First Studio: Please Everyone Chime In

[himey77]

BRAND newbie here, looking to set-up Mac g4 based studio. I have noticed a lot of studio set-up posts are not responded to because the poster lacks detail in what they are trying to accomplish. So here I go. I play jazz, blues, metal, emo, rock, and acoustic music. Recording spaces include basement, bedroom, closets, bathroom, etc. Need to record drums (full acoustic kit), amps (bass and electric guitar), acoustic guitar, vocals, ethnic percussion (djembe, dumbek). First purchase will be hardware interface, RODE NTK, and an SM 57. Looking at the MOTU 828mkII, or 896HD, but have recently been intrigued by the Tascam DM_24 with new firewire card option. Both have sufficient mic pres 'til I can afford outboard gear, but I'm thinking my simultaneous track count will end up around 10, when I have the mics, for the drum kit and guitar at the same time. Acoustic treatment, cables, monitors (will start with 7506's 'til I can afford Mackie 824's or Dynaudio BM6A, and software (leaning HARD towards Logic Plat. 6 almost definetely) are all realizations. See the thing is I see all these newbies being told that they don't need expensive gear to start out cause they don't know how to use it, but I would rather extensively learn the gear I end up buying than waste my money constantly upgrading. The learning curve is just something my patience and intelligence will just have to overcome. I know how complicated this stuff can be, and I don't even own and recording equipment yet, all I do is read forums for advice!! Unlike most recording enthusiasts my set-up does not have to be PORTABLE!! I have a Sony DAT that is great for field recording and stereo recordings of my live shows. I have $3000 to purchase what I need to get started. Here's what I have: Mac G4 OSX.?, PRS MCarty, Fender and Marshall amps, Yorkville Bass Amp, Shure SM58, Korg M-1 keyboard (will use as piano and MIDI controller, lots of stompboxes, Line 6 filter pro, mic stands, instrument cables, dedication, and a load of creativity. I want to make a combo between Drum and Bass, folk, hardcore, and free jazz. My ideas for my music include the sounds of Absynth, Battery, Atmosphere, Lexicon, and my PRS with a kick ass live band. Just need help with the soundcard, to mixer or not to mixer, software, and the advice of gracious home audio engineers. Thanks for your time.

 

[PapillonIrl]

My suggestion:

RME Digiface

RME - CardBus Interface

Swissonic - AD24 MKII

Swissonic - DA96 MKII

Lucid Genx6 Word Clock

2 x MXL 603s mics

1 x AKG D112


This will only give you eight channels, but it is a good signal chain, easily expandable by adding more converters. Check out Tubedudes post on minimalist drum micing to see how to get great result with not many mics.

This is similar to the system I have just decided on. I didn't quite get from your post if the three grand have to cover monitors too. But the hr824s are worth hanging on for IMO. I have them, and although they can be a little to flattering at the start, they are a pleasure to work with and after a few months you get used to them. Just be sure to check your mixes on as many systems as you can, whatever monitors you're using.

This should leave you some change to try out some vocal mics\outboard whatever, as these should really be auditioned first by the person using them.


Hope this helps.

Nathan

 

[PapillonIrl]

Actually I know FA about Mac's, they do have PCI slots yes ?