Advise on Home Studio Upgrade

[Floatingax]

I want to upgrade my home studio. Please advise me as to what equipment I should keep ( if any ), what I should get rid of and what I should replace with.

Here is my basic equipment list now: Mackie console 32-8 w/meter bridge - Alesis ADAT (4) - Alesis BRC w/meter bridge - Alesis 3630 Compressor - Alesis SR 15 Drum Machine - APHEX Aural Exciter - DBX 163A Limiter/Compressor - Lexicon LXP 5 - Digitech GSP 2101 Guitar Pre Amp.

I want to go the most practical route (digital or computer doesn't matter). I am currently recording my own singer/songwriter material and also pitching demo's for other artists and television. I want to be able to program drums as well as capture them live.

I also own a laptop w/Windows Vista.

Please be as specific as you can.

The gear listed is the extent of my knowledge.

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

I want to upgrade my home studio.

Why?

What is it about your current rig that you are unahhpy with? The answer(s) to that question will contain the answer(s) to your question.

G.

 

[SonicAlbert]

I'd get rid of those ADAT's first. Get yourself a Mac and a ProTools system. Depending on how many tracks you need to record at once, a Digi 003R might be enough for your needs.

Keep the Mackie board for now, but get rid of most of that outboard you've got now and replace it with something better. Or replace it with a well chosen set of plugins. The only outboard I personally would keep from your list is the LXP5 and Digitech. Maybe the Aphex as well.

The main thing is to dump the ADAT's and go with a non-linear format like hard disk recording. That totally eliminates any issues with tape and rewind times.

 

[Ethan Winer]

I want to upgrade my home studio.

Your gear is fine. If you want to improve the quality of your productions you'll get the best bang for the buck with good monitoring and room treatment.

--Ethan

 

[gyefinger]

Couldn't agree more

Your gear is fine. If you want to improve the quality of your productions you'll get the best bang for the buck with good monitoring and room treatment.

--Ethan

Moderate gear in a good room kicks over expensive gear in a bad room.

I am upgrading because i want to try some new gear and I will be keeping the old system.
Even a moderate treatment makes a huge difference..once you do that you will treat the rest of the room.

 

[Daisy]

Ditch the Aural Exciter.

Addition by subtraction.

Baby steps.