Studio for £3000?

[ecktronic]

Im looking to build a studio with a budget of £3000. Is this possible to get a decent digital studio.
I need a
Computer (with large storage, good sound card, suitable RAM)
Mics (AKG or Sure drum set, and a few extra mics)
Mic stands
Cables
Interface (with about 16 channels nice pre amps)

I think this is all i really need. I dont need a mixing desk as i will just be using Cubase SX2 with the automation and mixer window. Is there anything else that i need for this kind of setup. I really would like to be able to record 16 channels at once as 8 or 12 might not be enough in some situations.

Any feedback would be great cheers.

 

[ecktronic]

Ooh i also need some Mackie HR802 monitors. (can get these for around £500/£600 off ebay)

 

[mshilarious]

I think it would be tough to do 16 channels for £3000. You could manage 8 on that budget, and if you need more, you can expand later. I'd rather have 8 good channels (mics, pres, converters) than 16 mediocre ones.

Generally the drum packs aren't that great, because they give you too many mics and some of the wrong ones. For example the nicer Shure pack has 3 SM57s and a B52, plus 3 ring mounts. You probably only need one SM57, the B52, plus two condenser mics for overheads. Add a good large diaphragm condenser mic for vocals to that, and you can record nearly anything.

 

[Elmo89m]

how much is that in us dollars?

 

[ecktronic]

Cheers for the feedback. I dont think 8 channels is really enough as i might want to use say 10 tracks just for drums. If i could get some stuff second hand then i might be able to afford it yeh?.

£3000 = 5,652.49 USD

 

[Elmo89m]

you could get 3 sytek 4 channel pre's...they are about 900 each....however i dont think you would want 12 channels of the same pre...(but then again maybe you do)
then the motu 828mkII firewire computer interface...Any Decent computer....The FMR RNC compressor...To shure sm57's, 1 sm58, a RODE mic, maybe a neumann mic for vox, two cheaper condensers for overhead drums. A mic for kick drums (im not very familiar with drum mics)....a nice multi fx processor...a Behringer Eurodesk mx9000 (actually a really nice mixing unit)..so far thats about...4500 or so....you would want a midi controller on which you could spend between 150 and 1,000 or more dollars...and a sequencer program...i prefer something like sonar 4....and thats about all i can think of right now....you might later want to fill in you effects rack as you go but that is a pretty damn good setup

EDIT: sorry i forgot monitors.....you could pick up a pair of mackie's for aorund 500 bucks....they are pretty good near-field monitors (Mackie HR824 Active Monitor)

EDIT(2): i Just read you dont need a mix desk....but later on you might..so i dont know...i guess if you really dont think you need that dont get it

 

[mshilarious]

Cheers for the feedback. I dont think 8 channels is really enough as i might want to use say 10 tracks just for drums. If i could get some stuff second hand then i might be able to afford it yeh?.

£3000 = 5,652.49 USD

Well 10 mics, stands, and cables even second hand is gonna clear £1000. If you're doing 10 tracks of drums, then I imagine you're going to end up with a lot of tracks, so you need a good PC. Doesn't leave much room for 16 channels of preamps, converters, software, & plugs.

Also have you considered your room treatments?

 

[ecktronic]

Room treatment is not an issue really. I have recorded in an art studio which is just an average room near a road. I got great results with the sound. Really up front punchy sound with no nasty room echoes or noise or anything. Good mic and source placement can produce great results in average non treated rooms. I know not all rooms will work but close micing most things really helps.
Ill place a sample when i can get the server working.

Cheers all.

 

[ecktronic]

Heres the link

Song is called "LIVE SAMPLE"
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/8/seratonescotlandmusic.htm

 

[ecktronic]

Just a quick renew of thread for any additional comments.

 

[Elmo89m]

did you make a decision yet?

 

[noisedude]

You can hear the room on that vocal. I would recommend spending a little money on some sheets of rockwool and placing them about 4" from the wall. That will make a big difference and only small money from B+Q.

Gear ... well that would take all day. One thing - DO NOT BUY ANY 'DRUMKIT MIC SETS'! They're a rip-off. Get a pair of decent overheads, a decent kick and snare, then use whatever else you have lying around for toms if you can't afford more.

Here's what I think I'd get:

- Sennheiser E835 about £50 from www.dv247.com
- Audio Technica ATM25 for kick - www.gak.co.uk
- Studio Projects C4s for overheads and acoustic guitar - £220 from DV
- Sennheiser MD421 for guitar amps and toms
- Vocal mic that matches your voice - that's up to you to find!!

- PC - Presonus Firepod for 8 i/o and 8 preamps - £480
- Half-decent PC with at least 1gb of RAM - £600

- Monitors - Genelec 8030A - £600 or less - v.v. accurate yet compact. If you're mixing at silly volumes or in a large room you might want a sub but I wouldn't bother. For a cheaper set get the Wharfedale 8.2As ... nowhere near as good as people are saying but usable.

- Acoustic foam and some rockwool - £100

- Stands and cables - £200

I can't add up but that looks like a good start to me, and should leave some space for a vocal mic. You might get lucky and sound great on an SM57 ... or you might need to buy a Baby Bottle (coloured) or an AT4050 (neutral) to get the results you need.

Hope that helps, if you want help getting the best UK prices drop me an email.

Nik

 

[ecktronic]

Ahh i forgot to say i overdubbed the vox in a hurry in a room full of noisy computers!! bit silly but only choice i had really at the time.

Cheers for info Noise dude.

I have got an idea of my shopping list:

Mics: Beta52A for kik
SM57 for snare
2 x SM58s for toms
AKG c100s for OHs = £575

PC wi all needed stuff £600
cables
stands
Mackie HR824s £900
Mackie Onyx 1640 {£1000} (16 premium preamps) desk with Firewire.

All comes to around £3500.

Good as a starter pack, but i could do with some more leads and better stands and more mics etc.

 

[noisedude]

Call it off on the C1000Ss!!! Seriously!!! The only mic I've ever disliked enough to get rid of it!!!

Do a search on here and find out how bad they are. Honestly - Studio Projects C4s or if you're skint, ADK SC-1s from www.turnkey.co.uk will only cost £100 for a pair and do a better job.

You HAVE to believe me on this ... don't listen to your man in Sound Control or wherever you're going!

 

[ecktronic]

Yeah ive never really liked C1000s but i didnt know of anything else for that price.
cheers

 

[noisedude]

Well there's those two, and also the Oktava MK012 but they're a bit more expensive for what you get. ADK SC-1 for £49 is a no-brainer ... and £220 for a pair of C4s with pads, high-pass and omni caps is a deal too. The SE Electronics SE-1s are supposed to be ok too ... but not as hot as any of the others.

 

[ecktronic]

Thanks again.