Help building a $200 home studio

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westerbamos

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I have $200 to build a simple home studio, and I was wondering if I could get some help. I already built my own $1000 computer that can handle pretty much anything, so basically I'm looking for advice on a decent condenser mic, keyboard, and whatever else I would need all for about $200 or less.

I was thinking about the Pro Tools Keystudio for $110, and for the mic a CAD U37 usb condenser mic for $85 including a pop filter and stand. Plus it is usb so I wouldn't need a pre-amp, right?

I just have basic onboard sound, but at this point it doesn't seem worthwhile to invest in a new sound card. Do I need anything else, like a mixer? Or would this work? I will probably be using Pro Tools software. Any help with this would be great.
 
Forgot to mention it is going to be for hip-hop music, and there will also be some acoustic guitar recording. And I already have speakers so I won't be needing those.
 
yes that would work i would download reaper free to try and usb mic isnt really that great if you had a bit extra go for a real condesor and an interface or gow with a stand alone like a tascam portastudio and transfer recordings to pc but if you got a good pc like you say i would get an interface and a good condensor mic
 
westerbamos said:
I have $200 to build a simple home studio, and I was wondering if I could get some help. I already built my own $1000 computer that can handle pretty much anything, so basically I'm looking for advice on a decent condenser mic, keyboard, and whatever else I would need all for about $200 or less.

I was thinking about the Pro Tools Keystudio for $110, and for the mic a CAD U37 usb condenser mic for $85 including a pop filter and stand. Plus it is usb so I wouldn't need a pre-amp, right?

I just have basic onboard sound, but at this point it doesn't seem worthwhile to invest in a new sound card. Do I need anything else, like a mixer? Or would this work? I will probably be using Pro Tools software. Any help with this would be great.
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Cool, that'll be a good setup for doing some stuff. It'll help you get a feel if you really want to take it to the next level later on or not.
 
Sweet, thanks guys. Any recommendations for an interface and condenser mic that would fit within my budget? Interfaces seem to be pretty expensive, and I don't really have that much money at the moment.
 
westerbamos said:
Sweet, thanks guys. Any recommendations for an interface and condenser mic that would fit within my budget? Interfaces seem to be pretty expensive, and I don't really have that much money at the moment.
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I think you will find that if you try to buy an interface, keyboard, and condenser mic for $200 you will outgrow your setup pretty quickly. I'd recommend saving up a bit more and spending around $150-$200 for an interface and at least $75 for a mic. That should last you a little longer.

However, if you absolutely need all these components now, check out M-Audio. They have some pretty good cheap products that are well-built. Also, don't be afraid to shop around for used products, especially since interfaces and mics aren't things that wear out easily.
 
Yeah I've kind of decided to spend more like 300 or a little more... I was thinking of a Behringer C-3 for $55, and M-Audio Fast Track MKII interface for $120, and then a $20 stand, $20 pop filter, and $10 mic cable from zzounds.com. That along with the M-Audio Keyrig for $100 brings the total to $322... anybody have some suggestions for a better interface or mic or anything?
 
MXL v67g is a kick-butt mic for the price...you'd just have to stretch a wee bit more. :)
 
20 For a pop filter why not just make one for under 5 bucks? simple go to aa craft store by a wooden hoop for cross stitching and then get a nylon sock and stretch it over and there you have a pop filter its what i use and a rarely get bad pops
 
one guy said:
20 For a pop filter why not just make one for under 5 bucks? simple go to aa craft store by a wooden hoop for cross stitching and then get a nylon sock and stretch it over and there you have a pop filter its what i use and a rarely get bad pops
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Yeah I was thinking about this... how would you then go about attaching it to the mic stand? Does the hoop have something on it for that? And yes I'm definitely considering the v67g. Would that be the best choice for vocals?
 
westerbamos said:
And yes I'm definitely considering the v67g. Would that be the best choice for vocals?
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Although phrases like "best for [fill in blank]" are usually personal preference, the v67g would be a great mic for you.
 
guitaristic said:
Although phrases like "best for [fill in blank]" are usually personal preference, the v67g would be a great mic for you.
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once again guitaristic beats me to the punch!

No one can say with absolute certainty what mic you'll end up liking the best on your voice and since you're a newbie, you don't know yet either.

BUT ..... the V67g is one inexpensive mic that gets almost universally positive reviews regardless of voice. It's a really good all around mic and at the price I don't see how you could beat it.
I have a bunch of mics (none real expensive but all of them cost more than the V67) and the one I almost always use is the V67.
 
Thanks for all the advice guys. I did in fact end up ordering the v67g, the keyrig, and a tascam US-122 Mk II interface. I'll be setting everything up after next weekend, so I'll post some pictures once it is all ready.
 
one guy said:
yes that would work i would download reaper free to try and usb mic isnt really that great if you had a bit extra go for a real condesor and an interface or gow with a stand alone like a tascam portastudio and transfer recordings to pc but if you got a good pc like you say i would get an interface and a good condensor mic
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Agreed stay away from USB mics and Reaper is not free its 40 bucks but at that price you can't lose! :) Add in some free vsts and your good to go! :)
 
Even if it can't any decent usb or firewire interface would work as well with that same list. :)
 
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