What's my next logical upgrade?

[zv yoda]

Hi folks,

I'm a home studio user with about 18 months “learn as you go” experience recording & mixing in PT LE. My rig is listed in my sig. I’m trying to figure out the next logical upgrade to my set up. I play drums, guitar, one fingered keyboard & do questionable vocals.

First, the room… I track & mix in the same room – it’s is only 11ft x 11ft x 7ft high. I’ve treated the room as best I can – large corner bass traps, cloud above the kit & a wooden floor. So, the room sounds pretty OK (given the dimensions)… but I doubt if I can do a whole lot more to improve the acoustics.

I have a decent drum kit & guitars. Micing the kit - through the 4 x 003r channels I have a matched pair of Rode NT5 overheads plus an SM57 (snare top) & AKG D112 (6 inches outside the kick). Through the ADA8000 I run 2 x SM57s (snare bottom, inside kick) plus 3 x cheap Thomann tom mics on the toms.

I’ve spent a lot of time playing around with mic placement & now have what I think is a good stereo image in the O/Hs. The closed mics do the job & I generally mix the O/Hs almost level with the closed mics. The kit is panned 65%:65%.

I DI my Highway 1 Tele directly into the 003r & then use the IK Amplitube guitar sims as required. I DI & mic my Taylor acoustic with one of the NT5s – both via the 003r. For vox, I tend to use an SM57 via the 003r too. I don’t have/use a guitar amp.

Overall, I’m least happy with the drum sound. It just doesn’t have any real presence – although I can make some progress using processing & augmenting the snare & kick with samples.

So, my question is this – if you were in my position & wanted to make the next upgrade to your set up… what would you do? My current budget is about €500 (I’m in Ireland) but can be flexible depending on suggestions. I’m thinking either new mics for the toms (maybe 3 x SM57s or E904s) or possibly an M-Audio Profire 2626.

Thanks!

[getz76]

The weakest link in that setup looks like the Behringer ADA8000.

Check out Sennheiser MD421's for tom mics.

[The Dougfather]

I used to own the ADA8000, the pre's are dull and lifeless, a simple a/b netween your two units will reveal this.

I've upped to an Octopre LE and it's pretty good, very quiet and much more clarity on everything, in particular the drums.

You also might want to consider a condenser mic for vocals, you have to drive a 57 pretty hard and unless your growling hard rock style you may not be capturing the full picture.

Just my two pence.

[getz76]

I have two Octopres (one with a digital out) and agree; they're quiet and clean. Not a lot of character.

When I was putting together my current kit, I tried to make sure each link was about the same class. I would love a Neumann U87, but would my current preamp do it justice? Probably not. I love the sound of the newer Neve preamps, but would my NT1A or e300 get the most out of it? Unlikely.

[sunburst79]

Although I still own one (for tracking stuff in the paractice room with a 001) I must admit I would probably ditch the ADA8000 first. It's the weakest link.

[zv yoda]

Thanks for the replies so far... the Octopre LE sounds interestings - seems to a next step up from the Behringer. Any thoughts on other ADAT pres in the $500/€500 range?...

I've heard the Md421s are supposed to be about the best thing you can use for toms, but they're expensive & would seem a waste to run them through the Behringer (or even the 003 for that matter). I think the point about keeping gear in the same "class" is a very good point... the sound is only as good as the weakest link

[sunburst79]

Originally Posted by zv yoda

Thanks for the replies so far... the Octopre LE sounds interestings - seems to a next step up from the Behringer. Any thoughts on other ADAT pres in the $500/€500 range?...

I've heard the Md421s are supposed to be about the best thing you can use for toms, but they're expensive & would seem a waste to run them through the Behringer (or even the 003 for that matter). I think the point about keeping gear in the same "class" is a very good point... the sound is only as good as the weakest link

I have a couple of Presonus D8's-they retail for around 350.00 street new. I haven't ever had a chance to compare them to the Octopre which seems to be held in fairly high regard. The 2626 has its fans also.