HomeRecording Gear, 3500$?

[dansted]

I’m a beginner when it comes to recording music. I play and compose rock, blues and pop music and would like to record my music in good quality, and who knows maybe be lucky and sell a few songs.

This is where I need your expertise!

What equipment should I buy?(I don’t want to use an external mixer). The budget is about 3500$ without counting a PC, guitar/bass and guitar amp, the target is rock, blues and pop music.


I have done some research and this is what I was thinking of using!

Audio Interface:
Focusrite Saffire Pro 26

Software Sampler:
NATIVE INSTRUMENTS KONTAKT 3 E

Midi Controller:
M-AUDIO KEYSTATION 88ES

Compressor:
TC ELECTRONIC C400XL

Multi-effect:
LEXICON MX400 XL

Microphones:
RODE NT1-A (Vocal)
Oktava MK012 x2 (Acoustic gtr.)
Shure SM57 or Audix I-5 (Gtr. Amp)

Monitor:
?

Headphones:
?

I now play on a Peavey Bandit 112 amp and need an upgrade!
Which amps are good for studio recording (rock, blues & pop)?

[dgatwood]

The NT1-A would not be my recommendation for an all-around vocal mic. It's a bit bright, even to the point of being harsh on many sources. I'd probably steer you towards something more neutral like a CAD M179 if you're only going to buy one vocal mic.

I think you'll like the Oktavas. You might also consider adding a third SDC---ideally, something less dark, more on the neutral side. Naiant makes several that would be good, though there are many other mics out there that would also be good choices. Alternatively, you might also consider having Oktavamod rework the Oktavas to open up the top end.

Instead of an SM57, I'd probably steer you towards one of the low-end ribbon mics. Similar output level, but less muddy sounding. IMHO, they are much better all-around mics, and are generally almost usable anywhere you'd use a 57 (except in the hole of a bass drum, for example). I have no opinion on the Audix.

[Wilbur]

By low end ribbon are we saying Cascade Fathead etc...?

[Weasel9992]

Originally Posted by Wilbur

By low end ribbon are we saying Cascade Fathead etc...?

That is an absolutely fantastic low end ribbon mic.

Frank

[dgatwood]

Originally Posted by Wilbur

By low end ribbon are we saying Cascade Fathead etc...?

Sure. I'd probably spend the extra money for a Lundahl transformer. That really opens up the top end compared with the Chinese transformers. Or just buy a Nady RSM-4 and swap the transformer. Either way.

[Seafroggys]

lundhaul transformer does wonders, let me tell you!

[Mr. ROUSH]

I can't comment much here being an amature myself, but I will suggest some monitors.. On that budget I'm guessing your mixing environment is probably not %100 accoustically optimized.. Mine is far from it and I have the JBL LSR series monitors with "Room Mode Correction". I absolutely LOVE these... Thanks to the room correction the monitors mic your room and self adjust to account for deficiencies and what not.. I think I could be happy with these and some ns10's for any application.

I didn't see any mention of a DAW in your description.. if you already have a DAW then i would personally consider just sampling with that rather then breaking out extra dough for a software sampler.. Maybe you don't have a DAW.. if you don't you will need one since you don't want an external mixer. So if you don't have one I would replace the software sampler with the DAW of your choice. Hope this was helpful. Best of luck.