$2500 Studio Upgrade

[tnjazz]

Is going from Mackie Onyx to Motu that much of a step up?

What about a UAD card and some nice plugs to go with it

IMO, this is a step down. The Mackie pres are much better. Only logic I could see in this move is you do gain 4 additional preamps plus lightpipe I/O.

Still...it's a step down in quality.

 

[sdelsolray]

I got a nice christmas bonus and want to upgrade my entry level Studio. I have $2500 to spend and am really wondering what you'd do if you were in my situation.

I am currently using an sm57, Rode NT1a, RNC, and a Mackie Onyx 400F. That's all I use. The Mackie is my AD/DA converter and preamp. I run Acoustic, Bass, and vocs through the RNC. I mic Guitar cabs with the SM57.

My style of music is indie rock. Here's a sample www.myspace.com/stevendolbey

I know equipment is subjective, so if you were in my shoes, What would you do to get to the next level if you had my current equipment and $2500?

Any and all feedback is very much appreciated.

Thanks,

You make no reference to the monitors you are using. Often, investing in excellent monitors is a good move (as is room treatment).

 

[Supercreep]

IMO, this is a step down. The Mackie pres are much better. Only logic I could see in this move is you do gain 4 additional preamps plus lightpipe I/O.

Still...it's a step down in quality.

Do you own, or have you tried an 896HD?

If not, how can you say the pres are "much better"?

I have heard both, and I own one, and I think the 896HD pres aren't "much worse". In fact, I'd say they are about the same to my ears.


OP: Spend the money on room treatment.

 

[gtrman_66]

Ummm....from a different perspective, how do you like your instruments, amps etc? Along with your(and your group's) talent and ability, that's the stuff that makes the sounds you record. A boost in core sounds can go a long way to making you sound better.

Just a thought, carry on and good luck

 

[tnjazz]

Do you own, or have you tried an 896HD?

If not, how can you say the pres are "much better"?

I have heard both, and I own one, and I think the 896HD pres aren't "much worse". In fact, I'd say they are about the same to my ears.


OP: Spend the money on room treatment.

Yes, there is currently an 896HD in our inventory, used on smaller mobile recording gigs. I had a Mackie 400F for quite a while as a "studio control center interface" as well - sold it only to replace it with a Metric Halo unit. If I had to sell the Halo for any reason I would have no regrets going back to the Mackie.

I can hear the difference between the Mackie preamps and the MOTU. I will grant you that the 896HD is one of the few MOTU products I've actually liked (along with the Traveler). To my ears the Mackie sounds significantly better though.

Your mileage may vary, of course.

 

[theboy]

IMO, this is a step down. The Mackie pres are much better. Only logic I could see in this move is you do gain 4 additional preamps plus lightpipe I/O.

Still...it's a step down in quality.

Another vote as a step down. Haven't extensively used the Motu but i chose the onyx when i was comparing, even with less pres. Extremely happy with the onyx.

As someone who just spent some cash on room treatment in a very similar position, do it. It helps so much more than all these people can begin to explain to you.

 

[DavidK]

A set of monitors that will last you a long time.

I gotta go with my fellow Clevelander. A good set of monitors will last years. I have lived in 5 states since I got my Tannoys, and I still use them every day. 14 years and counting.

 

[Dobs]

Thanks everybody for the great input. I have deffinitely changed my descision for what I'm going to do with my $2500. I'm going to invest time and money into getting my Room set up acoustically. I have a 13'x13'x8' room so space is deffinitely an issue.

Has anyone used the Owens Corning 703 panels?

I've sent an email to Glenn at "GIK Acoustics" for ideas on how to best set my room up.

I'm going to keep my ONYX and upgrade my Rode NT1a to an AT 4040. This should be a deffinite step up.

Next up I guess I'll have about $1,000 left for studio monitors. Any suggestions? I know this is subjective so what would you buy with $1,000

Thanks again so much for the resounding, "Pull your head out of your ass and get acoustically sound" from this forum. It is much appreciated.

Dobs

 

[MOFO Pro]

I'd suggest spending an extra $150 and popping for the AT 4047... you won't regret it... best buck and a half you'll ever spend

 

[Dobs]

I'd suggest spending an extra $150 and popping for the AT 4047... you won't regret it... best buck and a half you'll ever spend

Thanks for this suggestion. If I'm going that far would the 4050 actually be better. It's only another $50 over the 4047.

 

[mrT]

Thanks for this suggestion. If I'm going that far would the 4050 actually be better. It's only another $50 over the 4047.

For that money I'd pick up a used AKG 414. I think they are a very versitile mic. I highly doubt you'd regret it.

 

[TragikRemix]

monitors for a grand? how about mackie 624's, i think a pair runs $900.

or spend a lil more gor JBL LSR's but that might be pushing it a lil.

otherwise, NS10s can be bought for less than 500, but i dont advise it, i really dont like them all that much! of course i'll keep them as an alternate though, which is what most studios do with them. either that, or they are there just for show, because most studios have those cursed monitors that make everything sound really crappy.

 

[Dobs]

monitors for a grand? how about mackie 624's, i think a pair runs $900.

or spend a lil more gor JBL LSR's but that might be pushing it a lil.

Thanks for the advice. I'm going gear shopping next weekend and will definitely try the Mackie and JBL Monitors.

I'm also going to try out the 414, 4050, and 4047.

1,000 for room treatment, 1,000 for monitors and 500 for a Mic. My 2,500 is gone.

 

[ridgeback]

Hey Dobs! Make sure and spend some time with your monitor choice. We all could tell you what we like but that really doesn't matter much. Take some favorite reference material along and take your time. Don't let the salesperson rush you. Avoid the over-hyped sounding monitors and try to imagine listening through them for hours! I think monitor shopping must be one of the hardest things to do. Good luck man and good choice on dealing with your space accoustics.

 

[MOFO Pro]

Thanks for this suggestion. If I'm going that far would the 4050 actually be better. It's only another $50 over the 4047.

The 4047 has a transformer coupled output (adds a bit of character)... the 4050 does not (but does have switchable patterns). I love this mic... it's hard to find anyone with a bad word to say about it...

 

[Seeker of Rock]

Next up I guess I'll have about $1,000 left for studio monitors. Any suggestions? I know this is subjective so what would you buy with $1,000
Dobs

Good choice on looking at good monitors and room treatment. I just bought a pair of Mackie 824 used and they sound fantastic. I would take a strong look at those.