Yet another newbie seeking advice

  • Thread starter Thread starter Nyarlathotep
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Nyarlathotep

New member
At least it's the right place. :)

I'll start by saying hello, since I finally registered and making my first post. :)

I've been reading threads here and elsewhere for a while now, doing some research as to what I'll upgrade, but I'd like to get some advice, especially regarding the soundcard.

Anyway, here's what I have so far:

Cakewalk Pro Audio 9
Cool Edit Pro (I prefer its audio multitracker for some reason)
SB Live
Athlon 1GHz CPU (which I'll upgrade to a P4 this Fall)
384 Mb RAM (upgrading too)
~50Gb HDD total (upping)
RadioScrap dynamic mic (hey, it was free)
Panasonic keyboard (cheap, but it's got some General MIDI compliance... suits me fine so far)

I'm in a band, which is two hours away, so I've been using my system as a 'music notebook', basically making rough drafts of songs I'm working on, but I'd like to upgrade to make some decent sounding demos.

What I'm planning to do in the end, is recording most instruments from the keyboard (it's actually got decent sounds on it), recording vocals, and occasionally guitar and bass tracks. Some of it will be used for live gigs, as well, and practice jams. I've got about $4000 CDN to spend (not a lot, but I don't think I need a lot yet), so here's what I was planning to get (and where I'd like comments/advice):

- A soundcard. My top choice so far is the M-Audio OmniStudio, because it's got balanced inputs and outputs, and a built-in mic pre. And (might be esthetic, but a nice feature) it's got a volume knob on the panel so I don't blow my ears when I'm using headphones. Other cards I was looking at was the Delta 1010 (which would bust my budget a little, since I'd need a mic pre, but if the quality's there I don't mind) and the Aardvark DirectPro 24/96. I'd like 24/96 recording for *some* longevity, since I might want to upgrade later on (or form a band closer... heh), and pref. low latency. I plan on getting (and learning) Cubase and using Virtual Guitarist for some rythm tracks, since we have it at my school and I can get a nice discount.

- A dynamic mic - not really looking for advice on this, as I'll just go to the music store with my guitarist and try them out to see which one suits me best, but any suggestions to add to my list would be appreciated. So far I'll be trying the Shure SM57, SM58, Beta 58A and the Sennheiser 855.

- A LD mic - same as above. The ones I'll try out are the Studio Projects C1, Shure KSM27, Oktava MK219, Rode NT2, Marshall MXL2003, AKG C3000B, Audio Technica 4033, and Sennheiser 865.

- Mic preamp - if I get the Delta 1010, I'll try some preamps as well... dbx 376, M-Audio Audio Buddy, M-Audio DMP-3, Joe Meek VC1Qcs.

- Compressor - I'll just be getting the FMR RNC, I think that's the general consensus here. :)

- Monitors - definitely need those if I want to mix. I'll try them out at the shop too, but the ones that made my list so far are the Tannoy Reveal, Yorkville YSM-1P, Yamaha NS-10, and Event PS-5.

The keyboard I'll upgrade eventually, but it suits me fine so far and I can edit what I want in a sequencer later anyway, so it's not a priority (especially considering most places where we gig have an Ensoniq supplied, and the practice room has a Korg - which we only use for rock and church organs on just a few songs, which seems like a waste :) ).

So, just to recap (and possibly simplify): I want a good foundation to build on later, with a good sound. Components that I can either trade-in for an upgrade, or keep even if I buy new stuff without it collecting dust and me stuck with a closet full of crap - I already have enough, obviously. :) And if I can use it to treat or mix the sound/music in my film projects (I'm a film student), all the better.

Oh, as for the sound of our music, it's a mix of Black Sabbath and The Doors. And sorry for the length of my first post, but I thought it'd be better than making 20 short ones. :P

Thanks!

(edit: hopefully I'm making sense, btw, English's not my first language)
 
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Well, it looks like you know what you want.

So, I'll just say, "Welcome to this site". :)
 
Thanks!

I'm really loving this place - huge wealth of useful advice and info. About time I start posting. The MP3 clinic's a really good idea, too.

I'd love to participate in a way other than asking stupid questions, but I guess we all have to learn somewhere.
 
Hi Niyarlathotep,

What does your handle mean (Ojibwe?)

I'm prolly not much use to you right now, being a newbie to recording myself...however.

Omni studio is a very nice starter piece. If four tracks at once is good for now get it.

No need to demo the SM-57. If you're ever going to mic guitar amps, get it. Joe starter microphone #1.

Are NS-10's still being made? I have the MSP-5s and like 'em.

Never mind all the fancy pre-amps and whatnot -if- you intend to purchase Cubase or any other top shelf software. This shit will kill your budget (the software). Pre-amps is a serious "homework" kinda thing that you can put off if you're using the Omni-studio. They get seriously expensive.

Sounds as though you have an idea of what you're up to...Good Luck!

lou
 
So far your English is impeccable. Welcome to the board.

At this stage, I would focus on a decent soundcard and a mic. It appears that you will only be recording yourself so you probably won't need more than 2-4 inputs at a time.

The M-Audio Buddy is a good choice. Saves you the trouble of getting a seperate mic pre, which you'll undoubtably do later on as you get the hang of it.

For mic'ing an electric quitar amp, SM-57 all the way. If you record vocals, get the SM-58. A LD mic that I use is the Rode NTK. Works great on vocals as will as amp mic'ing or acoustic guitar.

Good choice for the RNC. They're coming out with a version of mic-pre's too if they haven't already so you may want to check into that.

As far as monitors go, don't skimp unless it's something to last you for the time being. Demo as many as possible, do a search here on low cost monitors.

It's sounds like you're definitely headed in the right direction and have done quite a bit of research. Once again, welcome aboard and best of luck!
 
Sky Blue Lou said:
Hi Niyarlathotep,

What does your handle mean (Ojibwe?)
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It's the name of the God of Chaos in Lovecraftian mythos (a set of story arcs written and inspired by the pulp horror writer HP Lovecraft). Too many people use Cthulhu, I picked the more 'obscure' one. :)

Are NS-10's still being made? I have the MSP-5s and like 'em.
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Not sure if they are. I found the reference to them by scanning the posts here, so it might be a discontinued model. I'll look into that. Not too confident about buying used yet, since I don't know everything I have to look out for.

Never mind all the fancy pre-amps and whatnot -if- you intend to purchase Cubase or any other top shelf software. This shit will kill your budget (the software). Pre-amps is a serious "homework" kinda thing that you can put off if you're using the Omni-studio. They get seriously expensive.
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Well, the software is on a separate budget (heh... I'm only very organized when it comes to buying stuff, I wish I could put the same effort into other things sometimes). I'd consider buying the preamp if I end up going for the Delta 1010, but otherwise I'd just rent one as I need it. My guitarist has one (don't know the brand/model offhand) but it adds a lot of color that I don't like.

I think my biggest concern with the OmniStudio is that I've read some negative comments about the D/A converter. That, and the fact that I have no idea how the preamps on the DirectPro or the OmniStudio sound.

Thanks for the comments, though. :)
 
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Evildick said:
So far your English is impeccable. Welcome to the board.
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Thanks. My English is usually very good, but sometimes (especially if I'm a little excited or describing something) I tend to muck up what I'm saying a little. And for some reason, I tend to associate posting with speaking instead of writing. Weird brain. :P

For mic'ing an electric quitar amp, SM-57 all the way. If you record vocals, get the SM-58. A LD mic that I use is the Rode NTK. Works great on vocals as will as amp mic'ing or acoustic guitar.
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I'll add the NTK to the list of mics to try out. Not sure why I had the NT2 in there but not the NTK... I might have read something about it being a little bright, but since I'll be trying them out, I might as well pad the list up (as much as the store will tolerate me, anyway :P ).

Good choice for the RNC. They're coming out with a version of mic-pre's too if they haven't already so you may want to check into that.
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Yeah, the RNMP. I don't think it's selling yet... and I'll probably wait until it's out so people who have a better idea of what they're doing than I will have some things to say about it. :) If it strikes as good an opinion as the RNC though, I'll probably end up putting it in a future to-buy list.

As far as monitors go, don't skimp unless it's something to last you for the time being. Demo as many as possible, do a search here on low cost monitors.
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I put a minimum of $800 aside just for the monitors, and I can stretch that amount a bit if I need to (ie, if I find the Tannoy to be superior for my sound, I'll get them :) ). If I find something that sounds great for less, good, but I'd like to get some long, good use out of them.

It's sounds like you're definitely headed in the right direction and have done quite a bit of research. Once again, welcome aboard and best of luck!
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Thanks!
 
Although it may be pretty pricey, you may want to demo the Mackie HR-624's. They are the 824's little brother. May be a little out of your price range though.
 
Good luck trying to audition some of those mics! A few others I would seriously look at- Shure SM7, Studio Projects C3 (simply more versatile than C1). AKG Solid Tube (a dark and often maligned mic that loves a loud source, it's now down to $525 new on ebay. With the (useless) internal pop filter removed, it would be very happy with Black Sabbath/Doors. NTK is a lovely mic. I'd say, if you're only going to get one LD, don't make it a tube mic. Go for C3, or upgrade to AKG414.-Richie
 
Well, there's always Shub-Niggurath. :D


I'll check those mics out. I just have to remember I have to keep money aside for decent wiring, as well. :) Would be a shame to hook all this new stuff up with dollar stuff cables... heh.
 
Black Sabbath & The Doors.

...If I wasn't wrong, Black Sabbath & The Doors used Sennheiser mic. Was that Black Fire or sumthing ?:confused:


...ask Mezza Mettian. :D
 
I have the M-Audio Omni Studio and I give it the highest reviews.

The preamps are NOT questionable, IMHO. They are from the M-Audio DMP-2, and many think they are better than the Mackie's XDR preamps. They are considerably better than other "starter" preamps like the Audio Buddy or lower-end ART toob designs.

Plus, the Omni Studio gives you many routing options for midi, monitoring, etc.

So I'd strongly recommend it.

Fab
 
Plus, the Omni Studio gives you many routing options for midi, monitoring, etc.
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It does seem quite complete. Glad to hear the pre-amps are not worth, well, shit. :D I went to take a look at it at the shop, and it turned out to be about $350 cheaper than I expected (I was calculating with the exchange rate, and the shop has its own special price after all), so it's also a pretty good deal.


...If I wasn't wrong, Black Sabbath & The Doors used Sennheiser mic. Was that Black Fire or sumthing ?
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The only mic I remember Jim Morrison having, off hand, is that gold microphone he ended up hitting a stadium manager with. :D No clue about the brand, though.
 
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