If you had 10,000 to put together a studio

  • Thread starter Thread starter Cody
  • Start date Start date
C

Cody

New member
I need to figure out the best studio I could put together for 10,000 I am so confused and frustrated. Do I go ADAT? or PC? or do I do both? I am moving into a house with a Basement and setting up there. I have recorded major projects and have used ADAT so I have an idea how to run those and i am alright when it comes to regular PC work. I have access to all software free, which is one reason to think about PC... I don't know. All I do know is I have a lot of money once and I don't want to buy the wrong things.. I want to be able to do some recording as close to pro as poss. HELP PLEASE! Oh and is protools not only an editing program or is it recording too?

Thanks
Cody
 
Just one man's oppinion.....I'd go
ADAT. For portability and compatabillity!
You can go to almost any studio in any city and find an ADAT. You can carry an ADAT in a suitcase when you travel! Try that with a computer based system.

You're going to need a good microphone and preamp either way. Some effects units and a mixer. if you go ADAT. So that 10 grand will go pretty quickly!

Have fun!

Dom Franco
 
yes, yes i like sheep, why? and no i dont own any laderhosen...oh! hey sorry wrong post.

sorry bout that...
hey you're in the same position i was in iwont spend a dime till i know whats going on first. yes protools is a recordeer aswell as an editor.

ok i have a "Q" for ya what do you need? not do you want see for me all i need is a tascam 488mk2 an fx processor a compressor a couple of mid-range condensor mics(AKG c3000), and thats it after all his talk ing here thats all i needed....

do you need editing do you need a huge mixer do you need ect....

see if i was able to spend that much i would go get a used 24 track 2" tape record and a decent mixer. but thats me. so choose what you need fist(i.e do i need digital adats how many)than the other stuff is icing on the cake..
hope i helped if not just yell at me thats all every one does any whay..
 
I wish I had that 10,000.....But if you got it, all the more power to you. To me, a number of factors would be involved before making a serious decision with that money. All in all, I would say do both. A good PC base should run you about $2500(CAN), & an ADAT, I would assume about the same...That's about $5000 left. EFX & PROCESSORS included in the comp package (Make sure you get a large screen, BIGGGGGGG Hard Drive!!) I know if you go MAC there is an 'ADAT connects' package which would prove quite useful but buying a MAC might be slightly more expensive. I think a combination of both (ADAT & COMP) would offer you the compatibility, versatility and competitive edge you need.. Factor in the time for getting familiar with the programs....Cubase is a little bit tricky... What about good monitors/an AMP? I'm not too familiar with the price of a good mike but I think the key to spending that 10 grand is RESEARCH!
 
slow down there pilgrim. I have about ten grand to pop out too, but I am only gonna use five of it. why? because I did some homework, just like you. Heres my shopping list for what its worth.
New Puter. Personally I am going Mac because it is the best for audio applications. G3, not the new G4 (because we have yet to see if the G4 will interface flawlessly and we know the G3 will)$1500

Interface of choice for me. MOTU2408. This is a jam up interface. sound card and rack mount 24 input 8 output gadget. three ADAT ports. Cost. one grand. By the way it has software for mac.

next. Alesis ADAT. speaks for itself. perfect for saving worked tracks. portable. and industry standard. Cost @1000.

Next. Software packages will bust me for about a grand. between the litteral mixing/editing packages, and all the damn effects plug ins and CD mastering sch-wammies. But they are needed.
all told, five grand. This will boot us common Joes with a "redbook" quality CD ready to burn. That jumps us to a few other factors. A cheap mixer is a plus. 250-300. no need for anything fancy. don't let them kid you. A mixer is little more than a patch bay with pots to control volume. We love em cuz we know them. your software will have mixer like menues. Gotta have a mic or two. shop around but get a good one. Oh and monitors are also needed. Personally I like the Alesis monitor one or Event 20/20. no problems at all for a basement shop. as long as I am adding things, get a decent beefy amp for the monitors. nothing worse than having the rack and not enough power to push it. it leaves one with terrible hiss and clip potential.
 
WOA! were did you get a adat for $1000.00?
let out the secret to all please.
 
I always have an opinion, so I will contribute.

First, I could think of no way to stay at 10K. If you are seeking the "big boy" stuff, you just can't do it. So, my bid is running at about 15K here. Mind you that we are still not talking about a setup that can compete with studios that have consoles that cost at least $200K! Monitors that cost $20K. Decks that run $50K. Racks of mic pre's and dynamic processors that run $2K a piece, etc....

Something to think about.

Soundcraft Ghost 24X24X8X2 $4500
Type I ADAT's X 2 (used) $2000
Computer with ADAT card etc. $2000
this will give you 24 tracks if you shop right for the computer, plus editing ability, plus some automation to augment the Ghosts automation.
AT 4033 X 2 $800
AKG C 1000 S $200
SM-57 X 6 $450
AT Pro-25 $180
ART Dual MP X 2 $500
Behringer Composer X 2 $500
Event 20/20 passive $350
Hafler P-3000 amp $700
Wiring for everything $500
Effects (low end for now) $1000
look for some used LXP-1's and 5's, and some Quadraverbs.
Mic Stands $300
DAT Fostex D-5 $1000
OZ Audio Headphone amp $250
Good Headphones X 5 $400

Total $15,630

Here is the deal. You can shave off some stuff if you have access to it, like the 57's, mic stands. Save about $700 right there.

You will need the ability to record and monitor several tracks at once in sessions with the whole band.

If this is going to be a commercial enterprise, you can't be messing around with computer recording unless you have at least $12,000 to spend just for the Pro-Tools and computer. Not including mic pre-amps, monitors, mics, etc........A PC based multi-track system is not really going to do much for you in the case that you are recording 12 tracks at once, which would be a full rythm section with a scatch vocal on a 4 piece band. You could look into a Sound Scape system, they are a bit less than Pro Tools, but still a hefty price to pay.

God, I could go on and on, but don't really have the time nor the desire to advise for free.......LOL

But I will stand behind the fact that Computer recording for what you want to do is totally out of the question unless you have maybe 20K to start. 10K is just too little to get a complete setup going. A loan maybe?

Good luck.
Ed Rei
Echo Star Studio www.echostarstudio.com
 
silly question...why cant you record 12 tracks at once with a computer ? if your computers powerful enough , its possible... you can sync up 3 laylas for a total of 24 inputs ..

- eddie -
 
ADAT for a grand, no big secret. The Alesis LX20 lists for $1899.00. Musicians friend will sell it for $1499.99. And nearly any used shop will have one for a grand. It's not the end all to beat all modles. But it is great for backup. Inputs, outputs and 20 bit.
 
Try running 12 tracks at once of 16 or 20 bit, 48K audio to your $2000 computer sometime. :) What ever card you want.

Ed
 
::: sigh ::: i dont want to try ... i want to know WHY it wont work... i think if you had enough memory and a fast enough hard drive it could be done.. and for about 2 grand.. anyone out there ever try it or want to give it a try ?

- eddie -
 
WOW 10,000 bucks

I live in australia so where ever you are that would be at least 15,000 here so i will work on that.(alowing i have the PRG's)

15000
Pentium 3 550
two 5 gig scsi HD's
128mg of ram (only good ram)
40X CD ROM DRIVE -3400(MAX with windows)
Yamaha's best internal Burner -700
Midi Man DELTA 1010 -1700
Mackie 1604 -1000(best price)
ART’s PRO VLA (guessed price) -2300
MPX 1 -2000
2*Rode NT2 -1400
AKG kick mic -400
4*beta57 -800
Beyer mic set -1600
SM58 -150
Cables and rack about -800
total -1250
which in your currency would work out about right you may even have left over.

HAWLK

Actully mabey kill some of the Beyer mics (leave some) and the sm58 and get some headphones and monitors (Senheiser 425's (good cheap) and 2020bass or Tannoy active reveals)

[This message has been edited by HAWLK (edited 11-25-1999).]
 
Just a thought ,
after spending a small fortune at a local studio , only to find out we had non-usable tracks , my wife and I decided to buy the gear . We RENTED several units before we made our decision , and I think this is the most intelligent way to go .
Find out what you like best then go shopping , and make sure you shop ! We were ready to pay $700.00 for an Alesis Q20 until we read the review on this website , and noticed the price listed in the review , and were able to use that information to get our local store to match it .
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top