Set-Up Help

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Omaha20

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I'm a young singer-songwriter who's ready to start recording and I need help planning my set-up.

I'm talented, but not very tech-savvy (:facepalm:) and trying to read through all the articles of people who really know what they're talking about sounds like a foreign language to me.

I'm leaning towards buying a KAM C3 because of how it helps male vocals shine and is affordable. I have a fairly new Macbook Pro and am going to buy Apple's Logic Pro as my DAW. So, I need help finding a compatible audio interface, midi keyboard controller and external hard-drive. I'm going to program plug-in instruments so I'll only need input for vocals and the controller.

I want the simplest, cheapest set-up that will still deliver a professional sounding recording. Can you help with some options?

Thank-you so much for your time! :listeningmusic:
 
hey man, welcome to the boards.

firstly, if you've not already have a read of this sticky all about choosing the right audio interface for your needs.

secondly, what are your needs? i.e, do you just wanna record vocals or acoustic/electric guitar, bass, drums as well or are you gonna programme everything? if you're recording guitar and vocals do you want to record them simultaneously or separately?

EDIT; just re-read the op and you said you just want to record vocals and programme everything else. in that case, do you think that at any point in the future you'll want to physically record more?

thirdly, what's the space like you're planning to record in? is it acoustic treated?

fourthly, mixing? are you planning to mix it or send it off to get mixed? if you're planning to do it are you planning to use headphones or monitors?

finally, what kind of budget do you have? i appreciate you said "cheapest" setup but a ball park figure will help everyone suggest options in your price range.

Sorry for the shed load of questions and few answers, but the more details you give people the easier it is for everyone to help :)
 
Thank-you for responding!

1. I'll give that sticky a read after I post this.
2. No, it's just going to be vocals/keyboard controller.
3. I live in a small apartment with a lot of closets (the sound seems to carry in the bedroom). It's not acoustically treated but I'm considering it.
4. I plan on mixing myself, with some monitors and I'm going to use Song MDR VS headphones to record with.
5. I would like to keep as close to $1,000 as possible. :drunk:
 
Cool, then with all that in mind, my suggestions would be something like this (sorry about the prices in £'s; in the uk $'s mean very little i'm afraid);

Audio Interface; seeing as you only really need one mic in with phantom power and midi in my suggestions would the Presonus Audiobox 22VSL (about £130), the Focusrite Scarlett 8i6 (about £200), or the M-audio Fast Track Pro (about £120). All will do everything you need them to and are all similar in quality. i'd personally lean more toward the focusrite scarlett only because it has some room to easily upgrade with external pre's/outboard gear via the line in's and SPDIF digital in's and four outputs.

Room Treatment; is VERY worthwhile, especially if you're mixing and recording in the same space. Have a read of the studio building forum for some tips on how to build DIY bass traps etc (very cost effective, relatively simple to build, and much cheaper than buying from stores). At the very least for just recording vocals a thick duvet/quilt/blanket on a wall behind you and something like the sE Project Reflextion Filter behind the mic will help get clean, dry vocals, but it's not necessarily a replacement for a well treated room.

i'm afraid midi controllers/keyboards aren't my forté so i'll leave that for others to advice on.

There is also a wealth of budget friendly monitors out there (the KRK Rokit 6, Adam A3X's, and RCF Ayra 6 all come to mind, all around the £300 mark for a pair) but i'd strongly suggest treating the room first before dropping cash on some monitors. Even the best monitors in a shoddy sounding room will sound shoddy. yeah, room treatment isn't fun or cool but it's well worth it in the long run and in getting the most out of your gear :)

If you've tried the KAM C3 (which, i'll be honest, i've not heard but looks very similar to the Fame mic's from an EU company) and you're happy with it then cool, but, again, in the same price range there are soooooo many options, such as the sE X1 and 2200a, Rode NT1a and NT1000, Apex 460, Avantone CK6, Blue Spark and Bluebird.
 
Thanks, man!

And for room treatment: big, open bedroom, with a high ceiling, or small closet?
 
i'd say it's a tough one because i'm guessing you're planing on recording in the closet and mixing in the bedroom, in which case you've have to treat both spaces anyway so why not just focus on the bedroom and utilise it for both?

tbh i'm quite negative on recording vocals in closets as i've had a lot of bad experiences from it but i know a lot of people who have treated their closets just for vocals and swear by it. i'd suggest having a good read of the studio building threads as i'm sure it'll offer more insight than my slightly jaded view of it :)
 
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