Starting a studio what do we need?

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EnVISION Music

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We are starting a studio to do primarily pop/r&b music. We are getting a few staple necessities..... Korg Triton, and Proteus. We are in a dilemma though and NEED ADVICE....... How should we record??? We are currently going to go through a computer with a studio software. Is this sufficient with a powerful comp? Does our MASTER come from the cd burner and stay on our hard drive? I was told that we need a mixer with the computer, but the program has one on it...so DO WE??Also which Mics should we get (reasonably). What role does an ADAT play in this? If we use a computer, would we need an ADAT? (EMPAHASIS ON NEED) We also considered a Roland VS 1880. Basically.... we want to know what the most efficient and GREAT sounding approach is. Can anyone help? Thanks alot!
Here is a rough list of the equipment we plan to purchase...... PLEASE ADVISE US!!!

Korg Triton Pro 76 key Keyboard
Mackie CFX 20 16 Track Mixer
Sound Card with inputs
Shure Studio Microphone (which?)
Proteus Vocal Effects Processor
 
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1) I would suggest for you guys to go the PC or MAC route (IMHO...PC).

2) Yes, it is sufficient, depending on your outboard gear, sound cards, monitors, etc...

3) Your MASTER could come from your CD BURNER, if YOU want the MASTER on CD.

You could leave the MASTER on the hard drive, save it on a CDRW, or delete the master off of your hard drive, it is up to you.

4) You don't need an external mixer, that is also up to you. Some people do not like to use a mouse to MIX.:)

5) I am the wrong person to give advice on mics, sorry...:( .

6) You don't "need" to purchase ADAT's.

7)If, you go the PC route, you will not need to purchase an 1880.

I will let somebody else comment on what pieces of gear you should purchase, but you will need to state how much money you are willing to spend.

p.s. Also, add to your list:

reference monitors
amp


peace...

spin
 
I find it rather odd that you are starting a "studio" to do "efficient and GREAT sounding recording", yet are asking what you need to do this.....:rolleyes:

I would suggest that you apprentice in a real recording studio, and possibly hire a consultant. If you need to ask this question, and are seeking "GREAT sounding recordings", you are in way over your head.

Sorry if this sounds a bit harsh, but I would have never considered starting my first studio without knowing what my near term, and long term requirements were ahead of time. To just say "Hey, I think I will start a studio" and start asking around is a bit, um, .....well, without sounding offensive, I cannot say, but you get the point....;)

You might just want to start off with a simple 4 track recorder and a Shure SM-58 microphone and a okay set of bookshelf speakers for now and see if this whole recording game suits you. Again, you may want to book some studio time at a real studio and ask a few questions there about what they are using and hear the results. If you have an eye towards being economical and getting solid performing gear that won't be outdated next week, jumping into purchases without a pretty good knowledge of what is needed for a studio, and some experience using varying qualities of gear will frustrate you in a hurry.

Good luck.

Ed
 
I agree with sonusman, it's better to start out small and learn your chops and then upgrade to the better equipment later. There was another post on this forum a while ago called "Calling all pros a question about new setup" and his uncle had about $30,000 worth of equipment and had NO CLUE how to work any of it, talk about a BIG waste of $$$$.

I think that Cakewalk Pro Audio 9 ($180) would be good to start out on along with a Delta 66 soundcard with 4 inputs/4 outputs ($310) and you would still be able produce some very nice recordings. The mixer is completely up to you as SPINSTERWUN said. Mics, you sould look into at least a couple of SM57s ($80) don't let the price fool you they are great mics, works great on guitar cab, drum snare/tom micing, and do a pretty good job on vocals too. Also the Audio Technica AT4033 ($350) or AT4050 ($600) are both really incredible mics on vocals, drums, amps, you name it. For monitors I would get the Yorkville YSM1ps when they come out (they are going to be out sometime either this month or next month I believe), they're active monitors so you would not need an external power amp . They also have the YSM1s but they are passive, so you would need a power amp. And lastly if you get the Mackie mixer then you won't neccessarily need a mic preamp (the Mackies have nice preamps so I've heard) but it's nice to have more variety, Ed (sonusman) could do a better job of filling you in on that one than I could....:)

I hope this helps

-tkr
 
:D

sonusman and Tekker just posted what I was thinking (I just didn't want to be the first one to say it) :) .

You need to to look around, before you start spending money on equipment.

I would normally suggest to you all to do a search on this BBS, for more info. ;)

If, you are going to go the PC route, you might want to download some demo versions of programs. In order for you to figure out which program is most suitable for you and it's applicable use.

http://www.sonicfoundry.com

http://www.cakewalk.com

etc...

Plus, you still need to post us back. To let us know what is your monetary budget.

peace...

spin @ PSYLAB INC.
 
But...

If you are just itching to get started right now......:)

Some of my suggestions would be...

Cakewalk 9, Vegas 2.0, or Sonar (Sonar just came out, so I would wait).

Acid 2.0 Pro

Fruity Loops 3.0

Delta 66 or the Delta 1010 (the D 1010 comes with Vegas 2.0) soundcard.

Hafler or Alesis amp

Event 20/20 reference monitors.

A Pentium III computer (go to the Dell REFURBISHED wesite) http://www.dell.com

with at least:
833MHZ PIII
256MB of Ram
2 hard drives (20 to 30 Gigabytes each) @720RPM's
133MHZ bus
2 USB ports
CDRW
CD/DVD

and you will need to get a video monitor

try ViewSonic/Opticode @ http://www.viewsonic.com

or http://www.tigerdirect.com

I'm sure I've left out a ton of stuff, but it least it will get you started on the right track (maybe??? :) ).

How much loot are you all willing to spend????

spin
 
for hip-hop and r&b,

the korg or equivalent board is an absolute necessity.

If you are only going to be using one or two keyboards, you don't need a mixer, and you should not even waste money on it.

The adats or 1880 would be redundant if you go the computer route(which is excellent)

After a tight keyboard for beats, the most important thing would be polished vocals. Get a great mic and a great preamp. I just got a marshall v67 with a nice looking shock mount and its awesome. It compares to my $800 akg c414 and it only costs $179.99
I suspect thatA nice pre for fat, polished r&b vocals will set you back at least $300. Try to spring for one that has two channels.

As everyboday says, you need some nice monitors that will translate everywhere.

For software, Vegas is tight if you don't need midi, but Logic is my choice for audio/midi.

Get a good soundcard. Make sure the converters are in the breakout box, and that it has 24 bit /96 khz capability.

make music.


ps.

Remember to record the drum components into separate tracks. It gives you more power and flexibility in the mixing stage.
 
I disagree with sonusman's reply to you. I am a total novice to this music recording stuff but do not for one second regret the equipment I have purchased to put together a very acceptable home recording station & would not go the 4 track route (been there & found the quality a total drag).

Computer w/ burner
Delta 66 Sound Card (REAL Quiet 4in's 4out's)
Soundblaster Card for Soundfonts & Midi
Small mixer (Behringer or Mackie)
Pair of Alesis
Headphone Amp
A few headphones
Art tube preamp
Art tube Compressor
Pod Line6 for Guitar efx
Decent to good mics (57's & a AT 4033a do it for me)
Keyboard controller
Cubase VST (Cubasis is a good start though)
lots of cables (best you can afford)

All in all about $2.5k - 3k (US) Look for good deals. When you make a bad purchase unload it on ebay. I rarely cannot recoup almost all of my investment when I sell something there.

I feel as if I can practically do anything with this setup. I record mostly Grandaddy / Pavement type stuff Heavy Guitar + Electronic fx & Keyboard.

My point is: If you are serious about your music You will not be disapointed when you take charge of your own recordings. The setbacks with the equipment & the steep learning curve are at tine frustrating, but the first time you record a great vox track or a real full guitar track you are hooked.

Caveat: This is NOT a pro setup & do not expect real studio quality. It is however pretty friggin good quality(Enough to fool the friends, neighbors & get yourself a gig at the local clubs)

I am having a blast! Best of luck to you.
 
Our Budget

Thanks alot you guys for your input. As I was telling another guy who sort of sounded condescending about this.... we are NOT just "deciding" to do this.... I have just decided to sink alot of money into it. We are primarily singer/songwriters with a true natural gift at producing. It is the new technology that is SO VAST and so deceiptful in their claims... we just wanted to know what everyone else thinks since they HAVE the stuff. So our budget for equipment will be between $6,000 and 10,000 dollars..... likely 10,000. Is everyone agreeing that the Proteus is the best way to go?? As a gift I recieved the "DATA BECKER MUSIC STUDIO" program.... it has a hell of alot of toys in it... 32 track audio and some pretty killer vocal effects.... has anyone used this?? What do you think of it..? Thanks again for all your input....... no doubt it will save $$ :)
 
enVISION music,

Since ! you are considering investing so much money
and you sound serious, I would really consider a consultant as well.

Think about this ....you invest $10,000 in some nice gear
yet the room you put it in is hardly capable of producing
half it's quality....so now you have spent the money yet cant get the sound.

You run out and buy some acoustic foam and put it up...
yet now you cant understand why your mix's you have slaved over for 10 hours sounds great in your room but terrible in your friends stereo......did you buy the right material? did you put it up right? did you take care of standing waves?

Somebody tells you to run out and buy the superxxx monitors for your new studio......yet in your room all you need is the small xxx monitors. Now you have $500 less to buy gear you really need.

These are just a few of the pit's you might fall into that nobody can help you with unless they hear - see - have the knowledge - to help you out.

Then again if you want to have some fun and make some decent demos then I'm sure somebidy here can help you out.
 
What is a Proteus Vocal Effects Processor. I'm not sure what that is ?
 
MISTAKE!!

I screwed up..I feel stupid now lol... The Proteus is a sound module...... not for vocals.. I screwed up when I typed that..... What I was trying to convey was which VOCAL PROCESSOR DO YOU GUYS RECOMMEND?
 
Sort of condescending guy here....

You have had 2 professional engineers give you mostly the same feedback concerning your original request. In fact, the only two professionals that have replied so far.....:(.

I answer questions straight up with no sugar coating my friend. If you take that as "condescending" then I anticipate seeing many posts by you in the future in regards to scenarios that Shailat listed above, because reason doesn't sit well with you (even though you are a "genius"....;)). The above advice is prudent and relevent. You will find that out in time.

Good luck with the new studio, and I mean that.

Ed
 
EnVISION- The Emu Proteus 2000 is similar to the Korg Triton you are considering. Both are sample-playback synths and cover much of the same ground. You might want to consider a virtual analog synth, or a used real analog synth. Nord Lead, Access Virus, Korg MS2000, and the Roland JP-8000 are worth looking at. The Proteus 2000 is a good synth module and I like it, but I guess it all depends on what kind of music you play. It has a logical interface and is easy use in multi-timbral mode (for sequencing)
 
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