Question:
Here are some $100 situations to figure out, I want to know what you could do on a budget for these different things. Have fun!
You have $100 to spend on a microphone, you may count a matched pair as one if you'd like. Condenser, small or large doesnt matter. What do you get?
You have $100 to get a studio rack unit of any kind. What do you get?
You have $100 to upgrade your computer. This could be any hardware or software (music related software). You have a mac. What do you upgrade to?
You have $100 to get a plug-in package. Which plug-in package(s) do you get?
Answer:
For the microphone, what is your current set up? Do you have any other condensers, and what instruments do you plan on recording with it?
Rack unit: I'm assuming you mean a rack case right? If so, is it stationary or does it need to be portable as well?
Computer upgrade: what does your current set up look like (do you have an external interface or are you going straight into the built in soundcard and what is your current software package?
Answer:
Microphone arsenal: 3 audix drum mic's, 2 SM57's, 1 Nady lg. diaph. condenser. Recording drums, guitar amp, vocals, and acoustic guitar. Tracking, not all at once.
Rack unit: I really have no need, I was just curious as to what everyone valued most under $100. I meant signal processors.
Computer upgrade: I have a MacBook 1.83 Ghz, 512 RAM. I run on GarageBand and cubase LE with free plug-ins that were either included or downloaded. Interface: Alesis MultiMix 12 Firewire
Answer:
Originally Posted by SoapbarII Microphone arsenal: 3 audix drum mic's, 2 SM57's, 1 Nady lg. diaph. condenser. Recording drums, guitar amp, vocals, and acoustic guitar. Tracking, not all at once.
Rack unit: I really have no need, I was just curious as to what everyone valued most under $100. I meant signal processors.
Computer upgrade: I have a MacBook 1.83 Ghz, 512 RAM. I run on GarageBand and cubase LE with free plug-ins that were either included or downloaded. Interface: Alesis MultiMix 12 Firewire
Looks like you could use a few small diaphragm condensers. They'll add a different sound particularly on the acoustic. Suggestions: none. Looking for a few myself.
Rack unit: The most important signal processer for me in either live or recording use is an EQ unit. Definitely. For recording a good compressor or preamp may not be a bad idea either.
I'm assuming you're happy with the software or else you would have specifically mentioned it. For 100 dollars, there's not much that's gonna be better than that (besides Tracktion of course. ). Hardware wise looks alright to. The multimix seems to fit your needs pretty well. And as long as the computer is running fine, any upgrades to the computer are kind of pointless (ram is a little low, but processing power is more important for running plug ins. It's when you start using midi samplers and such that ram gets eaten up). I'd say take the money budgeted for this and put it somewhere else. You could consider a midi controller, but your previous threads don't really show a need for this.
Answer:
I'd try to get a stereo pair of SDCs, though for $100, I don't know if that's possible.
Answer:
I'm willing to buy used
What do you guys think about this deal? http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...age?sku=703626
Answer:
For $100 on a mic, I'd get a Sennheiser e609 silver. I've had one for about a couple years now and it's always worked well for me.
Answer:
I have heard good things about the e609...does it work well as a live mic for guitar amps? How well does it shut out room sounds?
Answer:
So close...there is a ton of great stuff for just a little more.
Mic: MXL V67G, Studio Projects B1, Audio Technica AT2020; MXL 604; lots of cool older mics, EV 635, etc.
Signal Processor: for a bit more, you could get a used FMR Audio Really Nice Compressor. Used, a Symetrix compressor would be a decent choice. If you need a preamp, you could do a MAudio DMP3 or Rane MS1. Effects: Lexicon MPX100, lots and lots of very cool delay units (SDE1000, D1500, etc).
Software: again, just a little more, but Cycling '74 Pluggo is great.
Computer: More memory.
Answer:
For your computer, if you don't already have one, then an external hard drive is invaluable. It'll give you plenty of space to store all your sessions that will inevitably build up over time and fill your Mac hard drive pretty quickly. Or, if you wanted to keep them on your internal hard drive, backing up your important sessions is a must. I've seen way too many people have their hard drives completely crash or somehow losing a session. Backing up is a must.
If you already have a hard drive, then more RAM can definitely help you out. 512 is an absolute minumum when it comes to OS X. It really thrives with at least a gig.
Answer:
I've got a 30 GB iPod video to use as an external hard drive. I would really like to upgrade my RAM, but I'm going to wait until I get graduation money. In fact, I may sell my MacBook altogether and get a MacBook Pro.
Answer:
Originally Posted by ApparentlyNothing For your computer, if you don't already have one, then an external hard drive is invaluable. It'll give you plenty of space to store all your sessions that will inevitably build up over time and fill your Mac hard drive pretty quickly. +1 My hard drive (60GB) is already completely filled up because I do little recordings here and there.
Answer:
And don't just back up your audio files! Back up important plug ins you use and such as well. You said you use a bunch of free plug ins. If you lose those, you may have trouble finding them again.
Answer:
Really guys, my 30 gig iPod has about 3 gigs of songs and a ton of free space....I got the harddrive covered.
I just found out that i'll be going around the state doing shows and leading worship with the band, so i'm going to invest in either an SM57 or e609. Most likely the 57 because its more universal.
Answer:
Originally Posted by SoapbarII Really guys, my 30 gig iPod has about 3 gigs of songs and a ton of free space....I got the harddrive covered.
I just found out that i'll be going around the state doing shows and leading worship with the band, so i'm going to invest in either an SM57 or e609. Most likely the 57 because its more universal.
Your iPod conatins compressed lossy audio files, not uncompressed audio (possibly higher quality than 44.1k/16 bit) that is the norm for any computer-based DAW (not including sessions, fades and plug-in settings) so that less than 30Gb can get chewed up in no time.
An extra harddrive is a must for any serious recording.