Help Building Hybrid Studio In Basement

  • Thread starter Thread starter The REAL Jigsaw
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The REAL Jigsaw

The REAL Jigsaw

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*for the sake of reading all this, you can jump ahead to post 8 if you want to see where this thread has lead to*




okay i know there are several users asking the same question, but i just wanna make sure that i'm well informed on my particular situation.

well 1st off i am looking to recreate a hybrid studio which consist of PC software and external hardware. the genre of music that it should be tailored to is hip-hop.

now what you should know is my budget is at 3000CDN.

i would like to also mention some things that i will be buying aside from the 3000 worth of equipment.

-64-Bit Laptop
-SONAR 5 64-bit Version
-24-bit removeable soundcard

i don't know all that goes into a hybrid setup, but would like to know all the other required hard/softwares that will be necessary in setting it up.

also, the studio will be in my basement. please only mention stuff that is absolutely necessary to record, mix and master DEMO/Pro level tracks.

i think i am definately buying a 64-bit computer, a 24-bit soundcard, and SONAR 5. what else is needed? like what mixers, mics, monitors, software, etc. remember to keep in mind that my budget is only at 3000CDN.

thanx in advance
 
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A Basic PC based recording system has a signal chain. A basic chain will usually look like this:
Sound - Mic - cable - Preamp - Interface (soundcard) - computer - software - interface - monitors

You've got a computer planned for, as well as software, I'm not sure what you mean by a '24-bit' soundcard, but if you're talking about an interface than you'll need to be a bit more specific...

Cause you're doing hip-hop you're not likely going to be needing more that one or two channels of vocals, and you'll likely create all your beats on the computer - am I right?

For 3 grand, I'd spend about 4-500 on sound treatment (learn about making acoustic panels using 703 fiberglass insulation). I'd spend another 500 on a two channel interface/convertor like a focusrite saffire, 750 on monitors like the Tannoy reveal 6's, and the rest on a good mic or two and a great preamp. Don't forget that you'll need some money for things like cables (make sure they're quality) and other little studio items and you'll be set!

Jacob
 
okay i'm starting to see the idea a bit. Jacob, if you have the time, can you give me direct links to everything that you recommend, including mics (i'm thinking of getting 2), preamp, software and everything. what would be even better is if you can give me links of where to buy them, because i noticed you're from calgary, so prices would be the same somewhat from where you shop and i (toronto). thannx again.
 
Please don't get that sound card. You'll regret it.

Get something pro-sumer that's meant for recording. Shop around at Musiciansfriend.com to get some ideas.
 
okay thank you for advising me against that soundcard. anyways, can you let me know if the fastest PC is really necessary to run SONAR 5 64-bit version smoothly. i'd say maybe Dual Core processor with 2 GB RAM is my choice. I want everything to run as smooth as possible on the dual-core, but don't know if i should just save on the laptop specs.

i am thinking to buying a laptop that has Intel Core 2 Duo in it, when they release, but would like to know if a modern 64-bit PC with 2 GB DDR2 RAM would more than do the job, instead of holding out for the more expensive Core 2 Duo.
 
What is driving you in the direction of a laptop? I record on a laptop too but for reaons that are a little unique to my setup (I occasionally do remote live recording and editing) that I don't necessarily see in yours.

If there is a reason to go laptop that you haven't mentioned then get an external USB or firewire sound interface rather than a PCMCIA. Since I am not sure what your budget limits are I will just point you in the direction of m-Audio, who has a pretty broad range of good quality products in this area
 
no reason in particular as to why i want the laptop, i just do. but after some consideration, i could go for either one.

so from some research i gathered and based on the diagram jkokura has shown me, this is what i've come up with getting:

---------

MIC: Marshall Electronics MXL V57M Studio Condenser Mic
CABLES: ???
PREAMP: MOTU UltraLite 10x14 FireWire Interface with MIDI
INTERFACE: Focusrite Saffire Firewire Audio Interface with DSP
COMPUTER: High-End PC
SOFTWARE: SONAR 5 / FL Studio 6 / Reason 3.0
INTERFACE: ++i don't understand what this part is++
MONITORS: KRK RP5 Rokit Powered 2-Way Active Monitor

---------

i would like anyone reading to correct me with products they might think is a better choice to go with. please also provide a reason as to why you think your product would be a better choice for me instead of the one above. thank you.
 
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The REAL Jigsaw said:
no reason in particular as to why i want the laptop, i just do. but after some consideration, i could go for either one.

so from some research i gathered and based on the diagram jkokura has shown me, this is what i've come up with getting:

---------

MIC: Marshall Electronics MXL V57M Studio Condenser Mic
CABLES: ???
PREAMP: MOTU UltraLite 10x14 FireWire Interface with MIDI
INTERFACE: Focusrite Saffire Firewire Audio Interface with DSP
COMPUTER: High-End PC
SOFTWARE: SONAR 5 / FL Studio 6 / Reason 3.0
INTERFACE: ++i don't understand what this part is++
MONITORS: KRK RP5 Rokit Powered 2-Way Active Monitor

---------

i would like anyone reading to correct me with products they might think is a better choice to go with. please also provide a reason as to why you think your product would be a better choice for me instead of the one above. thank you.
Click to expand...


I think more than suggestions you shoudl do some more research, you are on the right track but you seem to be missing some basic concept stuff. Your preamps have converters built in and your interface will take care of that. you seem to be listing 2 interfaces really. A preamp will be jsut to boost your mic signal, the higher quality ones will do so cleanly and allow your tracks to stack together without getting muddy and noisy. an interface will convert your analog (microphone) signals to digitalk and process your digitial (samples, sofware plugins etc) stuff in the computer, the interface will also sometimes have preamps built in, and help pass the converted signal into your PC via firewire, USB, or through a PCI slot.

You are looking toward hip hop right? here is one set up, i haven't used all this stuff i am reccomending some of it by reputation:

Mic: AT 4050 or something similiar in this range. Maybe the SP T3, or Rode NTK, if your space is untreated possible Shure SM7 or EV RE20 which will be less likely to pick up every little (bad) sound bouncing around your space SM7 is usually lauded as really nice for vocals.

pre: cheap Alesis DMP3, more spendy FMR RNPA or the Brick perhaps.

good luck,
Daav
 
The REAL Jigsaw said:
no reason in particular as to why i want the laptop, i just do. but after some consideration, i could go for either one.

so from some research i gathered and based on the diagram jkokura has shown me, this is what i've come up with getting:

---------

MIC: Marshall Electronics MXL V57M Studio Condenser Mic
CABLES: ???
PREAMP: MOTU UltraLite 10x14 FireWire Interface with MIDI
INTERFACE: Focusrite Saffire Firewire Audio Interface with DSP
COMPUTER: High-End PC
SOFTWARE: SONAR 5 / FL Studio 6 / Reason 3.0
INTERFACE: ++i don't understand what this part is++
MONITORS: KRK RP5 Rokit Powered 2-Way Active Monitor

---------

i would like anyone reading to correct me with products they might think is a better choice to go with. please also provide a reason as to why you think your product would be a better choice for me instead of the one above. thank you.
Click to expand...

Getting the Motu and the Focusrite is getting two of the same thing. They are both interfaces with preamps built into them.

I suggest something like - AT 4050 into a M Audio Tampa, to a Focusrite Saffire, to your computer, back to the safire and then to the KRK monitors...

For cabling, I recommend either building your own, or getting someone to make them for you. I'll make you custom cables if you want - then you're getting high quality without paying a lot of extra money and you can have exactly the cables you need/want...

Also, you use the same interface to go into and out of you compuer. So you'd use a mic to go into yor pre, then to your interface, than to the computer, than back out through the same interface, then to the monitors.

Jacob
 
jkokura said:
Getting the Motu and the Focusrite is getting two of the same thing. They are both interfaces with preamps built into them.

I suggest something like - AT 4050 into a M Audio Tampa, to a Focusrite Saffire, to your computer, back to the safire and then to the KRK monitors...

For cabling, I recommend either building your own, or getting someone to make them for you. I'll make you custom cables if you want - then you're getting high quality without paying a lot of extra money and you can have exactly the cables you need/want...

Also, you use the same interface to go into and out of you compuer. So you'd use a mic to go into yor pre, then to your interface, than to the computer, than back out through the same interface, then to the monitors.

Jacob
Click to expand...
Correct, in jkoura's description of the signal chain not everything is necessarily in a separate box an in the case of the interface the interface is usually the same unit in both directions.

Jigsaw, since you want to go the firewire route you might also want to look at these units.
http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--MDOFWAP2496
http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--MDOFWSOLO
http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--MDOFW410
http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--MDOFW1814
or if you like the idea of a control surface
http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--MDOPROJECTIO
 
Here's a question for you...

Where in Canada are you? I'm in Calgary, and if you want some help locating gear, let me know and I'll give you a hand...

jacob
 
there is another thread in the newbie section i started that seems to be helping me too. i think it's better of me discussing it there because i'm just a noob here and need ALOT of help. thank you.

oh yeah, forgot to mention to jacob, i'm from toronto.
 
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