Starting A Studio!

  • Thread starter Thread starter Brad_C
  • Start date Start date
Ok I just got some software given to me (yes it is legal) this software includes Adobe Audition 1.5, Sony Sound Forge 7.0 and acoustica 3.1. I also have the light version of Ableton Live 4.1.2.

Is there any other cheap software that you would recommend to me or should I be fine for a while with what I already have.
 
Yes Brad do you realize that if you do record many instruments at once that it will severely limit your ability to modify those sounds afterwards?

If you do use 6 or more mics on the drums through your mixer and then submix them down to two channels on your soundcard, you're basically going to have to do any eq, fx, or dynamics processing BEFORE it gets to the soundcard, because after then the individual instruments won't be separable anymore. If you want some verb on the snare, for instance, it's also going to end up on the kick if try to add it after it's been recorded.

With the mixer I am planing on running the channels through the line out and the mixer (each channel has a seperate line out) into the firepod so I can get a nice mixed sound before hand going into the computer but also in seperate tracks. Does this make sense and sound right.
Click to expand...

This doesn't really make sense to me. It sounds more like you want to make a live recording, which usually requires some more outboard gear if it's a decent-sized band. It really makes no sense to run a line out from a mixer channel into a channel on the firepod. That's why everyone is asking why you need a mixer. In that situation, all you'd be using the mixer for is the preamp, and the firepod already has a preamp, so the mixer is pointless. The only reason you would need a mixer is if you're going to be doing any "sub-mixing," which means taking several mixer channels (say 8 mic channels for the drums) and mixing them down to a bus and sending them out of your mixer and into the firepod as just, say, 2 channels (L and R). IF this is what you're talking about, then you'll have to do everything beforehand like I said above.
 
Yeah i understand what your saying but yeah I will be recording pretty large bands. Say like orchestra size and stuff like that. Ok so anyway I still want a mixer anyways for other uses that we will have for it. The biggest thing I am buying first is all my mics cause I need those right away so I am going to be purchasing a lot of stuff in little tiny pieces.
 
Brad, i just had a read through this thread, and i would seriously suggest you learn as much as you can before you invest in alot of equipement. I am only 17, but i have been through about 3/4 different studio setup combinations and im now left with the one i think works best for what i want to do... the only way i found that out is through experience and knowlage of what certain equipement is for. Don't get suckered into buying too many channels, or into using every bit of software on earth.... just start from the bottom and build your way up instead of jumping in at the deep end.

Again, im only 17... but from experience, its worth buying for what you need instead of what you may need.
 
If your going to be recording huge ensaumbles, you may want to skip the mixer and pick up 2 firepods instead of one Personally i'd MUCH rather have 16 ins into the computer than 8 ins and a shit load of pre's to sub mix with. Especial if you intend to do all of your mixing in the software.
 
Last edited:
Ok now I think I know what I am getting;

I already own all the software I need now.

1. Firepod

2. Studio Moniters

3. 1 large diaphragm condenser mic, 3 dynamic Mics (I need new ones anyway), Set of 5 drums mics (can get at a very low price)

4. Pop filter, Mic stands, extra cords and stuff.

5. After a while we are going to purchase a 16 channel mixer (because we need it for other applications anyway)

Now does this sound good. A lot of this will be bought in parts and out little business will not only be recording but also website design and video eiditing (like live concerts to DVD's). We are starting with website design and going into recording by next spring.
 
SOunds good.... You may find as you work that you dont need the mixer- or maybe you'll find you gotta have it. Dont waste your money- this shits expensive enough as it is!


Nowwwww.. for the drum mics. I'd hate to see you waste money on one of those cheap combo sets that sound really bad (Im thinking of the cheap Nadys that come in the plastic case for REAL cheap). I'd rather have 3 good mics on the drums than have 8 mediocre mics. If i were you, i'd surf up to the mic forum.

Good luck sir. :)
 
kremitmusic said:
Nowwwww.. for the drum mics. I'd hate to see you waste money on one of those cheap combo sets that sound really bad (Im thinking of the cheap Nadys that come in the plastic case for REAL cheap). I'd rather have 3 good mics on the drums than have 8 mediocre mics. If i were you, i'd surf up to the mic forum.

Good luck sir. :)
Click to expand...

No well since I am a percussionist who does a lot of playing for people and stuff I will be buying a really nice set of drum mics that do come in a case but they cost 600 bucks canadian for the set.
 
Which set is it? A lot of the drum mic sets are for live sound and not really oriented for recording. They work for recording, they just don't always give you the depth that you'd expect from a well recorded kit.

The stereo print of the drums usually sets the stage for the whole song. If your overheads suck, your whole song is going to sound wierd.

Take care,
Chris
 
Well i forget what ones they are but they are either AKG or Shure. Also how can I make my studio a good recording enviroment? Since where I am located I will most likly moving a lot what is a good way to make the sound in there better but be able to move it easily?
 
Brad_C said:
Well i forget what ones they are but they are either AKG or Shure. Also how can I make my studio a good recording enviroment? Since where I am located I will most likly moving a lot what is a good way to make the sound in there better but be able to move it easily?
Click to expand...

Hey Brad,

Personally, I'd skip a drum mic pack all together. You can do better buying individual mics (though it will be more expensive). Just because it says "drum mic package" doesn't mean it's great at recording drums.

Regarding acoustics, my favourite solution when you also need portability is to create some gobos consisting of a wood frame, filled with rigid fiberglass (Owen Cornings 703 or equivalent) with your choice of breathable fabric staples on the front. You can check out some of what I've made here:

http://will.wackyville.tv/acousticpanels/acoustic.html

You will also want some kind of wall mount absorption panels similar to what Ethan makes with his company, RealTraps (www.realtraps.com). Check out this thread, which is similar to what you want:

https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=158530

You really need a multi-faceted solution...some bass traps in the corners, acoustic panels on the walls, and some gobos to create smaller recording spaces. If you search around c7sus created some great tall gobos that can be used to in effect create a modular vocal booth. Read the threads around here...this stuff is covered a lot.

Milkman
 
I hope your rates are really cheap, because right now there are bazillions of studios filled with home studio gear, iffy engineering and poor recording spaces.

I see about 2-3 spring up in my area every year... and about 2-3 go out of business by the next year.

Make sure to approach it as a business and you'll do fine.
 
Where I am to it is not like that at all. The whole idea is for us to offer extremly cheap rates (20 bucks an hour) so that artists or anyone who wants to record something can have the oppurtunity to do so. In my area there is still recording studios but either they cost a lot or you go in there and they take controll of your album and you don't get the sound you want. Also one studio that isn't to expensive if you think about it is a studio located in a barn with horible recording gear. So I think there is a huge market for us. Plus we are going to be also doing websites for extremly cheap rates.
 
Milkman said:
Hey Brad,

Personally, I'd skip a drum mic pack all together. You can do better buying individual mics (though it will be more expensive). Just because it says "drum mic package" doesn't mean it's great at recording drums.

Regarding acoustics, my favourite solution when you also need portability is to create some gobos consisting of a wood frame, filled with rigid fiberglass (Owen Cornings 703 or equivalent) with your choice of breathable fabric staples on the front. You can check out some of what I've made here:

http://will.wackyville.tv/acousticpanels/acoustic.html

You will also want some kind of wall mount absorption panels similar to what Ethan makes with his company, RealTraps (www.realtraps.com). Check out this thread, which is similar to what you want:

https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=158530

You really need a multi-faceted solution...some bass traps in the corners, acoustic panels on the walls, and some gobos to create smaller recording spaces. If you search around c7sus created some great tall gobos that can be used to in effect create a modular vocal booth. Read the threads around here...this stuff is covered a lot.

Milkman
Click to expand...


Will acoustic panels also work with the use of a fluffy form.
 
20/hour seems way too expensive for what you're going to have equipment-wise. I can get guys a special 35/hour rate for larger projects and we pack a ProTools HD 4 rig and almost every TDM made on top of about 60k of microphones.

Depends on your area though. But if there isn't much competition studiowise there just may not be the biz to support anyone.

Once again... be careful.
 
Well like I said the next competition to us will be the 70/hour studio or somewhere around that price range. I also have a lot of people who would rather record with us. I am charging 20 an hour anyways becuase it will cover the use of things such as good drums (if they don't have them) and good amps of course. Plus if I feel that they payed to much I will shave some off it (only if they weren't being idoits in the studio). Basically I won't be hard to get along with and since there will be two of us the mixing of the songs will be done twice as fast. I am a music school student and the other is a computer science student so its kinda funny in that way hahahahaha.
 
Hey Brad_C,

Do you mean using the fluffly pink insulation in wall-mounted acoustic panels? I would stick with some sort of rigid panel...even mineral wool like Roxul Safe n Sound is available at Home Depot and is very similar in acoustic absorption properties to OC 703 (see http://www.bobgolds.com and click on "Acoustic Coefficients"). I think a rigid panel will work better both aesthetically and acoustically. Fluffy pink insulation does have its uses though - it can be stuffed in a corner to act as a bass trap.

Whereabout are you located in Canada? In the Toronto area and Montreal, there is Isofab (www.isofab.com) which sells Ottawa Fibre products (The OFI-48 is most similar to the Owen Cornings 703 often referred to on this board). I have used this with great results.

Milkman
 
Brad_C said:
since there will be two of us the mixing of the songs will be done twice as fast.
Click to expand...

How does that work?

In my opinion the more people present when mixing the LONGER it takes... especially if any of those people played on the song. :)
 
Cloneboy Studio said:
How does that work?

In my opinion the more people present when mixing the LONGER it takes... especially if any of those people played on the song. :)
Click to expand...

No one who played on the song will be there.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top