Building a College Studio

[donkeykang]

Can somebody help me get started? I've been doing some research, but I figure if I ask questions I can probably get more help then just reading around.

I have a solid budget set for about $600 - $800, possibly more, but I would like to stay within that range. I'll be recording instruments individually and I guess I really need to learn how to mix well. I basically have no idea where to start. Reading around it seems like I need:

- a good vocal mic (w/ pop filter)
- a USB/firewire interface w/ good preamp (although could I just get a mixer?)
- keyboard with midi in/out
- good monitors
- cables
- stuff to sound treat the room

Is there anything else I need? I have a macbook with garageband and I figure I'd start there.

I'll be dipping a bit into every genre of music, although primarily I play more of acoustic/pop/soul/folk style.

Thanks for your help!

[chamelious]

First question, what do you mean by college studio? What is your current level of experience? I assume its quite low, and i dont think buying all this gear would be a good starting point, although the list you made is quite accurate for what you would essentially need. Are you just looking to record yourself? (I hope so as you're not ready to record others by the sound of it) If so what instruments do you want to record?

Also the price range you listed is about how much you'd need to spend on 1, maybe 2, possibly 3 at a stretch of the items on your list.

[donkeykang]

Something just to set up in my room at school. Yeah, my experience is extremely low. In the past other people have done my recording and engineering for me, but I'm interested in trying to learn. I've started by reading "The Guide" on tweakheadz. I guess the main purpose would be to record myself and I was thinking of just layering different instruments. Instruments would include: acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass guitar, and keyboard.

[Rod Gervais]

This is not the right forum for the question -you really want to go to one of the recording rooms.......

Rod