What Next?????

[Krypto]

I'm trying to get my name out and book a few hours a week to see if I can't get myself a little part time work out of my home studio. I'm not looking to go full-time, but it'd be nice to let someone else pay (or help pay) for my gear.

I just recorded a demo of a couple of songs for a local band and I have a couple of others on the line. The guys I just recorded were extremely happy with what I did for them and the price I charged (not too high, not too low).

Anyway, when all is said and done with what I have lined up, I think I'm looking at about $2000 to upgrade my current rig.

Please comment on my list below on what you would feel is most lacking in my setup. I record mostly pop, rock and jazz.

-2 acoustically decent rooms. No soundproofing, but decent isolation.
-A five-piece drumset.
-2 tube-driven guitar amps
-1 100-watt bass amp
-J-Station

-3 Shure SM-57's
-1 Sennheiser 421
-1 Shure Beta-52
-2 Marshall 603's
-2 Behringer ECM-8000's
-1 Marshall V67 (my only LD condenser, but doing the job)

-Mackie 1202 VLZ Mixer
-Mackie 1402 VLZ Mixer
-Delta-1010
-1Ghz PC with 2-40GB HD's 500MB RAM running Sonar


Some of my questions:
1. Right now the PC is the weak link in the chain (but I dig the software and I know it, so I'm not looking for another option there). I still haven't croaked the CPU with plugins and the disk meter is always low. Back up is a bit of a pain as many of these projects now exceed CD capacity. Any ideas on storage solutions? Firewire drives, removable IDE drives, DVD burners?

2. I like Sonar's automation, so I'd just as soon leave my tracks in the digital domain. But I sure would dig a control surface. Any ideas or experience, including digital mixers would help.

3. I'm using the Mackies for the preamps and monitor/headphone routing. That's about it. Would a preamp upgrade help a whole lot, or are better mics the ticket? Which ones?

4. Only once did I feel that my Delta 1010 didn't have enough inputs. I've seldom needed more than 10. Six on drums, two guitars, bass is the most I've done. I could definitely see adding a few drum mics, but I don't know if I really need more. Certainly an option.

Thanks,
Krypto

 

[littledog]

Looks like you have most of the basics covered. Speaking from the perspective of someone who also records a lot of jazz, without a decent piano there's a lot of projects that you won't be able to do.

The other major hole would seem to be having at least one quality large diaphragm condenser for those jazz vocals, saxes, etc.

One other item that might come in handy is a decent outboard compressor.

But there's a lot you can do with what you already have.

As for storage: firewire drives are cheap, but maybe not the best for long term archiving. I use a DDS4 system which backs up to something similar to DAT tape. By using software like Retrospect you can do incremental backups which saves a lot of time. CD's are still probably the most stable, but when you start doing 20GB sessions ((or up to four times as much if you are using higher sampling rates) that's a lot of CD's!

 

[chessrock]

The bulk of your investment, right now, should probably be going towards accoustic treatment, and the computer. You'll want your rooms to sound either sonically neutral (dead with lots of foam padding, bass traps, etc.), or sonically exciting (lots of diffusion). Dead will likely be the cheapest route; diffusion the most interesting.

You're going to need as much memory and RAM as possible. Nothing screams "cheap project studio" like delays in recording and/or mixing due to system glitches. It's unprofessional, spoils vibes, and can cost you repeat business.

Monitors, along with a good, accoustically-treated playback room/station are essential. You'll also want comfortable furntiture in the playback room so bands can sit around and do some critical listening and make mixing decisions, etc.

You'll need a shitload of headphones ranging in style and quality, as well as an amplifier for them.

A patchbay would also be a good thing.

Don't worry about the preamps for now. Given your current gear list, you are not going to make a living impressing people with your gear. People will work with you because they're too broke to record elsewhere and/or because of your knowlege, creativity, expertise in tracking and mixing.

That said, you're going to want a few more mics, with at least one or two really good ones (particularly for vocals).

Other than that, it's the little things adding up that will kill you. Cords -- you'll need lots of them in every size, shape, and variety. Adapters -- there will be a time you'll be trouble-shooting, and you'll need this doohickey to connect to that thingamabob, and will be desperately searching for the right whatchamacallit to hook it all together. You can never have too many mic stands. Packing blankets are good to have around (for extra sound-deadening when you need it).

 

[Krypto]

Thanks guys.
Chessrock, I left out a few things, I guess.

I have a pair of Yorkville YSM1P Active monitors. Not top of the line, but they're loud enough and worlds better than mixing on my stereo....and I know them.

I have a patch bay, five sets of closed headphones, cords, adapters, a 2-channel headphone amp and a 4 channel headphone amp. I've also got one packing blanket.

It looks like a better LD condenser might be in order. I like my V67 on vocals and sax, but not on acoustic guitar. What might I look into as an all-purpose improvement on the 67 for $500-$1000?

I think I answered my own question about another 1010 as I don't think an increase in simultaneous inputs is an urgent need.

I'm thinking of keeping my current PC as a backup and put together a 2.4 gig or something like that. An all out system crash would be disastrous.

Thanks again,
Krypto

 

[chessrock]

I've also got one packing blanket. . . .It looks like a better LD condenser might be in order. I like my V67 on vocals and sax, but not on acoustic guitar. What might I look into as an all-purpose improvement on the 67 for $500-$1000?

You're going to need a lot more of the packing blankets. Also, look in to some bass traps. If you'd like, you can PM me, and I can hook you up with some DIY type deals that are much more effective than the crappy Auralex corner foam traps.

As far as mics go, for a grand or so, a couple of Shure ksm32s could be a cornerstone to any smaller project studio. They sound great on almost anything and everything. If cost is an issue, then obviously just go with one, and put the rest of your mic budget in to a decent vocal mic; something along the lines of a Rode NTK. Between a ksm32 and an NTK, there aren't many voices you couldn't mic well.

 

[chessparov]

Krypto, I think it would be a good idea to get at least a pair of
better pre's than the VLZ mixers have. That way could more effectively use the dynamic microphones you have for vocal work,
particularly the Sennheiser 421, as it is a bit less fussy which
pre is used than the '57.

Options for under $500 for a pair would include a pair of the Studio Projects VTB-1, or the Fmr. Audio RNP.
Be aware that within 6 weeks or so, the price on the VTB-1 will
probably go down (don't know about the RNP).

Chris

 

[Krypto]

Thanks Chess-guys.
I have read a bit about the VTB-1 and the RNP on this BBS. It seems like the mic pre thing is very subjective and mysterious.

Someone said money put into mics will make a more discernable and profound impact on the recording than pres at certain levels. I would assume I am at that level.

Chessrock, I would love to hear about some of the DIY info you might have.