What should I buy first?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Diffusion
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Diffusion

Future Astrophysicist
Ok, this is what I currently have as my "setup":

PC: P4 HP Pavillion (Windows XP) w/ Cool Edit Pro
Mic: MXL V63M condenser mic
Preamp: Behringer mic200
Speakers: 2 speakers which I bought at radioshack for $15 (i know i know...)
Headphones: Cheap Koss td61's

The rest, mixers, compressors etc, i use on Cool Edit Pro... however i still want an external compressor to use while tracking to control transients...

Now, I have got some money together, and I have created a wishlist which consists of... ::deep breath::

Monitors: M-Audio Studiophile BX8 Powered Monitors
PreAmp: M-Audio DMP3 2-Channel Mic Pre/Direct Box
Soundcard: M-Audio Audiophile 192 PCI Interface
Compressor: FMR Audio RNC 1773 Compressor
Mic: Shure KSM32
Mixer: Behringer Eurorack UB1204FX-PRO Mixer
Headphones: Sennheiser HD-280 Pro Closed-Back Headphones

Ok, what should i get first?
 
I'd start with either the soundcard or monitors. Not sure what soundcard you're using currently.
 
currently im using just the soundcard that came with my PC... so yea its shitty...

oh, and rather, what order would u put the list in?
 
Get the monitors first. That way it will become more obvious as to how shitty your soundcard is, and provide the proper impetus for upgrading.

See, isn't this easy? :D
 
do you think you could give me a list of what i should get in order?
 
First get a decent soundcard, so you actually have a recorder. Then the preamp, because nothing will be of any use without it. Then a mic, then monitors, then the compressor. Next headphones. All of the equipment you have listed is just fine, except the mixer. Don't do it. By a Yamaha for cheap, or a Mackie, or an Allen and Heath, or a Soundcraft, or anything. The mixer is definitely last in any event, you only need it for a bunch of channels (read- drums). Entire albums have been recorded without a mixer being used.-Richie
 
Diffusion, I'd say get some good monitors first. And part of that reasoning is that you can start listening to CD's right away and take the time to train your ear by listening to good recordings you like.

The next thing would be a little acoustical treatment for your room. Even if it's just a 4' high by 6' wide strip of Auralex or some type of foam on the wall behind your monitors. From there - with good monitors - you should at least have a half-decent listening environment.

Then I'd get a better soundcard.

Then I'd get better headphones, because you can also use them to listen to CD's and start to understand panning and the placement of instruments in a mix.

Hang on to that MIC2200 pre for awhile. It's a totally decent preamp, and no reason you can't make some decent recordings with it. In fact, stick with it until you can get some good recordings, and then look at upgrading your preamp.

The KSM32 is a $500 mic. I wouldn't even bother spending that much. Get an ADK Vienna - which is an excellent mic for around $250 on the street - and then put the other $250 that you would have spent into something else.

On the FMR RNC, forget it until you can make good recordings with what you have. Then get one.

I place a big importance on 2 things when someone's getting started in recording: 1. Get the listening environment set up first and listen to lots of different kinds of music. Study it. Train your ears. Listen. And also with a decent listening environment you can make better decisions on your own recordings. 2. Keep doing recordings with inexpensive gear until you get to the point that you can really turn out something that sounds good. When you can do that - then it's time to look into upgrading.

Good luck with it!

My 2¢.
 
Dot... thanks again for the great advice... ok... Im definately going to get monitors first.. then ill get the soundcard... right now those are the 2 most needed replacements... then ill prolly get headphones so i can train my ears... then ill prolly get the compressor then the preamp... ive recorded a bit- not a whole lot, but some... and i really have a problem with transients, so i want to get a compressor to run my vocals through during tracking... ill prolly get all the rest later when i find that i really need them...
 
Soundcard and monitors first. But I don't think the M-Audio Audiophile 192 PCI Interface is your best option. I would go with either the Delta 44 or Delta 66 (if you want S/PDIF), both are 24/96 and that is all you need--also they both have 4-in 4-out analog. If you don't need 4 in/out and you want to save money just get the Audiophole 24/96 for $99 (or cheaper). It is a fine card and you won't out grow it any sooner than you will the 192.
 
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