If you had a $50,000 budget to build a studio in your basement, what mixing board and recorder would you buy? I like the Mackie Digital 8 board but like the Tascam MX2424 recorder. All opinions appreciated!
If you had $50,000
- Thread starter cnote763
- Start date
http://members.aol.com/KENDISCEYE/truth.html
Seriously, I think that with that budget you should be able to get a very good set up going, but I'll leave the exact do's and don't to the pros.
But be sure not to cross post
Seriously, I think that with that budget you should be able to get a very good set up going, but I'll leave the exact do's and don't to the pros.
But be sure not to cross post
MISTERQCUE
Not Just Anutha Brutha
This smells a little like "Ken D.Webber"!
Wide Awake
New member
I've got way more than $50,000 that I could spend on recording gear but why would I spend that much unless I was going to start a studio and make it a business....in that case I would spend way more than 50 grand.
I will never have tons of equipment in my home studio. Too many wires and boxes and things to connect. I LOVE gear like the next fool but where does it end. I guess if I was going to spend that much I might buy a really, really nice grand piano. It wouldn't become obsolete like the the flavor-of-the-month digital multitracker.
I will never have tons of equipment in my home studio. Too many wires and boxes and things to connect. I LOVE gear like the next fool but where does it end. I guess if I was going to spend that much I might buy a really, really nice grand piano. It wouldn't become obsolete like the the flavor-of-the-month digital multitracker.
drstawl
Banned
I don't want to put words into his mouth but I'm sure sonusman would accept a portion of that $50K to choose some tasty components AND set them up for you. My point being, if you feel your research skills would slow down the process unbearably, pay someone else to design the system.
That said-
What you still have to focus on are your actual needs. What sorts of sounds are you going to try to record? How many inputs do you really need? Is this a fixed or mobile installation? You could spend that much in room treatment alone and still not get around to buying a single mic, cable, pre, recorder or mic stand.
So you have to assess where you stand in that department.
That said-
What you still have to focus on are your actual needs. What sorts of sounds are you going to try to record? How many inputs do you really need? Is this a fixed or mobile installation? You could spend that much in room treatment alone and still not get around to buying a single mic, cable, pre, recorder or mic stand.
So you have to assess where you stand in that department.
kristian
New member
im just posting to get my count up. hehehe. no, actually. what i was saying. why spend $50,000 if you dont know anything about it. you wont use it right if you dont know what it is. you could spend $100,000 to buy a Simtek F1 car from 1994, and have 3 ford engines from that year with it. but i would bet you wouldnt have the slightest clue to what the hell to do... even how to start it. same thing with giant huge studio stuff. baaaaaa... sheep.
in response to Kristian
I was just asking for opinions not for somebody to tell me what to buy. I've done alot of research and have my own ideas on what I want. I value the opinion of alot of these guys on here and was curious to what they had to say. I have more than $50,000 but thought that would be a good starting budget. What mixing board and recorder do you have in your studio?
I was just asking for opinions not for somebody to tell me what to buy. I've done alot of research and have my own ideas on what I want. I value the opinion of alot of these guys on here and was curious to what they had to say. I have more than $50,000 but thought that would be a good starting budget. What mixing board and recorder do you have in your studio?
all this money!!
and I have none of it! with all this money that people have, I'm sure I can find some investors somewhere! anybody want to invest in a san diego studio?
cnote733, with 50K you can put together a nice studio. I'll help you if you want, I have a studio as well. I'm helping another guy put together a studio right now...but you'll have to be prepared for my opinon, it's very straigt forward and to the point. If something sucks, I'll tell you. I've been thorough alot of 'trial and error' with equipment. I'll let you know the good and bad. I probably have alot of the gear you would want (including the MX2424)..so let me know.
-ametth
and I have none of it! with all this money that people have, I'm sure I can find some investors somewhere! anybody want to invest in a san diego studio?
cnote733, with 50K you can put together a nice studio. I'll help you if you want, I have a studio as well. I'm helping another guy put together a studio right now...but you'll have to be prepared for my opinon, it's very straigt forward and to the point. If something sucks, I'll tell you. I've been thorough alot of 'trial and error' with equipment. I'll let you know the good and bad. I probably have alot of the gear you would want (including the MX2424)..so let me know.
-ametth
kristian
New member
yea, its jsut i havent seen you post around so i wasnt sure. ive seen so many people post... what should i do with $xx,xxx that i wasnt sure if you were just another. but yea there are a couple guys here who would be more then glad to help you... im not in their league, so yea listen to ammeth, sonusman, john sayers, there are a couple pros out there.
My intentions
My intentions are to build a nice enough studio to help local bands in my area with demos. I injured my back and received a pretty decent settlement. So, I figure if I can build a studio with my house paid for as well as all the gear I can give bands a very good price. I live in the Peoria Il. area and I believe there is only a few studios in the area, so there isn't much competition in that regard. To help musicians, make a little money doing something I love,is what I'm going for. I appreciate any opinions, advice, suggestions, that you guys have to offer. While I'm rambling on here, has anybody completed the Audio Institute of America home study course? It looks like a decent program but I would like to hear from somebody that has taken the course. Thanks again guys for your comments and keep em' coming, Chris.
My intentions are to build a nice enough studio to help local bands in my area with demos. I injured my back and received a pretty decent settlement. So, I figure if I can build a studio with my house paid for as well as all the gear I can give bands a very good price. I live in the Peoria Il. area and I believe there is only a few studios in the area, so there isn't much competition in that regard. To help musicians, make a little money doing something I love,is what I'm going for. I appreciate any opinions, advice, suggestions, that you guys have to offer. While I'm rambling on here, has anybody completed the Audio Institute of America home study course? It looks like a decent program but I would like to hear from somebody that has taken the course. Thanks again guys for your comments and keep em' coming, Chris.
kristian
New member
right, so on with it.
personally im an analog guy, i like hitting record and going. so if i was to record digital i would lke a machine like the 2424. actually it would be pretty high on the list. only other thing stopping it would be the 24bit DTRS machines. i guess ill list what i would have, well just the building block.
-Tascam MX2424/Fostex G24s or Tascam MSR24
-spirit studio 32 channel
-matched pair of Sm81, U87, AT 4050, royer 121
-a plethora of Sm57, e604, MD421
-how about construction? i would put im not sure.. but a pretty large chunk of whatever you are interested in in construction of rooms, soundproofing, etc.
-High quality cables. whatever floats your boat. looking at $1000 for cable and another $300 for connectors.
-Event 20/20bas
-nice, comfortable studio furniture. including the leather couch behing your comfortable master chair, a nice wooden desk with your console infront and racks to the side of you.
-FX/signal processing/dynamics is just too much to write about.
-i think this list could go on forever.
personally im an analog guy, i like hitting record and going. so if i was to record digital i would lke a machine like the 2424. actually it would be pretty high on the list. only other thing stopping it would be the 24bit DTRS machines. i guess ill list what i would have, well just the building block.
-Tascam MX2424/Fostex G24s or Tascam MSR24
-spirit studio 32 channel
-matched pair of Sm81, U87, AT 4050, royer 121
-a plethora of Sm57, e604, MD421
-how about construction? i would put im not sure.. but a pretty large chunk of whatever you are interested in in construction of rooms, soundproofing, etc.
-High quality cables. whatever floats your boat. looking at $1000 for cable and another $300 for connectors.
-Event 20/20bas
-nice, comfortable studio furniture. including the leather couch behing your comfortable master chair, a nice wooden desk with your console infront and racks to the side of you.
-FX/signal processing/dynamics is just too much to write about.
-i think this list could go on forever.
omnipotent
New member
I had a look at the D8B, it looked pretty impressive, some of the big guys are using it along with their SSL's and Neve's for more channels, I personaly wouldn't buy one, but i've gotten used to anologue boards.
Most of the more experianced people in the BBS won't talk to you when you ask questions similar to the one you have. If you really want their help do some reserch, and ask more detailed question's when you know more about what you want and need (ie. comparisons by product type). It will also be a benefit to you.
A quick list I can think of;
Spend a decent proportion having an acoustic specialist create 2 or more treated rooms (1 control room + at least 1 large iso booth)
A&H gs3000 (console)
A few Lexicon FX units
Mabe look at the RADAR as a recording media or 3 XT20/M20 adats
PIII 800, 256 ram to monitor studio and edit recordings
Appropriate software
Comfortable studio furniture
Necisary instruments (ie. drums, not many bands will carry them around)
A few nice pre's (too bigger subject)
A few compressors (jomeek/DBX/...)
Mics (x*sm57, x*421, 1*RE20, matched sets of 414's, At4050's Neuman...)
But if you don't know how to use this equiptment properly it's almost all usless.
omni...
Most of the more experianced people in the BBS won't talk to you when you ask questions similar to the one you have. If you really want their help do some reserch, and ask more detailed question's when you know more about what you want and need (ie. comparisons by product type). It will also be a benefit to you.
A quick list I can think of;
Spend a decent proportion having an acoustic specialist create 2 or more treated rooms (1 control room + at least 1 large iso booth)
A&H gs3000 (console)
A few Lexicon FX units
Mabe look at the RADAR as a recording media or 3 XT20/M20 adats
PIII 800, 256 ram to monitor studio and edit recordings
Appropriate software
Comfortable studio furniture
Necisary instruments (ie. drums, not many bands will carry them around)
A few nice pre's (too bigger subject)
A few compressors (jomeek/DBX/...)
Mics (x*sm57, x*421, 1*RE20, matched sets of 414's, At4050's Neuman...)
But if you don't know how to use this equiptment properly it's almost all usless.
omni...
omnipotent
New member
Wait, i think with that list you'd probobly be over budget...
More things to think about are cables, DI's, patchbays, EQ's, spare strings picks etc., CD burner/dat machine, headphones (many for band members), monitors, amps for monitors and headphones, the list continues...
More things to think about are cables, DI's, patchbays, EQ's, spare strings picks etc., CD burner/dat machine, headphones (many for band members), monitors, amps for monitors and headphones, the list continues...
CyanJaguar
New member
i'm just getting my count up too
2" analog machine( otari)
one c12
one u87
one d112
manley voxbox
neve 1073
monster 1000
auralex
apogee all the way
kurzweill k2600
intel 1.5ghz system
pro tools.
and hopefully, with this system, I'll be able to make up the remaining 350,000 that I need to order my pagani zonda, by automobili lamborghini
2" analog machine( otari)
one c12
one u87
one d112
manley voxbox
neve 1073
monster 1000
auralex
apogee all the way
kurzweill k2600
intel 1.5ghz system
pro tools.
and hopefully, with this system, I'll be able to make up the remaining 350,000 that I need to order my pagani zonda, by automobili lamborghini
Wide Awake
New member
I would also add a Roland V-drums set. Being able to play at all times of the day or night would make things great. About $3500. I don't play drums but I would probably learn if I had one of those.
digital boards
I've heard more than once that digital boards under $150k are not worth it. I disagree with that ... maybe it would matter if you were competing with Paisley Park ... but it doesn't sound like you will be. I have a DA7 console and 2 LX20s and can't even consider going back to an analog console. And I'm still not even using all of the functions on this board. I probably would have gotten a D8B, but that was $6k more than the DA7 at the time ... and I, unfortunately, didn't have $50k burning a hole in my pocket. Even if I did today, though ... I'd get the DA7 just because I love this board and I'm so used to it now. I would, however, get a few outboard preamps for whatever console you get.
My recorders are ADAT LX20s and I'm very happy with those, too. I've had my share of transport problems, though ... but I don't think you can get away from that with any tape-based MDM.
My opinion is ... look at bringing your budget back down to earth if you're only after the demo market.
I think that you can deliver excellent demos out of a $5000 studio. If you want to get into CD production, etc ... then your budget is probably about right ... if even on the light side. When you start to get really critical with audio quality ... a very minor improvement in quality can equal large $$$.
All are only my opinions ... good luck and welcome to the wonderful world of recording!
I've heard more than once that digital boards under $150k are not worth it. I disagree with that ... maybe it would matter if you were competing with Paisley Park ... but it doesn't sound like you will be. I have a DA7 console and 2 LX20s and can't even consider going back to an analog console. And I'm still not even using all of the functions on this board. I probably would have gotten a D8B, but that was $6k more than the DA7 at the time ... and I, unfortunately, didn't have $50k burning a hole in my pocket.
Even if I did today, though ... I'd get the DA7 just because I love this board and I'm so used to it now. I would, however, get a few outboard preamps for whatever console you get.My recorders are ADAT LX20s and I'm very happy with those, too. I've had my share of transport problems, though ... but I don't think you can get away from that with any tape-based MDM.
My opinion is ... look at bringing your budget back down to earth if you're only after the demo market.
I think that you can deliver excellent demos out of a $5000 studio. If you want to get into CD production, etc ... then your budget is probably about right ... if even on the light side. When you start to get really critical with audio quality ... a very minor improvement in quality can equal large $$$.
All are only my opinions ... good luck and welcome to the wonderful world of recording!