Build my PC/studio... $2600

[battleminnow]

So here are the parameters:

PC based (not Mac)
Cubase SX 3.0 OS

Need to be able to record 16 tracks simultaneously.

Need all monitoring, control surface, bought or built CPU (can build this myself,) etc. Don't worry about cabling prices unless unique cabling needed (adat elco snakes, etc.) Have some mics (SP B1, AT 4040, ADK SC1's, Behringer ECM8000's, Oktava 319, AT pro25, RS tom mic copy's of Sennheisers, Shure KSM27)

Our manager is looking into building a project studio and would like to purchase meat and potato setup for 16+ track studio.

Any input would be appreciated, ask any questions you need.

Thanks!

Pete

 

[wheelema]

• Onyx 1620 16-channel Analog Console w/FireWire I/O Card (incl. Steinberg Studio Case VST bundle) $1,200
• Wharfdale 8.2 active studio monitors $340
• AMD Athlon 64 (3000+ 939 pin) based DAW using Asus A8V DLX mobo w/512MB, 120GB SATA HDD, GeForce FX5700 w/256MB, CDRW-DVD, 17" LCD (JPEG attached of config) $1000
• Mackie Tracktion software ($0 to $180, depending)

I just don't see you being able to stay within your budget using Cubase SX. You can reduce the cost of the DAW using a cheaper video adapter (the FX5700 w/256MB is pretty high end), and swapping the LCD for a 17" CRT. Depends on your needs.

Luck. Consulting fee, if adopted, 3% ($75)

 

[manning1]

recommend amd athlon, 512 ram, two fast 7200 rpm drives.
ive posted configurations many times. just search under my name for more tips to save me re-typing.
also look at amd sempron. 350 bucks in my area. will do 40 tracks.
for extreme performance amd 64.
before buying expensive software check out what use - powertracks.
pgmusic.com. try the demo if you dont believe me. peace.

 

[Treeline]

The DAW part - I am doing an AMD Athlon, ASUS board, Socket 939 (firewire and LAN connections on the motherboard), Athlon 63 3000+ chip with heat sink and fan, Antec case w/ quiet power supply (350 w), 1 Gig Corsair RAM (recommended for reliability), a licensed XP Home OS and a 7200 RPM applications file drive, 40 G for $797 from Newegg. I'm reusing my peripherals, sound interface, video card and a couple of ATA drives from my Win98 rig. Pretty good bang for the buck at that place.

 

[Bulls Hit]

• Onyx 1620 16-channel Analog Console w/FireWire I/O Card (incl. Steinberg Studio Case VST bundle) $1,200

• 
  
  That's a nice mixer but it's only got 8 preamps.
  
  For 16 channels, you could get a couple of Presonus Firepods @ $600 apiece. The advantage of these units is you don't need a mixer. Bundled with Cubase LE.
  
  For a budget 16 track studio, you could get 2 M-Audio delta 1010LT soundcards, and a couple of Yamaha MG12/4 mixers, all up for about $800.
  
  The wharfedale monitors wheelma mentioned are good, and can be gotten for under $300 from deepwater (that's where I got mine).
  
  That leaves you about $1500 for PC & s/w. I'd recommend a P4 & an Asus P4C800 mobo & you can dl Tracktion for free from Guitar Player

 

[Treeline]

The alternative to a pair of firepods is an Onyx 1604 mixer with a firewire option card. That will give you 16 good preamps w/ XLR, mixer capability, decent outboard D/A/D converters, monitoring capabilities and 16 channels of firewire interface. Street price is $1,700. It comes with software.

Add a thousand (roughly) for a good DAW setup; look for motherboards with onboard fire wire interfaces, the fastest chip you can afford, start with 7200 rpm drives to save money and spring for 1 Gig memory: you're at subtotal of $2700.

Add $300 for active monitors: $3000. That's $ 600 over your limit, but it might be more of a bang than it is an overrun. It also has the advantage of including a quiet multipurpose mixer, which you may find useful.

 

[wheelema]

The alternative to a pair of firepods is an Onyx 1604 mixer with a firewire option card. That will give you 16 good preamps w/ XLR, mixer capability, decent outboard D/A/D converters, monitoring capabilities and 16 channels of firewire interface. Street price is $1,700. It comes with software.

Add a thousand (roughly) for a good DAW setup; look for motherboards with onboard fire wire interfaces, the fastest chip you can afford, start with 7200 rpm drives to save money and spring for 1 Gig memory: you're at subtotal of $2700.

Add $300 for active monitors: $3000. That's $ 600 over your limit, but it might be more of a bang than it is an overrun. It also has the advantage of including a quiet multipurpose mixer, which you may find useful.

Treeline nailed it.