Setting up a home studio
Discussion
I take my hobbies seriously, and my new hobby is attempting to make my own versions of songs I like, I might even try a couple of my own, eventually.
With the above in mind I have started getting some equipment together. So far I have Cubase 7 loaded onto a 4 year old Win7 computer, which I intend to replace soon. I have a Zoom R16 8 track recorder/audio interface, a Roland VG-99 guitar synth and a Godin Multiac to provide the inputs. I'm planning to add a keyboard of some sort although I'm less of a keyboard player than I am a guitarist. The Korg X5 seems suitable, 5 octaves and some good sounds.
Now ideally I would have a room set aside for my hobby but I am shortly moving to the house next door which is smaller (but much easier and cheaper to heat), and I'm going to have to set up in the quite large living room. There's only the two of us, and my wife is co-operative, fortunately.
I'm thinking to construct a sort of U shaped desk arrangement in such a way that the mass of cables etc will be not be on view, and yet accessible, and would welcome input as to what sort of things I need to bear in mind and what other equipment I might need.
If anyone wants to put up a picture of their own arrangement, I would be very interested in that too.
With the above in mind I have started getting some equipment together. So far I have Cubase 7 loaded onto a 4 year old Win7 computer, which I intend to replace soon. I have a Zoom R16 8 track recorder/audio interface, a Roland VG-99 guitar synth and a Godin Multiac to provide the inputs. I'm planning to add a keyboard of some sort although I'm less of a keyboard player than I am a guitarist. The Korg X5 seems suitable, 5 octaves and some good sounds.
Now ideally I would have a room set aside for my hobby but I am shortly moving to the house next door which is smaller (but much easier and cheaper to heat), and I'm going to have to set up in the quite large living room. There's only the two of us, and my wife is co-operative, fortunately.
I'm thinking to construct a sort of U shaped desk arrangement in such a way that the mass of cables etc will be not be on view, and yet accessible, and would welcome input as to what sort of things I need to bear in mind and what other equipment I might need.
If anyone wants to put up a picture of their own arrangement, I would be very interested in that too.
I'm studying music at Uni, and had the same problem as you regarding space and a decent set up. I notice you said you were looking to upgrade your computer and if i could offer you any advice it would be don't waste your time with Windows based stuff. I tried my first year of Uni with a really high powered HP & Cubase with an 8 track recorder not dissimilar to your own and it was absolutely crap. What I went for in the end was:
Macbook pro 13"
Presonus Firestudio Interface (8 phantom power enabled XLR/Jack inputs with decent enough pre-amps) for under £400
SE Z3300A Multi-Pattern condenser.
Logic Pro 9
Cheapy M-Audio monitors.
M-Audio Midi Keyboard with sustain pedal.
It's a really portable set up and I regularly take it between home and the studios at uni. I have just recorded my bands first EP on it and have been absolutely amazed by the sound quality for such a cheap set up, I'm happy to post links once we release it.
Here's a few pictures to give you an Idea, ignore the crappy computer speakers in the below shot, my monitors were on loan to a friend
Drums go straight in to the laptop with ease.
Admittedly the keyboard and monitors i got very cheap of a friend, but you could do this entire set up brand new for under £1800 which really isn't bad. I'm sure others will be along soon with alternative set ups but if you have any other questions or need advice just ask.
Macbook pro 13"
Presonus Firestudio Interface (8 phantom power enabled XLR/Jack inputs with decent enough pre-amps) for under £400
SE Z3300A Multi-Pattern condenser.
Logic Pro 9
Cheapy M-Audio monitors.
M-Audio Midi Keyboard with sustain pedal.
It's a really portable set up and I regularly take it between home and the studios at uni. I have just recorded my bands first EP on it and have been absolutely amazed by the sound quality for such a cheap set up, I'm happy to post links once we release it.
Here's a few pictures to give you an Idea, ignore the crappy computer speakers in the below shot, my monitors were on loan to a friend
Drums go straight in to the laptop with ease.
Admittedly the keyboard and monitors i got very cheap of a friend, but you could do this entire set up brand new for under £1800 which really isn't bad. I'm sure others will be along soon with alternative set ups but if you have any other questions or need advice just ask.
I've always gone for an 'L' shaped arrangement (this is my 4th home studio). You can't really tell from the photo but there is a 30cm gap behind each table to provide access. Can get tricky, but all the outboard kit is in flight cases which I can slide out if needed. Top tip. Get LONG leads!
I also have an isolation room next to it with glass doors:
Couple of G5s running Digital Performer with all the usual software synths, reverbs etc
I also have an isolation room next to it with glass doors:
Couple of G5s running Digital Performer with all the usual software synths, reverbs etc
Edited by GetCarter on Tuesday 4th June 12:41
Has anyone got any good advice about getting acoustics right? I'll have a 2.9m x 1.9m room at my disposal after I move house at the end of the month. The 'fly in the ointment' (so to speak) is that it's a rental property so whatever I put on the walls has to be removable without trace.
MitchT said:
Has anyone got any good advice about getting acoustics right? I'll have a 2.9m x 1.9m room at my disposal after I move house at the end of the month. The 'fly in the ointment' (so to speak) is that it's a rental property so whatever I put on the walls has to be removable without trace.
Is it your aim to reduce sound reflections, or is there an actual sound-proofing issue?
'Tis my day job - so I have a bit of an excuse. (All tax deductible!) My setup was(is)
2 Technic 1210's
Akai MPC 2000XL
Zillions of records
Macbook and Pro Tools (M Box)
Groove Tube Mic
An old 80's Shure pre-amp
Korg D1600 Hard Disc Recorder (replaced by MB+PT but occasionally used)
Some random equalisers and compressors
Some random reel to reel machines (used mainly as a line through for some added "air". I very rarely go through the hassle of setting up a tape for recording)
Alexis mixing desk
The music production element is down to preference for me and making use of what I have. As I was sampling as long as I found a good clean record and had a nice needle I was fine. The problem I always struggled with was recording rappers and singers with the various room reflections
I ended up boxing them into a hallway with two old mattresses one in front one behind with a blanket over the top to reduce the sound reflections. Not an ideal set up but for the most part it seemed to work. I've plugged my MPC in once since moving and having a baby and to be honest keep thinking about selling the gear. If I was to start back up the only thing I'd possibly think of adding/improving would be a dedicated reverb unit for my drums and a bigger Pro Tools set up allowing for me to run all the outputs from my mixer into the Mac Book. I never record instruments so two tracking out a song from the MPC is workable but isn't ideal.
2 Technic 1210's
Akai MPC 2000XL
Zillions of records
Macbook and Pro Tools (M Box)
Groove Tube Mic
An old 80's Shure pre-amp
Korg D1600 Hard Disc Recorder (replaced by MB+PT but occasionally used)
Some random equalisers and compressors
Some random reel to reel machines (used mainly as a line through for some added "air". I very rarely go through the hassle of setting up a tape for recording)
Alexis mixing desk
The music production element is down to preference for me and making use of what I have. As I was sampling as long as I found a good clean record and had a nice needle I was fine. The problem I always struggled with was recording rappers and singers with the various room reflections
I ended up boxing them into a hallway with two old mattresses one in front one behind with a blanket over the top to reduce the sound reflections. Not an ideal set up but for the most part it seemed to work. I've plugged my MPC in once since moving and having a baby and to be honest keep thinking about selling the gear. If I was to start back up the only thing I'd possibly think of adding/improving would be a dedicated reverb unit for my drums and a bigger Pro Tools set up allowing for me to run all the outputs from my mixer into the Mac Book. I never record instruments so two tracking out a song from the MPC is workable but isn't ideal.
Drums said:
I notice you said you were looking to upgrade your computer and if i could offer you any advice it would be don't waste your time with Windows based stuff.
A lot of the guys on the Steinberg forums are running Windows PCs, equally a good many are using Apple stuff. Could you enlarge on what you said there as I'm used to Windows stuff and have never had a Mac. Also, the Apple stuff seems quite expensive, is all of the extra cost to do with extra quality/performance or would I be paying something towards their image and marketing costs?singlecoil said:
Drums said:
I notice you said you were looking to upgrade your computer and if i could offer you any advice it would be don't waste your time with Windows based stuff.
A lot of the guys on the Steinberg forums are running Windows PCs, equally a good many are using Apple stuff. Could you enlarge on what you said there as I'm used to Windows stuff and have never had a Mac. Also, the Apple stuff seems quite expensive, is all of the extra cost to do with extra quality/performance or would I be paying something towards their image and marketing costs?They are, however, much more expensive...and 90% of the time are no better than PCs.
The other 10% however...
I have a home studio. Some would call it a small office/spare bedroom with speakers, a guitar amp and lots of guitars in which i lock myself away for days on end. i.e. it is very basic. But i am very pleased with the recordings i have done. OK, they won't be playing on radio 1 or breaking any sonic achievements any time soon, but all things considered they are not bad at all for a small & cheap home studio set up which i learned how to use myself.
Cubase SX
Guitar Rig 2 (recently upgraded to 5!)
Beatcraft drum machine software
CME Matrix pre amp for guitars & vocals
A MXL microphone
Decent hi fi amplifier running Mission speakers
Audihopile 2496 soundcard
Pretty standard PC - nothing top end
If heavy metal is your thing, search Impetus, Our Parting Ways & Impetus Take A Look on youtube for an idea of what i managed on the basic set up above. Both were recorded using the same equipment, but different methods (guitar rig v mik'ed up guitars for one) and done several years apart so my Cubase skill/lack of may have developed/deteriorated somewhat between the two efforts.
Cubase SX
Guitar Rig 2 (recently upgraded to 5!)
Beatcraft drum machine software
CME Matrix pre amp for guitars & vocals
A MXL microphone
Decent hi fi amplifier running Mission speakers
Audihopile 2496 soundcard
Pretty standard PC - nothing top end
If heavy metal is your thing, search Impetus, Our Parting Ways & Impetus Take A Look on youtube for an idea of what i managed on the basic set up above. Both were recorded using the same equipment, but different methods (guitar rig v mik'ed up guitars for one) and done several years apart so my Cubase skill/lack of may have developed/deteriorated somewhat between the two efforts.
singlecoil said:
Is it your aim to reduce sound reflections, or is there an actual sound-proofing issue?
Both, I guess. Reflections are a consideration for me in my production. Soundproofing is primarily a 'not pissing the neighbours off' issue.It's a case of either A: Sort the room out if possible, or B: Buy some s
t hot headphones to get the mix as close as possible to perfect and then pay for some time in a proper studio to polish the mixing on each track as and when it's finished.I'm not sure how I'd find the right studio for my needs though. I do everything in Logic Pro using software synths, so basically I'd need a studio with an engineer who was s
t hot in Logic Pro and could engineer my music on my MacBook Pro (via a physical control surface if they prefer) and then unplug my MacBook Pro from the control surface, thus leaving me with the finished work to take home.Edited by MitchT on Tuesday 4th June 21:29
singlecoil said:
A lot of the guys on the Steinberg forums are running Windows PCs, equally a good many are using Apple stuff. Could you enlarge on what you said there as I'm used to Windows stuff and have never had a Mac. Also, the Apple stuff seems quite expensive, is all of the extra cost to do with extra quality/performance or would I be paying something towards their image and marketing costs?
Mainly I've found software to run far smoother on my base spec macbook pro than on a more powerful windows based equivalent, the same can also be said for a vast majority of my course mates who made the switch from windows to apple. Don't get me wrong I was initially put off by the expense and overall pretentiousness that can be associated with mac ownership, but in my mind they are superior. My mac has never once let me down recording, or in a live situation (almost everyone I play for now requires sequenced backing tracks). Whereas the windows desk tops at college, my old flatmates 'purpose built' music PC and almost every windows based computer I have tried to use for music has either crashed when faced with recording anything more than a single instrument, or glitched out when put through its paces during live play back. I'm positive this can't be the case for all windows based stuff but from personal experience, and that of my friends, I think you'd be better off going mac. Coupled with this most musicians i know all have macs with logic, so it makes it really simple if you want to send someone your project to record a part on.
Mac's aren't for everyone, but they certainly made my life easier!
Mac's have always been the traditional artistic choice be it for photo/film or music work. In the old days I can see why that might have been with the different physical architecture. Now they all use the same, so I'm guessing any difference is in the OS. I'd be interested why you think Mac's are better.
Ultimately the pro choice is still apple. I'm a PC user, that's what I know and it's been fine for me. I've recorded multiple live tracks on numerous occasions without issue. I only had 8 inputs but my single core 3ghz XP machine coped fine.
Ultimately the pro choice is still apple. I'm a PC user, that's what I know and it's been fine for me. I've recorded multiple live tracks on numerous occasions without issue. I only had 8 inputs but my single core 3ghz XP machine coped fine.
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