Next purchase priority? Looking for Pro advice

  • Thread starter Thread starter cstockdale
  • Start date Start date
cstockdale

cstockdale

supafly killa homey
Okay, I have quite a list that I need to get filled, but my list of what I have is growing. I am curious as to what other people think the top priorities should be..

WHAT I HAVE

P4 1.6Ghz
512 RAM
60 GB HD
Audiophile 2496 card
PC Speakers
Dual monitors (17")
Win XP

Sonar 2.2XL
Waves Gold 3.5
Reason 1

Yamaha MG 16/4 mixer
TC Electronics M300 (doubles as a S/PDIF converter so I have 4 in/out)
Evolution MK249C2 MIDI controller
Berhinger MX 602A (use as a second headphone driver)
2 pairs of cans (AKG 240, and some cheaper closedback cans)

Shure sm58
Shure sm57
Stereo pair MXL 603s
SP B3

Garnet Mohawk 7W all tube amp
Fender Frontman 25R SS amp
Peavey Ecoustic 112 amp
Johnson J-station
Behringer FCB1010 midi floorboard

Epi Wildkat P-90 semi hollow git
Fender Strat (MIM)
Yamaha jumbo acoustic (CJ838sii)
Art and Lutherie 3/4 size acoustic
Violin
Upright Heintzmann grand piano



NEEDS...here is where I need help priorizing/alternate suggestions/additional ideas. The list below is in my planned order of priority.

Sonar 3.0 Producers Edition upgrade

Dedicated HD for recording (120GB)

another 512 RAM

Delta 1010LT card new or Delta1010/Layla/Aardvark q10 used

Powered Monitors

Stand alone preamps

Bass guitar/amp

Shuttlepro

Better/more mics

upgrade CPU to something faster

MORE GUITARS AND AMPS


OBJECTIVE
My primary objective is to work with aspiring talent to be able to do high end demos, good preproduction, even take some things to pre-mastering phase. Right now I am primarily tracking as I have a huge backlog of material to record, mixing is ~ 6 months away. I plan in 5 years to go even higher end (ie MOTU, Avalon, Neve etc), so what I need is functional stuff to get some decent recordings done over the next 5 yrs to flush out my resume so that I can attract better playing/paying clientele and attempt to go pro and build a studio from the ground up. I have the ultimate location (north Okanagan BC, 100 acres of land at the base of 1000 foot cliffs... the most scenic place you can imagine) to build on in the future. My wife and I would like to create a "destination studio"... we both have backgrounds in the hospitality industry, the location is my parent's land which is an organic hobby farm, canoeing/rafting/kayaking/jetboating within 5 minutes, amazing skiing in winter, vineyards, hiking etc.

Budget: In the short term (within the next year) I want to get all the stuff above (not the Neve/MOTU/Avalon... that is the long term goal), and I am after mid-range stuff (ie. $400 max for each mic, $500 for monitors, $400-$600 for soundcard, $500 for pres).

Suggestions? Am I insane?
 
I would describe your price target as low-range, not mid-range. Long term, you'd be better off if you double all the numbers.

Additionally, I'd divide your upgrade into two parts: the first is of your analog recording/monitoring chain, and the second is a computer upgrade. You kind of have them jumbled together. I'd upgrade the computer all at once in other words (or buy a new one).

That said, the *first* upgrade you should make is getting the powered monitors, that should be number one on your list. Monitors are much more important than 512 meg RAM, an HD upgrade, a software upgrade, or even a sound card. After all, how are you supposed to hear the sound card? :-)

I'd put the sound card upgrade next after the monitors. If you have a 24/96 card now, why do you feel the need to upgrade it? Be wary of sideways moves when "upgrading".

As a rule when upgrading, you have to go up a class or two in order to get the benefits of spending your money. Going from a $250 piece of gear to a $500 piece of gear isn't going to do much for you.

After the monitor and sound card, I suppose the order of upgrade would depend on whatever is most pressing with your needs. Like if you need higher track counts you upgrade your CPU and HD. If you don't need higher track counts then you get some preamps and mics. But again, don't even waste the money unless you are willing to go up a couple price brackets.
 
Thanks for the reply. I have been waffling about whether monitors are next (I just track with cans, and mix by testing out on multiple devices by burning), as I am not deep into mixing yet, but I understand that this is a critical step.

The reasoning behind a cross-grade (Delta 1010lt) is simply to up my intake so I can do live recording of bands with retracking guits/bass./vox. Right now I can't even successfully pull in anything more than a solo artist or a duo with only 4 inputs. It is great for my own work, as 4 inputs are more than I ever need alone.

I am not competing in a huge market (Victoria BC). There are a few big studios (ie $50/hr and up) with great gear, and then there are a ton of "project studios" in the $30/hr range. Most of these places aren't running much better gear than I have, they just have a more complete set of tools. I have heard a lot of the mixes that come out of these studios, and I know I can do better with the same gear they have, largely to do with what I have learned right here (this place really is an amazing resource).

The best bit of advice I see in your post is about having to go up a class or two to make it worthwhile. Maybe rather than "upgrading", I just need a more complete budget studio.

I am not competing with the big boys. I am trying to set up something where talented aspiring musicians who can't afford $50-100/hr * 6 songs * 30 hours per song can come and get a decent recording experience and walk away with something useable to shop around, or to then take to a real pro studio with their arrangements all worked out and a rough mix that they can then retrack on high end gear.

I am lucky that I have a good career that pays my bills and more, but I can only sink $300CDN of my own money every month into gear. I don't need to get this studio idea to make me money in the next several years, I just need it to pay for itself (ie new gear financed by a few good recording sessions). I already have two "clients" who are both go-getters in the music biz and generating a lot of local interest, and I can afford to be picky and only work with these types of people, in turn, as their success rises, my name gets floated in higher circles...hence my plan to go for a much bigger upgrade in 5 years time or so.
 
Gidge said:
monitors are next.....
Click to expand...

tx for the brief reply... I am beginning to see that monitors are next... monitors are next... monitors are next... monitors are next... monitors are next... monitors are next... monitors are next... monitors are next... monitors are next... monitors are next... monitors are next... monitors are next... monitors are next... monitors are next... monitors are next... monitors are next... monitors are next
 
Yo Stock:

Hey Brother, you have more gear than I anticipate buying in the next eight years+

You are on the way....which way? I think for good recording.

Green Hornet:p :D :eek: :p
 
The Green Hornet said:
Yo Stock:

Hey Brother, you have more gear than I anticipate buying in the next eight years+

Y
Click to expand...

you know it is a disease, don't you?
 
I'd say the quicker you can get your hands on a good mic preamp, the better off you'll be. But, at 1,000.00 a channel (avg. high-end) that may not be your desire. However it will enhance your recordings to reach your goal of producing highend demos.

Later,
Chris
 
Okay, based on what you are doing, I'm going to stick with my earlier recommendations, which are to get monitors and upgrade the sound card next. Both make sense for you. Besides the fact that real studio monitors are absolutely necessary for any kind of recording and mixing work, I don't see *anybody* taking you seriously if all you've got are cans and PC speakers. Even the low rent clientele you are shooting for. Monitors are required.

You do indeed need inputs, so the bigger soundcard is also crucial. After that, you'll probably need the HD for more storage space. You can just kind of go with the flow at that point.

My only advice is don't fritter away the money on junk that you'll outgrow in a few years. It's just money you'll spend over and over. I speak from experience, having put my studio through many incremental upgrades over the years. I've bought certain types of gear over and over. Like compressors for example. And effects boxes. I wish I had all that money back and had just gone first class from the start. Long term, you really do save money and get a longer useful lifespan from your gear.

The exception to this is computers. Computers, converters, soundcards, software, plugins, any computer gear. That all has to be considered as disposable and of a short limited lifespan.
 
As everyone is saying, get some good monitors before tracking that huge backlog of tunes.
 
must buy monitors... indeed. Now for the search for a useable pair.
I know well enough to stay the heck away from Behri gear, and have read numerous reviews and discussions here.

Think the M-audio Studiophiles are worth it? Keep in mind I am in Canada, and many things that are cheap down in the US are a lot more here. I can get a pair of BX5's locally for $235 US shipped with warranty here in Canada (from the US those same monitors would be over $400 after shipping/duty/taxes). It seems some have had issues with them, but many people have said they worked out fine.

I know they are on the lower end of the scale, but if you put a $500 US ceiling in the price, what else should I seriously consider?
 
I have alesis mk I's that I think will do a semi-good job. I mean they're not great but, they aren't too expensive even in a powered version.
 
Those alesis's won't do-


Get some decent speakers, then a new soundcard, then a hard drive for your backlog.....

-Chris
 
Right, and if you can afford to spend $500, then spend $500. Spend up to your max on the monitors, find the best deal and the best monitors for $500 street price.
 
I'd say monitors are next for you too.... you really can't effectively track with cans.... the same reason it's hard to mix with cans is the reason you can't track with them either... making sonic decisions based on headphones is a crap-shoot at best!
 
Id get some Yorkville YSM1P's before Studiophiles....definitely woth the $$$$.....even Canadian $$$$$......


sorry for that brief answer:D but in my journey to learn things about sound, there comes eye opening experiences.....the first and biggest was going from using my old 4-track's preamps to a real preamp and the next was mixing with monitors.......
 
with all the X-mas sales, go ahead and get that HD too....i saw a 120gb Maxtor 7200rpm for $50 bucks somewhere......

then id look for a really nice standalone preamp......

a 1010lt would work nice too......

i see bass guitar on the list too...if you dont already have one and are recording fake bass, put that high on the list after monitors.......
 
Gidge said:
with all the X-mas sales, go ahead and get that HD too....i saw a 120gb Maxtor 7200rpm for $50 bucks somewhere......

then id look for a really nice standalone preamp......

a 1010lt would work nice too......

i see bass guitar on the list too...if you dont already have one and are recording fake bass, put that high on the list after monitors.......
Click to expand...

thanks for the tips. I will check out what the Yorkies go for up here.

I know the 1010lt isn't the bees knees, but it will be same quality as my Audiophile I currently use, and that is by no means my limiting factor these days (except for the input count).

The pres are clearly important too... will be working on that one

ANd a real bass, yes, must have a real bass. I have been using sampled stuff, and I HATE IT. I have two tunes done with a real bass that I borrowed, and they sound sooooo much better. However, I can survive, because what I plan to do here is just get bass lines "written" using the sampler/piano roll view in Sonar, then go rent a decent bass for a month and play all the parts and record them.

The way it looks now is that I will have to wait until Feb/March to get monitors, May/June for the 1010LT, AUgust or so to go for some pres. It is going to take me nearly a year just to get all this stuff together!!!! Unless I win a lottery or get a paying client who doesn't mind my current limitations.
 
Yorkies for cheap.

There's some guy selling 10 pairs on ebay for $460 each. I told him about that site and he had no idea how they are making a profit selling them for $419.

I can't wait to get my pair.
 
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