in need of serious help!

[bmorris]

I have recently run into finances that will allow me to expand my home studio (about a grand to play with).

I am seeking advice on these items:

mics: Shure vs. AudioTechnica vs. Rode vs. Marshall (need to know what mics are affordably priced and quality enough for good home recording of mostly r-n-b and rap vocals)

mic preamps: Art tube vs. focusrite (and any other modest priced gear in this area)

compressors: alsis 3630 vs. RNC (same as above)

Here is my current setup:

-Akai DPS16 (16 track) multitrack all-in-one recorder
-MPC2000XL
-Korg Trinity workstation
-Emu Proteus 2500 sound module
-AKG C1000S mic

Any setup suggestions or just general feedback on my current setup or potential setup would be humbly appreciated...

Thanks in advance...

-Humble-

 

[the dude]

hey man, I also have an AKAI DPS16. I love it. know two other dudes that have one also. both my good friends who live far away so we can record and send it back and forth. pretty coool. I also have an AT3035 condensor mic that i use almost exclusively for vox and acoustic guitars. I have 2 sm57's to boot. So, i havent tried out the rode NT1 yet but was thinkin about gettin one. I have read good things, but the AT 3035 is unbeatable for the price i think. about 179-199. hope this helps. tell me what YOU think of the AKAI! later man,, j

 

[bmorris]

thanx for the reply...

I actually love the dps16, but...with minimal prior recording knowledge I have a world of a time trying to construct quality recordings. If you would be interested, I would love to trade any tips and tricks that I may have and I am always open to learn more of any willing parties have advice on the dps16.

Once again thanks dude (no pun intended)...

-Humble-

 

[Innovations]

You didn't mention any Studio Projects equipment. Both the C1, T3 mics and the vtb1 preamp are generally well liked.

 

[the dude]

hey man, yeah i would totally be into trading secrets. Like I said, I have been recording mainly acoustic stuff lately(3 acoustic guitars, bass, hand drums, etc.) and the sound is VERY professional. Amazes me!!1 I also have some decent mointors, which are a must if you want to get a great sound. They are a pair of ALesis mkII powered monitors. along with the AT3035. that is what i use. wish I had some stuff for you to listen to but dont have a computer at home only work. But i have a burner so, it is a possibliity in the near future. what are you having problems with, if any. I have been using this machine for about 2.5 years. a couple of friends had one first. get back!! peace

 

[cominginsecond]

mics: Shure vs. AudioTechnica vs. Rode vs. Marshall (need to know what mics are affordably priced and quality enough for good home recording of mostly r-n-b and rap vocals)

I would get a Rode NTK

mic preamps: Art tube vs. focusrite (and any other modest priced gear in this area)

I would get a focusrite voicemaster or penta over the ART. If you want to spend around $500, I'd get an RNP.

compressors: alsis 3630 vs. RNC (same as above)

RNC, of course.

 

[JadionMusic]

I have a studio projects C3 and the Studio pr. vtb pre amp . I am telling you.. this mic is EVERY BIT AS GOOD AS A NEUMANN... You cannot beat this mic for 4 times the cost.

 

[SteveMcB]

A few ideas...

Do you have monitors? If not, they're a great investment - I went back and remixed some of my earlier stuff which was mixed on home stereo speakers - man, what a difference! I have yorkville YSM1-p's (powered), or you can get passives and an amp, should run to about $400 either way.

Mics - Try them out! If it's for your vocals only, then your best bet is to try as many as possible and see what sounds best. I use a Studio Projects C1 ($229) for vocals (and love it) (reedyish pop-rock vocals though, not rap/R&B-like at all!) but my dealer let me take it home to try it in my setup (after taking my credit card number down of course). Try as many as you can and see what suits you. If this is not an option, then you are stuck with the advice you get here, which is OK, but not optimal...
If you are recording a bunch of different vocalists, then you may need a couple (or more) of different mics. Maybe something quite neutral like a Studio Projects B1 and more coloured like a Rode NTK or a Marshall MXLv67. A dynamic mic like an SM7/EV RE20/Sennheiser MD421 or 441 might also be useful.


Compressor - I have a behringer composer pro, which many people say sounds better than the alesis 3630 (its features are similar, and it sounds fine - but I haven't used a 3630), but I recently got an RNC - you need to get the RNC! The behringer has the versatility of being able to be used as 2 independent mono comps, but sound-wise, the RNC kicks the behringer out of the park!!!

Mike pre's - I have only really used the crap in my ROland VS840 and my mackie mixer, so I don't have a lot of first-hand experience. Art have a bit of a poor rep here, but I've heard some good stuff done through them. But a tube MP is not going to be as versatile as the focusrite stuff (good not great pre's if you're looking at the platinum series). The Studio Projects VTB-1 is on my shopping list for a dedicated mic pre - $129, single channel solid state with option to add in tubey sound via a blend knob - versatile, and should make a great combo with my RNC.

So I guess my overall recommendation is:
Yorkville monitors + alesis/samson amp around $400

RNC $179

Studio Projects VTB-1 pre $129

That leaves $292 for mics...
Studio Projects C1 ($229) + B1 ($79) =$308
SP C1 + SM57 ($79) =$308
SP B1 + MXLV67 ($99) +sm57 =$257 (3 mics - clean, coloured and dynamic)
SP B3 ($169)(multipattern, omni good for group BV's) + SM57(or V67)
NTK = $400 (a bit of a stretch, but hey, if it works, it's worth it)
MXLV69ME $279
Audio Technica 4040 $299
Shure SM7 $299
The list could be endless. One note of caution, Rode NT1's ( I have one) can work for some voices, but be sure they work on yours before you buy - mine sees virtually no use now since the C1 came on the scene, and they tend to have a hyped top end)

Loads of options, and the opinions out there will be hugely varied. If I was just recording me, I'd take the C1 and 57 combo, I love both of them on my voice (which I don't really like!). For recording other people, I'd probably go for the B1/V67/SM57 combo for variety. If you might be recording instruments as well as vocals, you might want to add in a marshall MXL603 $70 as an alternate for your C1000 too.

If you have monitors, that changes things a bit - NTK and SM7? RNP? Lots of options

Good luck,
Steve

 

[5c0tt]

I don't have one, but I think most folks around here would recommend the RNC over the 3630.
In fact, I think most would recommend anything other than the 3630.

Scott

 

[SteveMcB]

Scott,
Your words are true, but there are a couple of very vocal advocates of the 3630 here (eg. sonusman) who have and do use them to get very good sounds. I'd still recommend an RNC based on my experience (which is limited to behringer/RNC), but the 3630 can be a useful tool, in the right hands. I don't think mine are the right hands tho!

Steve

 

[Han]

I have a studio projects C3 and the Studio pr. vtb pre amp . I am telling you.. this mic is EVERY BIT AS GOOD AS A NEUMANN... You cannot beat this mic for 4 times the cost.

That's a pretty strong statement dude!
IMHO in all comparisons I did, the Neumann's were the winner.

I'm not talking rap vocals here, but acoustic instruments like woodwinds, violin, cello, accordeon, piano, all kinds of percussion and many kinds of vocals.

Nothing can beat a good U47, U67, (old) U87, M49, M149 and a number of great other Neumann's.

A SP is a great value for $ and so is an MXL tube, NTK and many other nice mics, but a Neumann is another story.

Peace.

 

[cominginsecond]

Not many seem to be too thrilled with Neumann's current lineup (e.g. TLM 103, U87ai), especially for the price.

 

[JadionMusic]

Ok well, let me expound on that statement...due to my unwillingness to drop TWO OR THREE Gs on a Nuemann. I cannot say I have PERSONALLY done the A/B. BUT I have heard the two recorded, and I cannot tell a diffrence. Virtually ALL trade mags say the same thing. I believe you can't compare to a neumann mic. I mean jesus, it is THE standard. But it sure as HELL can't compare with C3's for the price. PERIOD. If you have HELLA money to make a studio, buy a nuemann.... BECAUSE YOU CAN!! (like buying a Ferrari.... cause you can) But if you are not wanting to spend 3.7 trillion dollars on a studio... YOU MUST DO YOURSELF A FAVOR.... and at LEAST look into it. (damn, these people should pay me for this , what am I their rep?) nah I just REALLY LIKE THIS MIC


Han, did you A/B a c3 or c1?