What should be my next purchase?

[Myriad_Rocker]

In an effort to constantly better my recording equipment, what should be my next purchase? Money is not really an object but I do have limits.

Here's what I have right now:

Intel P4 3ghz w/HT
Abit IC7 Max-3 Mobo
Antec 550W PSU
Kingston HyperX RAM - 2gigs
Western Digital 180GB HD
Western Digital 160GB HD
Maxtor 200GB HD
TDK DVD +/- RW
Antec Tower Case

Delta 1010 Soundcard
M-Audio Studiophile BX8 Active Monitors
Behringer HA4700 Headphone Amp (only used during tracking)
Studio Projects VTB-1

MXL V67G
Rode NTK
Shure SM58 x2
Sennheiser e609s

Sonar 4PE (upgrading to 5PE soon)
BFD
BFD XFL
T-Racks 24 (never use it anymore)

All my guitars are tracked with a Vetta II using the digital out. Bass is tracked by plugging straight into the VTB-1.

I think that's all...

 

[noisedude]

What do you feel is your weakest spot? I'd probably be looking at adding some more pres, maybe a two-channel like a Toft ATC-2 or even something more expensive than that ... then I'd get a whizz-bang interface like an RME Fireface or something like that.

 

[Myriad_Rocker]

My weakest spot is me! LOL!!

 

[Chris Shaeffer]

The man is honest! Bravo! Other than yourself, what is the weak link in your gear?

I was thinking something like an RNC for a step-up/ variety of preamp. My guess is that recording direct with the guitar, as convenient as it is, is somewhat limiting. As much a I like amp sims... I've never been able to top the sound of even my (relatively) cheap Marshall combo miced with a MXL603 or a 57. I'm not familiar with the Vetta II, though.

You mention not using T-Racks 24. If its the stand alone version I fully understand! But what plugs do you have in Sonar? Any thought towards increasing your plugin arsenal?

Chris

 

[cpc]

what do you primarily record? if you record vocals (im guessing since you have 2 sm58's) maybe consider a shure beta 87a condenser mic. im a singer and i love being able to have the option to hold my microphone with such clear condenser quality, and i can take it to play out if i want too. i havent too much experience with recording...but so far this has been my best purchase.

 

[xstatic]

I would say either a preamp, a mic, or new monitors. It looks to me like a Toft ATC-2 might be a good unit for you. Decent pre and comp, awesome EQ

 

[dwillis45]

I would also vote for a good preamp (one or two channels). You also didn't mention anything about your recording/mixing space or acoustic treatments. That would be a good area to address before upgrading your monitors.

 

[Myriad_Rocker]

I would say either a preamp, a mic, or new monitors. It looks to me like a Toft ATC-2 might be a good unit for you. Decent pre and comp, awesome EQ

Well....I just bought the monitors so...I think I'll wear them out first before I upgrade those.

 

[Myriad_Rocker]

I'm thinking either a new pre, acoustic treatment of some kind, or a new mic?

Like I said, I just bought the monitors. I'm not even used to them yet and they are great. They get good reviews so that's why I picked them up. I think my next step for monitors might be some Mackie HR824's some something comparable.

And yeah, I have some plugs that I forgot to mention. I've had the waves bundle for about a year now. Still not used to any of them and I don't use all of them, that's for sure. Starting to wonder if I should have bought a UAD-1 instead.

Anyway, I'm kind of weary of doing any acoustic treatment because we just moved into the house about a month ago. It's still "new" to me if you know what I mean. I sure don't want to cover the entire room in acoustic foam. There are two closets. I haven't recorded vocals yet but that's probably where vocals will be recorded when it's time to do them. How might I treat the closet for this? It's a fairly large closet. It definately gives a vocalist room to move around.