Studio 201: Tony's Expert Advice Needed

leesh · Post by **leesh** » Sun Oct 01, 2006 8:55 pm

Hey Tony, you've answered several of my questions in the past and I figured maybe this one could help out others on the forum.

I've pieced together a decent little studio set-up but I want to take things up a notch. If this includes pretty much trading off what I have, that's ok.

I want to be able to produce music for demo's, use in little independent short films, home movie/retirement video montages, and have room to grow. I understand that the building blocks for any successful studio are:

1. A good microphone.
2. A good console/interface/etc.
3. A good pre-amp.

I need recommendations in all three of those categories. Budget is to be less than $10,000 total. If there is any outboard gear that can fit under the wire, the more the merrier. I know that good gear isn't always the most expensive.

Any advice you can give me would be greatly appreciated!

soundmasterg · Post by **soundmasterg** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 9:43 am

If you only want one mic tha will do everything, then I'd suggest a multi-pattern condensor mic. Something along the lines of an AKG414. It has multiple patterns, bass cut, and sounds great on everything from drum overheads to vocals to guitars. They're about $700 or so I believe. If thats too much, then go for a large diaphram condensor mic of some sort. The Oktava brand has some decent stuff for a good price on ebay or new, and you can get modded ones that sound even better from www.oktavamod.com.

For a console/interface, I'd just use a Mac with either Pro Tools or Digital Performer, and get a MOTU 24 I/O, or a MOTU 2408 Mk3, and get a 16 channel digital mixer of some sort to plug it all into and interface with the computer. This will be adequate for now, and allow you some growth later on. You'll also need some monitors to listen to the sound through, and I have no idea about those as far a what brands are good. You would want an amp to power them also unless you get self-powered monitors. I'm not sure as far as preamps are concerned either.

ealdrett · Post by **ealdrett** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 10:13 am

Don't forget a power conditioner(s) and dedicated power circuit with enough amps to run all the audio gear only.

tony_carey · Post by **tony_carey** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 8:27 am

Alisha....I'll be back later.....