Setting up the studio equipment - need advice

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izi

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Hi all!

My current equipment is not so huge, I have one mixer: Allen & Heath ZED-24, Audio Techica AT2020 Condenser Mic, MIDI keyboard and bunch of instruments. I got some tight budget to improve my audio equipment around 2-3K$,
so I was thinking in buying:

Also I would like to buy some better pre-amp for vocals and acoustic guitars, than ones I have in mixer, and one audio interface. I will mostly record acoustic, pop, rock type of music.

Can you recommend me some good pre-amps, audio interface and eventually change my list if you would buy something diiferent?

thank you in advance
Izzy
 
I would drop the controller, focus on better monitors, good mics and a good interface. Don't forget room treatment.

Interface - I have a few I like, but they are low end. The Tascam 16X08 is my (new) favorite, but not the best. I think going to a UAD with some ADAT interfaces start getting you in the high end. Lots of folks here who can help get you somewhere in between.

Monitors - The ones you have picked are probably OK, just think for a little more money you could do better. I have the Rocket 8's, they are good, but really lack low end and the high end is a bit too much. They are good, but probably would listen to others on the monitor front.

Mics - this will depend on a lot of factors. I stick to around the $200-300 price range. I am just not good enough to justify more. If you are doing live guitar recording, a couple of 58's never go out of style.

With the right ADAT, this could take care of your pre-amps. Once again, the Tascam has 8 pre-amps built in and for my needs, it does just fine. You could go with a low end to get you started, then once you know what you need, upgrade (recommended) as you see fit. Tascam is running around 300 and you could still use pre-amps if you like on the 11-16 channels.

Then there is the matter of room treatment. I won't go into the gory details, but building some treatment for the walls and base traps will really help you get nice neutral mixes.

That would be my recommendations for starting out, but there are many others who know a lot more. I am assuming you already have a computer.
 
I'll echo what DM60 says: ROOM TREATMENT. Bass traps in corners, ceiling cloud, etc. Best money you can invest. There are a lot better monitors you can choose than those low end Behrs. If you've got $2-3K total to spend, at least $1000 of that should be for your monitors (but if you don't do the acoustic treatment, then it doesn't matter).

On the audio interface - plan for the future. Will you ever be recording more than 2 tracks simultaneously (plans for drums or whole band)?
 
DM60 said:
I would drop the controller, focus on better monitors, good mics and a good interface. Don't forget room treatment.

Interface - I have a few I like, but they are low end. The Tascam 16X08 is my (new) favorite, but not the best. I think going to a UAD with some ADAT interfaces start getting you in the high end. Lots of folks here who can help get you somewhere in between.

Monitors - The ones you have picked are probably OK, just think for a little more money you could do better. I have the Rocket 8's, they are good, but really lack low end and the high end is a bit too much. They are good, but probably would listen to others on the monitor front.

Mics - this will depend on a lot of factors. I stick to around the $200-300 price range. I am just not good enough to justify more. If you are doing live guitar recording, a couple of 58's never go out of style.

With the right ADAT, this could take care of your pre-amps. Once again, the Tascam has 8 pre-amps built in and for my needs, it does just fine. You could go with a low end to get you started, then once you know what you need, upgrade (recommended) as you see fit. Tascam is running around 300 and you could still use pre-amps if you like on the 11-16 channels.

Then there is the matter of room treatment. I won't go into the gory details, but building some treatment for the walls and base traps will really help you get nice neutral mixes.

That would be my recommendations for starting out, but there are many others who know a lot more. I am assuming you already have a computer.
Click to expand...

First of all, thank you for your reply.

Room treatment is a separate part that will be done during summer.

As for monitors, my secondary choice is Genelec 8020 if I can increase my budget ($1000 pair)

I was thinking of TASCAM UH-7000 for Audio Interface, but just don't know how good their pre-amps are. UAD Apollo Twin DUO was also on my list, but it have spicy price.

Should I try to get Apollo Twin and Genelec with one of the condenser microphones I listed?

I read people swear that for live guitars Rode NT2 is a way to go. Although I think AKG would be good enough for guitars also.
 
mjbphotos said:
I'll echo what DM60 says: ROOM TREATMENT. Bass traps in corners, ceiling cloud, etc. Best money you can invest. There are a lot better monitors you can choose than those low end Behrs. If you've got $2-3K total to spend, at least $1000 of that should be for your monitors (but if you don't do the acoustic treatment, then it doesn't matter).

On the audio interface - plan for the future. Will you ever be recording more than 2 tracks simultaneously (plans for drums or whole band)?
Click to expand...

Well I plan drums, but that will be MIDI, so for audio interface there is no need for more than two inputs, I think. Can you check my reply to DM60? What do you think?
 
izi said:
Well I plan drums, but that will be MIDI, so for audio interface there is no need for more than two inputs, I think. Can you check my reply to DM60? What do you think?
Click to expand...

No mention has been made of the A&H mixer? If the pre amps are the same as in my ZED10 they will be as good, probably a lot better than those in most interfaces and unlike most interfaces, have the very useful HP filter, gain/channel control, pan and EQ (if you need it).

Yes, put a MIDI controller on the back burner unless there is a dying need? Yes, aim higher for monitors. Over here it is said you need to be at £500 a pair to get anything truly decent (if you have a very small room and are into jazz and classics as was my son, smaller but good will perhaps do. We have Tannoy 5As).

AI? I shall surprise no one here and say " Native Instruments KA6" Two very clean mic amps (but you could run the mixer through the balanced line circuit) two more balanced line inputs (mixer) giving you 4 track recording (never hurts to have a DI'ed backup!) plus MIDI and S/PDIF.

I also have a Focusrite 8i6 with the same connectivity but it won't match the KA's driver and latency performance.

The mixer also has inserts (my z10 doesn't) maybe read up about those?

Dave.
 
izi said:
First of all, thank you for your reply.

Room treatment is a separate part that will be done during summer.

As for monitors, my secondary choice is Genelec 8020 if I can increase my budget ($1000 pair)

I was thinking of TASCAM UH-7000 for Audio Interface, but just don't know how good their pre-amps are. UAD Apollo Twin DUO was also on my list, but it have spicy price.

Should I try to get Apollo Twin and Genelec with one of the condenser microphones I listed?

I read people swear that for live guitars Rode NT2 is a way to go. Although I think AKG would be good enough for guitars also.
Click to expand...

I have a UH-7000, it is extremely well built and the pres are very clean and very much usable. If you're looking for pre-amps with "color" they aren't that.
 
Yes, pre-amps with color definitely. Tube pre-amp to be more specific. Doesn't TASCAM enables you to bypass integrated pre-amps ?
 
Well, I don't know. I used my A&H in live performances, it is perfect for that. Somehow...I don't know...I made some records with it, and I am not satisfied. It sounds flat. That's why I am thinking of using some good Audio Interface with separate pre-amp.
 
izi said:
Well, I don't know. I used my A&H in live performances, it is perfect for that. Somehow...I don't know...I made some records with it, and I am not satisfied. It sounds flat. That's why I am thinking of using some good Audio Interface with separate pre-amp.
Click to expand...

"sounds flat" to me means low noise and low distortion, in other words an ideal vehicle for post tracking effecting!

I would look at some grungifying software, good valve preamps are not cheap and a bit of a one trick pony? Unless you can audition a few AND KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING you could end up with the wrong tool.

There are several $100ish "starved plate" valve pre amps around, I suspect they are just cashing in on the "valve" monika and bear little relation to the multi-valve, multi transformer vintage gear of old.

Dave.

I am sure the top guys here can suggest some simulation plugins?
 
ecc83 said:
"sounds flat" to me means low noise and low distortion, in other words an ideal vehicle for post tracking effecting!

Unless you can audition a few AND KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING you could end up with the wrong tool.
Click to expand...

That's my concern also. I know that tube pre-amps are not cheap (at least good ones), but buying one crapy piece of hardware is also the same. I end up with wrong tool.

About "sounds flat", well maybe it's just me. It somehow doesn't seem right. I don't know. I'll give it another shot.

And what do you mean by "grungifying software"? Some pre-amp VST?
 
izi said:
That's my concern also. I know that tube pre-amps are not cheap (at least good ones), but buying one crapy piece of hardware is also the same. I end up with wrong tool.

About "sounds flat", well maybe it's just me. It somehow doesn't seem right. I don't know. I'll give it another shot.

And what do you mean by "grungifying software"? Some pre-amp VST?
Click to expand...

Download Free Mic preamp simulator plug-in: Modern Premier by Antress

A 2 minute Google found me that ^ Can't speak for how well it works but I dare say there are plenty more?

Dave.
 
ecc83 said:
Download Free Mic preamp simulator plug-in: Modern Premier by Antress

A 2 minute Google found me that ^ Can't speak for how well it works but I dare say there are plenty more?

Dave.
Click to expand...

Thank you Dave.

Yes I am aware that there are VST effects that simulate almost everything. However, I am not sure how well they do that.

And on the other hand, I always hear that no simulation is a mach for one hardware device. I didn't had a chance to test one tube pre-amp and same simulator vst, and I doubt there are many people how had a chance to do that. There is a big hype on how well Universal Audio plugins model real hardware devices, but for that you will need their DSP processor + plugin. That's why I eventually considered Apollo Twin, as it comes with bunch plugins like UA 610-B Tube Preamp.
 
izi said:
Thank you Dave.

Yes I am aware that there are VST effects that simulate almost everything. However, I am not sure how well they do that.

And on the other hand, I always hear that no simulation is a mach for one hardware device. I didn't had a chance to test one tube pre-amp and same simulator vst, and I doubt there are many people how had a chance to do that. There is a big hype on how well Universal Audio plugins model real hardware devices, but for that you will need their DSP processor + plugin. That's why I eventually considered Apollo Twin, as it comes with bunch plugins like UA 610-B Tube Preamp.
Click to expand...

Actually the general "industry" opinion seems to be the complete opposite? Unless you can pay $1000+ per piece of hardware, good software does a better job and for a lot less money.

I too am aware the some software is quite expensive but you could see what Reaper has to offer? Cost you nowt!

Dave.
 
ecc83 said:
I too am aware the some software is quite expensive but you could see what Reaper has to offer? Cost you nowt!
Dave.
Click to expand...

Interesting I accidentally stumbled upon it a month ago. Never heard of it before. Wanted to upgrade my Cubase, but before that I checked what other options do I have. 60$ for a daw is nothing compared to some others companies. Still evaluating, though. Need to get a feel to it, workflow is a bit different than Cubase. Tried Pro Tools also, I was surprised that they have free version. Tried Ableton at my friends place. Sonar is also on my list. But Reaper is a nice, I definitely consider to buy it.
 
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