Building a studio.

[017493816]

I'm working towards a semi professional studio out of my home. So far, my setup consists of a number of instruments, superior drummer, a focusrite solo audio interface, a cheap amp, a number of midrange mics, and a boss DM-2 that I use a ton.

Pretty soon I'll have roughly $1000 to drop on new gear. I'm debating between a few options. I really want a Universal Audio 710, a new amp, and a larger(more ins) interface. Also, an FMR outboard compressor would be cool.

As far as amps go, I'm very up in the air. Hopefully, I'll be making a nice 112 or 212 cab at some point over the next year. I'm looking at amps to record others with, and I can either drop $1000 on something really nice (Mesa, axe fx, fender combo), or I can spend a few hundred on a tiny terror or maybe something quirky like a vintage vox pathfinder. I'll be recording a lot of jazz, folk, indie, noise, etc., along with some prog on the side. Torn between the versatility and recording capabilites of a really nice amp, or spending more on outboard effects and a nice preamp, and keeping the amp situation simple? Also want to grab a couple sm57's at some point.

I don't know. Bang for buck, priorities? Thoughts?

Thanks dudees.

[somebodyelseuk]

Sort the room acoustics out, otherwise it's just an amateur home studio with loads of gear in it.

[chacha]

Sort the room acoustics out, otherwise it's just an amateur home studio with loads of gear in it.

For sure, acoustic treatment and monitors would be my priorities in the beginning. You can piecemeal your way through amps and gear, but that is far less impactful if you're unable to capture and accurately render quality audio.

[jthomas]

You might check out Ethan Winer's website: EhanWiner.com. He is a Renaissance guy- computer programmer and musician. He has published quite a bit on studio design and recording. A lot of it is posted there.

[veryredtomatoes]

Monitors.

[017493816]

Sort the room acoustics out, otherwise it's just an amateur home studio with loads of gear in it.

Thing is, we're moving in the next year to a larger house with a dedicated studio space, so acoustics, for now, are out of my mind. The space I have now sounds great, I actually hope to have a room with very open acoustics... Some acoustic treatment, but a unique room sound, like Brooklyn's studio 42. Only thing I'll need is a small iso room for vocals and perhaps guitar.

Acoustics and monitors out of mind, thoughts? I know eventually I'll definitely need more mics and a larger interface for recording bands or even trios... Should this be my main priority?

I'm definitely looking at grabbing two or three SM57's.

Also, thanks for the Ethan Winer link! Cool stuff. Appreciate it!

[DECIBILL]

If your live room is the same as your mixing room you will need to make some sacrifices. My recommendation though would be to make the room more suited for better mixing/monitoring--there are lots of ways to still get "roomy" sounds when tracking and mixing. With that being the case, you gotta have good monitors and broadband absorbtion in order to track and mix properly. You also need to get the room set up properly--desk and monitor placement are critical. What shape and size is the room...? What is it constructed from...? There are so many things to research and prepare before investing more cash in gear.

[fuzzjunkie]

Yes, he has published a lot, but there is a lot of debate on how useful any of it is. He's gotten into a few recording board fights with rather knowledgeable people (long time/well known engineers) that have questioned his advice over the years. He's not well thought of by people with years of actual studio experience, but there might be something useful for the home recordist.

I lean more to Brad's take and think he's not worth paying attention to.

[jthomas]

I, admittedly, lead a sheltered life and cannot evaluate Winer's advice. I have never built a studio. That said, if someone disagrees with Mr. Winer's opinion (and of course, it's all opinion), it would be helpful to be a little more specific. What is so disagreeable about his take on things?

[hella1hella]

I've tried this approach many times. My opinion is get a little interface like a scarlet or something and maybe a decent mic and some software and do demos, then leave the real stuff up to the pro's. Just my 2cents though, I like spending my money on core gear that I can use all of the time! Although if I had the $$ I would probably get some studio stuff. Its just a whole new hobby in its self! And putting out good recordings isnt easy. Some people may agree, but they're the ones putting out the not so good stuff in the first place .

[jthomas]

Dude, I don't disagree with anything that you say. I'm skeptical of EVERYTHING on the internet and again, it's all opinion. That said, specifics help. Maybe the 98 percent you speak of will jump in (of course they may not be on this board) and offer some specifics, not to besmeerch Mr. Winer, but rather to offer more specifics to the great unwashed (like me).

Merry Christmas, or whatever holiday to which you subscribe.

[sears]

I haven't read those forums in a while but I hadn't realized that bass traps were now considered a waste of time

[017493816]

I've tried this approach many times. My opinion is get a little interface like a scarlet or something and maybe a decent mic and some software and do demos, then leave the real stuff up to the pro's. Just my 2cents though, I like spending my money on core gear that I can use all of the time! Although if I had the $$ I would probably get some studio stuff. Its just a whole new hobby in its self! And putting out good recordings isnt easy. Some people may agree, but they're the ones putting out the not so good stuff in the first place .

Thing is, I'm already there. I've got a small focusrite interface and four or five mics, a couple of which are pretty cool. I've learned a lot and become pretty good at crafting a good mix, and recording different instruments using a number of techniques. Basically, I've developed some of the skills, and now I'm looking to get the gear(and eventually the space) figured out.

Also, not sure what name to call you by, but I'd be really excited to hear about your studio, and maybe your career in audio engineering, if you've got the time! That'd be really great to get some more expertise on the subject.

[hella1hella]

I've tried this approach many times. My opinion is get a little interface like a scarlet or something and maybe a decent mic and some software and do demos, then leave the real stuff up to the pro's. Just my 2cents though, I like spending my money on core gear that I can use all of the time! Although if I had the $$ I would probably get some studio stuff. Its just a whole new hobby in its self! And putting out good recordings isnt easy. Some people may agree, but they're the ones putting out the not so good stuff in the first place .

Thing is, I'm already there. I've got a small focusrite interface and four or five mics, a couple of which are pretty cool. I've learned a lot and become pretty good at crafting a good mix, and recording different instruments using a number of techniques. Basically, I've developed some of the skills, and now I'm looking to get the gear(and eventually the space) figured out.

Also, not sure what name to call you by, but I'd be really excited to hear about your studio, and maybe your career in audio engineering, if you've got the time! That'd be really great to get some more expertise on the subject.

I'm far from an audio engineer! I was saying that I went down the same path many times and ended up just going back to a mini set up because its tough stuff to do well! My best friend since childhood however, went to school for sound design and is pretty versed on the skills so I have him for all recording needs that may arise . Good luck building the studio!

[017493816]

Appreciate! Going to be a long ride if I can stick to it.