Looking to buy a recording Studio

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Finch

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#25088 11-Aug-2008 21:02

Ok. I have written down a few songs. was planning to record them.

I want to buy my own recording Studio. I was thinking maybe a max of 10 grand but i have really no idea?

I saw on trade me the most expensive piece is 4grand.

Im not really sure what i need or anything.

So i came here in hope that someone would please be able to tell me about how much i am needing to spend for a good quality studio. And also what do i need to buy?

Thanks SO much in advance :)

freitasm

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#156073 11-Aug-2008 21:52

Perhaps give the other users some parameters? What was the Trade Me "studio" you saw? This would help people have a reference.

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Finch

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#156080 11-Aug-2008 21:58

Ah yes good thinking - sorry. Well it wasnt a studio it was a piece of equipment - so i stand corrected.

this was the most expensive item i saw:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Music-instruments/Pro-Audio-DJ-Equipment/Mixers/auction-169946170.htm

Im starting to think now 10 grand is abit low. I have no idea what i need or anything but i do now that that item there is not even half of what i need to buy.

knoydart

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#156086 11-Aug-2008 22:05

ok, that is just a audio desk,

I assume you want to record so you'll need something to record onto! Most audio systems are computer based and to be honest, you can splash as much cash as you want. All depends on what you want to record - voice, instuments, electronic keyboards?? You could go down a "smple" route with a small audio desk, A good mic & DI, headphones, PC with Audacity and prob come out with a lot of change of $10K. Otherwise Protel on Walter St, or the Rock shop will help you out nicely. I've heard very good reports of Mac based systems from a co worker, PM if you want more info / direction!

kind regards

knoydart

Finch

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#156097 11-Aug-2008 22:35

Wow thank you so much for your reply!

Ah ok an audio Desk - would you know how many you need to be able to "build" a studio?
Is there any difference between audio desks? Im sure there is but what is the main thing i am looking for? EG: a higher something or a lower something?

What is a DI?

Sorry i know nothing about any of this sort of stuff so im sorry for all the questions.

Thanks in advance :)

knoydart

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#156138 12-Aug-2008 06:28

Audio desks come in all shapes and sizes, with prices to match. If you were to say record just your self singing and an instrument, then you could have a small 4 channel or 8 channel desk. There are (personally) brands to watch out for, some good and some not so. Some desks will hold their value well and some not so. There are whole web sites and magzines dedicated to this sort of thing. Maybe something to look into purchasing off is a portastudio. These are usally harddrive or cassette (yes thats right) based boxes which usally have 4 plus "tracks" and idea as they are an all in 1 solution for simple stuff. After that, computer based systems with nice big interface boxes across a firewire / usb / pci interface allow your tracks of audio to go into and be replayed from the computer. Computer can be used to mix / edit / add effects all with a mouse click with many levels of undo / destuctiveness (if there is such a word).

A DI box is used to interface an high impendence, usually unbalanced audio source with a low impendenc balanced audio device. Here are a couple of wikipedia pages which will do the job in more detail to inform you. DI's and Mixing desks

Clear as Mud?

tonyhughes

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#156144 12-Aug-2008 07:30

In all honesty, how many tracks do you need to record at once.

Get a Macbook Pro, get some software, learn to use it well. This will be well under 10 grand, and you will find it easier to get a better result.

The good studio equipment is where its at for seasoned pros, but if you were getting into say, car racing, you wouldn't go and buy an F1 car, because you simply wouldn't be able to drive it.

I have done some recording on my Macbook (!= Pro) with Garageband, and if I got back into a band, I would happily record demos and E.Ps with it. I got really good results recording some acoustic sets, and the feature set for post production and general mixing is actually really good.

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tonyhughes

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#156145 12-Aug-2008 07:34

knoydart: Maybe something to look into purchasing off is a portastudio.

I used that exact model in the photo the first time I did any recording.

I bought one of these about 5 years ago. Sound quality was "good" with metal tape, but you knew it was tape. I was much happier when I bought a minidisc unit.

RIP Minidisc.

Finch

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#156373 12-Aug-2008 19:22

Knoydart: Thanks so much again for your reply and help :) - very useful! Your information is helping me very very much.

Those wikipedia links were also greatly appreciated - should of thought to use wikipedia myself.

Yes clear as mud :)

Tonyhughes: To be honest i am thinking of starting up a rap courier. I have already written 4 songs and i am currently in the process of making more.

A Macbook Pro - never thought of that. Would a macbook air be any good or no?

Also to you, thanks for helping me out - every bit of information is greatly appreciated :)

tonyhughes

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#156386 12-Aug-2008 20:10

For $200 more, the Macbook Pro kicks butt 8 ways from Sunday over an MBA.