Building My Studio

[nativikee]

Hello everybody. I didint know exactly where to post this. I am curently building a studio for hip hop. And I am a newbie. So Im pretty much planning it out right now, too seeing what I want and learning different things. Im mostly stuck on what kind of preamp too gget and the monitors. Do any of you have any advice, or an idea of something that would go good in my studio. Heres a list of what I got and what I plan on buying. Ill probably change things as I go. This is just pretty much what I have planned right now.

Things I have.

Delta 10/10lt soundcard
Pro Tools M-powered (Coming in Wednesday)
12 channel multimix alessis mixer.


Things in my plans at this time.

Studio Projects c3 mic
Keyboard. (I have no idea which one Im gonna get yet)
Mic Preamps (I have no idea what would be good o get for my mic)
Korg microkorg
Voiceworks plus
Sennheiser HD280 Professional Headphones
Command 8 control surface.
mpc1000
M Audio M Powered Producers Factory Plugin Bundle


Do any of you have any advice, on anything I need to get or something that might not need to be up there. Thanks.

[scottdemarko]

Looks like a good list... I have a studio of my own that I primarily do hip hop as will... The key for me is getting a good clean sound, and getting it mixed properly....

To that end, depending on the vocal booth two things to consider are

The reflexion mic filter - excellent for a variety of vocal applications to help eliminate the ambient sound and clean up your initial recording..

http://www.sweetwater.com/images/items/215/Reflexion.jpg

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

Also perhaps a Maxwall might be useful in your setup

http://www.sweetwater.com/images/items/750/MaxWall831-large.jpg
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MaxWall831/

The 2 items I see missing on your list are monitors and acoustic treatment... Monitors is a whole nother subject worthy of a phone call.... but the above two items are worth looking into as easy fix's for acoustic treatment in most rooms..

[nativikee]

Thaanks, Yeah I was looking at buying The reflexion mic filter. I just wasnt exactly sure what it was for. I do wanna get clean sound from my setup. I really aint started to plan the sound booth yet. I wanna try and build one of my own than than do all the accoustic work to it. Ill probably do that as I go. On the monitors, Ive been looking at different kinds. I just aint really made any decitions on them yet. I use to not thank they were important. But alot of people have told me that they are a must. Ive just got pa speakers right now, and the sound out of them dont sound real clear.

[Morsoccer92]

I learned the hard way that sometimes monitors can make or break you. I started with a pair of M-Audio Studiophile AV40 and they are absolutely horrible. Yesterday I went and got two that are brand new on the market. I got the Mackie MR8's and I LOVE them. They are reference monitors so It is more of a true sound rather than a "Studio" sound. What I'm trying to say is, Don't get cheap monitors in the beginning because you will end up spending more money in the long run and not have good quality equipment at the most important times! Hope this helps!

[nativikee]

I thought about getting the Samson Rubicon R8a monitors and the Samson Rubicon R10s woofer. Would them be a good choice in monitors. By the way, which ones would actually be better, passive monitors or active.

[cdanddvdpublisher]

For a preamp, have you looked into the Focusrite ISA428? Its a four-channel preamplifier that runs around $1600. You can always add the optional Analog to Digital Converter, which will add digital inputs as well ($500).

If you are looking for something a little cheaper, I've heard the Mackie ONYX 800R is a good alternative. It has 8 channels and includes 192kHz analog-to-digital converters on each channel for about $999.

[Kevyn]

I thought about getting the Samson Rubicon R8a monitors and the Samson Rubicon R10s woofer. Would them be a good choice in monitors. By the way, which ones would actually be better, passive monitors or active.

I own the Samson Rubicon R6a monitors and they sound great! I plan on adding the sub in the near future and I can honestly tell you that if you are on a budget and need good monitors that are honest and accurate you cannot go wrong with the Samson Rubicon Series.

Save yourself a little money or make a better investment and get the R5a or R6a monitors with the R10s sub and pick up a set of of MoPads and a SubDude you should be able to stay under 800 bucks.

Hope that helps
Kev