Building the Project Studio - Piece by Piece (some opinions?)

[ImAcoustic]

Hey Everyone...

I've been a big fan of homerecording.com and figured it was time to ask some advice. (Blue Bear if you are reading this - you are always extremely helpful and I thank you for that):


So I'm stuck between a rock and hard place as I don't know what to buy next... my project studio is modest - not the greatest gear - but it does a pretty decent job. My main focus is simply two acoustic guitars, vocals, some piano and aux percussion. Here's the setup thus far:


- Lexicon Core2 (which is discontinued and not upgradable past Win98)
- Fostex VM88 digital mixer (ADAT and Optical Outputs)
- M-Audio SP-8 Studiophile Monitors
- AKG C3000, C1000
- (2) Oktava MC-012 (with single capsule)
- SM58, Pearl Condenser, (3) Sennheiser 835, random misc mics.
- Behringer Autocom Pro (crap) and GEQ3102
- Sennheiser HD280 Headphones
- Headphone Distributor
- PII 350 with 256 RAM, Cakewalk 9.0, Sound Forge 6.0 etc...
- Taylor 510 Acoustic, Roland FP-3 Digital Piano, Seagull Acoustics, assorted guitar gear... pedals etc... Roland Loop Station (which ROCKS btw), Ibanzez SR800 Fretless Bass, Fender Jazz Bass, Fender Acoustisonic Jr., Fender BXR 300 with 15" and 4x10 cabs, Fender Hot Rod Deluxe 112

I'm sure I forgot stuff.

I am looking into buying a Presonus MP20 next..... but I really am not sure what to do in terms of the next step with gear. I'm really open to suggestions, but like many of you that read this, money is always tight... What can I do? I'm not looking into making the room into an acoustic chamber or anything - I still live at home so that is gonna have to wait. Monster Cables are nice.. but really expensive, so they're on hold too. Replacing the sound card is also on hold because I figure I'll build a new DAW soon enough - so basically I'm looking for gear that will remain constant. Comments? Fire away.

Thanks everyone!

robb.

 

[The Green Hornet]

Yo Coustics of Sound:]

Sounds like you have a large inventory of gear.

Cables: Mogami and Canare are as good as Monster and they cost way less.

I do have a Monster keyboard/synth cable and it works fine with its golden coating on the plugs.

And, I bought one Zaolla mic cable before I discovered the quality of Mogami or Canare might have been just as good and much less $$. But, there is a zillion pounds on cables on the site.

I use an ART mic pre, dual channel but am hoping to snag a deal on a Grace Design 101 after New Year's day. You can punch up Grace Design on the net and look at their specs/reviews.

Looks like we dudes on this site keep the economy moving forward by buying gear.

Happy New Year
Green Hornet

 

[ImAcoustic]

I can't believe no one has suggestions as to any particular order they purchased gear in?? Are you all just sleeping after a holiday feast or something......


Any ideas? I'm open to suggestions.

Robb

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

I think you'd be better-off with an FMR Audio RNP rather than the Presonus....

The Presonus is usable and all, but I think the RNP has it beat for budget pres!

OR look into a Grace 101 (or 201 - 2-channels)....

As to more gear.... I recommend you don't buy just for the sake of buying.... buy gear as required based on need at the time, as you go along with your projects....