help me choose

[travelin travis]

I want to record vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and bass. I know that I can't do much quality wise on my budget but I was hoping some of you could help me decide. For a mic it's between a Studio Projects B1 and an MXL V67G ($100 each). For a preamp it's between an M Audio AudioBuddy and a Behringer UB1202 mixer($80 each).

I will be using my pc which is AMD 1.4ghz, 256 crucial ddr, 80 gb wd special edition, 16-bit onboard sound, Cool Edit. I

My instruments are a Martin DX1 acoustic, a Lotus strat copy electric, a Line6 Duoverb combo amp, and a Samick jazz bass copy. I have no mics or other equipment. As you can see by my instruments I don't have much money. My music is mostly rock and blues stuff.

I will be recording on no more than 2 inputs at a time and drums will be done on pc with software. Until now I have been recording through a computer mic and monitoring on pc speakers so anything will be an improvement over that but I would like to get decent quality recordings.

In a couple months I will be getting a sound card, either the E-mu 0404 or the M-Audio Audiophile 2496 ($100 each), and a pair of Behringer Truth 2031A monitors ($200).

My absolute budget for this stuff is $500. I was hoping someone could help me decide on a mic, preamp, and soundcard. I don't think I can get better monitors than the Behringers for $200.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[robgb]

Go with the E-MU 0404, it's newer and better. Ignore anyone who tells you its just a glorified Audigy. It's not true. It has pristine sound and some solid fx that can be used as vst plugs to save on CPU strain.

Go with the SP B1. It's a great little mic. If you go to the right place, you can pick it up for only $79.

The preamp is a tougher call. Studio Projects has a pretty nice one that doesn't cost much. On the budget end is the Behringer Tube Ultragain MIC200 ($50), which is probably fine for what you're doing. But plan to upgrade in the future.

As for the Truths, I've never seen them anywhere for only $200, unless you're getting them off ebay -- or you're looking at the passives, not the actives. For less than $100 more, you might want to talk to deepwater and look at the Wharfedale 8.2 Pro-Actives. They're among the best in the price range.

Rob Gregory-Browne
The Digital Diving Board
http://www.digitaldivingboard.com

 

[travelin travis]

Thanks for the reply robgb. I may have misread the ad for the Truth monitors. They are new but that price may only be for one, not the pair. I will have to contact the retailer to find out.

How can I contact Deep Water? I have read here and on other sites that the Wharfdale 8.2's are the only thing worth having in the low price range. What is your opinion on that? I'm reconsidering my situation. Maybe I should get some good monitors first and just listen through them for awhile.

Also do you know where I might find a b1 for $79?

I really dig your site and your post on "elitists" was right on.