What should I get next?

  • Thread starter Thread starter BRIEFCASEMANX
  • Start date Start date
BRIEFCASEMANX

BRIEFCASEMANX

Winner chicken dinner!
I don't really know what to buy next, here's my setup....

Presonus Firepod
DMP3
AT4047
Studio Projects C1
MD-421
Studio Projects C4 matched pair
SM57
Sennheiser E604 tom mic
Wharfedale Diamond Pro 8.2 monitors

I don't really know what to get next...I need some more tom mics but that's not a priority for right now as I won't be recording drums for a few months. I was thinking about an RNP, but I'm not that great at getting good compressor settings just yet so I'm more comfortable with plug-ins for now. Maybe another preamp- something with more color to offset the more flat response of the DMP3? I'm in a budget range as you can probably tell by my current equipment purchases. Any suggestions?

(also, does anyone who's used it have any comments about the pre's on the Firepod? Especially vs. the DMP3....)
 
You already have the Firepod and the DMP3, what does it matter what we think of the sound differences? You own them, I wouldn't worry what any of our opinions are if you're making music you like.

You own 7 mics and you're thinking of buying another preamp. My suggestion is don't do that, buy more mics if anything at all. The preamp to mic ratio will be way out of whack at that point as mics net the biggest change in possibilities.

War
 
So what aren't you happy with? Don't buy gear just to buy gear. The question is- what do you record, and what is it that you just know could sound better? As you say, you are in a price range, and buying more gear in that price range may not be the way to go. What you may have to do is-gasp- learn how to save money, so that you can start upgrading one thing at a time to the next level, rather than just spreading out sideways.-Richie
 
Warhead, I haven't used the Firepod for any serious recording yet although I'm gonna record my friends band in a week or 2. I kind of wanted a preamp with more color since I am looking to record primarily rock music.

Richard, okay, what area would you suggest i start saving up to replace?
 
In the long term, I would concentrate on building 2, just 2, really kickass channels. Three mics, 2 small diaphragm condensers, one main vocal mic, and 2 preamp channels. For me, that was an Avalon AD2022, 2 Neumann KM184's, and a B.L.U.E. Kiwi. My next step is to save up enough for a really good tube mic, most likely Lawson L47 MkII. I believe any channel worth buying is worth buying 2 of, because I do a lot of stereo recording. It tends to go by steps though, and it depends on what you record. If you record a lot of rock, consider a Great River or Pendulum preamp, a pair of Josephsons, and a kickass tube mic, such as Soundelux U99. If your sources tend to be acoustic or classical, Avalon AD2022, a couple of Earthworks or Schoeps mics, and a U87 or Soundelux ifet7.
Yes, I really do work for a living, and I can't just buy whatever I want. I do believe, however, that there is great satisfaction in having a couple of channels that really, really, rock. For one thing, you finally stop questioning whether the problem is your gear, and leads you to the conclusion that your problem is the room, and the fact that you don't know what George Martin knows. My room has gotten much better, and I'm still worlds away from George Martin. Those 2 channels will cost you the price of a pretty good car. When you're dead, will it matter? It sounds like you're at a point where if you choose to, you can own a real studio. Just accept that it really does cost the price of a car, and move on. I've never regretted making the necessary sacrifices.-Richie
 
I highly suggest a foot massager. The kind that's the little tub you put both feet in, fill it with water and it heats up and bubbles. So soothing! It's hard to mix though when it's running because the bubbling is kind of noisy and sometimes the clients think I'm rather odd wearing a smoking jacket and having my feet massaged while they are working at my studio but it's a small price to pay for increasing my quality of life.
 
BRIEFCASEMANX, I agree with Richard. I think you should "hold" at this point. And do one of two things: Either be satified with what you have and continue working with it, or else save up and take the plunge into the next level of pro gear.

You have a good selection of mics at this point. All very complementary to each other. How's your cables, connectors and room acoustics? If anything, look into that area. But you're fine for gear at this point, and adding anything else in that same price range is just going to be moving sideways.

I disagree with Warren about the "ratio" of mics to pres. The fact is you have 10 channels of "OK" pres. Nothing spectacular – especially not for rock. And you actually do have some good mics, and in the case of the 4047, 421, and 57 – some very good mics. And even one good mic pre will deliver better performance for any of your mics you run through it. And keep in mind that a lot of higher-end mic pres also have killer DI's – so you'd get that benefit, too.

If you're looking for a piece of gear to use as a future target to aquire, I'd recommend you get into some API mic pres. You can start off with an API 500-6B lunchbox [ w/ power supply and 6 spaces ] and an API 512C mic pre/DI for about $1100. And then you could later add another 512C for about $650. It's an economical way to get some very high-end pres for less every time you buy one because you're not continuously paying for another power supply.

So, I'd recommend saving your money until you get about $1000+ socked away and then dive in for something serious.

Or just stay where you are, 'cause that's OK, too. No reason you can't make excellent recordings with what you have.

Either way....
 
Hey thanks for the comments guys!....especially you Sweetnubs :eek:

What about the John Hardy M1 in the 1k range? On the Listening sessions website it sounded badass. The main reason I don't want to go into that range is because my mixing talent isn't great yet. But I guess it would be beneficial to save up and get more experience/get better at mixing while i'm saving. I'm going to be recording my own bands and a few friends' bands from now and into the summer.

Yeah, I was thinking about at some point possibly starting my own small little studio after i take some classes and get more experience. :eek:
 
I dunno, Briefcase.

I've always been one to warn against spending merely for the sake of spending. Granted, gearlust can be fun, but the satisfaction only lasts for as long as it takes for you to plug it in, look at it, and maybe test it out a few times. Then life returns back to normal.

What I'm saying is that Sweetnumb's suggestion is about as necessary as anything else you're going to get right now. Buy something because either you: a) need it, or b) really really want it.

You'll know when that is (especially when you start recording these bands), and you won't need our help -- except for maybe deciding "which one" to get.
 
Yeah Chess, but I live with my parents for now and I don't think I really have anything better to spend my free money on. I don't think gearlust is a problem for now at least until I actually start paying rent! I figure I should get some good stuff while the money is still there.

The more i research that API 512 the more I like it.....

I don't understand why the "lunchbox" power supply costs significantly less than the 1U rackmount unit when the rackmount only has room for 2 items and the lunchbox has room for 6! :eek:

:confused:
 
BRIEFCASEMANX said:
The more i research that API 512 the more I like it.....
Click to expand...


Well, if you're going to have gearlust, you could do a lot worse than an API lunchbox, I suppose. :D
 
Get the shiny ones. Go for the bling-bling factor. They'll resell for a higher price in three years...
 
If you have nothing else to spend the money on, then by all means save for some of those things. However, moving out of your folks' will be the best thing you ever do, so make sure you have some cash aside for that! :)

There is, of course, the question of acoustic treatments. They can certainly be a money drainer, and you may be in a similar position to me of not wanting to make permanent alterations to a room only to find yourself elsewhere in a couple of years' time. But it is something you need to consider, nonetheless.

Otherwise, I always find Richie talks sense on his plans for getting 'serious' gear. The point is you have to decide at what point to say 'no more' and start saving, or whether you just need 'one more'. I still need a pair of SDCs having got rid of my C1000S pair, but then I reckon it'll be time to save for 'proper' instruments, namely a new acoustic (probably a Taylor I think) and then some serious condensers (I'm ok for dynamics).

I say sort your room and then stick - don't twist until you have some proper green stashed. :)
 
So no one knows why the lunchbox is less expensive than the 1U rackmount??? Also, what do people think of the OSA(old school audio) API knockoffs? Specifically the MP1-C?

Yeah my room sucks but theres nothing I can do about it for right now. In the future that will be a very big priority.
 
oooooo at4047 nice
you cant go wrong with a pair of mc-012's for the toms
 
Hey dot, do you have any comment on OSA pre's vs. API's? Or Brent Averill's?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top