Suggestions for music recording gear

[gibsonlp]

Hi guys,
I decided that if I am not going to bring a Rick back with me to Israel - I will at least bring some recording equipment back so I could RECORD my ricks instead...
Now, here is what I want/need(?) and my limitations:

1. budget: $1000-$1500
2. Items I need:
   1. A multi-track soundcard that should be able to record at least 4 tracks simultaneously preferably in 24bit/96 or 192Khz, 8 tracks would be even nicer (I might be able to figure out that part myself, I am mostly concerned about the next items)
   2. A Mixer with at least 10 channels and preferably with no effects (to save money) but if possible - with faders, I love faders.
   3. Instrument microphone (SM57?)
   4. Vocal Microphone - (a good condenser?)
   5. Good headphones
   6. I have an sm58 with some friends and I'll be taking it back
3. I have a VERY small room, so the mixer should be no more than 0.6m wide and 0.5m deep.
4. Did I mention the room is tiny?

[kiramdear]

Hey Gil,

Your studio is just like mine - low budget and tiny. But where there's a will there's a way. Here's a random suggestion or two:

Check out this thread about bargain condenser mics from one company: viewtopic.php?f=24&t=384697&st=0&sk=t&s ... =condenser

You can't go wrong with the Shure mics too.

I use an old Portastudio for my mixer. Not the most hi-fi but it has faders and I can do a tape backup while I record to the computer. For new equipment I think Mackie is always a safe choice. I don't know how hard servicing is to find in Israel but I tend to admire things that are simple and dependable or easily replaceable over the new and convenient things. My father set a great example for my own attitude about gear: buy the best that you can afford and take care of it.

I don't have a lot to say for the other points. I'm on a Mac and using a very cheap set of headphones temporarily. I hope you will let us know what you come up with.

Of course you need a myriad of small items, too, but one that is essential for me is an AC hum destroyer of some description. Some very small things can make a big difference.

Happy hunting!

[jps]

Check out Allen & Heath mixers, primarily in their ZED and PA series.

An excellent source to get the gear while in the US is Sweetwater. They are very knowledgable and should have everything you need.

[qwezirider]

If you're talking about a PCI interface, I've been happy with my Delta 1010 since about 2001.

http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=pro ... interfaces

They come up pretty inexpensive on Ebay. There's also the Delta 44 I suspect would be good, just 4 channels versus 8. If not PCI, then M-Audio has other Firewire options on the same site above (away from that page, of course).

[whojamfan]

Check out Allen & Heath mixers, primarily in their ZED and PA series.

An excellent source to get the gear while in the US is Sweetwater. They are very knowledgable and should have everything you need.

+1000 on Sweetwater!

[ken_j]

Gil, I will be happy to take you by Motor City Guitar when we meet up. They have a good selection of microphones and always beat online pricing.

[gibsonlp]

Thanks guys.

Here are the nominees, please tell me your thoughts:

Mixer and soundcard:
I decided to refrain from buying a mixer:
When I'll record at home - I'll record only guitar/bass + vocal. So I don't really need a mixer, only a good soundcard with 1 or 2 preamplified inputs.
I have always liked echo product ever since a friend showed me their "layla" soundcard over 10 years ago.
I will purchase the "audiofire 8", it is an 8 track in/out in 24bit @96KHz, 2 inputs are preamplified while 6 are not, at our rehearsal room we already have a good mixer so we could actually use the extra 6 inputs, I won't really need them at home.
I managed to find it at $400 on the bay from an authorized dealer + $20 shipping to Milford (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0396010950)

Microphone(s)
after reading and reading and reading online and listening to some samples that people uploaded I decided to buy AKG C-214, the reviews say that it is as good as it's older brother, the famous C414, but has only 1 diaphragm instead of 2, so it is cardioid and cannot be used as a bipolar microphone, not a big loss for me, really, I managed to find it for $375 with free shipping (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0369270223)
I contacted a guy I know who manages the best (really!) studio in Israel and he was one of the guys who chose the equipment, so he has lots of experience, he said they are using the C414 all the time and that it's an amazing mic for almost everything (drums overheads, vocal, acoustic guitars, electric guitars...) and that if it's younger brother is so similar in sound - it should be an amazing mic (especially for this price).

My friend recommended Shure SM7B as well, it is 3 times the price of an SM58/7 but he says it worth it, it is a broadcasting mic that he says sounds great on everything as well. I might add it, still no s(h)ure, I managed to find it at $350 with free shipping (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0322720087)

Headphones:
I will buy either AKG K240S or the closed-back K271, I managed to find them at $75+$18 shipping (!!!) and at $120+$12 shipping respectively. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0393036886 and http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0395985870
I'll might be able to save a few extra bucks with shipping as I'll get the soundcard + headphones from the same seller.

What do you say? basically everything here together will be under $900 including shipping (unless I'll add the SM7 and then i'll be at around $1250...)

Ken - I would be more than happy to go with you to any store you recommend, the question is will they be able to really beat these prices? these prices are well below the retail price of the online stores, bear in mind that I'll have to pay tax for a local purchase (and I won't have to as these store are shipping from outside MI).
The last thing I want is to get there and see that they either don't have something I want in stock or that it will cost me more than I could get it online for. I won't have enough time to order these items once I am in the states...

[jps]

The C214 is similar to the C414 except for the low frequency extension; you won't get the deepest bass like you would with the C414. I too, have been eyeing this mic since it's introduction, but at the moment I just don't really need a mic.

[1a12]

ay also remember ladz, its' the magician not the wand !! (um but it helps to have a decent wand )