$1200 what should I buy?

  • Thread starter Thread starter snapcasezx3
  • Start date Start date
snapcasezx3 said:
why don't I save money on the hooker and just use your mom?
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Cause your dad says your Mom AND sister are better.
 
I would spend all of that money on a preamp for this reason:

Once you have spent the money on anything else, you will most likely focus right in on wanting a better preamp, which I believe to be the center of any quality recording setup. Most of the other equipment you add to your setup will probably cost less and make less of a difference in the overall sound. To begin with, your signal is only as good as the weakest link, so why not start with a high quality preamp first, then experiment around with different mic flavors to find out what you like based on a preamp that gives you a quality signal. If you try out different higher quality mics on your existing preamp, you may not get a true account of the potential of each mic through a cheap preamp. The thing is, there are many tried and true preamps that are known to give you a quality sound, so start there as a point of reference to build upon.

You will still want to add many of the types of equipments people are mentioning here after the preamp to manipulate the sound to your liking, but at least you will have a very high quality signal to work with as you begin to add those other components, such as a compressor, EQ, Effects, etc.

If I were you, after the preamp, start saving up for a really nice large diameter microphone. Spend the time researching different forums about the different equipment, there is alot of valuable info available out there.

After I found the right preamp and mic combination that I liked, then I would focus on monitors. After that, then go for the compressor, effects, EQ, and all that stuff.

My 2 pennies!
 
Room Treatment, Mics, and Monitors all make as much a difference as preamp choices ,if not more.

what good is a good preamp if your room isnt a decent listening area?

id start with the room and monitors.
 
It really depends on what you want to accomplish in the long run, and how serious you are about recording. Also, it may just depend on how budget minded you are. BTW, as far as the room treatments are concerned, you can create treatment with no money if you are creative with things around the house and choose your spot. And how are you going to know how good your mic is with a cheap pre, nah, go for the pre.
 
Rick Shepherd said:
I would spend all of that money on a preamp for this reason:

Once you have spent the money on anything else, you will most likely focus right in on wanting a better preamp......
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This idea has always baffled me.... getting the the good preamp before the good mic. What if you're on a budget, like most of us are, what good will a great preamp do for you if you don't have a mic? One progressive step at an allowable time I say. Get the the nice mic first, get used to it, know how to work it, find its sweet spots while saving up for a decent matching preamp. At least you can start using you new nice mic, the other way around you just sit there and look at your shiny new preamp waiting for funds to come in so you can plug into something. No?
 
Go for the Presonus Eureka I hear very good things and presonus makes very good mic pres.

Its a single mic pre, compressor and eq :D.
 
Rick Shepherd said:
I would spend all of that money on a preamp for this reason:

Once you have spent the money on anything else, you will most likely focus right in on wanting a better preamp, which I believe to be the center of any quality recording setup. Most of the other equipment you add to your setup will probably cost less and make less of a difference in the overall sound. To begin with, your signal is only as good as the weakest link, so why not start with a high quality preamp first, then experiment around with different mic flavors to find out what you like based on a preamp that gives you a quality signal. If you try out different higher quality mics on your existing preamp, you may not get a true account of the potential of each mic through a cheap preamp. The thing is, there are many tried and true preamps that are known to give you a quality sound, so start there as a point of reference to build upon.

You will still want to add many of the types of equipments people are mentioning here after the preamp to manipulate the sound to your liking, but at least you will have a very high quality signal to work with as you begin to add those other components, such as a compressor, EQ, Effects, etc.

If I were you, after the preamp, start saving up for a really nice large diameter microphone. Spend the time researching different forums about the different equipment, there is alot of valuable info available out there.

After I found the right preamp and mic combination that I liked, then I would focus on monitors. After that, then go for the compressor, effects, EQ, and all that stuff.

My 2 pennies!
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Rick, not to take a way from what your saying (because i think there's merit to it), but my experience has been the opposite. I've found the 'closest to the source' rule to spot on time and time again (e.g. most money on the source (room/instruments/talent), then mic, then preamp, then convertors...etc). I've used 15$ to 800$ mics, and 49$ to 800$ preamps...and its been unequivocal...the mics make the biggest difference.
Yes, there is a grey area with certain combinations, and there are specific exceptions, but on average, its always the mics. I have found that preamps are an aquired taste. Once you get really into them, one tends to describe the differences as "HUGE"...but they only are relatively speaking.
 
snapcasezx3 said:
I have a home project studio that I have $1200 to upgrade and buy some active monitors and a compressor. I have a Studio ProjectsB1 mic running to a m-audio firewire 410. Reading some of the other posts I think that maybe I should buy an Audio Technica 4040 and a DBX 166XL. What are your thoughts?
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Try the AT 4050! It's a very, very clean mic. It will give you a good clean path for your sound source to start with. A good set of monitors are essential too. You have to know that your monitors are THE most important variable to your recording process! You could get a pair of Event TR8XLs, and the AT4050 for $1200. Then worry about all the coloring (preamps, comps, eq) to your signals from there.
 
Ya, after some thought, that is good advice about getting a decent mic and monitors. I am remembering that I got my monitors early in the gear aquisition stage, and kindof took for granted how important they are in my signal chain. I still think that a nice preamp is still in order not too far in the future. And BTW, he isn't really give us enough info here to really give good advice. He never stated if he was on a tight budget, what type of music, goals as far as recording is concerned, etc., which can make a big difference if you ask me.
 
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