Home Studio suggestion

[Chinle Charlie]

Howdy,

I'm new here. I spent the better part of the evening doing some research & I'm looking for some suggestions.

I've recorded two CDs in professional studios and had good experiences. But now I'd like to be able to work at home. So I'm thinking about going the home studio route. I'm a singer/songwriter who does contemporary folk, traditional folk, and children's music. So the absolute most important thing for me is to get good clean vocals and acoustic guitar sounds. On top of that I'd like to have the capability to add sequnced click tracks & tastefully (hopefully!) done synthesized percussion. And then mandolin, harmonica, fiddle, accordian...that kind of stuff.

I think I have about a $5000 to start. The only equipment I own are guitars and my voice. I'd like to put together a system that can be used to do a high quality project from beginning to end. Is this even possible? I don't want an "electronic" sounding record - I want warm acoustic sounds. Is this possible? I'd also like it to be a system I can add to over time - someday I hope to have the space to build a decent basement studio space.

I guess I'm asking if anyone is willing to suggest a dream system for my budget. I know I'll need a couple good mics and at least 16 tracks. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,
Chuck
www.chuckcheesman.net

 

[seryozha]

My suggestion....

You probably didn't want to hear this answer but my suggestion is to get a stand alone system to start. Maybe a 4-track and a real good condensor mic.

These standalone 4-tracks arent very expensive...$400 tops.

If you jump into the high end equipment from the get-go...you will be spending more time figuring out how the shtuff works and less time recording.



Just my suggestion though.

Hope it helps

 

[Ronan]

There are a number of ways you could go abou this, depending on whether or not you are going to get a computer involved or not. Also if you can shop on the used market it can help your money go further.

Based on the kind of music your are doing, I would suggest that you spend a good chunk of your money on one or two really nice mics and a really nice mic pre amp. Mics will be your most important pieces of gear for acoustic recording. Dont scrimp there.

The next big choice is if you want to get into a computer or not. A computer offers a lot of options, but can rerally bog a lot of people down. You many want to consider putting together a studio for tracking and still using commercial studios (and engineers) to mix your stuff. It can help make better mixes and you do not need to spend as much money on your studio...just a thought

 

[Chinle Charlie]

Thanks for the suggestions. I used to own a Tascam 4-Track and a modest MIDI set-up with a Roland JV-30 and a sequencer. I don't think I want to go that route this time. I'm more interested in creating a finished product than a demo.

I'll probably try to stay away from using a PC. We mastered my first CD on a PC and I wasn't crazy about the process. I'm looking at the Roland studios right now. There is no rush & I realize I have a lot to learn.

Thanks again,
Chuck

 

[kragbax]

I'll probably try to stay away from using a PC. We mastered my first CD on a PC and I wasn't crazy about the process. I'm looking at the Roland studios right now. There is no rush & I realize I have a lot to learn.

I'm with you on PC thing... I'm still a novice at recording (recorded a LOT about 15 years or so ago - complete analog / reel to reel of course but have basically been out of it for over 13 years).. and I just can't get into using a PC for music. I tried it briefly back in the mid-90's. I also recently downloaded a few commercial demo's (Sonar, n-Track, etc.). But I just can't seem to warm up to it. I work on computers day in/day out. 8+ hours a day. Maybe that's my issue. Or more probably I just associate recording (from my old days doing it) to twisting buttons on an analog desk instead of navigating menu's and 'plug-ins'. I've had a couple stand alone units. They work(ed) great. But because I want something more flexible, upgradable, etc. I'm personally considering a stand alone 24 track digital recorder and (most probably) analog mixer. I like having those buttons Just personal preference I guess.

Your last line nailed it though - read and learn. Decide exactly what it is you want to be able to do, and learn what you can about the process in todays recording world.

As they say in carpentry, measure twice - cut once. Well to paraphrase - read everything twice - buy once.

-Krag

 

[venuesound]

I have recently purchased the Alesis HD24 hard disk recorder and 3 Behringer 8 channel pre-amps, ADA8000. the sound is still warm and analog- like but with the ability to edit as much as you like. connections from the pres to the HD24 are ADAT lightpipe but the pres also have 1/4 analog outs. this way I can come off tape, through a board and back into the HD24 for bouncing tracks. The rig was between 2 and 3K. If you are looking toward recording you should take the time to evaluate the HD24, very nice stuff..