Starting from Scratch -- for hubby's birthday

[velma]

Hi all,
For my husband's birthday, I am trying to get him a home recording studio as he likes to sing, play acoustic guitar, and eventually I think he'd like to do some voiceover work.

I have asked some friends what I need to get started and this was the answer I received:

1. I-Mac
2. JBL speakers
3. Mikes, 2, voice
Instrument
4. Audio interface
5. Headphones (2)
6. headphone amp
7. soundsoap audio software
8. external firewire drive

I think I can figure out the Mac piece OK but I would love recommendations (from cheap to best value to high end) for the rest of the components. I would like to buy a total solution that he could use for a while.

Thanks a bunch in advance!
V

 

[rayc]

Unless he's a dedicated Mac head you may find the Mac a limitation in terms or variety of available resources etc.

 

[bennychico11]

1. I-Mac
2. JBL speakers
3. Mikes, 2, voice
Instrument
4. Audio interface
5. Headphones (2)
6. headphone amp
7. soundsoap audio software
8. external firewire drive

I'll just start off with recommending M-Audio (www.m-audio.com) for some good home recording equipment to get you going. Interfaces, speakers, software, etc...
Can the SoundSoap software...it's a noise reduction plugin. Only thing you'd be needing it for is if he wants to clean up old recordings that he has lying around. But you will need recording software of some sort. Tons of cheap/free stuff out there to get you started. And depending on what interface you buy, some companies include software with them.

It'd be good to know what your budget is. But you have the basics down it seems, except what I stated above. You may even take away the firewire drive for now until he gets more comfortable with his setup and is ready to put all his stuff on another drive (for both organizational and read/write purposes).
What JBL speakers are we talking about too? They can make some rather pricey studio monitors...and you don't want to purchase the speakers they make that are intended for live use.
For microphones, a couple condensers (they're a type of microphone...not a company name ) should work fine. And in this case you'll want to look for an audio interface that states it has "phantom power." You may even start off with one large one that works well for both vocals and guitar (assuming he doesn't mind recording vocals/guitar separately...in the case, you'll need two. Maybe one large condenser and one small condenser).

 

[wheelema]

Heh. I love stuff like this.

... now if only I could get paid!!

Anyway, how much money do you plan on spending? It all starts there. The choices will vary dramatically based on your budget.

For example, if you go the iMac route... and there is not a damn thing wrong with it... then your costs are going to break down something like this...

iMac

iMac, 20-inch, Intel Core 2 Duo, Part Number: Z0DH
Accessory kit
2.16GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
iWork '06 preinstalled
250GB Serial ATA Drive
SuperDrive 8X (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
Apple Wireless Keyboard & wireless Mighty Mouse + Mac OS X (US English)
ATI Radeon X1600/256MB VRAM
1GB 667 DDR2 SDRAM - 2x512
$1,713

AppleCare Protection Plan for iMac - Auto-enroll
Part Number: S2302Z/A
$169

A/D/A Conversion

MOTU (Mark Of The Unicorn) UltraLite FireWire Audio/MIDI Interface with 10 Inputs and 14 Outputs
$550

Upgrade of A/D/A conversion

Black Lion Audio
$355

Microphone(s)

What follows is extremely political... for some reason
Shure SM7B dynamic (voiceover, singing)
$314
ShinyBox 46 ribbon microphone (voice over, singing)
$400
Matched pair MSH 10 (accoustic guitar)
$44

Monitors

Genelec 8040A studio monitors
$1,050

Headphones

No real opinion. I like Sennheiser personally.

Firewire HDD

I understand that Glyph makes a good one. But if your budget allows I would look seriously at the Adaptec SNAP Server 1100 400GB network attached storage
$523

Audio Software

Sony Soundforge 8
$250

So, where are we at with all of this? Hmm.... $5,470 sans cables, mic stands, misc., shipping, tax, and handling.

But it would be a seriously sweet setup, and nowhere NEAR as expensive as it could get!

 

[mshilarious]

A couple of those items aren't mandatory right away. The external firewire drive could be nice to have, and using a separate hard drive for audio files is a standard practice . . . but for voiceover or acoustic guitar/vocal stuff, really you can start with the internal HD just fine.

I second the caution about JBL speakers. Usually when people mention those, they mean speakers for live sound. Those are NOT what you want for a studio. Look at some ACTIVE (meaning self-powered) studio monitors. I have no preference since I build my own, but other people will have recommendations . . .

IF you tell us your total budget!

 

[velma]

Sorry I forgot the budget. I'm looking at spending around 4K all in. Good info on the firewire drive if we don't need it right away.

Actually we're not even a Mac household but a friend suggested a Mac and so I'm open to getting one if it makes sense. For a PC, what's a minimum config that I would need -- I have a laptop hanging around currently.

Yes we are just talking about recording so I was also a little concerned about what type of speakers.

Thanks for all your feedback.
V

 

[wheelema]

$4,000, PC based, for voice over, singing, and acoustic guitar.

Let's see how close I can get.
You can pick up a Dell Dimension E521 for $900. It would have 1GB RAM and a 19" monitor running WinXP Pro.

I would still stick with Black Lion Audio modified MOTU UltraLite for $905.

The Genelec monitors are awfully nice but let's take a step down the food chain and spec out the [url=https://en.audiofanzine.com/active-monitor/genelec/8030A/user_reviews/]Genelec 8030A[/url] for $626.

Don't change the microphones. The Shure SM7B is a solid vocal and voice over mic, the ShinyBox 46 is arguably the best ribbon mic for the money, and the MSH small condensors are highly recommended for instruments. About $760.

The Sony Soundforge software is still recommended at $250, though if you have a student in the family you can get it for $150.

And since your husband may try his hand at voiceover work consider the CircuitWerkes Mictel. Trust me. He'll need it.
$300

$3,800 before tax (if any) and shipping.

Luck. Hopefully someone else chips in some ideas too.

 

[dgatwood]

Unless he's a dedicated Mac head you may find the Mac a limitation in terms or variety of available resources etc.

Since current Macs can run Windows (if you buy a copy), that's very doubtful.

If Garage Band does everything you need, it comes with the machine. Otherwise, you'll probably want to invest in either Logic Express or Digital Performer. Personally, I use the latter, some people prefer the former. It's all a personal preference thing.

 

[RAK]

Steinberg CuBase is cross-platform, and comes bundled with a variety of audio interfaces. I highly recommed MOTU audio interfaces. The hardware is cross-platform, but it comes with Mac only software (AudioDesk). AudioDesk would probably be just fine starting out, and you can always upgrade to DigitalPerformer later. DP is very good. Like Dgatwood said, if you go with a Mac, it comes with GarageBand, which might be enough. It sort of depends if he has experience with a DAW (digital audio workstation) or not.

If you do go the PC route, you should also check out some of the software offerings from Cakewalk, also probably bundled with different hardware. (Cakewalk has their own bundle now)

 

[wheelema]

I thought for sure there would be some blowback on the mic recommendations, but it seems... so far... that everyone wants to suggest audio software.

The Sony SoundForge software is a two channel application that is especially suited for voiceover work... mind you, it is just fine for everything else too that can get by with limited tracks (like, say, a singing guitar player), but it has special appeal for a voiceover artist.

The problem with Cubase, et. al., is that they are targeted at recording larger number of sources like you might find in a garage band or small performing group. You don't need the functionality, or the complexity. SoundForge also integrates well with Sony CD Architect (in fact this app is bundled in the academic distribution) which is the premier app for cutting Redbook compliant CDs for distribution.

There is a substantial learning curve with this stuff... and we all mean well.

Luck.

 

[Rokket]

You can pick up a Dell Dimension E521 for $900. It would have 1GB RAM and a 19" monitor running WinXP Pro.

I don't know if you want to use XP pro for recording. Microsoft Office comes standard with it, and it has about 300+ apps running in the background that you will have to disable in order to avoid problems with the audio software.
Other than that, good solid advice...

 

[bennychico11]

I don't know if you want to use XP pro for recording. Microsoft Office comes standard with it, and it has about 300+ apps running in the background that you will have to disable in order to avoid problems with the audio software.

Actually, it's not Windows XP at all that comes with the extra programs. It's Dell that sends it that way. If you buy and install your own Windows version, you won't get all that.

XP Pro works fine for me. Although the only extra benefits have to do with networking, I believe.

 

[DJLUND]

??????????????????????????????????????

Hello, new and confused, this is my setup,
1 HP Pavilion a1319h using XP Media center edition ( $500 )
2 4 channel Mixers ( $50 each )
2 Mic's 1 is a First Sound WirelessDynamic ( $49 ) and the second one is a Radio shack Unidirectional Dynamic Mic ( $55 ), Both sound great.
1 SonyDigital Audio & Video Control Center ( $200 )
Sony 12" 3 way speaker System ( $200 )
1 N-Track 4.2 v DAW ($40 )
1 Acid Pro 4 v DAW ( $250 )
2 Studio headphones ( $120 each )

= $1584 at the most NOW Whats Wrong with this picture?
and to throw in sound and add-ins I use a Yamaha PSR-500 Synth ( $400 )
$1984 and I'm set. The sound that comes from this system is perfect. All my clients are very pleased. and have had pleasing complements with the outcome. Really shouldent cost over $2000 for a Nice, Nice setup.

Daniel

 

[bennychico11]

Hello, new and confused, this is my setup,
1 HP Pavilion a1319h using XP Media center edition ( $500 )
2 4 channel Mixers ( $50 each )
2 Mic's 1 is a First Sound WirelessDynamic ( $49 ) and the second one is a Radio shack Unidirectional Dynamic Mic ( $55 ), Both sound great.
1 SonyDigital Audio & Video Control Center ( $200 )
Sony 12" 3 way speaker System ( $200 )
1 N-Track 4.2 v DAW ($40 )
1 Acid Pro 4 v DAW ( $250 )
2 Studio headphones ( $120 each )

= $1584 at the most NOW Whats Wrong with this picture?
and to throw in sound and add-ins I use a Yamaha PSR-500 Synth ( $400 )
$1984 and I'm set. The sound that comes from this system is perfect. All my clients are very pleased. and have had pleasing complements with the outcome. Really shouldent cost over $2000 for a Nice, Nice setup.

Daniel

Not to rag on your setup (because if it works for you, then by all means go that direction)...but I can find several things in there that could benefit from an upgrade.
First off, your headphones cost more than your mics...which is just odd in any studio. Same with your preamps. I just ask you to try out some more higher end preamps/mics and check the difference. I think you will be very surprised. It may be you and your clients just haven't heard what can be done with higher end stuff. Especially if you're using a wireless mic in your studio
There is a reason why most professionals buy Neumann, MOTU, Neve, Grace, UA, Shure, Royer, etc...and a reason why they are priced such. I'm also not really sure what you're using as a soundcard in all that setup...the stock one? Also, Windows Media Center is geared towards people wanting to watch DVDs or make a photo gallery...not really for recording. In fact, some recording programs tell you to not use Windows MC because it's not compatible.


I think everyone here is trying to get the poster's husband started with a good sounding setup that he can be happy with for years to come but still upgrade parts of it if need be.

 

[wheelema]

Okay, Velma, we've done our part. Now, you be dog gone sure to tell us exactly what you got him.

Looking forward to it!!!

 

[rayc]

Yeah nice mics 1 condensor & 1 dynamic'd be really nice.
Monitor with decent SPEAKERS hooked to an old but decent Stereo amp rather than h/phones or comp speakers. H/phones are for recording & some detailed listening. when he's mixing he'll have to play the stuff at a decent volume in the air.
Good luck & a pat on the back for being nice to your old fellow.

 

[velma]

Hey all,
Thanks a bunch for all the advice. I may come back for a quick question as I go to buy the stuff but it was really good to know what was absolutely necessary and what was "nice to have"

Will give you a laundry list of what was bought!!!

V

 

[OhSh1rt]

Since current Macs can run Windows (if you buy a copy), that's very doubtful.

Can someone tell me whats the point in a mac if you run windows on it? I've sort of used OS X before, it was, uh, cool I guess, but I didn't see any benifit over windows.


-jeffrey

 

[blazingstrings]

Hi all,
For my husband's birthday, I am trying to get him a home recording studio as he likes to sing, play acoustic guitar, and eventually I think he'd like to do some voiceover work.

I have asked some friends what I need to get started and this was the answer I received:

1. I-Mac
2. JBL speakers
3. Mikes, 2, voice
Instrument
4. Audio interface
5. Headphones (2)
6. headphone amp
7. soundsoap audio software
8. external firewire drive

I think I can figure out the Mac piece OK but I would love recommendations (from cheap to best value to high end) for the rest of the components. I would like to buy a total solution that he could use for a while.

Thanks a bunch in advance!
V

Hmmm.... If it were me this is what I would do with $4k.

1. Insted of the I-mac buy on of the newer Mac-Mini's with the Intel Core DUo processors.
$799.00

2. My personal choice in monitors are the M-Audio BX-5a's and they are pretty nice for the price.
$299.99

3. I'm not going to realy touch on mic's as that I give bad opinions there.
That said I do like the M-Audio Luna and Solaris mics.

4. Once again I like M-Audio here, I would go firewire.
The Firewire 410 is a nice two in four out box.
$399.99 I think.

5. I personaly like Sony Headphones but senhiser are nice too.
$200.00 for a couple pair.

6. If you go with the mentioned M-Audio Audio Interface you wont need a HP amp but if you still want one There are a few nice ones under $100. I know alot of folks who use the Presonis HP4.
$100.00

7. If getting the mac I would skip the sound soap, unless it was specificaly requested.

8. I would just get this anyway since having storage space is always best.
Drives can be had from $100 and up.

So right there not considering the mics and cables and stand ect. thats $2000.00.

Thats what I would od though under those parameters.

-Blaze

 

[velma]

Hey all,
I've talked to a few more folks and I'm considering these two audio interfaces:

1) Presonus FIREPOD 10-Channel FireWire Interface with Cubase LE

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/prod...-FireWire-Interface-with-Cubase-LE?sku=184131

or

2) Digidesign Mbox 2 Pro

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Digidesign-Mbox-2-Pro?sku=241801

The Mbox comes with Pro Tools LE and the Presonus comes with the Cubase LE software? Which is better? My husband would be starting out but he'd be a quick learner I imagine. However, there's a big difference in price between the 2. Mbox 2 Pro is 699 and Presonus Firepod is 499.

Thanks!
V