Home Studio Tips

Alisa Beckwith · Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2006, 03:01 (GMT) Post subject: Home Studio Tips

I think many of us either have a home studio or are seriously considering the possibilty of creating one. I think this forum is the perfect place to share our tips for creating the perfect home studio.

I'll start with a buying tip. Don't underestimate Ebay. While you should use extreme caution when buying any type of used electronic item, you can find some great deals on exchange and auction sites like Ebay. For example I pruchased a brand new Schure KSM27 (still in the box) for less than 150.

So what has been your best equipment buy? Do you have recommendations on what to use and what not to use. What is your best soundproofing tip? Let's share!

Chip Hinshaw · Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2006, 03:29 (GMT) Post subject:

I have two best equipment buys:

1. Neumann U87 condenser mic

2. Dynaudio BM 5A monitors

Everything else inbetween could be crap as far as I'm concerned. Hell, I do my portable "DAW" on Audacity -- which is FREE!!

I don't know about the other pros in here, but my biggest spending goes toward input and output. Very likely, however, I will not have to buy another mic or monitors again.

Ramona Roman · Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2006, 03:42 (GMT) Post subject:

Excuse my ignorance but what is "DAW"?

John Moore · Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2006, 04:11 (GMT) Post subject:

DAW is "Digital Audio Workstation", essentially, whatever software you use on your PC/Mac to record audio. I use Adobe Audition - not free, but a bargain compared to something like ProTools and very capable.

I also can't afford a Neuman mic right now - maybe after that first national spot!?!? However, I'm very happy with my RODE NT1 - a great "Nueman clone" for the price. I use an ART tube mic preamp and a behringer compressor/limiter. This stuff works well, but the next serious piece of gear I'll be shopping for is a more upscale "channel strip" to upgrade the pre and the compressor.

I'm tuning my (small) room with Auralex - it's sounding pretty good, just a few more strategically placed pieces and I'll have it.

Todd Ellis · Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2006, 04:46 (GMT) Post subject:

My best tip for a home studio is - if you possibly can - move your computer to another room - or at least a closet (keep venilation in mind). Doing this will eliminate fan noise and greatly reduce your sound floor. Get a long KVM cable and an external CD/DVD and you will be stunned by the difference. You don't have to putz with digital noise elimination if there is no noise to begin with.

If you're looking for a good mixer - look fast -

http://cgi.ebay.com/MACKIE-1202-VLZ-1202VLZ-PRO-in-MINT-CONDITION_W0QQitemZ290041519881QQihZ019QQcategoryZ41473QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Great preice - great board with super built-in XDR pre-amps

Larry Wayne · Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2006, 04:57 (GMT) Post subject:

Ah...a U87 man! Good choice, Chip. i purchased a U89 back when they listed for $1200...now, if you can find one, they are over 3g's. It's the best purchase I ever made.

If you are just putting together a studio budget....I'd put most of my dollars on that mic. That piece of equipment will be showcasing your voice...poor mic, poor vo. And it doesn't matter how good anything else in the chain is....if your voice doesn't sound as good as it can...the client will move to the next audition audio file. Each mic, like each voice, is unique in the way it was designed. Finding the right voice to mic chemistry is key. If you work for or can get to a radio station or recording studio, try those mics on your voice. Listen critically to the recording you make with each mic and go from there. Some equipment sellers will allow you to exchange your purchased mic for another. It may be a financial stretch at first, but with each passing year of vo worek you will be glad you spent significant coinage on that mic!

Next best buy item for me is my Telos isdn box. Yes, it is also expensive(around 5k when I bought mine) but it also has paid for itself many times over.

larry wayne

Jesse Angelo

Another resource for finding affordable equipment is Musicians Friend, all of their merchandise, new or used, is covered by warranty and very affordable.

I put my DAW together on quite a shoestring budget for a total cost of about $1200.

Here are some of my recomendations:

I am using the EV RE20, its much more affordable than most mics and I am very pleased with the results.

Avoid ANYTHING from M-Audio! I have had nothing but problems with my studio pro 4 monitors. Can anybody reccomend to me a good, somewhat affordable monitor solution?

As far as soundproofing... I am using "egg-crate" matress pads, sure there not as pretty as pro studio foam, but the results are great and its very cheap.

And finally if anyone out there is enrolled in even 1 community college course, you are entitled to deep student discounts on software and even some hardware!

Jesse Angelo Vocal Productions

Chuck Douglas

I also do not like m-audio

I like everything by Mackie. Their preamps are nice and clean and flat and moderately priced.

I like the Lynx-one PCI card, but it is becoming old school.

I like packing foam eggcrate, the stuff they pad mainframe computers with. It's cheaper than the sonex stuff and works just fine, BUT it is not Class-A fire rated!! Carpet padding foam also works for dampening and cutting early reflestions.

I use a Neumann, but there are so moany good mics out there today, just check the specs. I like the Blue and the AT stuff too.

Don't waste money on self powered monitors if you can get an amp and speakers at the right price that you like. We are not mastering Madonna, we just need a good clean rig.

Patrick Willis · Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2006, 05:26 (GMT) Post subject:

I have a CAD100 and it suits my voice well. I just have a shiteloada buzz!!!!
It drives me crazy. What have I done wrong?
The cables are all professional quality.
Please help??

Todd Ellis · Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2006, 15:13 (GMT) Post subject:

Hi Patrick. Just becaust the cables are pro-quality doesn't mean you don't have a bad one - loose ground, whatever. And that is the easiest place to start. Unplug everything one at a time until your buzz goes away. I've found that 99% of the time this works. Good Luck!

Alan Simmons · Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006, 18:07 (GMT) Post subject: KVM?

Please forgive my lack of knowledge on this - what's a KVM cable?

Todd Ellis · Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006, 21:25 (GMT) Post subject:

Hi Alan. It stands for Keyboard, Video, Mouse. It's one cable that allows you to run those devices remotely from your computer (at least as far as the cable will reach). Getting my computer out of the studio completely eliminated fan noise. Keep in mind the limitations of USB (16' without some kinid of booster)

Cablesforless usually has a pretty good price - although you might also check ebay.

http://www.cablesforless.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=263&gclid=CMG5zJnhpogCFSjWJAodJ28u5w

Good Luck!
t.

Chip Hinshaw · Posted: Sat Nov 04, 2006, 00:48 (GMT) Post subject:

I have another favorite toy for the studio:

http://www.frontierdesign.com/Products/TranzPort

Russ McLamb · Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2006, 00:46 (GMT) Post subject:

Figured I'd jump in...

First and foremost make sure your rooms right acoustically. All the best gear in the world won't make a bad sounding room good. Also use more than just Auralex. Can you say muddy? Check out these panels, they're affordable and do a great job. A mixture of the Auralex and these panels works wonders on the room. www.gikacoustics.com.

As far as equipment, a mic that works with your voice, a clean pre and a clean compressor. If the rooms right you don't need eq.

Just my .02...

Russ