Anybody willing to give advice on spending $400?

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mindwave_21

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Ok. I haven't got much money in terms of this BBS, but I need some help in deciding what to get. I'm just starting out and my current setup is
Soundblaster Audigy running into a homebuilt athlon 2200+ with 512 ram and plenty of HD space. I own 1 Oktava mk319, an m-audio DMP3, and necessary cables to make it all work. I need to spend $400 to get enough equipment to record my guitar and my bandmate's drums together (with possible expansion room for a DI bass and vocals). I was thinking of getting an audix om-3 for vocals and cheaply using the mk319 as a single overhead. On top of that, I was thinking of getting an audiophile to work in conjunction with my audigy (audiophile for recording, audigy for playback onto my klipsch 2.1 for monitoring). I guess the other path might be to get a mixer, so I could use the single input on the audigy for everything. Sounds like a lose lose situation you say? Well, you're right, but I've really only got about that much to spend. Keep in mind I'm going to have to buy cables and another mic stand, so that probably sends my budget to around $350-$370 for the mic and a sound card or mixer. I guess what I want to know is, what is the best use of money for my current situation while keeping the possibility of easy expansion my stuff in the future? I'm not looking for a temporary fix, but something I'll be able to add to after I accumulate some more...stuff. Thanks all for the help and sorry if you've seen this all before.
PS - Don't make fun of my setup. I'm dirt poor as a college student with no job at the moment. Just an aspiring artist/engineer like the rest of you all. :eek: :D
 
Have a look at the Yamaha MG12/4 mixer. For $200, it's perfect for recording drums. 6 preamps 12 inputs, 8-10 outputs. It will last a lifetime.

It's pity you've already got the Audigy. I'm not sure if you can record 4 tracks on that. If you can get rid of it, have a look at the delta 44 so you can get the drums on 4 tracks. They go for $150 now, an absolute bargain. If you're really serious about multitrack, the delta1010lt has 8 inputs for $200.

You can mic the drums with just a kick & an overhead in the meantime. Then get another dynamic for the snare, then a second overhead.

Mixer, delta sound card, mics, that's how I'd do it
 
Thanks Bulls hit

Thanks for the advice bulls. Just got the screen name by the way :D . I'll take a look at the mixer because I feel like it'll come in handy later, and plus I can only buy 2 of the 3 things you listed. I figure if I can find an Audix om-3 for $150 or cheaper, that will put me right for the budget. Then I'll look at the soundcard a little further down the road (the audigy only has one usable line in, as the other input is a "computer mic in" and I heard that these aren't good for recording via the faq). BTW, anybody know where to look for the mixer or audix for pretty cheap? I figure I'll google it, but I want to know of some good stores (not the bargain-bin-sell-everything type of store, but a real audio store or at least a reliable store).
On a final note, will I be able to use the DMP3 pre before going into the mixer (1/4" outs)? I'm asking because I already have it and figure that it's better than the pres included in the yamaha mixer. Do you just turn the gain on the mixer all the way down to have an "untouched" signal with no added gain?
 
Thanks again Bulls

I took your advice and went to musician's friend. Got the mixer, the audix om-3, blue kiwi cable, and a tama stand, and under budget by $15! Thanks again
 
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