Does this sound like a good project/demo studio

[ColdAsh]

Warning very long post! (you only have to read it, I had to write it )

Also I realise this post isnt stricly a computers and soundcards based thread but it covers alot of areas and this seemed as good a place as any to post it

I was listening to an acoustic demo of a song I did with a friend a few months ago at my friends tonight and was amazed at how good it sounded considering the equipment I've got. It got me to thinking (and ive been considering this for a week or so) about upgrading my very small scale home studio. I've also found out that I may be coming into a bit of money (possible $5000). So I'd like to get your thoughts on the studio I'd like to have done by the end of the year.
I want as much of this to be quality equipment that i will continue to use if my studio grows and will give me as professional a result as possible.
My current set up is:
P4 2.8, 512 MB PC 3200 Ram, 2 80gig 7200 hard drives, XP and a 19 inch monitor
M-Audio Omni studio
Mind print envoice
Rode NT1000 and a SM57
Pod Line 6 v2, a Fender Twin Reverb, a 1980 Gibson Les Paul, an Epiphone Sheraton II (my friend has a Ricky 360 and a 70's Maton 12 sting acoustic)
A pair of beyerdynamic DT 770 pros (no studio monitors ATM)
And finaly Logic Gold v 4.whatever it is

Here's what i have planned to buy

1) Fxpansion BFD (www.fxpansion.com)
What what ive seen this looks bloody brilliant and will allow my to put drums in my demos because i can be bothered getting a drummer and recording in a studio
Also i was thinking of getting a M-Audio Oxygen 8 keyboard to help with doing the midi track for the drums

2)An Avalon VT-737SP
I need one quality preamp/compressor/EQ and this seems to be a well respected, quality unit. But feel free to offer any other suggestions

3)A Rode NTK
I need a decent mic for vocals and acoustic guitar but i dont want to pay too much. Im realy happy with my NT1000 for what it is and Im sticking with rode. I might consider getting a K2 if my money will allow it. Let me know if you think it would be worth the extra cash.

4)M-Audio Studiophile BX5
These seem to be the cheapest studio monitors around and i trust M-Audio. I know better monitors would help my mixing alot but I realy only plan on recording stuff for myself and to learn with so i can handle getting something crappier but cheaper

5)Cubase SX2
There's no point in sticking with Logic since im running windows. I've played around with SX1 which fell of the back of Kazaa (i know its wrong but it was realy only to try out the full version of SX and I am going to buy a copy soon or go back to logic) I can get an Acedemic copy of ebay fairly cheaply (im a uni student to its all legit

6)UAD-1 Project pack
I would have loved to have a DSP card with some decent plug ins but even the cheap UAD-1 has been to pricey for my. Now with the release of the project pack and the money i hope to have its possible. Some quality plug ins should help quite a bit to make my recordings sould atleast partly professional and the plugins that come with the project pack should be enough to get my going. Do you know if its possible to upgrade to studio pack seeing as though the card is the same.

Thats pretty much it except for another copy of XP so i can have a dual boot set up (using partition magic which i already own). If you've gotten this far thank you for taking the time to read my post. I'd love to hear your thoughts on my new studio (which ofcourse may not happen for atleast another year if i dont get the $5000)
All up with buying a couple of things off ebay im guessing this will cost me between $6500-$6700 Australian)

And if you want just post the stuff in this thread relating to computers and soundcards (eg point 1 5 and 6).
Because i might do a few small posts in threads relevant to the other points with links going her so i dont have to go through all this again.
Cheers!

 

[Middleman]

1) Fxpansion BFD (www.fxpansion.com)

There is no substitute for a real drummer either live or programming for you. They just think in the pocket vs. a non musician or guitar player. I am a guitar player and the tracks I build for myself never stand up to the same tracks gone over by my drummer.

But, that software is great!!

2)An Avalon VT-737SP

The EQ and compressor are the best part of the Avalon. The preamp is very neutral sounding but, as an all purpose preamp, its fine.


3)A Rode NTK

Either the NTK or an AT4060. Depends on the voice as always.

4)M-Audio Studiophile BX5

IF you get the sub in addition to these, they are wonderful for mixing. Without the sub, its like mixing in the dark. You should also look at the new 8 inch Events, they port out the front and have received recent raves in the magazines.

5)Cubase SX2

Or Sonar Producer

6)UAD-1 Project pack

Must have in my book. These are the best plug ins for software par none. The collection of compressors is like owning $20,000 worth of today’s external gear.

Soundcard - One or more of the Lynx cards. Best convertors out there under $1000 for in the box. They beat some ADDA solutions priced up to $2000. However, if you just need stereo there are possibly better external solutions.

 

[ColdAsh]

To anyone who has BFD

Would it be a good idea to get a simple midi keyboard for programming the drums to go along with BFD?
Also is it possible to have to keys on the keyboard mapped to the same instrument, making it easier to do drum rolls?
Finaly, I assume from what ive read on the BDF each piece of the drum kit aswell as the other mics can but outputted to a channel in the mixer as a wve file right?

 

[ColdAsh]

Thanks for the advice. BFD is realy one of the main reasons ive decided to improve my studio. Whithout it recording drums probably wouldnt happen. Firstly we'd need to get a drummer and then we'd need to rehearse regulary enough so he could learn the songs. This way we (my other songwriting friend and me) do our own drums and do all the recording in out own time. I want the drums to sound as good as possible but if it doesnt sound as good as a real drummer that doesnt matter because its realy just so we can have a recording of our songs 'in the full'.
Any recommendations on a decent midi keyboard anyone?

As far as sound cards go im happy enough with my Omni studio and will probably only replace it with my next major studio upgrade (which wont be for a few years).
I think i'll go for M-Audio Studiophile BX8s instead of BX5s based on peoples reaction to them.

All in all i want my recordings to sound as professional as possible but im not doing this with the intention of it being for other people. Its for me (and my friend) to here our songs the way we do in our heads and to improve my (almost no existant) skills in audio engineering and mixing.