I want to build a home recording studio, need tons of advice!

[cullumania]

(Background: Skip this if you'd like)
First off, I've been in a band for about 2-3 years...but I am a complete n00b to home recording. Essentially, my band is on a break for the summer due to 2 of our members vacationing; and I can't go 3 months without doing something musically. Which means a friend of mine who is a pianist and I are getting together and collaborating during the summer. The idea is we'll split vocals with myself on lead, I'll possibly play a bit of bass and rhythm guitar; but we'll need to recruit some more experienced musicians for drums and lead guitar. Essentially for now, this is a studio band for now.

We both have computers already. I have a powerful laptop, 2 gigs, dual core processor. He has both the new MacBook, as well as a Desktop Mac. So we have the choice between mac and windows as far as recording goes.

With that in mind, I want to know what I'd need to buy Microphone wise, pre-amp, ect/what would be the best way to go about recording.

I want to stay on a budget of around 1000 dollars, give or take. I make around 1200 a month and am a teenager, meaning it is all disposable income.

So given we already have the computers, both mac and PCs that are portable. What would the best equipment/microphones be to buy. And what would be the best programs to use.

Thank you, any replies are highly appreciated.

[Seafroggys]

Buy a Presonus Firepod or Firestudio. $500 and $700 respectivaly. The Firepod is quite popular but has questionable preamp quality. Firestudio has some killer preamps (as well as awesome headphone routing shtuff). Both are firewire based and have 8 preamps.

As for mics, start small and build up. My recommendation is to get a mic that you can use for multiple applications. I'd highly recommend starting with a Rode NT2-A, around $420. You can use it on anything and it sounds great. So right there you've pretty much filled up your initial budget, and when your next paycheck comes in just add more stuff.

[cullumania]

Buy a Presonus Firepod or Firestudio. $500 and $700 respectivaly. The Firepod is quite popular but has questionable preamp quality. Firestudio has some killer preamps (as well as awesome headphone routing shtuff). Both are firewire based and have 8 preamps.

As for mics, start small and build up. My recommendation is to get a mic that you can use for multiple applications. I'd highly recommend starting with a Rode NT2-A, around $420. You can use it on anything and it sounds great. So right there you've pretty much filled up your initial budget, and when your next paycheck comes in just add more stuff.

Thanks a bunch;

I was googling around and came uPon the Rode NT1A Studio. It is about half as much as the NT2-A. Would it be worth just going for the NT1A? What quality difference would it make.

I was also thinking of investing in a pair of SM57 microphones. They seem to be affordable and good for all purpose recording.

Just a heads up on the instruments we will be using; Acoustic Guitar, Piano (Both electric and natural), Electric Guitar, Bass, and Vocals. I'm not quite worried about drums at this point but what is the most affordable way to record them? (Keeping in mind quality)

Also should we go for using a PC or a Mac, as we have both at our disposable. My PC is more powerful, but the Macs seem to be the "industry standard'."

Thanks again!

[Moseph]

Were I you, here's what I'd probably get:

2 x Shure SM57 (snare drum, guitar amp)
2 x Rode NT1-A (acoustic guitar)
2 x AKG C-430 (drum overheads)
3 x Sennheiser e605 (toms)
1 x AKG D112 (kick)
1 x Whirlwind IMP2 (bass)

I'm inclined to stick to electric piano as a line level input, or use MIDI with a good soft synth. However, if you record piano seperately, a combination of the NT1-A's and the C-430's will do alright. If you need to record everything at once, you'll need to spring for a little bit more expensive pair of mics that have a very smooth frequency response.

The firewire idea is probably best. You'll want 8+ simultaneous inputs. You have a lot of options here. For a rack-mountable interface, you'll be able to save some cash up front if you don't need some kind of interface for mixing:

Presonus makes the Firepod (10 inputs) and Firestudio (26 inputs)
Tascam makes the FW1804 (10 inputs)
Focusrite makes the Saffire PRO series (either 10 or 26 inputs)
Alesis makes the io|26

If you want a control surface integrated into the audio interface, you could look at:

Tascam FW-1082 or FW-1884
M-Audio ProjectMix I/O


You'll need to check the individual units for preamp I/O considerations. My suggestion would be the Firestudio or Saffire PRO 26, both of which have 8 native preamps, with the option to expand up to 26 inputs using ADAT Lightpipe and S/PDIF digital connections. Once you run out of inputs, you can look into a set of 8 preamps via ADAT through devices like:

Presonus Digimax 96, Digimax LT, or Digimax FS
Focusrite Octopre or Octopre LE
M-Audio Octane

If you're worried about cost, the Tascam 1804 is least expensive right now, but you only have 4 native preamps (though 4 additional line level channels).

For the record, any rumors you hear about "questionable quality" of the Firepod's preamps are unfounded.

[The Chemist]

I'd say the Tascam FW-1884. The ProjectMix I/O is... touchy.

[fishbulb]

Yo moseph? Or chemist or froggeh, what about the bass drum? I noticed that that was not mentioned anywhere for microphones.

[The Chemist]

D-112 was mentioned. Audio engineers call the bass drum the 'kick' drum

[Moseph]

But a quick reread did show that nobody mentioned a monitoring systems (ie, speakers).

For practical application in recording, you're going to need some headphones anyway if you plan on overdubbing (and it sounds like you are). I'd invest in some good headphones for mixing and delay the cost of more expensive nearfield monitors until you have everything you need for the recording side of things.

A good pair of headphones can be had for $100-200. Some trusted models are:

AKG K240M* (if you can find them, I think they were discontinued)
AKG K141*
Beyerdynamic DT 770*
Beyerdynamic DT 990
Hearos Studiophonic Series
Sennheiser HD280
Shure E2
Sony MDR-V600
Sony MDR-7506*

*I've used these alot and think they're good.

The major factors (other than cost) to consider with headphones are isolation, comfort/weight, frequency response, and durability.

All the models I've listed above have a pretty good reputation for durability. The rest of the issues are personal choices, but I'd suggest isolation being a prime consideration, since you're going to be tracking with these (good isolation also tends to lead to better bass response as well). If you can, take a CD you know really well to the store and see if you can demo some headphones before you buy (a lot of stores don't do this anymore).

Also, I'd avoid headphones marketed to consumers, DVD-listening, or DJs, as they tend to have deliberately coloration that will affect your mixes. Companies like Bose, Stanton, Numark, Yamaha, and Ultrasone normally make headphones for these markets. The term "monitor" or "studio" applied to a model tends to suggest a more neutral timbre in the headphones. Again, it's a very personal thing, so your mileage may vary.

[The Chemist]

Monitors:

I'd say that one of the earliest investments to make are good monitors. These are the "speakers" of the studio. Not just any speaker should be used, as most Home Audio speakers have circuts that 'color' the sound. I'd suggest these monitors:

Blue Sky Sat.6.5 (own these)
KRk Rokit 8*
KRK V8 (own these)
Yamaha HS-80M*
ESI nEar 05*
Mackie HR824
Dynaudio BM5A

*have used in past.

[Seafroggys]

Yeah I have a pair of Sony headphones (forgot the model) that I picked up for $100. It is best to start with good headphones, since good headphones are a lot cheaper then decent monitors, then save up for decent nearfields.

[poeticdrums]

http://sputnikmusic.com/forums/showthread.php?t=526440

this site is really great too

http://www.tweakheadz.com/rigs.htm