Serious Questions (Computer & Studio)

  • Thread starter Thread starter tzaxo
  • Start date Start date
I moved this thread to the Computer forum because it's like 99% computer related. Nothing in here about actually constructing a studio. None that I can see anyways.... :rolleyes: :)

Cheers,
 
chugheshc said:
$1500 - computer w/qty (2) lcd monitors
$399 - Sonar Producer as your DAW
$1000 - microphones - start with sm57, sm58, and some AT models,
$1000 - $2000 - A/D - Presonus, or Motu will fit in this budget level, you could get something nicer if you only need a couple of channels.
$400 - $1000 - Studio monitor system (either actives, or an amp and two passives)
$100 - $500 - headphones
$1000 - $3000 - used console for preamps and headphone mixes
$400 - headphone amp if you have to do multiple headphone mixes
$1500 - cables/mic stands/misc
$400 - $2000 - acoustic treatment for your space
Click to expand...

This is a realistic plan, follow something like this, you are throwing away insane amounts of money on a new computer when you could add some jaw dropping hardware to your configuration. Here's my 2 pence for config.

1. i7 930 (you only get a significant bump in performance when you move up to the 980X and you don't need this)
2. Gigabyte X58 motherboard
3. Dual head graphics card - 512mb (no more than a 1gb)
4. Noctua cooler and exhaust fan
5. SSD 128/256 GB system drive (I'd recommend OCZ Vertex range) ONLY there is absolutely no need for 4-5 SSD drives...look at a the WD Caviar Black 2TB drives and partition the faster part of the drive, I certainly wouldn't recommend a RAID 0 setup for audio. Granted some prefer to keep audio and projects separate however, you will not be dissapointed with the lower RPM HDD.
6. If you're using an i7 processor surely you would want to take advantage of Windows 7 64 bit with a matching 64bit Sequencing prog and hyperthreading technology?

All this for around £2000 GBP (I'll leave you to convert that into $) :D

as for hardware.

Mics - SM57/58 is all you need they will cover male and female frequencies and sound great on snares, acoustic guitars. if your budget is bigger I'd look at some AKG and Neuman mics but then your talking serious money. both will come to around £300 (the SM's)

Can't go wrong with Sennheiser monitoring cans £180

Motu interfaces are brilliant, can't go wrong but make sure you bare in mind how many I/O you need for future before you purchase one, you may need a card that can cope with expansion. 24 I/O is a good choice.

Mackie VLZ 3 series, awesome console with awesome preamps!

Monitoring - Dynaudio/Genelic (don't forget the amp)

Leave budget for good quality cabling, e.g oxygen free speaker cable

Whatever you have left after this, spend on a minifridge, lots of sugary drinks, a nice amount of cash so you can send your missus to get a manicure for a couple of hours whilst you make your beats, basically anything that you need in that one room so you don't have to consider moving. :cool:
 
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