Help me build my dream studio...

[superpenguin79]

alright, so I decided to compose and start building towards my dream studio and here's what I have going so far. Any modifications that would make this list better or suggestions for extra gear I might need for this setup?

AKG Drum Pack
Qty: 1
View Online: http://www.sweetwater.com/click/wlitem/rDrumPack
Buy Now: http://www.sweetwater.com/click/wlitem/cDrumPack

Clavia Nord Lead 3
Qty: 1
View Online: http://www.sweetwater.com/click/wlitem/rNord3K
Buy Now: http://www.sweetwater.com/click/wlitem/cNord3K

Digidesign Control|24
Qty: 1
View Online: http://www.sweetwater.com/click/wlitem/rControl24
Buy Now: http://www.sweetwater.com/click/wlitem/cControl24

Digidesign Pro Tools|HD 1
Qty: 1
View Online: http://www.sweetwater.com/click/wlitem/rPTCoreHD1
Buy Now: http://www.sweetwater.com/click/wlitem/cPTCoreHD1

Digidesign 192-Digital Interface
Qty: 1
View Online: http://www.sweetwater.com/click/wlitem/r192Digital
Buy Now: http://www.sweetwater.com/click/wlitem/c192Digital

Digidesign Pre
Qty: 2
View Online: http://www.sweetwater.com/click/wlitem/rDigiPre
Buy Now: http://www.sweetwater.com/click/wlitem/cDigiPre

Genelec 1032A
Qty: 2
View Online: http://www.sweetwater.com/click/wlitem/r1032A
Buy Now: http://www.sweetwater.com/click/wlitem/c1032A

Neumann U 87
Qty: 1
View Online: http://www.sweetwater.com/click/wlitem/rU87SetZ
Buy Now: http://www.sweetwater.com/click/wlitem/cU87SetZ

Rode NT5
Qty: 1
View Online: http://www.sweetwater.com/click/wlitem/rNT5
Buy Now: http://www.sweetwater.com/click/wlitem/cNT5

Shure SM57
Qty: 2
View Online: http://www.sweetwater.com/click/wlitem/rSM57
Buy Now: http://www.sweetwater.com/click/wlitem/cSM57

Shure Beta 52
Qty: 1
View Online: http://www.sweetwater.com/click/wlitem/rBeta52
Buy Now: http://www.sweetwater.com/click/wlitem/cBeta52

Shure KSM32
Qty: 1
View Online: http://www.sweetwater.com/click/wlitem/rKSM32/SL
Buy Now: http://www.sweetwater.com/click/wlitem/cKSM32/SL


Computer:

Dual 2.7GHz PowerPC G5
• 8GB DDR400 SDRAM (PC3200) - 8x1GB
• 2x400GB Serial ATA - 7200rpm
• ATI Radeon 9650 w/256MB DDR SDRAM
• Apple Cinema HD Display (30" flat panel)
• 16x SuperDrive double-layer (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
• PCI-X Gigabit Ethernet Card
• Apple Keyboard & Apple Mouse - U.S. English
• Mac OS X - U.S. English

I would go PC, but I have not seen a system that matches 8 gigs of ram and a dual 2.7 G5....



anyways, its a start, please fire away with suggestions... additions..etc...

[Obsidian Dragon]

I know you are focusing on gear right now but I just want to remind you about acoustic room preparation using defusers, absorbers and bass traps. You also need a good desk for a clean and efficient setup. I really like Argosy workstations. It also sounds like you'll be doing tracking (given your list of mics). You'll need mic stands, pop filters, shock mounts, etc. Budget for cables, patch panels, terminations, snakes, power conditioners, UPS, and external hard drives for media exchange.

You'll want some different mic preamps for different purposes. That can get into a whole discussion alone so I'll leave it at that.

I did not see any plug-ins on your list. Generally people use a combination of plug-ins and outboard gear for compression, EQ, reverbs, etc.

I've just scratched the surface but you sound like you are doing your homework first which is good. It also sound's like money is not a problem so have fun.

Last note: Look at the Allenstein thread once before going for the Mac Dual G5. I'm not saying which is better but you should just know your options.

[superpenguin79]

Thanks for the checklist Obsidian, definately good points to add. This situation is just hypathetical at the moment actually... Don't quite have the funding yet, but I am pursuing a couple of avenues. Just doing my homework in advance to be ready like you mention. In reality, if the current avenues do not pan out, I may be revamping my gear list, or just adding on a couple of years to my plan.

Here's what I got so far:

mic stands: got a good supply in my exisiting setup

pop filters: could probably use a few more

shock mounts: have a few and will probably get mic specific ones with the mics on the list.

Budget for cables: This one I could use some work on most likely. For my existing hardware setup, what would you guys reccomend and what am I looking at budget wise ballpark?

patch panels: probably looking to set up a master patch bay, and atleast 5-6 wall XLR bays to patch into the control room through the walls. again suggestions please?

terminations: not sure what you mean on this one??

snakes: have a couple decent 100ft ones at the moment, but might need an upgrade if this situation came into play. Would I need one for each XLR bay that I set up?

power conditioners: Was looking at the high end Furman units, but am looking for something more cost efficent that will do the job and give me more inputs.

UPS: Did not get to this yet, but what type of capacity would I be looking at for a list of gear like this? I am assuming we're talking major backup panel eh?

external hard drives for media exchange: have a supply of those going in my existing setup.

Room Preperation: If I did a room like this and score the budget I would do it right and hire Mr. Sayers to design it. Otherwise we will be going with good old Auralex.

Desk: I was looking for the desk that was built for the Control 24 console, but could not locate one thus far. Any suggestions?

Different Mic Pre's: Was considering Focusrite ISA 428, Focusrite Red1, Vintech 473, and 2 Neve 1081(vintage).

Plugins: Haven't even started to consider them yet.... I know its going to be something like Waves Platinum, Sansamp, Antares, BFD..etc. for starters.. In fact, I don't happen to know if they make everything in TDM honestly. These are just a few of my current fav's.

As for the Allenstein thread, yeah I have weighed both sides of the fence on the machines, the only thing with a PC is the fact that I have never come across a high end system that can do dual processors, and 8 gigs of ram at once. If you guys have something in mind, especially that would save me a bit on the price tag and be just as efficient, please let me know.


anything else that wasn't mentioned yet also?? Thanks

[superpenguin79]

anyone know where I could score a PC that hits close to 4-8 gigs of ram and dual processors?

also, am I missing anything else from these lists so far? Thanks

[Captain_Pants]

Dont forget bottlenecking though and optimization. I still think a AMD-64 3800+ would wipe the floor with a Mac just because thats how they are...
hehhe

Good to see you around still!

hehe

[superpenguin79]

Hey man, good to see you back on the boards also dude. with the 64 3800+, what type of system specs would you reccomend? If I go PC, its going to be from the ground up building it, but if I go to the dark side with Mac, I am buying a custom built one direct from OEM. *shrugs* Convince me to stay PC guys...

[superpenguin79]

speaking of PC, I am pretty happy caus I almost have my current rig fine tuned enough where I have everything out of it that is non-essential for audio basically. Went through hell to figure it out, but it is running like a dream now.. Just had to kick a lot of that nasty MS stuff outta there that wasn't needed...

[Captain_Pants]

While its nice to have a powerful system, id be inclined to say host based systems require it more(LE, Logic, CUbase), Where as HD systems and stuff have thier own cards to process plugs and handle all the I/O.

IVe heard rumours HD's sell more to PC users than MAC users.

[superpenguin79]

Hmm... you serve a great point my friend... I wasn't remembering that the HD core cards do all of the processing for you... Hmm.... Thank you for pulling me back from the dark side of the force. lol with that under way.... lets talk Motherboards.

[Captain_Pants]

ABIT boards ar nice. Ive had incredible luck with EPoX boards as well.
To be honest, ive never had problems with my PT machines, except wimpy PSU problems(easily fixed).