Making up my studio

[hirokumata]

Hi...
This is my first post here @ this forum that i've been watching for some time, and now i've got a problem and need your help:
At september i've bought a mixer (Yamaha MG12/4), with the goal of start making my home studio... the rest of the things I'm going to buy at xmas. The problem is that I know what type of gear I'm going 2 buy, but I don't know of which brand should I purchase them.
The primary goal of my home studio is recording vocals (beatbox and singers), as I'm relationated to Hip-Hop. I produce too, but I'm going well only working with my computer, so no need of midi keyboards and other stuff for now.

Here's what i pretend to buy:
Studio monitors: Alesis M1 Active MK2
Condenser mic: I'm not sure about it, I was thinking of a Behringer B-2 (cheap and nice to work with vocals), but the audio store here in my town isn't selling behringer stuff now, because the equipment takes lots of time to arrive, so the seller recommended me a Nady SM1000, because it's cheap too and its good (he says)
Sound Card/Audio Interface: This is biggest problem... I don't know if I should buy a sound card or an audio interface to connect to my computer... and don't know too from what brand and what model should I buy. Since I use the mixer, I don't need a big audio interface with lots of ins and outs and with mic preamps, cuz the mixer takes care of it (I think!)

What i need to heard from you is if my studio monitors and condenser mic choise is right (and if it isn't, please recommend me other monitors and other mic), and what sound card/audio interface should i buy

Here are the connections that I'm pretending to do with all that stuff if that helps

Mic->Mixer Input
PC sound output -> Mixer Input
CD Player -> Mixer Input
Group Out (a.k.a. Alt 3-4 Outputs on behringer and other mixers) -> PC input
Mixer main output -> Monitors
(I think i've didnt forgot anything)

Thanks

PS: sorry for the bad english sometimes, I'm Portuguese :x

[necrosensual]

I recommend the Presonus Firebox, which I just bought, or the Firepod, if you've got the $$ then it will accomadate your needs. From a simple vocal session, to a full band performance like in a live situation.
If you get a good interface you will want to get good monitors at the same time, or else you will have to mix everything twice.

[hirokumata]

So you are saying that those Alesis monitors are bad?
I've saw now the Firebox, I think that it is great, but only got a problem... those mic inputs with preamps that I dont need... why should I buy a thing with 10 functions if I will only use 5? :S isn't there an audio interface without mic inputs, phantom power and mic preamps?
About the mic, some1 know if the Nady SM1000 is good?
Thanks

[hirokumata]

What about the behringer FCA202 audio interface by the way?

[TheIllicitOne]

Whatever you do, don't skimp on the condensor. I just recently bought a Blue Bluebird and it sounds incredible. (499 w/ mic cable and shock)

[phillwildman]

Hi,
Its hard to get started, but finding out what others use can help.

I use:
3.2Gig PC. 1 Gig RAM.
Sonar 5 Producer with extra VST FX.
EMU 0404 PCI soundcard, Digital optical I/O, Digital Coax I/O, Pair of Analogue I/O. 24bit and up to 192Khz Resolution.
(I use 24bit/96Khz. Sounds great.)
Focusrite Trackmaster Pro Channel Strip.
AKG 3000B Condensor Mic.
Behringer BCF2000 Control surface.
Behringer VampPro Digital Guitar modelling PreAmp.
Behringer Virtualiser Pro FX.
Tannoy 12" Dual Concentric Studio Monitors (circa 1960's, but best speakers I've ever heard).

I hope this helps

[hirokumata]

Thanks for awnsering both
phillwildman how do your AKG mic works with voices? But don't know if I should put that mic in mind... his cost hurts a bit... :S I was thinking on the Rode NT-1A mic because of the feedback that it has from who has it and cuz of the price.

About the sound card... I'm looking for something more simple. Already saw the M-Audio Delta 44 and the Behringer FCA202, but I'm not sure about the behringer one because It's new and I've already got adviced to wait till the driver bugs are discovered and fixed by Behringer

[phillwildman]

Hi,

I plug the AKG3000B into the Focusrite channel strip and then straight into the Emu0404 soundcard input.
It is a very very clear sounding Mic.
If I were to choose a Mic again then I would choose a diffrent one to be honest.
My live Mic is a Beyer Dynamic TGX480, it is a brilliant Live mic, the sound it gives my voice is just what I like, wheresas the AKG is very 'top end' but good for recording guitars (and other instrumnets I would think).
The Emu card is about as cheap as you can get, but the quality is remarkable, I would definitely recommend it. I record at 24bit/96Khz.
the analogue ins and outs are only unbalanced but it also has both optical and coax ins and outs and midi in /out. Here in the UK it sells for just £65.
I hope I've been helpfull in some way.
regards

[RICK FITZPATRICK]

You'll get more replies if you ask this in the Computer Recording forum. This is the Studio BUILDING forum.