New Studio Setup

3

3ktl

New member
Hello everyone. I'm a home recording nube and I want to setup up a home studio because I love music and I want to take that next step. I'm in the preliminary planning right now and this is what I've got after hours of research.

Top of the line 2010 MacBook Pro Core i7

M-Audio Studiophile AV 40 Powered Speakers
http://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-Studi...UTF8&coliid=IULX9KW874ZKA&colid=3MS6MOMDH0WBJ

M-Audio Session KeyStudio
http://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-9900-...8&s=musical-instruments&qid=1274560417&sr=8-1

Sony MDR7506 Professional Large Diaphragm Headphones
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDR7506-...UTF8&coliid=ISZDMQSF8Q6LH&colid=3MS6MOMDH0WBJ

Behringer XENYX 1204USB USB Mixer
http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-120...TF8&coliid=I1CZI6XF4TMBOG&colid=3MS6MOMDH0WBJ

Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex Pro 500 GB USB 2.0 Portable External Hard Drive STAD500100
http://www.amazon.com/Seagate-FreeA...TF8&coliid=I1PMV7DO6BSR4V&colid=3MS6MOMDH0WBJ

Behringer C-1 Studio Condenser Microphone
http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-C-1...TF8&coliid=I2F206WV58NAF6&colid=3MS6MOMDH0WBJ

Samsung P2570HD 24.6-Inch Full 1080p HDTV LCD Monitor
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-P2570...TF8&coliid=I3O3GQR3SUKKUM&colid=3MS6MOMDH0WBJ

Studio RTA Producer Station
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Studio-RTA-Producer-Station-102807807-i1152467.gc?mode=1&qso=2


I chose the Behringer XENYX 1204USB USB Mixer in hopes that it would serve as an audio interface for my computer enabling me to hook up my speakers,microphone to my MacBook Pro 15 Core i7. I will be using Logic 9 Express & Garage Band. I chose that specific Seagate HDD because it spins at 7200rpm and you change the connecter on the fly to firewire, USB 2.0, even USB 3.0 Please let me know if I'm wrong or if there are any bad choices listed above. All suggestions are welcome.
 
Skip the mixer and go for just a plain old audio interface. Mainly because the preamps in the behringer mixer are crap :D. Also, look for "better" monitors. Monitors should be were you put most of your money. Recording with bad monitors is like trying to paint with terrible eye sight. I would recommend a pair of KRK rp5s. They are very accurate and pretty cheap (and sexy :D). But other than that, everything looks alright. What do you plan on recording?

Oh, and P.S. Dont get the behringer mic either. I would recommend the Studio projects b1 (I own one, and its ballin)
 
Thank you for your input. I write and perform Christian music for my church and I really want to be able to record my own music. Also I plan on a bit of podcasting in the future.

Here are the audio interfaces I have looked into. Are any of these any good and will they work with the other equipment I have picked out?

PreSonus FireStudio Mobile 10x6 FireWire Recording System
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.co...ile-10x6-FireWire-Recording-System?sku=620681


TASCAM US-1641 USB 2.0 Audio/MIDI Computer Interface
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.co...B-2.0-AudioMIDI-Computer-Interface?sku=245002


Apogee Duet FireWire Interface
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Apogee-Duet-FireWire-Interface?sku=234444

I also found a different set of studio monitors.

M-Audio Studiophile BX5a Deluxe 70-watt Bi-amplified Studio Reference Monitors
http://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-Studi...TF8&coliid=I1F0N5X27XTCT1&colid=3MS6MOMDH0WBJ

I also looked at a few more condenser mics. Your reccomendation for the mic is solid but I would like to pay less than $100. Is this one any good?

MXL 990 Condenser Microphone with Shock Mount
http://www.amazon.com/MXL-Condenser...8&s=musical-instruments&qid=1274672075&sr=1-1

Also I plan on getting a Yamaha S90XS. Will this work well with my setup?

Closing Nube Questions:
What are good brands to buy for studio monitors? Do you know of a good mixer with an audio interface built in? Why buy a audio interface with separate mixer rather than a mixer w/ audio interface built in. Whats a good brand to buy for a mixer?

Thank you in advance for your advice. :)
 
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You don't need a mixer - use your recording software for that stuff.

Try this:

used Oktava MK319 > Apogee Duet > Mac

An good option for the mic is a Rode NT-1a but it would be more expensive than a used MK319 .

Another good option for the interface is Emu 0404 USB which has good preamps and great converters (also less $ than Apogee).

For monitors, KRK RP5s or RP6s
 
Mixers & Audio Interfaces

Though I know can go mixer-less I still would like to have one for when I travel with my church and they have to set up a portable PA system. Heres what I found that in my price range. ($100-$200)


Yamaha MG82CX Mixer With Effects
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Yamaha-MG82CX-Mixer-With-Effects?sku=630139


Behringer EURORACK UB1222FX-PRO Mixer
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Behringer-EURORACK-UB1222FXPRO-Mixer?sku=631229


Nube Questions
Will I be able to plug my mixer, mics, speakers, and instruments into the Apogee duet if I decide to get one. Does a mixer plug into the audio interface? Which is better firewire or USB for an audio interface. Apogee Duet vs TASCAM US-1641 USB 2.0 Audio/MIDI Computer Interface: which one would be better for what I plan on doing and the equipment I will be using? What are the benefits of using a hardware mixer?
 
Will I be able to plug my mixer, mics, speakers, and instruments into the Apogee duet if I decide to get one
Click to expand...

Yes

Does a mixer plug into the audio interface?
Click to expand...

Yes, but its pretty pointless for your cause.

Which is better firewire or USB for an audio interface.
Click to expand...

Technically fire wire, but if you are only using a few inputs at a time (2 or so) then you will be fine with usb.

Apogee Duet vs TASCAM US-1641 USB 2.0 Audio/MIDI Computer Interface
Click to expand...

I own neither, but i would say the Duet, because i have heard spectacular things about it.

What are the benefits of using a hardware mixer?
Click to expand...

You can control it outside of the DAW (I guess??). But go with an interface, because they are specifically designed for recording.

Hope this helps some. :D
 
Thank you for all of your input. Every reply helps.

I really dont want to spend over $500 to get started so how does this sound.

Behringer Podcastudio Bundle with FireWire Interface
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.co...io-Bundle-with-FireWire-Interface-?sku=240559

This bundle looks good but I dont want to buy crap. It includes the Behringer Xenyx 802 mixer, Behringer C-1 Microphone, F-Control Audio FCA202 Audio Interface, Behringer HPS3000 headphones, a table microphone stand, windscreen, mic cable, four 1/4" jack cables, & two FireWire cables. This route I only have to spend about $400.

I would combine this with

M-Audio Studiophile BX5a Deluxe 70-watt Bi-amplified Studio Reference Monitors
http://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-Studio...=3MS6MOMDH0WBJ

M-Audio Session KeyStudio (already have)
http://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-9900-5...4560417&sr=8-1

MacBook Pro
 
What you need to think about is what kind of quality are you looking for? $500 can get you started but its not much.

That bundle is designed to be a quick podcast setup. The quality is not very good but if you dont mind it then by all means go right ahead.

The thing about it is, if you decide to upgrade later you will more than likely have to upgrade just about EVERYTHING because it is all low quality equipment. It will not be horrible but it wont be top notch quality. Behringer preamps are just not very good.

My suggestions:

KRK Rokit 5 (you will see tons of people giving these monitors alot of praise)
Shure SM58 (Overall good dynamic mic, Good on instruments and vocals)

I think you should take some time and figure out what your set budget is and go from there. Then think about if your going to want to upgrade later and what you want to upgrade to. Think about what kind of quality you are looking for? What kind of instruments you will be recording? how many inputs you are going to need? These are all equally valuable questions to ask before you make any purchases.
 
Big revisions

stealth_prod said:
What you need to think about is what kind of quality are you looking for? $500 can get you started but its not much.

That bundle is designed to be a quick podcast setup. The quality is not very good but if you don't mind it then by all means go right ahead.

The thing about it is, if you decide to upgrade later you will more than likely have to upgrade just about EVERYTHING because it is all low quality equipment. It will not be horrible but it wont be top notch quality. Behringer preamps are just not very good.

My suggestions:

KRK Rokit 5 (you will see tons of people giving these monitors alot of praise)
Shure SM58 (Overall good dynamic mic, Good on instruments and vocals)

I think you should take some time and figure out what your set budget is and go from there. Then think about if your going to want to upgrade later and what you want to upgrade to. Think about what kind of quality you are looking for? What kind of instruments you will be recording? how many inputs you are going to need? These are all equally valuable questions to ask before you make any purchases.
Click to expand...


Great advice stealth_prod. Based on that advice I made some big revisions. I decided to go with a used but like new products when I can and here is what I've got.

• Studio Monitors -
M-Audio Studiophile AV30 Professional Reference Speakers $81.24
http://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-Studi...eakers/dp/B000SDLNKA/ref=reg_hu-wl_item-added

• Audio Interface - Does the interface provide phantom power?
PreSonus AudioBox USB 2X2 USB Recording System (Used) $131.96
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.co...ioBox-USB-2X2-USB-Recording-System?sku=243007

• Condenser Microphone - Does this mic require phantom power?
MXL 990 Condenser Microphone with Shock Mount $49.99
http://www.amazon.com/MXL-Condenser...UTF8&coliid=IY0WQ9PG8JCZ5&colid=3MS6MOMDH0WBJ



The above equipment totals at $263.19. Eventually I will get a pair of Sony MDR7506 Professional Large Diaphragm Headphones.

I want good quality. I will only be recording my vocals since the keyboard goes through MIDI so all I need is an audio interface that will work with the above equipment. Will this audio interface work with the equipment listed above? Keep those suggestions coming!:D
 
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stealth speaks wisdom.

SM58 ($100)
Emu 0404 USB ($200)
KRK RP5 pr ($300)

This is stuff you will keep for a long long time, and it will serve you well.
You won't be happy for long with all that Behringer stuff.
 
Near final

Thanks for the tips gehauser but I can simply not go over $500 to begin. I dropped all the Behringer crap based on you guys recommendations and regrouped with this:

• Studio Monitors -
M-Audio Studiophile AV30 Professional Reference Speakers $81.24
http://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-Studio...-wl_item-added

• Audio Interface - Does the interface provide phantom power?
PreSonus AudioBox USB 2X2 USB Recording System (Used) $131.96
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com...tem?sku=243007

• Condenser Microphone - Does this mic require phantom power?
MXL 990 Condenser Microphone with Shock Mount $49.99
http://www.amazon.com/MXL-Condenser-...=3MS6MOMDH0W


Please answer the above questions. I need to know if the above equipment will suit my needs. I already have:

MacBook Pro Core i7
Session KetStudio or Yamaha S90XS as my MIDI interface
 
3ktl said:
Thanks for the tips gehauser but I can simply not go over $500 to begin. I dropped all the Behringer crap based on you guys recommendations and regrouped with this:

• Studio Monitors -
M-Audio Studiophile AV30 Professional Reference Speakers $81.24
http://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-Studio...-wl_item-added

• Audio Interface - Does the interface provide phantom power?
PreSonus AudioBox USB 2X2 USB Recording System (Used) $131.96
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com...tem?sku=243007

• Condenser Microphone - Does this mic require phantom power?
MXL 990 Condenser Microphone with Shock Mount $49.99
http://www.amazon.com/MXL-Condenser-...=3MS6MOMDH0W


Please answer the above questions. I need to know if the above equipment will suit my needs. I already have:

MacBook Pro Core i7
Session KetStudio or Yamaha S90XS as my MIDI interface
Click to expand...

Yes, that interface has phantom power (see the 48V button on front panel - probably applies to both mic inputs, so both inputs will have phantom on or off).

Yes, the MXL990 requires phantom power.

No, I don't think the quality of your selections will suit your needs for long.

See here for alternatives in a poll that includes some recommended mics for about $100 . https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=253638
Used MK319=$100, v67g=$100, SPB1=$119, SM58 is a good dynamic

I would not bother with an audio interface that has AD or DA dynamic range less than 110db. Emu 0404 PCI is $100, Emu 0202 USB is $85. I would still recommend the Emu 0404 USB for $200.

Forget the AV30s (wait till you can save more $ for real studio monitors), and just get yourself the 7506 headphones for now (or Sennheiser HD280 or ATH-M50) $100.

$100 mic
$200 interface
$100 headphones

and you are set with good equipment (that you might want to hang onto) for $400.
 
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