Well, here goes. Will this be a sucessful setup?

[Hypnolobster]

Ok, I play guitar, hand drums, bagpipes and I sing. I also have friends who do all sorts of interesting things.

I recently built a new AMD based computer, which is currently top of the line, and I will spare you the specs of that.
Here is what I am planning on buying (in order):

M-Audio Firewire 410 (mabye Firebox, I am torn, but I like the 410 more)

Shure SM81 for acoustic guitar and hand drums.

Shure KSM27 for close miking guitar amps distorded and clean.

I am also thinking about a Blue Bluebird, as I can get a pretty excellent deal on it. Something about it I just don't like, though. It dosent seem quality. I dont know why.

So, what do you think? I am also thinking about a Presonus preamp like an Acousti Q or a Blue Tube DP.

EDIT: DAW is Sonar 4 Studio edition, planning on moving to Pro Tools M-Powered.

[SRR]

If I was looking for a firwire interface, I would have to seriously consider the firepod for a few hundred more (deals on ebay abound on it). Just gives more ins/pre's that would give me room to grow. But if you are moving to pro-tools m-powered that kind'a leaves out the pod/box as options doesn't it? Mic choices look great, although you may want two of the SM81s for stereo recordings of acoustic guitar.

[jkokura]

Any system needs several items in what's called the 'chain'. Typically, a DAW based chain goes like this - sound/source -> mic/DI -> Preamp -> Interface -> Computer(software) -> interface -> monitoring system...

What you've described so far is your plan for mics, interface and DAW...and your preamp selection is quite terrible in my opinion...

I think that any typical home studio will need just 5 mics and a DI (they are allowed more...I have too many I'm sure). 1 Large Diaphragm Condensor, 2 Small Diaphragm condensors, 1 small dynamic, 1 large dynamic, and 1 DI box. With those mics you can record drums, guitar, voice, bass, percussion, strange and crazy instruments and sounds, and such.

You've got 1 SDC and 2 LDC's mentioned. Now I'm not telling you that you HAVE to have these 5 types, nor am I telling you that you shouldn't buy what you want, but I will tell you that if you want to get your listed mics, you should understand the why, and how of those mics use, and you should understand the why and how of what mics are typically used for recording the sources you want.

Percussion can be done with dynamic or condensor mics, but which sounds better depends on the source, the specific mic. If you're recording bongos or congas or djembe's, I'd typically use dynamic mics. Look at the Shure SM57, Beta 57, Senn MD421, and Beyer M201TG for the mics I typically use...I have used SDC's, and if you want to use the SM81 it's a pretty solid choice.

With Voice, most people will use an LDC, and sometimes a dynamic. There are lots of cost effective and solid home use LDC's like the KSM27, the MXL V67, the SP C1 and such. For dynamics you'll often hear of the SM58 and the Senn equivalent (can't remember the number). The Bluebird is another LDC - it'll be different than the KSM 27, but I think it would be overkill to get both, unless you want the different flavors the two of them will give you...

The SM81 is probably the greatest idea you have! It's a stellar mic in my opinion...but you should get 2! Most often, SDC's are used in tandem - two for overheads, 2 for acoustic guitar... most will recommend you get a matched pair which will give you a more acurate stereo image... I would recommend two for ya.

The Firebox or 410 is also a fantastic idea. I love my Maudio gear...

The preamp section is also vital...and you shouldn't just 'add' one to complete the chain. It's just as vital as the mic... What you get depends on how many channels you'll need simultaneously. If you need 1 or 2, in the budget price range there's some fantastic results available with the M Audio DMP3 (2 channel) and SP VTB-1 (one channel). For more money look at the GT Brick and the FMR RNP.

When it comes to monitors, don't think your headphones or home stereo speakers will the do the job - they won't...at all. A good idea would be to invest in some balanced, self powered monitors...look at Event for some good options...I have TR6's...

Finally, cabling... You can't do any of this without the right cables! A five dollar mic cord will only allow you to record a 5 dollar sound...be careful and get decent cable...look at making your own or having someone make cables for you...it's cheaper and you'll get fantastic cables! I like Canare starquad and Neutrik ends...

Oh yeah...the DI is used for Direct Injection...basically it will take a Bass signal and balance it so you can send it into a preamp. Great for keyboards, bass and other instruments like these. I like Radial's DI's...especially the JDI.

Hope I've helped and not confused you. Remember I'm not telling you what you HAVE to do, just what I would do if I was where you are (And I was there once and I wish someone would've told me this...)

Jacob

[Hypnolobster]

Alrighty, I can get a Blue Robbie preamp for about $500 as opposed to $1000. The Blue Bluebird I can get for $275 as opposed to $500.
I have a host of excellent cables, and being a registered headphile (headphone audiophile) I've sunk around $3000 into headphones, tube headphone amps and sources. This includes balanced headphones and balanced tube amps. Silver interconnects and tube rolling, I am pretty much obsessed.

Recording is totally new to me, and for the moment I am trying to keep the starting cost under $1500. Eventually I will need a set of monitors, but for now I'm not very worried.
How about:

Shure SM81 (one, for now.)
Blue Bluebird (Quality is comparable to a KSM27? Above? Good choice for electric guitar amps?)
Blue Robbie preamp
Firewire 410

For the moment I am trying to go for a quality sound with the least amount of mics and inputs to keep it simple and not too expensive. I want to be able to build on it and not have to work my way too far up an upgrade path. Jump right to a mid quality setup and just add on to it. Likely I will need to replace the interface eventually.

A DI I know very little about. It is not needed for a Mic, correct? I always thought that it was for plugging a guitar/bass into a mixer or the like. Turns a High Z into mic level?
If so, I do believe that the Blue Robbie has a High Z input.

[jkokura]

Looks like you've got your mind made up. I'll tell you though, Monitors is a must...I don't care how good your headphones are...It might be great for listening to your music, but it's the worst for mixing...

As for the Bluebird, I have no experience for sure recommendation...but most people like their Blue stuff. I've already said what I think is neccesary for a good home recording setup.

Jacob

Originally Posted by Hypnolobster

Alrighty, I can get a Blue Robbie preamp for about $500 as opposed to $1000. The Blue Bluebird I can get for $275 as opposed to $500.
I have a host of excellent cables, and being a registered headphile (headphone audiophile) I've sunk around $3000 into headphones, tube headphone amps and sources. This includes balanced headphones and balanced tube amps. Silver interconnects and tube rolling, I am pretty much obsessed.

Recording is totally new to me, and for the moment I am trying to keep the starting cost under $1500. Eventually I will need a set of monitors, but for now I'm not very worried.
How about:

Shure SM81 (one, for now.)
Blue Bluebird (Quality is comparable to a KSM27? Above? Good choice for electric guitar amps?)
Blue Robbie preamp
Firewire 410

For the moment I am trying to go for a quality sound with the least amount of mics and inputs to keep it simple and not too expensive. I want to be able to build on it and not have to work my way too far up an upgrade path. Jump right to a mid quality setup and just add on to it. Likely I will need to replace the interface eventually.

A DI I know very little about. It is not needed for a Mic, correct? I always thought that it was for plugging a guitar/bass into a mixer or the like. Turns a High Z into mic level?
If so, I do believe that the Blue Robbie has a High Z input.

[Hypnolobster]

Monitors are of course in my future, but for at least a few months I plan on working on the other hardware.
Once I move out of only recording simple things such as vocals, acoustic guitars and hand drums, I will work on dynamic's, and a second SM81.

[altiris]

After you record your first session you will be impressed with your recording listening to it through your headphones but I can almost guaranty when you play it back through your speakers or burn it and play it back on a stereo it will sound awful, too much bass or ear piercing highs.