money to spend...what to get

  • Thread starter Thread starter n8tron
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n8tron

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so i got about a grand to put towards audio gear. Right now I do not have monitors, so i need to get some. I have a pair of josephson C42's and an sm57 but no good large diaphram. I also don't have any good mic pres.

sooo...

I've had my eye on BM5A's for awhile. I could get those, but thats about all I could get. I do want great monitors that I'm gonna have forever though.

Or I could get something like the Event TR8XL's and have 400 left to get either a mic like the nt1a or ksm32 or 27. or a nice pre. (though i think i should get a large diaphragm mic before the pre.

opinions?
 
I have found that there is much philosophy around here about the most important part(s) of an audio signal chain. If you post a more complete list of what you have and what you are recording to...and the style of stuff that you record, I'm sure that you'll get tons of opinions.

I'm just a home recorder, but I'm a fan of pre-amps. But it seems that your level of stuff is beyond what I have or have heard....
 
alright here is my setup:

Mics:
Josephson C42MP, SM57

Interfaces:
Digi 002
Motu 828
Recording to pro tools and dp 4.6

Instruments:
martin d-15 acoustic
godin lgx-sa electric
jx-305 keyboard synth

lots of software

I have no preamp besides the ones on my interfaces, and even worse, I have no monitors.

Also, i record a wide variety of music and instruments in different styles. Rock, electronic, and classical (mainly with my software samplers and then i add any real players that i can get my hands on)

I'm leaning heavily towards the monitors, as it is probably a bigger purchase than a large condenser mic. And i think it would be better to get really nice monitors instead of cheap out now and get better ones in a few years.
 
which monitors and mic do you have?

The more i test rode mics the more i like them.
 
I've got PS6s and an NT3. The PS series has been discontinued and replaced with the TR series.
 
I have an NT1000, and I love it. Rode mics are awesome.
 
You can get a Hafler TA1600 monitor amp at AMS at closeout prices for 150, then a pair of passive Event 20/20's for like three hundred. Great combo, absolutely beat the pants off my old monitors (Behri Truths, not bad but not even in the same league)
 
n8tron said:
I've had my eye on BM5A's for awhile. I could get those, but thats about all I could get. I do want great monitors that I'm gonna have forever though.
Click to expand...

Since you have no monitors at all, this is clearly your most pressing need. Go with your instincts and get the best you can afford with your $1,000.

Splitting $1,000 between monitors and preamps is only going to get you average quality of both. Guaranteed you'll want to replace both the mic and the monitors within a year or two. Not to knock the monitor suggestions being made here, but this is one area where if you *have* the cash, then *spend* it. Don't compromise, spend the whole wad on the monitors.

Then start saving for an excellent mic. The target price for the mic should be in the $700-800 and up range. Then once you have the mic, start saving for a truly fine preamp. That should be in the approximately $750-1,000+ per channel area.

By the time you are done with this plan you will have a setup that will *kill* anything you can do by purchasing a mic and monitors for $1,000. And you'll have gear that will indeed last you a lifetime.

In the meantime, you can get good results from your current gear, especially since with good monitors you'll be able to hear exactly what you are doing. That makes all the difference.

Your rig is clean and simple, and as such it will benefit big time from a truly first class front end.
 
Also, don't skimp on acoustic treatment. Or you won't even come close to the potential of any quality monitor you buy.
 
I can't think of another better pair of monitors in your price range than the Dynaudio's. You may also want to consider Truth monitors (the brand, not the Behri ones). I would say get the monitors first. Make sure you listen to the Dynaudio's side by side with the Events. Personally, I think the BM5's smoke even the Event ASP8's.

After that I would start looking at a decent preamp fro around a grand, than a nice mic for about a grand. By getting the preamp first you will be able to maximize the quality you are getting out of the mics you already have.
 
Since you've already identified monitors as your most pressing need, you might as well start there and not skimp on it.

I'm anxiously awaiting the day when I have the money for a good set of monitors. I was thinking about the ADAM ANF-10s with a Hafler amp, but I've heard a lot of good cases made for those Dynaudios.
 
n8tron said:
I've had my eye on BM5A's for awhile. I could get those, but thats about all I could get. I do want great monitors that I'm gonna have forever though.
I agree with the choice. I don't know about forever tho?
But good point on buying quality (prevents gearhead addiction longer) and read around here most Budget Monitor buyers are shopping for an upgrade in a year.

Or I could get something like the Event TR8XL's and have 400 left to get either a mic like the nt1a or ksm32 or 27. or a nice pre. (though i think i should get a large diaphragm mic before the pre.

I think long term, your better off buying quality and enjoying it for years.
But i never did this.
What I did was buy like a RNC and SPB1, then when some more cash came in, trade/sell these and add my little bit and get a SM7 and JoeMEek/Jensen Xformer Channelstrip VC1Q.. and sell my Yammie MD8 and various racks for a Tascam 24/2488... its a slower road.

opinions?
Click to expand...

Obtaining the holy grail of gear is an endless adventure.
:)
 
reshp1 said:
Also, don't skimp on acoustic treatment. Or you won't even come close to the potential of any quality monitor you buy.
Click to expand...

I've been thinking of what I could do with some auralex. I'll probably get some mopads, but i need a way to hang the sheets to my wall but not permanently. I could probably cover most of the problem areas in my room with only about $100-$150 worth of foam so I'm sure I'll do this ASAP.
 
n8tron said:
I've been thinking of what I could do with some auralex. I'll probably get some mopads, but i need a way to hang the sheets to my wall but not permanently. I could probably cover most of the problem areas in my room with only about $100-$150 worth of foam so I'm sure I'll do this ASAP.
Click to expand...

There may be spots that diffusers work better than deadening with foam.

One way to hang the foam without permanently attaching it to the wall is to go to an art supply store and get poster board or some other lightweight backing of the size you need. Then you attach the foam to the board, and simply hang the board on the wall where you want it.

The MoPads are good, I use them.
 
i read somehwre those pins with ball-heads work well with drywall.
temp hanging and less tears.
 
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