Re-doing my setup...

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LCD

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Hello to all... I am a hip-hop/R&B producer that's been doing recording out of my bedroom for a couple years now. My mixing has come a LONG way but I've decided to upgrade my home "studio" so I can get a cleaner signal and then do all my mixing at a real studio. Right now I'm working with bottom of the barrel equipment: Studio Projects B-1, Presonus TubePre, Delta 44... which gave me the mixes you'll hear at www.myspace.com/tapingyourmouthentertainment

That being said, the studios I mix at are all Pro Tools setups and here's what I'm looking to buy for recording myself and the acts on our team:

Mic: Audio-Technica AT4047
Interface: Digi 002
Compressor: RNC
Monitors: Wharfedale Diamond Pro 8.2a
Booth: Clearsonic Isopac G (tentative) or Modular Acoustic TeaBagz
Monitor control: Presonus Central Station/Mackie Big Knob
Cables & Cords: Mogami and Monster.

I think this will be able to give me the sound I need... any input or suggestions on how I can get the cleanest sound from this setup in a large bedroom?
 
LCD said:
I think this will be able to give me the sound I need... any input or suggestions on how I can get the cleanest sound from this setup in a large bedroom?
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The three suggestions I have are:

1) That's a solid setup, but you don't need Monster or Mogami cabling. Stick with a good commercial brand - Whirlwind or Horizon spring to mind - and you'll save some serious coin.

2) Set the shit up and start using it. No one is in a better position than you to judge what needs to be changed or modified.

3) If you're planning to do any mixing in your studio, acoustic treatment is almost a must with the corners of the room and the floor being the two main areas of concern...
 
Thanks for the tips on the cables... gonna look into those today.

As for mixing, I will be doing SOME mixing... but all of the stuff that we are gonna be releasing for sale is going to be mixed at a professional studio. As for acoustic treatment, I haven't the slightest idea as to what I would need.

Any other input?
 
Here's a good site to help you decide on what you need for acoustic treatment --- LINK --- and here's another one --- LINK.
 
I wonder, are you aware there is a version of ProTools LE that will work with your Delta 44? Unfortunately, if you pick that, you will be tied to M-audio interfaces in future.

It's often the case that the studio equipment may actually be perfectly adequate, you just aren't hearing it accurately. If the problem is that it doesn't sound very good, especially when your mixes are heard elsewhere, the room acoustics need treatment - bass traps etc. You may have already done this, but you'd be surprised how resistant people are to considering it. They would much rather spend on higher spec'd equipment. Even then, you won't get the full benefit of better gear unless the room acoustic is reasonably good.
 
Jim Y said:
I wonder, are you aware there is a version of ProTools LE that will work with your Delta 44? Unfortunately, if you pick that, you will be tied to M-audio interfaces in future.
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Exactly why I won't go M-Powered.

Jim Y said:
It's often the case that the studio equipment may actually be perfectly adequate, you just aren't hearing it accurately. If the problem is that it doesn't sound very good, especially when your mixes are heard elsewhere, the room acoustics need treatment - bass traps etc. You may have already done this, but you'd be surprised how resistant people are to considering it. They would much rather spend on higher spec'd equipment. Even then, you won't get the full benefit of better gear unless the room acoustic is reasonably good.
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I want to get the proper treatment but this stuff is like chinese. I have no idea what I would need to PROPERLY treat my room.... for instance... what are bass traps for? To trap bass I take it.. but why? I'm lost! LOL.
 
Read up on it. There are plenty of refrence materials right at your figertips on the web.

Take a week, two weeks, a month, however long it takes before you know enough to make an informed purchase.

Along the way you might learn some stuff that will come in handy when you do go into pro studios to do some mixes. You can never learn too much, and a little reading will go a long way...

If you are going with the Warfedales as your monitoring system - a fine choice from what I've seen posted here - you won't need the Mackie Big Knob or the Presonus Central Station since they are monitor switchers. Also, instead of planning to put the vocalist in a booth I would suggest a floor plan in which you would have a padded, dead corner set aside for the vocalist to stand in.

You sound like you're suggesting that you're tired of hearing from me all the time - I have just done a very similar thing to my home studio and it's still fresh in my head...
 
ssscientist... quite the contrary. I'm very glad that u've added your input, it's been enlightening.
I was considering the Big Knob/Central Station more for A/B purposes with a stereo system, talkback to the booth, and whatnot. But that might be a little extra......
Now my question about the vocalist... i see u say have a padded, dead corner. I've been told that corners were no good for recording due to reverbs and reflections. Now are you suggesting that I pad the hell out of a corner and forget about a booth, or pad the hell out of a corner AND get a booth, or something else? Please forgive my ignorance, I'm a novice to these topics like I said before.

Also, since you're saying that u went thru this recently, I'd love to hear what type of setup you have and what you've done to your home studio. *hint* Pictures would be great too *hint*.

Thanks again!!
 
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