't get anything too big / bulky as I come and go quite frequently.

[Mac-Dee]

Whats your Budget ?

Is this gonna be a hobbie or pro.?

Do you want a portable studio or desdktop?

Hardware sound modules/ or All Virtual intruments /samples etc ?

having a good mic or two is a must

Shure 57-58
Rode mics (i have a K2 Great sound versitle)
AKG

post the answers to the questions and then we can all have a idea of where u want to go

[jonutarr]

eKeys49 is a nice little keboard, USB are