Help With Project Studio

[_mat_]

Hey guys, I'm trying to help my friend build up his project studio. As for now he has a pretty good amount of equipment but could really use some good recommendations when it comes to microphones and preamps. At this moment he's been using an AT4033, AKGC1000, and some cheap CAD mic for all of his vocal purposes. The vocals have been turning out okay, but when we recently had the chance to use a Shure KSM44, he was blown away at how much better his recordings were turning out. He's now focusing on improving his gear, hoping that it will attract more business. We're looking for some good recommendations with regards to different condensors and vocal mics (ribbons and dynamics included). I was telling him to look into purchasing an AKGC414 or maybe something a bit cheaper like a rhode ntk. The price has to stay below a $1000, simply because he's investing money in other areas such as sound acoustics and newer preamps/compressors. I also wanted to know what your recommendations would be for a mic pre with atleast 2 channels. Combo pres with a compressor and/or eq built in? Once again, he's trying to get the best performance and most options for under a $1000. I want to see what other people will come up with as options for him. Once I get your ideas and I'm going to shoot them by him and we'll get the ball rolling. Thanks guys, we both appreciate it.

 

[chris-from-ky]

you told us what mics he's got but not what pres he's already using. Care to enlighten us?

I've been told a Great River ME1-NV and a Soundelux U195 make a fine front end. For what it's worth.

 

[_mat_]

I'm sorry about that, i was in a rush towards the end of posting. As for now, he's using the preamps included with the MOTU 896 firewire daw. They sound decent, but once again...they probably won't compliment a new microphone as much as possible. He also has two or three DBX 166's, but that's it for the compression end of his studio. Some other daws that he has is a digi 001, m-audio delta, and a bunch of midi gear laying around. I'm really trying to get him to focus more on the quality of his gear as opposed to the quantity of gear. Any ideas anyone??