Gear Purchase - Which Scenario Would You Pick?

[marc777]

If you have read my first thread "Gear purchase - Right or Wrong Choice?" you would have gathered that people like Michael Hoddy, Randy Wright and other audio gurus in this forum gave great advice in helping me determine the best studio gear choice for my application.

Original Scenario:
1. Tascam FW-1884
2. Focusrite Red 7
3. Neumann M-147
4. Mackie HR-824
5. Universal Audio UAD-1 Studio Pak


These are now my final three scenario of choices.

Scenario One:
1. Tascam FW-1884
2. Focusrite ISA 220
3. Neumann M-149
4. Mackie HR-824
5. Universal Audio UAD-1 Studio Pak
6. Spectrasonics Trilogy Bass Guitar
7. Spectrasonics Atmosphere Synth

Scenario Two:
1. Tascam FW-1884
2. Focusrite ISA 220
3. Neumann U87
4. Mackie HR-824
5. Universal Audio UAD-1 Studio Pak
6. Waves Platinum Bundle Audio Plugins
7. Spectrasonics Trilogy Bass Guitar
8. Spectrasonics Atmosphere Synth

Scenario Three:
1. Tascam FW-1884
2. Focusrite ISA 220
3. Pendulum Audio MP-1
4. Neumann U87
5. Mackie HR-824
6. Universal Audio UAD-1 Studio Pak
7. Spectrasonics Trilogy Bass Guitar

As you can see I can get a M149 in Scenario1 if I drop the Waves Plugins that is in scenario2. If I get the Waves Plugins in Scenario2 I have to settle for a U87. And in the third scenario I have opted for a more hardware content choice.

I desire all these pieces and much more but funds will not allow any more.

This is my questions!

Which scenario would you pick? Would you go for the better mic instead of the Waves plugins? Do you think mic choice is paramount over mic-pres or vice versa? Which mic would you choose, the M149 or U87?

Please do not give me other alternatives in mics, micpres, preamps, studio monitors, plugins or software. Please just choose out the two mics I have chosen. Come up with your best choice with the gear and software in question.

I really appreciate your time and input!

Thankyou
Marc777

[xstatic]

In order for me to really make a choice from the three scenarios above, it would be really nice to know what else you have already and what style of stuff you plan to do. Are you using a DAW in conjunction with the Tascam FW? I will assume so since you have listed plugins. What plugins do you already have? Do you have any other mics already? If so, what other mics and outboard do you already have?

If you already have more mics than I would lean towards package 3 so that you would have more preamps to get a wider selection of sounds while tracking. If you don't really have other mics already and plan on laying all of your tracks one at a time with whatever mic you buy then I would lean towards package 2 so that you would have the Waves plug ins to assist you during mixdown. If you plan on getting a couple more mics later (and using them simultaneously then I would once again lean towards package 3 for the additional preamp. Its a tough call. Any of the scenarios is a good start.

The reason I have not selected scenario 1 for any of the different recording routes is the Neumann m147. Whereas the M147 is not a bad mic, it really does not sound nearly as good (in my opinion) as the m149 or m150. I feel like given the choices, the U87 is a more solid and FAR more versatile mic. If you already had a nice mic selection and this was an additional mic maybe my thoughts would be different. But as your first and primary mic i think the U87 will really treat you a lot better.

I know you didn't want anyone to make any other suggestions, but i just have to do it. What about taking the Pendulum out of scenario 3 and putting in a Distressor. By doing this you would get a really versatile compressor (that can also be used to really change tones of a track much like a different preamp would) and with the price difference you might be able to get the waves bundle still, or at least Atmosphere. Sorry for disobeying your request, but I just had to say it! :D

[djui5]

Originally posted by marc777
Patrox247,

I already have a hotrod purpose built PC running Cubase SX with at least 40 tracks of 32bit/96kHz quality at my disposal. Lots of great VST instruments and a handy selection of software FX plugins.

I lack in the hardware department regarding vocal mics, preamps, studio monitors and professional AD/DA converters into my Computer setup.

This is the area of equipment I desperately need to address right now.

Thanks for your advice and time.

Marc777


Xstatic, I believe the M149 was the mic in scenario #1, the 147 was in the previous scenario.

Well, considering lot's of thing's, I'd have to say I'd pick #...crap....it's a hard decision, but I'd say #1...I'll comment later. I gotta get off here for a few

[djui5]

Ok, considering that you allready have plug-in's and such, I think that you'd be happy with scenario #1, and if given your case and having to choose between these three, I'd go with #1. The 149 is an absolutely incredible mic and will sound great on just about anything, especially vocals which is what you said is your main objective. The 220 is a nice pre and will sound great with the 149. I'd recommend becoming very familiar with the unit, as it's quite versatile, and can be shaped quite a few different ways. Another reason I stated #1 is because you've also got the UA card that comes with some great plug-in's and will allow you many shapes for your mix. The waves bundle is also great, but can be picked up at a later time. You're also going to get the snyth which will allow you to create more music, this is better than having a second pre, as a second pre can be picked up later and you don't really need 2 pre's right now.
The mackies as I've stated many times are my fav monitors, and the tascam unit is great also.

This is the reasoning behind my decision. Hope this helps.

[xstatic]

My bad on two accounts. First, I was out on shows for a month and didn't catch the last thread which you posted part of randy. Knowing now a little of the bcakround helps. Second, I completely reversed the mics listed. I was thinking the m147 was the mic in scenario 1 when it was the m149 that actually was.

Knowing this i think I might also lean towards scenario #1 now as well. The m149 is a MUCH better mic than the m147 and is also much more versatile. Maybe not quite as versatile as a U87 (does it even get more versatile than a U87?) but the things that the m149 does do well sound incredible:)

Sorry for my confusion:smokin:

[djui5]

Originally posted by xstatic
does it even get more versatile than a U87?


I don't think it does! Gotta love the U87

[marc777]

These are definites:
1. Tascam FW-1884
1. Mackies HR-824
2. Universal Audio UAD-1 Studio Pak

These to choose:
1. Neumann M149 or U87
It seems like you love both these mics. I use to own a U87 and just loved it. Never heard a M149 but overwhelming praise for this mic tips my scales towards the M149. Is the M149 versaltile? I will be recording mainly vocals, then less frequently acoustic and nylon guitar and occasionally sax, violin or flute. My reason for the M149 is because I want to create intimate lead vocal parts (Delicate and sometimes Punchy) and I hope this mic will bring a special touch to my recorded vocal tracks. The price jump, is it worth the outlay for that better sound quality gain? Would I notice a difference between the two and say, "the M149 just sounds absolutely gorgeous!" Is this the type of reaction you had between these two mics? Please elaborate on the comparsions between these two mics! Michael Hoddy, I would also love to have your input here as well!

2. Focusrite ISA220(including Digital Outs) or Focusrite ISA430MkII(No digital outs)
I know I was settled on the ISA220, but for discussion sake and maybe a change towards the ISA430MkII, Would the jump up to the ISA430MkII and sacrificing the software instruments to get it, would this be a good move? I will also miss out on digital outputs, but I can get this later on as this would make the unit prohibitive in price. The reason I was getting these digital outputs, because I thought this unit would have far superior converters than the Tascam. Is this right? Or would you just run this unit directly to the Tascam Mic pres with ultra high quality studio leads? Would the extra features on the ISA430MkII be a great asset to my production creativity as I master this unit? I will miss the software instruments but can get them at a later date, but if I get the less featured unit first then I would have to double up on this unit later on if I discover these extra features to become an essential need! What are your thoughts?

Thankyou for your time and input!

[djui5]

Originally posted by marc777
These to choose:
1. Neumann M149 or U87
It seems like you love both these mics. I use to own a U87 and just loved it. Never heard a M149 but overwhelming praise for this mic tips my scales towards the M149. Is the M149 versaltile? I will be recording mainly vocals, then less frequently acoustic and nylon guitar and occasionally sax, violin or flute. My reason for the M149 is because I want to create intimate lead vocal parts (Delicate and sometimes Punchy) and I hope this mic will bring a special touch to my recorded vocal tracks. The price jump, is it worth the outlay for that better sound quality gain? Would I notice a difference between the two and say, "the M149 just sounds absolutely gorgeous!"

I would say yes. If you're looking for that intimate vocal experience, then the 149 is one of those mic's. The U87 is a good mic, but not "absolutely gorgeous" like the 149. The price difference is well worth the difference in the recording. It will also sound excellent on guitar, and I'd imagine it will sound pretty good on sax, but I've never used it on sax. I do know one of the great sax mic's is the 421. The 149 will also sound good on violin and probably the flute also (again not sure).




Michael Hoddy, I would also love to have your input here as well!


Me too....




The reason I was getting these digital outputs, because I thought this unit would have far superior converters than the Tascam. Is this right? Would the extra features on the ISA430MkII be a great asset to my production creativity as I master this unit?

Thank you for your time and input!

I agree that the convertors in the ISA's will be far superior to the Tascam's convertors. The 430 has more flexibility as to where you want the EQ's to be (pre/post compressor), it also has a gate and inserts which allow you to insert other compressors/whatever in the chain (which you can do with the 220 just wiring it a little different)

To be honest I don't think the difference between the 220 and the 430 are enough to warrant loosing the convertors and the software insts. If you had a closet full of mic's and some good convertors, then I'd say get it..but you're going to be using one or two mic's and you need those convertors.

Hope this helps.

[michaelhoddy]

I'd probably lean toward the first one, mainly because of the M149, which, as others have said, will generally be more flexible and useful as a vocal mic than the U87 (which is a great mic, but not like the 149). It's my feeling that the mic is most important as a right choice. I really like some different preamps like the Pendulum, but I feel it's important more than anything else to get the mic right first. The Focusrite certainly won't impede you from getting a great sound.

I like the Waves bundle. I have it, in fact. But I feel that the UAD bundle has enough to get you going in a general fashion.

The ISA220 is a good value for the money, now that they've dropped the price.

I'd look to fill this out probably with Waves Gold and a second preamp with some more character, like a Manley tube or Great River NV, as well as a few other, less-expensive mic choices.

But this is a good start with good stuff.

[xstatic]

I am not sure which converters are on the Tascam FW, but Focusrite's converters aren't really known for being stellar. However, people seem to really like and are very surprised by how the converters on the Tascam MX series 24 track sound. If those converters are used in the FW mixer, than the Tascam may actually have better sounding converters. Not to mentione that 1 less clock would be involved in the chain.

[marc777]

Xstatic,

Thankyou very much for that most important information. I will check to see if the FW1884 converters are indeed the same as the MX2424! You have been most helpful!

Marc777

[sdelsolray]

I'm going to throw 2 cents in.

Get the M149. Get the Pendulum MDP-1A, forget about the Focusrite. Better yet, get a Pendulum Quartet channel strip.

Do you realy need the Waves Platinum bundle over the Gold? The only difference is the Masters plugs, which can be added later as an upgrade.