Home Recording Studio (Gear/Setup)

[Jay Stevens]

Originally Posted by Mike Sommer

Keeping your sound chain simple is probably the most important thing you can do, but I'm not a fan of all in one boxes.
I stress developing your audio before it gets to the computer, this allows you to walk in turn on your gear (let all warm up) record and send it off. Other then a little editing, you should not have to do anything else to your audio files.

This means your room should be free of excessive echo and outside noise, that is to say "Clean and Dry." This will eliminate the need for over processing and editing.

Your mic and preamp are going to be dependent on what sounds good to you and what you can afford.

Preamps:
Some of the local favorites under $700:ART MPA Gold, Presonus Eureka, FMR's RNP-8380, and the Speck 5.0.
Boutique Preamps: John Hardy M1, Great River, Buzz Audio, Purple Audio, Brett Avrill, Little Labs, Sebatron, Avalon, and UA LA610.
And the vintage pres: RCA, Neve, Telefunken, Neumann,

Compressors:
Keep it simple here. All the compressor is doing here is to pulling everything together and even out the level. Not squashing it into splat.
A simple DBX is just all you need. I like the 166LX, I picked mine up on Craigslist for $75. Though if you want to add some real tastiness to your audio an LA2A compressor is the magic box to do that.

Mixer:
Keep is simple but flexible to meet the "pro end" needs. CHEAP mixers are the death of audio. As I've said before Soundcraft M Series meets our needs very well, with British EQ's, and 100mm faders (These long faders give your more precise volume level adjustment) and they sound fantastic!

Interface:
There are many to chose from. I keep it simple and use an AudioFire 2,
or you can drop some coin on a RME FF800 for similar sound and performance.

Microphone:
We can go round and round on this but I will just say, If you get a condenser mic it will sound like crap if your room sounds like crap. If you're not willing to address your room then you are relegated to crappy audio or a dynamic mic. Your gear is important but the room you record in is even more important.

If using a mixer - the mixer is my preamp, right?

And is a compressor needed if my software can compress?

[Mike Sommer]

You can use your mixers pres and you can use your software compressor.
But as I stated, I prefer to develop my audio before I send it off to the computer. Consider your computer as nothing more than a replacement for the tape recorder and an editing bay. If you add to may digital plugins to make your voice audio to sound good, your in trouble when you need to add effect during production. What you are doing is adding unnecessary algorithms that can effect the end quality.

An outboard compressor is basically needed to pull everything together (such as mic EQ) and even-out the level before sending it off to the computer (Reduce peaks and rase the quieter passages).

As a general rule I do not use my mixer's pres, but I could in a pinch. You will find once you start test driving preamps and mics there are many different flavors --some will make you sound wonderful and others not so wonderful.

Of course you can always start slow and build as you advance in the art of VO. But if you buy quality gear you will almost always get your money back if you decide to upgrade or what have you.

[Seann Shaffer]

Hi Jay, I just finished building my Studio Here's what I use. I have a PC with Adobe 3.0 and at the Hub at TC Electronic Konnect 6 Audio interface to which plugs into my PC via firewire. My Lawson L47 Tube Mic goes through my Avalon M5 PreAmp which then leads into my Konnect 6.

Look into getting this audio interface, it kicks A$$.Everything plugs into this neatly and with total user-friendliness!!
It's about $300 bucks.

Hope this helps.

Live the Dream
Seann Shaffer

[Jay Stevens]

What could you tell me about the ProFire 610 - FireWire Audio Interface from M-Audio?

M-Audio | ProFire 610 - FireWire Audio Interface | 9900-52649-00

Can we get some reviews on this product? Those who have used this interface.

Thanks.

[Mike Sommer]

Don't know much about, but it is $400.00.

I think you can get more bang for your buck elsewhere.

Why don't you list the set up you are planing to put together --your "audio chain."

[Jay Stevens]

Originally Posted by Mike Sommer

Don't know much about, but it is $400.00.

I think you can get more bang for your buck elsewhere.

Why don't you list the set up you are planing to put together --your "audio chain."

Desktop PC - A Core Duo Processor, Vista OS, 4GB of Memory, 500GB Hard Drive, USB & FIREWIRE

Mixing Sound Board - Behringer XENYX 1204

Studio Monitors - (2) Mackie MR5 Active Monitors

Microphone - Electro Voice RE20

[Mike Sommer]

Looking at what you have, all your really need is an interface, an AudioFire 2 interface is a good choice. You can use your
mixer's preamp for now, and upgrade to a nice preamp later.

As for preamps you can start shopping around.
Some favorites are the: ART MPA Gold, Presonus Eureka, FMR's RNP-8380, and the Speck 5.0. I think these can all be
found for under $800.

I have the RNP-8380 and it is a really nice preamp. The Art MPA Gold, is another good choice and you can pick it up for
under $250 these days. And you can't go wrong with the Speck.

Then the boutique gear: John Hardy M1, Great River, Buzz Audio, Purple Audio, Brett Avrill, Little Labs, Sebatron, Avalon,
and UA LA610

These amps are big ticket items, and may not be the best choice for someone just starting out.


Good luck.

[Emorgan_Voiceovers]

You might also look at the "Safe Audio P1". I heard it in a mic shoot out with everything from RE20 to Sennheiser 416 and Neumann U47. It sounded fantastic and runs $749.00 It ain't pretty but sounds great.

ZenPro Audio: Safe Sound Audio Audio P1

[Jay Stevens]

Originally Posted by Mike Sommer

Looking at what you have, all your really need is an interface, an AudioFire 2 interface is a good choice. You can use your
mixer's preamp for now, and upgrade to a nice preamp later.

As for preamps you can start shopping around.
Some favorites are the: ART MPA Gold, Presonus Eureka, FMR's RNP-8380, and the Speck 5.0. I think these can all be
found for under $800.

I have the RNP-8380 and it is a really nice preamp. The Art MPA Gold, is another good choice and you can pick it up for
under $250 these days. And you can't go wrong with the Speck.

Then the boutique gear: John Hardy M1, Great River, Buzz Audio, Purple Audio, Brett Avrill, Little Labs, Sebatron, Avalon,
and UA LA610

These amps are big ticket items, and may not be the best choice for someone just starting out.


Good luck.

The specs on the ProFire 610 are better - and this AudioFire 2 is one ugly box. Just my opinion.

[Mike Sommer]

If it's all about looks then I suggest a sound card, then you don't have to look at anything but cables.

The pres on the ProFire 610 are not very good - they generally aren't on these all in ones and you don't need them.

The AudioFire sounds very good and that's all that matters. That's all that should ever matter.

Take a pick: Audio Interface Comparison Chart by TweakHeadz Lab

Try Gearslutz and ask them