A Community Project

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Flick

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Hello!

Just recently, I have teamed up with our local YMCA on developing a new addition called the teen center. It will be used to allow teens to come and have a safe place to hang out.

We are planning on constructing a recording studo as well. What we want is bang for our buck, something that can put out a quality project, and is rather simple to teach (granted there will be learning curves in everything).

So, have at it. what would you buy. They will spend a good amount of money on this 10,000 ++ but everything must be justified.

I would like to go digital mixer as the console, even though its more complicated. But if I can teach them that, an analogue will be easier for them to learn.

I am also thinking of running pro tools LE... and also have a triton for all the aspiring young producers.

so what would you guys buy to put together this studio? Any questions, holla....
 
this is a very good idea,i think 10,000 is to LOW.. your gonna need more...

PT LE...naw,go with SX and a quality interface like RMS,mout 896, Delta 1010 etc...along with a powerful P4 or Athlon Daw

a triton is always a great workstation to have, via a triton classic or triton studio


it would be nice ot have a digital console, but $$$$
i'd go with something like a 24.8 with a clean pre and mic...Studio projects stuff maybe??

building the studio and having it for the most part soundproof will cost...

i say

24ch to 32ch mixer with 4 or 8bus
PC Daw w/uad-1
Sx w/waves plugins(its very powerful, easy to learn, and cheap)
Motu 896 or Rme multiface
studio projects C1 up to T3
studio projects pre
Triton 61 or 76key
mackie,blue sky,hafler or krk monitors

thats all i can think of right now i have a bad headache
 
Wow ... i wish my YMCA had a recording studio when i was a kid... that's great...
 
awesome

Thanks for helping even though you had a headache.

Ok, im dense and maybe this should be in the newbie section, but what would I need a DAW for? as well as the Motu?

You can laugh :)

Ok, lol, now, for starters then:

Triton 61 key workstation

KRK V8's

Yamaha 01v

Cubase SX

Waves Platinum Bundle

by the way, what is a C1 up to T1, and studio projects pre...my terminolgy is a little rusty.

Thanks y'all!
 
by the way

They will spend up to 40,000, but all costs must be justified and not just new stuff that i want to learn...hahaha, or we'd be spending mucho bucks....
 
No offence.

But your questions of why you need a DAW and a Motu are scaring me if the YMCA is vesting its trust of $10,000 to $40,000 dollars. Since you don't say what part of the US you are from, I would recommend you find one of the senior members (not ones with a lot of post counts, but those who actually know a thing or two and who have been here a while) who live near you and let them charge a consultation fee. Maybe a couple percent of the project value. There are a couple of pro studio owners on here, And they are scattered around the country. I would feel bad wasting the YMCA's money.

Get some one to do it right, or spend a year acquiring some good knowledge of what things work together. You can't just walk out and buy things in digital studios and hook them up.
 
None taken

I understand what you mean. I am new to this as well, but I am not the ONLY person working on this project. Or else, well, you would be right.

I told them, hey, there is this great web site I know about that has a lot of knowledgeable people on it...im going to ask them for their take on the situation. That's all. I know a little, and want to learn much more, and that is why I am helping out with this...thanks for the concern! :)
 
Re: awesome

Thanks for helping even though you had a headache.

Ok, im dense and maybe this should be in the newbie section, but what would I need a DAW for? as well as the Motu?
Click to expand...
i won't laugh, even though you said i can ;)
a Daw is short for Digital audio workstation..aka a COMPUTER ;)
the motu 896 is a recording interface sound card...you have to be able to record music into the computer...

Triton 61 key workstation?
Click to expand...

great board to have...

KRK V8's
Click to expand...
V8's are a good choice..you might wanna add a KRK s12 with the v8's.. that combo sounds great and is real easy to mix on.

Yamaha 01v
Click to expand...
nice digital mixer.. but you don't NEED it.. like i said a 24.8 would work wonders for you...

Cubase SX
Click to expand...
need the daw ;) sorry computer

Waves Platinum Bundle
Click to expand...
great bundle, but it isn't cheap..
by the way, what is a C1 up to T1, and studio projects pre...my terminolgy is a little rusty.
Click to expand...
the C1,C3 and T3 are very good mics from Studio Projects. they also have a damn good Preamp...thats what i ment by Studio projects Pre... the mic Pre amp

headphones and all that good ole stuff need to be added too.. but this stuff will get you quality recordings..
 
aha

Yeah, the digi audio workstation. I now know why I am not too familiar with them...I am a computer musician working mostly with Cubase sx and other programs. Hence my ignorance. Thats a completely other side of the spectrum for me.

I guess this is a matter of perference for a lot of people, but computers or DAWs? last studio i was in was using a PC to run pro tools...but the daw has its features to...so what do you think.

and C9, thanks so much for the plain talk! I've learned stuff pretty much on my own without being amonst studio people, so my lingo isn't down, but i completey understand everything now. Thank you.
 
no no no.. by DAW.. i don't mean a stand alown rolad,yamaha or korg HDR...if you have a computer with cubase Sx and a good soundcard=DAW, digital audio workstation... i wasn't talking about a 02R or anything like that.

i think you know what you need... hope the project goes smoothly
 
hey flick where are u located?

we have a place very similar to this, funded by Dave Matthews here.

You may want to have 2 seperate rooms, one thats more advanced, with the Daw and big console and another for the people who are just starting that is something like, an 8 track a smaller mixer, some cheaper mics and such.

You can't expect everyone to learn on a big setup, if you talk to just about anyone here they started on a 4 track or something similar.

check out the used music gear sites like musicgoround.com.
 
Regarding what equipment to buy, its my belief it doesn't make a difference whether you buy digital, or analog. Regardless what you choose, stay away from DAW and computer based mixing.

The reason being, is that the YMCA is probably seeking to build a fun environment to spawn creativity, AND teach the basics about mixing and recording. While DAW/Computers certainly do this well, its much easier for a larger group of kids to watch the teacher/tutor/counsellor turn a knob, and say "I'm reducing the bass at 100HZ to remove the boomy quality of the vocalists voice, yada yada yada". This way, you instruct audibly, AND visually. Especially in analog consoles, with all the patching, cords, knobs, etc, its really easy to visualize whats really happening.

with 10K, you have more than enough to spend. There are many, many analog consoles out there priced so far below that plus any 23 track recorder (the new SR mackie has analog card built right in, as does the Alesis HD24, and both are around 2 grand.). So 2 grand for a recorder, and 3 grand for a good quality 24x8 and you're done with recording gear. Add your suggested triton, a few outboards, and the snake's you'll need and you've easily reached your 10K goal.

Remember, you're teaching concepts here, you don't really need the baddest gear available. Though to contrast my own statement, i would consider looking for a well-cared for used console from a studio thats upgrading. You might find a more feature rich console at the same price point. If not, the Mackie 24x8 is a nicely priced mixer for the sound quality. And its ergonomically spread out, easier for multiple kids to look over the front edge at what the engineer is doing. Smaller 24ch mixers are tiny, its hard to see the legends under the knobs.



Flick said:
Hello!

Just recently, I have teamed up with our local YMCA on developing a new addition called the teen center. It will be used to allow teens to come and have a safe place to hang out.

We are planning on constructing a recording studo as well. What we want is bang for our buck, something that can put out a quality project, and is rather simple to teach (granted there will be learning curves in everything).

So, have at it. what would you buy. They will spend a good amount of money on this 10,000 ++ but everything must be justified.

I would like to go digital mixer as the console, even though its more complicated. But if I can teach them that, an analogue will be easier for them to learn.

I am also thinking of running pro tools LE... and also have a triton for all the aspiring young producers.

so what would you guys buy to put together this studio? Any questions, holla....
Click to expand...
 
You could get an Akai DPS24 for $3,500 and have everything you need in an all-in-one.

Plus, it is an awesome sounding unit, with 100 mm touch sensitive faders. The onboard preamps sound great.

I like the idea of the Studio Projects mics, maybe a set of Marshall 603s's to go with them.

Did I understand you correctly that they upped your budget to 40 G's?

Taylor
 
ten to forty thousand dollars would be better spent on teaching kids how to play an instrument!
for three grand you could have a nice set up for the kids to cut demos on.
kids that dont play music most likely wont have an interest in learning how to record it.why in the hell would you buy a triton?
for the price of that thing you could buy 5 student guitars and an upright piano!
i really hope your heart is in the right place on this thing,because it sounds like a few folks,who are in controll of the money,have their own(recording)interest in mind.
if i were you i would ask myself how forty grand would best benefit the kids and proceed from there!
 
sheppard said:
i really hope your heart is in the right place on this thing,because it sounds like a few folks,who are in controll of the money,have their own(recording)interest in mind.
if i were you i would ask myself how forty grand would best benefit the kids and proceed from there!
Click to expand...
This seems like a particularly nasty, and asinine thing to say. If the people spending the money think a Triton is more beneficial than student guitars and an upright piano who are you to question their motives?

$40,000 is a lot of money to spend, and they can do a lot with it. The gent is here getting advice on how to best spend the money. If you want to offer a suggestion, I think it's best offered without calling into question the integrity of the people who are shelling out 40 G's to help some kids.

Taylor
 
mr. zekeman,im a card toting dues paying member of the y.m.c.a.thats who i am amd why i am bringing motives into question!
the people who sign the check for this forty thousand dollar studio are not going into their own pockets for this money.the money is provided by people like me,who pay dues.
here is a little math for you genious:
how many kids can play a triton at one time?1(unless they wanna do a chopsticks duet)
how many kids can play six student guitars and one upright piano?7(8 if they opt for the chopsticks duet)
i am not saying that flick has bad intentions,im just trying to give him food for thought.
the idea behind his teen center is for kids to have a safe place to hang out.
how many kids could participate in a studio project at one time?
if the teen center had 100 kids that wanted to hang out on a regular basis,how many of that 100 would be excluded?
if they had 40,000 worth of instruments and instructional aids,how many would be excluded?
im sorry if i came across as assinine,i really was not trying to be that way.im just of the opinion that 40,000 would be better spent on helping as many kids as possible,rather than a few.
 
.
sheppard said:
i am not saying that flick has bad intentions,im just trying to give him food for thought.
Click to expand...
How do you reconcile that statement with this one?
i really hope your heart is in the right place on this thing,because it sounds like a few folks,who are in controll of the money,have their own(recording)interest in mind.
Click to expand...

sheppard said:
the idea behind his teen center is for kids to have a safe place to hang out.
how many kids could participate in a studio project at one time?
if the teen center had 100 kids that wanted to hang out on a regular basis,how many of that 100 would be excluded?
if they had 40,000 worth of instruments and instructional aids,how many would be excluded?
Click to expand...
It sounds to me like they are trying to promote recording and music production. Sounds like a good thing to me. They raised the money, they should spend it for whatever good purpose they see fit.
sheppard said:
im sorry if i came across as assinine,i really was not trying to be that way.
Click to expand...
How do you reconcile that statement with this one?
here is a little math for you genious...
Click to expand...
I think you were trying to be asinine.
 
Last edited:
wow

OK, let me fill everyone in on the full picture. Shepard you bring good points to the table (i'll expand in a moment) though they were a little harsh not knowing the full spectrum of things.

Here is the vision.

The teen center is a part of the YMCA, yet not apart of it. By saying this, i mean that Y memebers have access, yet there will be a teen center membership as well.

In the teen center we will have programs such as foreign language basics, resume building, interview skills, etc etc. Of course, there will have to be fun too. We will have a game room a basketball court gym, cafe, entertainment center, and recording studio.

Here is how the recording studio fits in.

We are also going to have a computer desk, with a couple computers which the power to have graphic design programs on it. That way, artists can work on art, cd layouts or whatever they feel. it will give them a sense of accomplishment, and they will learn a good vocational skill as well.

The studio will be there for kids to learn the "concepts" of recording. Another vocational skill...and when you were a kid, would you have wanted to see what your favorite band did behind the scenes, or pretend you were them in the vocal booth? Kids will be fasinated with this.

The budding musician will also be allowed to record as well, and put together a demo that he could be proud of. Graphic design can come in here as well, as they can help him design the layout material. All in all, it builds teamwork, communication, and creativity.

Why the triton? Well, I live in an area that is primarily a "hip hop" community. I see it very much in the kids who attend our youth prgrams at the Y currently. The triton is used by many hip hop producers, and I guarentee 8 out of 10 kids who want to record here will want to record hip hop ir R@B. Learning the triton workstation can help a future hip hop producer see that even he, with work, can do something that sounds good. It will also benefit the musicians in the booth, since the triton is a versatile instrument. I have access to verious AKAI discs, such as Gary Garritan orchestral set, and that can also be played through a sampler to produce music.

But what about volume. A triton can only be played by one person at a time! Yes, but we need to keep it small anyway and create some regularity and schedule. To learn it is better to have a small class size than 20 kids all looking on...the kids can take more in.

Of course in the gym we will have sound and lights, so that these budding performers can perform their music, as well as welcome some professional performers, and learn from them.

Shepard's suggestion of teaching everyone a musical instrument is a good idea. for sure. but the kid should have the instrument to take home and practice. We just can't buy guitars and let them go home with kids. we'd never see them again. A good alternative is to the get various musician lesson flyers and business cards and post them so that kids are informed. We can work with various organizations with sponsor plans for kids who need to buy an instrument, but can't afford it. But no way would i let kids just walk out with valuable equipment.

To wrap this up, the whole purpose of this program is to provide kids
a) a safehaven to go afterschool
b)a place where they can learn some vocation skill and some self esteem and accomplishment
c) a fun environment

If you see any holes, please let me know. Yes it is tenative, adn not fully worked out...and suggestions are great. Thanks so much for everyone who dedicated their time to help out with this!! Anyone else who is still looking to chirp in is welcome as well!You're a blessing!

-Eric
 
hey flick, sorry if i came across like an ass hole in my post.hope this project works out .
 
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