Slightly off topic

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CanopuS

Amateur music since 1847
OK this includes other gear as well as microphones, but I figured you guys know more than all the others do. Me and a friend want to get a setup, and he has about £1000 ($1600) to spare. Unfortunately, it has to be from scratch. Now I don't know which part of the spectrum to spend the majority of the money on. Out of Microphones, preamps, compressors and soundcard, there are loads of different ways I could split the money. Would you go cheap on the mics to build up a solid base? We're pretty intent on getting a MOTU (but I know you'll all say RME) system, but perhaps the original 828 would be cheaper and thus would allow more money around. What do you think? You can name direct products, or just how you would share it out. Cheers! :)
 
Before you flame me to death, I forgot to explain the use :D

We'll be recording drums, acoustic, vocals and some electric (although general purpose would be nice if we decide to do some african drumming etc).

The rooms is nice, not dull at all, but quite small (10x12?)

Ta
 
Aardvark Q10 because it has 8 pres that aren't bad and flexible routing.

$830

RNP - Because it rocks

$475

2 - Studio Project B-1s

$140

2 - Sm57's

$140

------------------------
Total = $1585

You'll still need a computer, headphones, cables, stands, and lot of prayers!! :P

Sorry dude. . . you'll need more money unless you can find some good used deals.

Beez
 
This is fun... love this kind of problem solving. I am sure that you appreciate the constraints in your budget.

Steinberg Studio Case / VSL2020 Bundle $449
Includes the VSL2020 sound card, and....
...a copy of Cubase SE
...a copy of Groove Agent SE
...a copy of HalION SE
...a copy of The Grand SE
...a copy of D'Cota SE
...a copy of Virtual Guitarist Electric SE
Your sound card, your sequencing software, and some VST instruments. The sound card is optimized to support VST instruments bye the by. Or is it 'by the bye'???

http://www.audiomidi.com/common/cfm/product.cfm?Product_ID=4230

Kurzweil Rumour $499
Primary purpose here is high quality (think Lucid) dual channel A/D/A converters. The world class reverb is an afterthought. You can substitute the Mangler if the effects therein are more to your needs. 24bit/48KHz maximum.

http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=6425&Category=Audio_Processors

Roland MMP-2 modeling preamp $250
This puppy is on it's way out, so the initial price of near $700 has dropped in to the bargain basement. The microphone modeling may suck, but the two channels of quality preamp, compression, de-esser, and preamp modeling (which most definitely does not suck) more than make up for it. Also does A/D conversion as an option, but the Rumour allegedly does it MUCH better.

http://www.americanmusical.com/st/aspx/i-ROL+MMP2+FRS/en/item.htm

Studio Projects B1 large condensor microphone $80
You have to economize somewhere. I wanted to steer you to the Shure SM7 for vocals, but...

http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=10142&Category=Microphones

Shure SM57 dynamic microphone $89
Kind of everybody's favorite studio workhorse.

http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=1361&Category=Microphones

Audix PH5VS Powered Studio Monitors $199
I've never used these, never heard them, they are simply the cheapest studio monitors that I know of, so....

http://www.bswusa.com/prod_item.asp?item=PH5VS

$1,566.00 total

You still need the computer and associated cables and gear.

Luck, and have fun!
 
is the $1600 before or after you get the Motu?.....if you are dead set on the Motu, take it out of the equasion and state the budget , and also, what instruments you will be recording.......
 
Right. Thanks for all the replies. I didn't mention that we already have the computer! I actually thought you would presume I did but sorry for not mentioning it :) Unfortunately, due to limitations, it's gonna have to be the laptop, thus causing one or two problems. This is one of the main reasons a MOTU would be useful. Either way, my budget doesn't help matters here. I'm looking at all the options you've listed, some look pretty nice. I'll throw in another idea to mix things up a little:

- Motu 828 - £400 (second hand)
- Sytek 4 channel preamp - £400 (second hand)
- Pair of studio projects B1's - £150
- Could probably squeeze a SM57 or something too...

However of course I could lower the quality of the preamp or soundcard, and up the mics. There are too many options!

Gidge - "We'll be recording drums, acoustic, vocals and some electric (although general purpose would be nice if we decide to do some african drumming etc)."

Wheelema - I saw the thread about the Rumour over at the rack. I presume I'd need some sort of soundcard to send it into, right?

And finally for all - Prices are a lot cheaper in America, would electricity based components (Preamp) work if I used an English-American plug adaptor, or do the power supplies work differently in each country?

Thanks!
 
Oh and I think monitors should be catered for (I hope)
 
Argh its ridiculous I'm even tempted by a Neumann U87 going at $550!
 
CanopuS said:
Wheelema - I saw the thread about the Rumour over at the rack. I presume I'd need some sort of soundcard to send it into, right?
Click to expand...
Right. The Rumour/Mangler digital I/O is S/PDIF. Some computers provide S/PDIF I/O.
 
Regarding the MOTU 828

Take a look at the MOTU user's group site (Unicornation.com), particularly the hardware forum. There are quite a few posts about issues associated with the new 828mkii. I use an older version of the 828 which has never given me any serious headaches. But the newer 828 leaves me wondering!
 
Hmmm I was thinking more of the original rather than the new one, the price doesnt seem to justify the upgrade. Do you have any clips of what you've done with yours ? Would be real helpful if you did. Cheers!
 
Hmmmm. A lynxone card with the Rumour going in the digital inputs.... thus 4 channels of very good ADA. I'm not really considering it but it just occured that would be one damn nice combo
 
The Lynx 1 has different convertors than the Lynx 2 series, at least by the published specs. I've heard only raves about the 2's, but nothing about the 1's.
 
Hmm just gonna ressurect this if thats OK, just to see if anyone has any other views? I'm on the brink of having to make a decision, and I don't know yet :D
 
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