creating a small studio

bl0rg · Post by **bl0rg** » Fri Feb 17, 2012 8:30 pm

ok first here's some backround story, i produce with another dude and currently we can only jam once a week. We feel we need to step things up and the only way to do this is to have a small dedicated studio.

I've got a budget of about 15k and im just wondering about some things i might need to know.

So far we've got krk 8's with the krk 10 sub and a good audio interface with akai mpk49.

i know we need to buy:

sound treatment stuff

dedicated computer

monitor stands

a nice mixer

koas pad (not necessary but hey why not)

ni komplete 8 ultimate

reason 6

Now the question is, for those with more experience, what would be worth investing?

oh i forgot to mention, we'll be doing some mixing and mastering for clients (mostly friends) as well

aeser · Post by **aeser** » Fri Feb 17, 2012 8:50 pm

bl0rg wrote:ok first here's some backround story, i produce with another dude and currently we can only jam once a week. We feel we need to step things up and the only way to do this is to have a small dedicated studio.

I've got a budget of about 15k and im just wondering about some things i might need to know.

So far we've got krk 8's with the krk 10 sub and a good audio interface with akai mpk49.

i know we need to buy:

sound treatment stuff

dedicated computer

monitor stands

a nice mixer

koas pad (not necessary but hey why not)

ni komplete 8 ultimate

reason 6

Now the question is, for those with more experience, what would be worth investing?

oh i forgot to mention, we'll be doing some mixing and mastering for clients (mostly friends) as well

that's a pretty nice budget for a small studio. i'd personally skip the outboard mixer, spend a good chunk on a tricked out mac pro desktop and dual monitors, and another good chunk on monitor speakers, especially if you're doing mixing and mastering for clients (krk's are kind of way beneath that budget). i think fast mac+awesome monitors+awesome software will get you amazing bang for that buck.

FrostByte · Post by **FrostByte** » Fri Feb 17, 2012 10:23 pm

aeser wrote: i'd personally skip the outboard mixer, spend a good chunk on a tricked out mac pro desktop and dual monitors

! Stick to PC, same performance, half the price.

render · Post by **render** » Fri Feb 17, 2012 10:30 pm

+1 for sticking with pc, if you keep your windows clean u won't have problems. I had mac, no difference, also it had a lot of problems (webcam, and the "superdrive") so don't be fooled with the unbreakable and durable as hell motto..

leeany · Post by **leeany** » Fri Feb 17, 2012 10:34 pm

Reason doesn't support VST plugins, therefore getting Reason with the Native Instruments would make no sense unless you're using an other DAW than Reason aswell

Hircine · Post by **Hircine** » Fri Feb 17, 2012 10:35 pm

The outboard mixer is a great tool for mixing down if you are large on budget. TBH, I use my kaoss pad to resample stuff so they sound more shitty / less digital, not a must for production. komplete ultimate is only necessary if you a lot of compostion or soundtracks. If you plain to do themes, jingles etc it's a good idea, but would require a bigger controller.

dmisreal · Post by **dmisreal** » Fri Feb 17, 2012 11:01 pm

render wrote:+1 for sticking with pc, if you keep your windows clean u won't have problems. I had mac, no difference, also it had a lot of problems (webcam, and the "superdrive") so don't be fooled with the unbreakable and durable as hell motto..

true dat

Neutr4l Numb3r · Post by **Neutr4l Numb3r** » Sat Feb 18, 2012 12:14 am

bl0rg wrote:
that's a pretty nice budget for a small studio. i'd personally skip the outboard mixer, spend a good chunk on a tricked out mac pro desktop and dual monitors, and another good chunk on monitor speakers, especially if you're doing mixing and mastering for clients (krk's are kind of way beneath that budget). i think fast mac+awesome monitors+awesome software will get you amazing bang for that buck.

He'd spend half of his budget on the damn Mac.

Volatile Psycle · Post by **Volatile Psycle** » Sat Feb 18, 2012 9:31 am

15k?!
Damn

if you've got that sort of cash and plan on doing mastering, get something better than krk. get quested or pmc or some top dynaudio's imo.
Plus spend plenty of time learning about acoustics. because you can make some good diy panels/bass traps for a fraction of the price of the pre-made stuff
Would agree that an out board mixer isnt essential unless your willing to spend £££ to get something tasty and reliable.
A nice summing mixer could be a good alternative for this.

might sound like a silly suggestion but invest in a nice desk,chairs and lighting if you plan on spending long days in there.

oh and a mini fridge

djbmc · Post by **djbmc** » Sat Feb 18, 2012 9:41 am

Don't neglect the acoustics of your room, run some tests, find those resonant frequencies and work towards flattening them out, also i would look at some kind of valve compressor....

minusworld · Post by **minusworld** » Sat Feb 18, 2012 1:18 pm

If you're looking to make a studio that's completely treated & with that sort of budget i'd say buy a good mic.
Lot's of singers/mc's have no place to record and are willing to pay some serious cash for studio time. that way you can earn some of the money back.( and it's just loads of fun , you meet new people . maybe produce some hiphop/grime wathever,) .
Would get new monitors i'f you're gonna do mastering .

wub · Post by **wub** » Sat Feb 18, 2012 5:01 pm

If you've got 15k, I'd recommend another DAW other than Reason.

Volatile Psycle · Post by **Volatile Psycle** » Sat Feb 18, 2012 5:09 pm

wub wrote:If you've got 15k, I'd recommend another DAW other than Reason.

dubturbo?

dmisreal · Post by **dmisreal** » Sat Feb 18, 2012 5:11 pm

Volatile Psycle wrote:
wub wrote:If you've got 15k, I'd recommend another DAW other than Reason.
dubturbo?

+1 for dubturbo

wub · Post by **wub** » Sat Feb 18, 2012 5:25 pm

Let's not be unhelpful cretins and suggest DubTurbo, shall we?

If you're PC based (assuming you are, no other reason why you'd be choosing Reason), you might be better off looking at Cubase or even Nuendo as your DAW...hell, depending on if you've got ideas about expanding into live music recording (a good idea if you've got a dedicated studio space), even Pro-Tools would be in the realms with that budget.

Controller keyboard wise, the MPK49 is a bit shit if you can afford better...the M-Audio Axiom Pro 49 would do you well, and has excellent DAW integration.

Monitors, a pair of Event Opals will set you back 2.5k, or some Genelec 8040s at 1k each.

You'd also do well to get a decent pro studio level sound interface...M-Audio Profire would do you well, and has shit hot mic pres, or the Roland Octa-Capture (depending on what you're after for anyway)

Volatile Psycle · Post by **Volatile Psycle** » Sat Feb 18, 2012 5:35 pm

wub wrote:Let's not be unhelpful cretins and suggest DubTurbo, shall we?

it was a joke ffs

check my previous post, was I not helpful?

Eat Bass · Post by **Eat Bass** » Sat Feb 18, 2012 6:07 pm

im guessing the dude already has another daw and is just adding reason to the collection to use its synths and routing capabilities for creativeness. I'm saying its a great idea to get reason and rewire it to your main daw. its great for that.

nowaysj · Post by **nowaysj** » Sat Feb 18, 2012 7:57 pm

A dude named render commenting in a thread about a homework assignment. Reality truly is a fractal.

Khazm · Post by **Khazm** » Sun Feb 19, 2012 1:53 am

Man, I'd dream to be able to spend 15k on a setup! Although I guess in a couple of years I'll have spent more than that in total. As a producer/DJ I find I always want/need a new piece of equipment. Sometimes I wish I picked a less costly hobby such as collecting stamps or some shit. But hey, who wants to do that.

bl0rg · Post by **bl0rg** » Sun Feb 19, 2012 3:12 am

wub wrote:If you've got 15k, I'd recommend another DAW other than Reason.

Sorry wub, i've managed to forget to mention that 90% of my producing is out of Abelton

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