Building a home studio and need some advice

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bpsticks12

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I'm currently building a new more upgraded home studio. I have experience with Cubase and general recording techniques. What I need help and advise is on the equipment that I'm purchasing. I want to make sure my money is going to the right things and that I'm getting the most bang for my buck. Also, if I'm leaving out some important outboard gear that would help please let me know. I don't have a lot of experience using outboard gear and thats my main question. My goal with this studio is to record local bands so I am willing to spend some money but nothing to crazy starting out.

This is what I have now:
Mackie SR32.4-VLZ PRO
Yahmaha HS8 Active Studio Monitors
MICS: (2)Sennheiser 421, Audix D6, I5, (2)SM57, Sterling Audio ST55, (2)Sterling Audio ST31

This is everything I plan to buy:
ECHO Audiofire 12 Soundcard
Cubase 7
Focusrite ISA-1 Mic pre
Behringer 4-Channel Headphone Amp
2 Furman Power Conditioners
Patchbay (?)
Compressor(?)

Not sure if I should and what kind of Compressor to get. Also, Any suggestions on other outboard gear I should really start with to help my sound or comments on gear I've already planned on buying would be aprreciated.
Thanks in advance!
 
I'm pretty set with acoustical foam and bass traps. I've built several with rock wool and 703 cornering board. I also have basic acoustical foam up in the sound booth and other select areas. I was wondering more about outboard gear.
 
If it were me, I'd just get going with what I've got and let what I need rise to the top of my list and just buy that.

as to your specifics, I've never used or had a need for a patchbay and my compressors (other than my onboard ones) were bought as the needs arose.

So maybe just dive in with what you've got, learn it inside and out and then buy what you need.

my thoughts...
 
That's a good idea. The last thing I want to do is buy unnecessary gear then not have the money later to buy something I can really use.
I really just wanted to make sure there wasn't some basic gear I'm missing that would really help right out of the gate. Seems like I'm covered from what you're saying.
Thanks a lot!
 
I'm pretty set with acoustical foam and bass traps. I've built several with rock wool and 703 cornering board. I also have basic acoustical foam up in the sound booth and other select areas. I was wondering more about outboard gear.

Not to come across as condescending, but please elaborate on what treatments you have in your room(s) and the dimensions of them. I am just going to bet that you have not close to enough. That would surely be the best investment if you haven't already done so. Seriously man. No joke.
 
If it were me, I'd just get going with what I've got and let what I need rise to the top of my list and just buy that.

as to your specifics, I've never used or had a need for a patchbay and my compressors (other than my onboard ones) were bought as the needs arose.

So maybe just dive in with what you've got, learn it inside and out and then buy what you need.

my thoughts...

I think Dogbreath has some excellent advice here.

You have a good working set up and, as long as you have to ask what extra gear to buy your probably don't need it. Do a bunch of recording and it'll soon become obvious when there's something new you want. Unless you want/need the EFFECT of compression on certain inputs, the ITB compressors will work fine. A patch bay only becomes necessary when you have a bunch of outboard that you need to mix and match.

If you want to spend a bit of money though, a few thoughts:

-a single 4 way headphone amp won't go very far if you're doing full bands, especially as the "hangers on" often want cans too.

-I'd possibly consider better monitors--the Yamahas are good but there are lots better.

-and, yeah, be very sure that your acoustic treatment is up to snuff. Money spent on acoustics is rarely wasted.

-if you're having outsiders into your studio, how's the physical arrangement? Do you have a nice looking desk, shelves for monitors, that sort of thing?
 
If you have a separate tracking room and mixing room, you need speakers/monitors for playback in the tracking room, too.
 
"A recording studio is nothing more than a kick butt engineer’s work environment. If the Prodigy guy can mix REAL records on airplanes on a laptop with a UAD card and a good pair of headphones, a 747 is now a recording studio…..more or less."
Not trying to be rude...
read some stuff. Research more stuff. Use Google.
 
"A recording studio is nothing more than a kick butt engineer’s work environment. If the Prodigy guy can mix REAL records on airplanes on a laptop with a UAD card and a good pair of headphones, a 747 is now a recording studio…..more or less."
Not trying to be rude...
read some stuff. Research more stuff. Use Google.

or...
post your questions to a "home recording website" and see if that helps.
:p




:D
 
"A recording studio is nothing more than a kick butt engineer’s work environment. If the Prodigy guy can mix REAL records on airplanes on a laptop with a UAD card and a good pair of headphones, a 747 is now a recording studio…..more or less."
Not trying to be rude...
read some stuff. Research more stuff. Use Google.

I never listen (read) to these interviews, it's like the "Our last album was done in out basement" only to find out the basement has a neve console, a box of Neumann mics and a 2" tape machine. Or the "we recorded our album for $500" sure guys, plus the weeks of work to make it sound any good.

He may have done some editing on the plane and a bit of pre-production on the mix, but it would have been nowhere near the finished item. These dream stories that mags publish do nothing for the industry.

Alan.
 
The article I linked to had NOTHING to do with airplanes...
I know that you need to just gather a wide variety of sources and advice. Like a lot of people think the flu shot works.... Well not very well as a matter of fact. And some still think your hair grows faster if you cut it. Myths abound out there. I think everyone should read Ethan Winer's book for sure. The physics of it all. Just as background advice of course. Just so people don't start suggesting they can hear a difference in 196K sampled audio. Keeps it real. Keeps your feet grounded. Then you can begin a knowledgeable start to building a home studio. Like... why do home made bass traps not work? Why don't you record in anechoic chambers? Why is an amp from the Sony Store better quality than the human ear can perceive? A good knowledge of acoustics just adds so much more to the engineering art and experience.
I agree with Dogbreath in that you should just start small and the needs will take care of themselves. I assume you have a good reliable computer and audio interface? Your mixing board is awesum but you will need that Audiofire interface (that is amazing as well) to get the muti-track happening to the computer. Not sure the setup for headphones or if the band / singer will need monitor mixes. That's why live consoles are good. Monitor mixes. Aux sends. And check out Presonus Studio One V2 DAW software. Just for kicks of course, it is good tho. There is a free version.
The rest is up to your creativity, expertise and practice.
 
The article I linked to had NOTHING to do with airplanes...

That came from you? quote: "If the Prodigy guy can mix REAL records on airplanes on a laptop with a UAD card and a good pair of headphones"

Thats where it came from?

Alan.
 
Then you can begin a knowledgeable start to building a home studio. Like... why do home made bass traps not work?

Not sure where you got that. Homemade bass traps DO work, if made correctly and placed in the correct places. In the article you linked the guy starts talking about building a studio with a huge ceiling height, then filling it with Roxul - that contradicts what Ethan and John Brandt, two of the engineers that post here frequently have told us about ceiling treatments. The guy talks about his "8 ft red squares" without saying any more than that they are 2x4's polurethaned with cloth suspended in them (did he put OC703 in them? If so, it's going ot be falling over the place as it comes in 2x4 sheets, and he'd have 8 of them suspended in there.
 
My best advice is to limit your purchases, unless the item is absolutely necessary to the studio setup. Obviously, a sound card / software are rather crucial, so this will be first on your purchase list. Your familiar and comfortable with Cubase. Get that. Although you could start with Reaper, and trim some costs until you get some steady projects/ income coming in to support this purchase.

Accordingly, some of the other items that you have on your list can be acquired over time. Likewise, 90% of the items I own recording/ musical instruments have been bought from estate sales and yard sales. I'm not talking Craigslist...mainly I focus on sales in which individuals are trying to get rid of clutter and are basically offering gear at reasonable or cheap prices. This method of buying gear takes time! It also includes having the ability or knowing someone with the knowledge of simple gear repair. I've bought countless amps / mics that were considered broken, but having simple soldering skill goes a long way in saving serious money.

I certainly believe you can find a very good used power conditioner for a fraction of the price. There are many people that start DJ services that business never takes off, and are sitting on some very nice gear. Sometimes you can find this gear for rediculously cheap if you can wake up early and learn proper negotiation tactics. A smile and a good attitude go a long way!

If you can find the time to explore estate sales, you can certainly collect some necessary components to your home studio. Sell or trade items that you are replacing, so you are never actually spending money besides the first initial investment.

My other suggestion would be to research mics and compressors that can be purchased used for decent prices on eBay. I like the Old AT 3035, AT 4033a mics

Also highly recommend the FMR audio RNC. "Really nice compressor" Can find one used for about $100 on eBay. Lots of uses. Versatile. Best comp for the money.

iSA preamp is good, but kinda costly. Might be able to find a refurbished or bstock for a $150 less than a new one. Nevertheless, there are lots of other options in the price range you are suggesting.

Have fun. Good luck!
 
Thank you everyone for your suggestions...and for saving me money!!!
You got me thinking the acoustical treatment I'm doing may not be up to par so I need to reevaluate that. I'll post dement ions and acoustical treatment ideas once I get it all together and see what you all think.
Thanks again
 
Here are the computer specs to the one I'm about to build. Think it'll be enough?

Case and power supply - Rosewell ATX Computer CAse with 500-Wass Power Supply,Black R519-BK
Mother Board - AS Rock LGA1155 DDR3 SATA3 USB3.0
CPU - Intel Core i7-3770 Quad-Core Processor 3.4 GHz 4 Core LGA 1155
RAM - G.SKILL 8GB (2 x 4GB) Ripjaws X Series DDR3 1600MHz PC3-12800
Hard Drive - Western Digital WD1002FAEX Caviar Black 1tb
Video Card - XFX AMD Radeon HD 6770 Graphics Card
CD or DVD Read or Write - Pioneer Electronnics USA 15x SATA Internal BD/DVD/CD Burner
 
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