Advice for a home studio on a budget

[marik]

Hi guys,

I am looking for some suggestions about setting up a home studio. My total budget is +- $1,000. I record hip hop vocals only and looking for a quality sound that is worthy of a professional studio recording.

I have a nice Dell PC with 4GB or ram an a Dual Core CPU (so thats a good start)

What I am looking help with is determining which microphone, soundcard, preamp, and monitors to purchase on my budget. Here is what I am thinking:

Microphone
- Rode NT1A Studio Condenser Microphone
- Rode K2 Tube Microphone (not cheap)
- Rode NTK Tube Condenser Studio Microphone
- Rode NT2A Variable Pattern Studio Condenser Microphone

SoundCard/ Preamp
- PreSonus Firebox 6x10 FireWire Recording Interface
- Focusrite SAFFIRE LE 6 in/8 out Firewire Interface

Monitors
- (nothing specific in mind)

Please help me determine what are the best options for me to use to record hip hop vocals. Thanks in advance.

[brandondrury]

I have a nice Dell PC with 4GB or ram an a Dual Core CPU (so thats a good start)

Cool. Your computer is a monster powerhouse and should have no trouble handling rap vocals.

What I am looking help with is determining which microphone, soundcard, preamp, and monitors to purchase on my budget. Here is what I am thinking:

You seam to be big on the Rode microphones. I've heard both good and bad things about the various Rode mics, but I have never used any Rode mics myself.

If I were you, I'd pick up a used Audio Technica AT4050 for $300. At least, that's what I paid for mine. If the budget grew, I'd also pick up a Shure SM7. With a Shure SM7 and an AT4050 you have a very wide pallete of sounds for about $600.

SoundCard/ Preamp
- PreSonus Firebox 6x10 FireWire Recording Interface
- Focusrite SAFFIRE LE 6 in/8 out Firewire Interface

The only problem with both of these is the "6". Do you really need 6 inputs to record a single rap vocal? If you will be recording drums or live rock bands, go input crazy. If not, only get what you need (or think you will need anytime soon). You could probably save some cash by getting a sound card that does what you need it to and nothing more.

At this budget, you really don't have any room for high end preamps. That's okay. You should start with preamps included in the sound card anyway and work yourself up. People seam to really like the RNP preamp if on a budget (but these aren't exactly cheap, either).

For monitors, it's always a crapshoot. You never really know. I started with Mackie HR824s. I've never loved them, but they do okay now that I've drastically improved my room. Looking back, I would have gotten something cheaper. It's taken me so long to adapt to the sound of these speakers in the room that I could have done the same with a cheaper studo monitor.

With the rap stuff, I guess I would want plenty of low end. So you may want to look for something with a sub.

Brandon

[Andrew07]

I'll second Audio Technica stuff. You get different patterns with the 4050 but I've always really loved my 4033 (plus I think it's cheaper).

I had a couple RNP's for awhile but I didn't find anything too spectacular about them compared to the stock pre's in my Digi 002. I'd stick with the pres in whatever interface you decide and upgrade when you have the $$$ for something kick ass.

[marik]

Thanks for the replies guys..

But if this is the same AT4050 you are talking about, I don't see how it is cheaper than the rode mics.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AT4050/

Does anyone have any experience with the tube mics as opposed to a condenser mic? What is a better option for rap vocals (take in mind I will probably end up going with a firebox interface to start with)

Thanks again.
Marik.

[marik]

Brandon,

Thats a good point about eh 6 inputs on the firebox, but for 300 bucks I cannot find another soundcard/ preamp option.

[Andrew07]

I have a Soundeluxe E47 that's a tube and is pretty cool.

I also have a Rode NT2, Audio Technica 4033, Audio Technica 4050 and a Shure SM7b. My vote would still be the 4033

[brandondrury]

AT4033 as the ONLY mic in the cabinet????? AHHHHHH.

This sounds like a nitemare I had a few weeks ago.

This is just a matter of taste and how you like working in the end, but the AT4033 is a very bright, aggressive mic. My buddy dared me to use it on acoustic guitar a while back and I had to use all kinds of EQ and Waves C4 to keep that tone from slicing a hole in my ear.

I've had good luck with the AT4033 on chick voices, but I usually put them VERY close to the mic to balance out the piercing high end with proximity effect. (Maybe your AT4033 sounds different than both of mine).

But if this is the same AT4050 you are talking about, I don't see how it is cheaper than the rode mics.

I never said anything about being cheaper! You say you wanted as close to pro quality as you could get. If I was on a budget and could only afford one vocal mic, I'd probably go with the AT4050 (used on Ebay). As I said. I paid $300 for mine.

Thats a good point about eh 6 inputs on the firebox, but for 300 bucks I cannot find another soundcard/ preamp option.

Check out the Home Recording Soundcard Wizard in my signature.

Does anyone have any experience with the tube mics as opposed to a condenser mic? What is a better option for rap vocals (take in mind I will probably end up going with a firebox interface to start with)

I've got a Soundelux U99 and a pair of MXL V69s.

I don't know what the "tube" sound is. While I haven't heard any of these mics with the same capsule and solid state electronics, to A/B them, these 2 mics sound just as different as an AT4050 or AT4033 would sound. In other words, there is no way I could pick the tube mic out of a blind test.

The Soundelux U99 has a continously variable pattern control (from omni to cardiod). Changing this pattern makes the mic sound insanely different.

I will say one thing though. The U99 and MXL V69 have more damn problems with reliability than any other mic I've ever owned.

Brandon

[marik]

nice thanks...i will probably go with the 4050...dont want to deal with any potential issues and get it brand new. Is this mic too good for the built in pre that comes with the Firebox, that i want to choose as my initial audio interface? Do you recommend a separate pre and another sound card?

Thanks

[brandondrury]

Is this mic too good for the built in pre that comes with the Firebox, that i want to choose as my initial audio interface?

I don't know what you mean. They use the same cables and such.

Brandon