I want to spend $300 to add to a home recording project.

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scottthomasfreeman3
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I want to spend $300 to add to a home recording project.

Post by scottthomasfreeman3 » Sun Apr 27, 2014 11:07 pm

I haven't been around for a bit. forgot my login. woops.

Anyway, I haven't done a recording project in years and now I have the chance to take a couple weeks to try to record some stuff.

I am feeling compelled to buy something for some reason. Any recommendations for an additive piece to this project around $300?

Here's what I've already got-

Mac and Protools 10
Apollo Quad
4-channel Sytek pre

Bluebird
AKG C3000
4 X Oktava mk-012
57's and other dynamics... 7?
Shure Beta 52

It's gonna be a rock record. I'll be Dave Grohl-ing it, recording everything myself.

eh91311
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Post by eh91311 » Mon Apr 28, 2014 1:41 am

For $300? Maybe buy some things that you don't have now.
Apex 205 ribbon mic for miking guitar amps (by itself or along with a condenser or 57) or as the side mic in front of your acoustic drum kit along with a condenser for mid-side stereo miking?
A good direct box, like the Radial Pro DI?
Maybe stretch the budget and look for a used ART Pro VLA original model as a forgiving opto compressor, or a used DBX 166A for a VCA comp that squishes a little harder for cheap.

You can still record your project even without anything other than what you have. You should keep that in mind as well.

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vvv
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Post by vvv » Mon Apr 28, 2014 4:17 am

Assuming you do yer processing ITB, I'd be looking for a mic/mic's with color.

A ribbon, as suggested, is fab for old-stylee vox or as a first or second amp mic (you could get two); a cheap tube could be a nice and different color (look for the MXL V69ME - a steal used).

Old Meek pre's like the VC3, etc., are cool - you gotta shop but can get 'em for that.

Or, a keyboard or a reso guitar or a djembe or - lawd save us - a banjo?
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Post by kslight » Mon Apr 28, 2014 4:50 am

Maybe a decent LDC like a used Shure KSM32 or 44?

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Snarl 12/8
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Post by Snarl 12/8 » Mon Apr 28, 2014 10:38 am

Room treatment.
Carl Keil

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Brian Brock
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Post by Brian Brock » Mon Apr 28, 2014 10:54 am

if you don't record all that often, maybe it would be good to get something which you can use when you're not recording, like an instrument or a guitar pedal or something.

scottthomasfreeman3
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good stuff

Post by scottthomasfreeman3 » Mon Apr 28, 2014 12:48 pm

Like I mentioned, my compulsion to treat myself is not well grounded.

A ribbon mic sounds kind of like a Christmas toy, which is the way I'm leaning! I know I could make something with what I've got, but whats the fun in that? If I don't have that piece of new gear candy, how will I ever get this vanity project that me and my grandma will hear done? :D

I think the most reasonable suggestion was room treatment. It might even be fun to build traps and panels... I am however already shopping around for everything you guys suggested!

Thanks!

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Snarl 12/8
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Post by Snarl 12/8 » Mon Apr 28, 2014 9:46 pm

Wait? My wife musta hacked my account again. My suggestion would be cocaine.
Carl Keil

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Post by vvv » Tue Apr 29, 2014 4:26 am

:lol:
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Post by drumsound » Tue Apr 29, 2014 6:44 am

A compressor or two might be good to have for tracking. An RNC and a Art VLA will get you a lot of different options in two boxes.

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JWL
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Post by JWL » Tue Apr 29, 2014 7:46 am

Snarl 12/8 wrote:Room treatment.
This, but only if you want to maximize the sonic improvement for your $300.

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Snarl 12/8
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Post by Snarl 12/8 » Tue Apr 29, 2014 4:51 pm

Snarl 12/8 wrote:Cocaine.
This, but only if you want to maximize the perceived sonic improvement for your $300.
Carl Keil

Almost forgot: Please steal my drum tracks. and more.

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JWL
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Post by JWL » Tue Apr 29, 2014 9:22 pm

LOL.... I thought that was weed.

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tjcasey1
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Post by tjcasey1 » Thu May 01, 2014 5:35 am

My biggest bang for $300 was Izotope's Ozone. I know it's just software, but the difference in my final masters was incredible. It was probably the most important purchase I've made in the past six years.

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Nick Sevilla
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Post by Nick Sevilla » Thu May 01, 2014 5:53 am

"I'll be Dave Grohl-ing it, recording everything myself."

Hmmm... Dave uses two engineers when he "self records".

Butch Vig, and Rami Jaffe.

Now as to spending 300 bucks on whatever, to improve your music?

How about this:

WRITE BETTER SONGS!!!
Howling at the neighbors. Hoping they have more mic cables.

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