Setting up my own home studio, need suggestions

[moondoggy88]

I've recently decided to build my own computer-based home studio (and by home I mean in my bedroom at my college condo) to record both myself and my band. I could really use some suggestions as far as set-up, equipment, etc.

Firstly, I should probably mention that I want to spend a maximum of about $1000, give or take.

I would also want to be able to record relatively high quality audio, as close quality as I can get to the pro studios without spending more than $1000 (if possible).

Here is what I have as far as recording equipment:

- Shure PG series Drum Mic Kit
- Behringer Eurorack 10-input mixer
- Cubase SX3
- A very decent PC (just upgraded)

So as you can see my arsenal is rather limited. Here is a list of things I would want/need, please give me insight as to which make and model of each that you would recommend (keep in mind the $1000 total limit)

- monitors
- interface (I've been told very good things about the PreSonus Firebot, so I'm planning on getting that)
- condenser mics (2 overhead for drums, 1 or 2 for vox/guitar)
- studio headphones
- other various mics (for either ambience or amp-miking)
- anything else I would need that I haven't listed, feel free to suggest


I'm a very serious musician, as such I am very serious about the sound and quality of my music, as such I will spend countless late nights researching the absolute best combination of equipment I can get on a limited budget in order to obtain my goal. Any help whatsoever from experts or even intermediates would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Adam

 

[pandamonk]

I've recently decided to build my own computer-based home studio (and by home I mean in my bedroom at my college condo) to record both myself and my band. I could really use some suggestions as far as set-up, equipment, etc.

Firstly, I should probably mention that I want to spend a maximum of about $1000, give or take.

I would also want to be able to record relatively high quality audio, as close quality as I can get to the pro studios without spending more than $1000 (if possible).

Here is what I have as far as recording equipment:

- Shure PG series Drum Mic Kit
- Behringer Eurorack 10-input mixer
- Cubase SX3
- A very decent PC (just upgraded)

So as you can see my arsenal is rather limited. Here is a list of things I would want/need, please give me insight as to which make and model of each that you would recommend (keep in mind the $1000 total limit)

- monitors
- interface (I've been told very good things about the PreSonus Firebot, so I'm planning on getting that)
- condenser mics (2 overhead for drums, 1 or 2 for vox/guitar)
- studio headphones
- other various mics (for either ambience or amp-miking)
- anything else I would need that I haven't listed, feel free to suggest


I'm a very serious musician, as such I am very serious about the sound and quality of my music, as such I will spend countless late nights researching the absolute best combination of equipment I can get on a limited budget in order to obtain my goal. Any help whatsoever from experts or even intermediates would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Adam

By 10-input mixer, do you mean 10 mic, or just 10(2mic 4stereo)?

Monitors: there's a huge array of budget monitors out there. The favorites I've found to be the Behringer truths B2031A or P, Alesis M1 MKII, SAMSON RESOLV 80A, and Fostex PM1.

Interface: Btw it's the firebox or firepod. They have very good pres for the price. I'd go with the firepod though, giving you 8 inputs over 2 with the firebox. I was going to suggest that you use the mixer, but the firepod is the same price or even cheaper than an interface you need along with the mixer, so you're better off with the firepod. Unless you just wanted stereo recording, but this isn't a great idea...

Condenser mics: i'd suggest just 2, for overheads, and these can also be used for vox/guitar(recording separately). I take it you have the 4 drum mic package. I'd suggest getting an sm57 for snare/amps, and 2 studio projects b1s for overheads/vox/acoustic guitar/ambience.

Now research acoustics!!!

 

[TimOBrien]

My obligatory standard reply that I keep in Wordpad:

First off, immediately get a good beginner recording book (spend $20 before spending hundred$/thousand$) that shows you what you need to get started and how to hook everything up in your studio:
Home Recording for Musicians by Jeff Strong - $15
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/07...ce&n=283155&n=507846&s=books&v=glance
(Wish I'd had that when I started; would have saved me lots of money and time and grief)

Good Newbie guides that also explains all the basics (and will also help you out on hardware choices and hookup, too):
http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm
http://www.computermusic.co.uk/page/computermusic?entry=free_beginner_pdfs

21 Ways To Assemble a Recording Rig:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/rigs.htm

Also Good Info:
http://www.theprojectstudiohandbook.com/directory.htm

Other recording books:
http://musicbooksplus.com/home-recording-c-31.html


Plenty of software around to record for free to start out on:

Audacity: http://audacity.sourceforge.net

Kristal: http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/

Other freebies and shareware: www.hitsquad.com

Another great option is REAPER at http://www.cockos.com/reaper/
(It's $40 but runs for free until you get guilty enough to pay for it...)

Music Notation and MIDI recording: Melody Assistant ($20) and Harmony Assistant ($80) have the power of $600 notation packages - http://myriad-online.com
Demo you can try on the website.

And you can go out to any Barnes&Noble or Borders and pick up "Computer Music" magazine - they have a full studio suite in every issue's DVD, including sequencers, plugins and tons of audio samples. (Last November, they gave away a full copy of SamplitudeV8SE worth $150 - pays to watch 'em for giveaways...)

 

[J.D.Min]

hey moondoggy i recently helped a friend buy all his equipment and he was in the same shoes as you. You already have a computer, and a sequencing program (cubase sx3). i think from there if you have a 1000 to spend you can do alot. For interface, you should check up on the m-audio audiophile 192. I prefer it over the mbox2 and its pretty cheap JUST because its not external. but some people dont like it because despite the good sound quality and specs. some people want external. it does get annoying going to the back of your computer everytime you want to patch something in and out. that and its a little more confusing than external interfaces. since you control the volume and pre-amp of the interface through your computer only. Then again presonus is good too so just giving you options.
as for mics, shure sm57 is one of my favorites. its awesome for drums and instruments and decent for vocals. i think an all-around good mic for the price. only a 100 bucks. if you really want to go on a budget, you dont REALLY need monitors. nice comfortable akg headphones work fine. but if you do want to get monitors i have the krk rp-5's and i really like em so. Well hope this helped at all and good luck on your studio project