Help with setup

[track pusha]

Hey everybody, I got some money coming in and i'm about start my studio. I was wondering could you guys review my setup, or point out any gear that wouldn't be worth picking up. I'm kind of short on cash and don't want to waste any money.

For vocals:

Soundcard: Presonus firepod wit cubase http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Firepod/
preamp: aphex 230 http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/230/
mic: Rode nt2a http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/NT2A/

For beats:

Reason 2.5
korg microKontrol http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/microKONTROL/

Plugins:

Antares Tube http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/TubeNative/
Bias sound soap http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SoundSoap/

 

[scrubs]

I've heard that the firepod has decent preamps, so I don't know if the Aphex would be a worthwhile addition. IMO, you'd be better off getting a good stand-alone preamp (for a different flavor from the presonus) and a separate compression unit. I don't think the bells and whistles of the aphex justify the price when you can do all of that processing (if needed) at mixdown.

For the price of the Aphex, you could get any of the following preamps:

Grace 101 ($530) - supposedly very clean sounding. Probably great for hip-hop
Groove Tubes Brick ($399) - has real tubes (vs. the aphex's starved-plate tube design) and is very smooth sounding (more flattering than the Grace)
FMR Audio Really Nice Preamp ($475) - 2 channel pre that is "really nice"

Then, pick up the FMR Audio Really Nice Compressor ($175), and you're set.

If you really want to go the channel-strip route, I would look at the M-Audio Tampa and the Rane VP12, in addition to the Aphex. I have not tried either of these units, but have read great reviews, especially on the Tampa.

 

[track pusha]

Thanks alot scrubs, i'll take a look at those preamps.