Hey all...
I am new here, and I like it in here so far !
all the threads seem very interesting and informative as well...
cool !
Please let me know your opinion. I am building a Recording Studio
based on Nuendo 2.2 Recording.
I am looking forward to buy the new Console DM 3200 from Tascam,
which should be on the market at the end of June. This console conects
with a FireWire Extension to the PC. For vocal Mic I ve lookt at a
Rode NT-2 (I record nearly everything, Rock, Portuguese Folclore, Fado, etc)
The Rode looks very good to me. As Studio Monitoring I ve look at
a Events Electronic 8" active, dont remeber the model right now, the cost arround 700 €. A couple of SM 58 and 57 for now and thats it. (I ve no money left )
What do you thing about this configuration ?
What is missing ?
Perhaps a good but not to expensive Analouge compressor for voices ?

Thanks a lot

Regards
Paulo

Hi Paulo,

NT2 is fine, Nuendo is cool too. The tascam console looks great but it is a bit of a worry to buy a first generation product. There maybe problems and it is likely to be updated making first generation models out of date (=value loss). You could just run Nuendo (or Cubase SX2) use a nice set of converters like MOTU 2408 Mk3, MOTU 828, Aark 24 or Q10 etc and put the saved money into mic's and stands. If you intend to record drums then you will need anything up to ten mic's and stands in certain circumstances. Again, I am assuming that you will want to record 8 plus tracks at once, If this is not the case then stereo converter pairs can be used (= money saved). SM57 's are very useful though I feel that the SM58's are less useful for recording as they are really intended as a live vocal mic.
For compressors I can recommend the very reasonably priced Behringer Composer Pro MDX 2600 this dynamic processor produces very good quality for about 100 Euros Focusrite also provide value for money to get you started. I would suggest at least two Di boxes, quality monitoring headphones such as Beyer DT100 and a headphone amplifier. A small front end mixer (Mackie 1402-VLZ pro or something like that) Dont forget quality cabling too! I am not familier with the Event monitors but you have quite a choice at that price so shop around and listen to a few sets. I personaly did this and ended up buying the Behringer Truth B2031's (about half the price of the events). Many would disagree but I think that these monitors are just great though maybe a little bass heavy, but it is what you are used too in the end that counts, I use these in two studios so are familier with them. I also found it a great asset to invest in my PC, I use a high end set up with duel TFT monitors, the system is bomb proof. It has not always been this way, I spent many years working with DAW's until I found the right combination of components,
now I use the same platform in two studios. Finaly, dont believe all you are told, there is a lot of snobbery in this business, try the equipment yourself and judge it against more expensive products, you will be supprised, in certain circumstances you can achieve a very similar result for much less money with cheaper equipment, but as always there are exceptions to that rule too! This is just my opinion, please take advice from all parties and also judge for yourself as this will also help to train your own ear! Hope this helps. Jules.

Hi Paulo,
I agree with Giulio. In my studio I use Motu 2408+Mixer Behringer DDX1632 Optically connected. My monitor are the Yamaha MP5. For outdoor recording I use MOTU 828HD connected via fireware to Acer 1711 laptop. For compressors I use Behringer Composer Pro MDX 2600. For headphone monitoring I use Behringer too. I heared the Behringer Truth B2031 and I confirm that these monitors are just great. Don't find cheeppest in the microphones lines. Rode is the best for quality/price rapport. I have a Behringer B-1 and it sound very grat!
I hope this will help you.

SmallStudio
Viky

Hi Viky,

Sounds like a nice set up, Similar to mine. I use an AKG Solid tube but also
have a Behringer B1 in my Spanish Studio. The B1 sounds warmer on some male vocals but I have found that it will clip at higher SPL's, and yes it is definately the mic that is clipping. That aside it works well for most recordings, better than you would expect for the money!

These days I would say that most of the kit avaiable is useable therefore good results are more dependent on your technical ability than kit.

Jules.

hi jules!
my B-1 don't clip never. I use it for female and male voices. Try to setup the filter on the body of the microphone and adjust right the trimmer on the mixer. The distance from the voice and the capsule is important. But for to much eavy voices use a dinamic micro.
Don't forget to insert ever a compressor or limiter before the input mixer.
Let me know
Bye
SmallStudio
Viky

Hey Jules
Hey Vicky

Thanks a lot for your reply.
Well, I need actually up to 16 Ch Recording (simult.) so that the first
reason I looked for the Tascam. Actually the first Mixer I look for was the
01V96 Yamaha with Adat / FW Extensions. Then the guy at the shop
(Musicstorekoeln.de) told me about the new Tascam model. So I checked it out and it look good to me... . But OK, I actually think that you are right, Jules, It is a little risk with a first generation Mixer. Anyway, Tascam had the DM 24 too... so the DM 3200 is the second generation, is nt it ?
OK, the Behringer Compressor and the Headfones are quite nice, think that I go with them... The Monitores, I need actually to here and compare some... Perhaps there are some cheeper and better than the Event.
I stick with the Nt2 too, when I got a little more money I´ll buy some more
mic´s, at the moment, all stuff i didnt have by myself I rent it for the recording job. This related to you, jules, as you said, for drum´s or what ever I need more and up to 10 mic´s.
I think my PC config is OK, Dual TFT 17", P4 3,4 Ghz 2 gigs of Ram, 120 Sata HD inside and FW HD box outside.
For Outside recording got a laptop with 3,0 Ghz and FW too... (but only 512 Ram, think it works anyway).

Anyway, thanks a lot for your comments !!! they where very helpfull
Think / hope we see us again around here...

Cheers
Paulo

Hi Viky,

The clipping is definately in the mic, I never have the same problem with the Solidtube. The pad on the B1 is ok but if I autenuate the output I will be cold on signal for the quiet passages.It's like you need the vocalist to switch in the pad when they are going to sing loud I always use a compressor front end when recording to control dynamics, I would never use a limiter , setting the channel strip trim goes without saying. No, you hit the nail on the head when you metioned distance from the capsule . I often (but not always) like a warm sound to my vocals, this is acheived partly by proximity effect but you need the vocalist to pull back for the louder pushed passages. This technique requires experiance from the vocalist and not all have this. Some are used to pulling back a hand held mic but wont lean back or go off axis when required. it's a completly different technique and you have to guide your vocalist or play safe and keep them at a distance from the capsule (= thinner sound) The Solid Tube can handle this situation better because it has a better dynamic range and considering the price differance between the two mics so it should. This goes back to my comments to Paulo, you can by cheaper and it can sound as good (ish) but there are constraints which means that you put up with some limitations, in some cases with mics this may be polar patterns, SPL's, dynamic range or noise floor issues.

Thanks,

Jules.

Hi Paulo,

Understood, once you need to record 16 tracks at once the whole situation changes. The Tascam seems to be an easy way to do this I guess. But I still belive this to be first generation as it is a brand new model rather than an upgraded version of an existing model. For example, My MOTU 2408 is a Mk3, there has been a MK1 and MK2 also. It has been around for a long time, is considered to be industry standard by some and is bomb proof. If you want to bye one I can guarantee it will do what it says on the tin. Dont get me wrong, the Tascam will probably be fine, but look at all of the problems that users had with the first generation Mackie D8B's I rest my case. I tackled the same problem using a Panasonic Ramsa DA7 Mk2
and ADAT light piped it to a mackie SDR 24/96 and then flew the tracks to Cubase SX2 using ADAT light pipe and the MOTU 2408 MK3. I can of course also use the DA7 and MOTU 2048 MK3 directly. Your PC sounds real cool
I usualy use nine mics on a standard 5 drum kit. I must say that the firewire interface from console directly to PC does sound a very sensible move forward. Keep me posted as to how it all pans out.

Best regards,

Jules.