Studio Gear

Okay, I am starting to make a list of all the things I need to make a complete studio. The problem is: is that I have no experience with anything but guitars and mixers. But, I really want a full complete studio. I'm not the smartest on this subject, but if you could list out everything needed for a studio and product recommendations that would be very, very helpful.

I am 16 and I've played the guitar since I was 5yrs. old. And I have learned almost everything there is on the guitar. Now I want to move onto other instruments. I am planning to make all the music myself and hire a live band. And I am planning to a have a full complete studio before I turn 18. I've been saving up my money and $5,000 is what I'm aiming for. Would $5,000 make a studio?

[dcwave]

Originally Posted by Bukowski

Would $5,000 make a studio?

THat would cover the DAW, a decent interface, 1 preamp and mic, and decent monitors.

What about the room you record in and the room you mix in?

Originally Posted by dcwave

What about the room you record in and the room you mix in?

I can see where you're heading with this. I need a place to record in before I get the equiptment. Smart thinking!!! Damn now another thing to buy... lol

So, I need a place to record in. I'll probably need to get a second job. I really want all this stuff, but it's so hard to save up for.

Originally Posted by dcwave

THat would cover the DAW, a decent interface, 1 preamp and mic, and decent monitors.

If you could estimate the cost, how much do you think all this will be? Because I'm willing to slave away at a job to get however much money it will cost. I'm going to save up til' I turn eighteen (for 2 yrs.), in 2 yrs. do you think I could have all the money saved up for it, if I don't spend a dime of my earnings?

Sorry about all the stupid questions. It's just that I imagine this all day long, and it's killing me inside.

[dcwave]

I know the feeling . Its late; I'll add some things tomorrow sometime. I did have a list once for a $5k "beginers" setup - kind of a "if-I-started-over-what-would-I-do-list". In the meantime maybe someone else will chime in.

[ShaneC]

Your budget can go as high as you want. The more you have, the better gear you'll be able to use. For example, 7yrs. ago I spent $25k on gear and $5k on studio construction. Since then, I've spent another $10K on gear.

Recording and Electronic Musician have written articles outlining various different recording setups from budget to premiere. It's possible to acquire the back issues.

IMHO, a good beginning would be a bedroom setup, or some other room you can convert, like a basement or garage, into a reasonably soundproofed space.
Recording Tools would at least include:
A) fast PC with as much Ram as you can afford, (at least 1gig).
B) decent soundcard, (not sounbluster)
C) dynamic mic - sm 57 or 58
D) Large diaphram condensor - Bluebird or Rhode NT1
E) good mic pre or mixing board with good preamps.
F) liscensed recording software
G) the best monitors you can afford - at least $1k
H) cables and mic stands

There are plenty of threads from others who have been down the road you are about to embark. Draw upon those experiences and mistakes so you don't have to repeat them. Read and research recording magazines and online articles, Sound on Sound and Harmony Central are great resources.
If possible ask a nearby studio owner if you can hang out during some sessions, and be sure to compose yourself appropiately; maintain invisibility, listen and observe, then wait to Q&A when the engineer is ready or sometime after the session is over. After a awhile, if it goes well, they may even let you record some sessions or help with setups. All of the above suggestions will help you gain valuable recording experience which may be applied to your own recording endeavors. Good Luck!

Originally Posted by ShaneC

Your budget can go as high as you want. The more you have, the better gear you'll be able to use. For example, 7yrs. ago I spent $25k on gear and $5k on studio construction. Since then, I've spent another $10K on gear.

Recording and Electronic Musician have written articles outlining various different recording setups from budget to premiere. It's possible to acquire the back issues.

IMHO, a good beginning would be a bedroom setup, or some other room you can convert, like a basement or garage, into a reasonably soundproofed space.
Recording Tools would at least include:
A) fast PC with as much Ram as you can afford, (at least 1gig).
B) decent soundcard, (not sounbluster)
C) dynamic mic - sm 57 or 58
D) Large diaphram condensor - Bluebird or Rhode NT1
E) good mic pre or mixing board with good preamps.
F) liscensed recording software
G) the best monitors you can afford - at least $1k
H) cables and mic stands

There are plenty of threads from others who have been down the road you are about to embark. Draw upon those experiences and mistakes so you don't have to repeat them. Read and research recording magazines and online articles, Sound on Sound and Harmony Central are great resources.
If possible ask a nearby studio owner if you can hang out during some sessions, and be sure to compose yourself appropiately; maintain invisibility, listen and observe, then wait to Q&A when the engineer is ready or sometime after the session is over. After a awhile, if it goes well, they may even let you record some sessions or help with setups. All of the above suggestions will help you gain valuable recording experience which may be applied to your own recording endeavors. Good Luck!

Thanks man!!! Good advice. I know a guy that owns a music store and a studio really well, so maybe he'll let me hang out there for awhile. I've tried getting a job there many of times, but he says that he don't hire .

But, I have another question. Would it be better to buy the stuff seperately, or should I save up and buy ALL the stuff at once??

[ShaneC]

You could start small and update later. The only drawback is whatever tech. you buy now may be outdated or obsolete later, which can be a waste. I started with a friends tascam 4-track porta studio many, many years ago. When I was going to invest in my own gear, I was considering one again, but opted for a Yamaha mx12/4 to mix from Cubase VST3.5 on a 200MMX PC. I'm about to unload the 12/4 and my old PC is basically a doorstop.

[Bops2000]

No matter how you look at it, it's a money pit.
Spend your budget, ans as you work with the equipment, you will realize what you need to go further, usually more money.
But the good news is most gear you have can be recycled, as a friend called my studio, 'the ever growing tumor' way before I realized it, he was dead on.
Just have fun with it first, if it ain't fun, its just a job.
be good

Thanks everyone for the VERY helpful advice.

My friends and family don't see why I want this. They think it's a big waste of money, but to me it's just a very expensive hobby...

I've looked at this before, and want it really badly. But, I don't know if it would be a good deal. Could someone give me some advise about this product: Good or Bad... Thanks

Here's a link:

[ShaneC]

Sweet! Are you a Mac guy? Or do you prefer PC?

Originally Posted by ShaneC

Sweet! Are you a Mac guy? Or do you prefer PC?

I use PC for just a computer, but I wanna use a Mac for my music. I don't know if they make any difference in music, but someone told me to use a Mac for my music. So, I figured I'd listen to him, because he knows more than me.

[ShaneC]

Well, there have been many debates on what is better, Mac vs. PC. The previous trend has leaned toward Mac because of stability, which is why SloTools became the "studio standard". Although, over the last several years, the PC has been the choice of most audio professionals because of price point, expandability, performance and stability. What it usually comes down to is what works for you and how comfortable you are with that system. To each their own.