Build a Home Studio for Under $1500 February 17, 2008
Posted by ConnorSmith in : Logic Studio 8, Project Studio, Studio Setup , trackbackRound 2 of suggestions for equipping a home studio! This time, I am going to work with a little bigger budget. We will assume, as in the earlier post that you already have a computer (PC or Mac) to record with. But, if you are looking for a great computer for this type of studio, check out the Apple iMac . Whichever model you get, be sure to snag a RAM upgrade. I would also suggest an external firewire hard drive to use to record. While you can use the system drive, you will get much better performance by dedicating an external drive for audio. On to the studio! This setup, like the last one, will have everything you need to record music, create songs and beats with MIDI, and mix your projects.
Like the last post, I will suggest two options for recording interfaces.
EDIT: I am going to add a third interface that I just learned about. The Focusrite Saffire Pro 10 is really cool. It is similar to the other interfaces in that it has 8 preamps. This unit also has S/PDIF and MIDI i/o as well. The big bonus with this interface is that it comes bundled with Focusrite’s compression, reverb, amp modeling, and EQ plug-ins. It is also expandable, allowing you to link multiple units together and configure all of your low-latency monitoring via the included SaffireControlPRO software. Awesome, awesome stuff. Definitely consider this interface.
Option 1 – PreSonus FireStudio Project ($499). Quite the deal. This box has 8 mic preamps, along with line inputs, and S/PDIF and MIDI inputs and outputs. This is a good interface for a small studio that might be tracking drums, or doing any sort of multitrack recording.
Option 2 – MOTU 8pre ($549) This is very similar to the FireStudio, with the addition of 8 more inputs via an ADAT cable. If you need more than 8 simultaneous inputs (or think you may need more in the future), I would go with this interface. Another option is the PreSonus FireStudio, which has even more i/o, but is also a little more expensive.
Now, although those interfaces come bundled with some recording software, I would suggest getting a more powerful DAW. Apple’s Logic Studio 8 is only $500, and the software package is an unbelievable value. It comes with tons of great sounding plug-ins and instruments, and is bundled with a bunch of other useful software (WaveBurner is an awesome CD authoring software). Its great for everything from recording bands, to writing songs, to music for film…. anything.
Since we are getting Logic, and it comes with so many instruments, I am going to suggest getting a MIDI keyboard so that you can utilize them. The M-Audio Oxygen 61 ($170) is a good choice, because it has pots and faders on it which can be assigned to control objects in your DAW. It connects to your computer via USB, so make sure you have a port open (or, if your ports are taken, you can connect the Oxygen 61 to the MIDI input on your recording interface with a MIDI cable).
Now we need monitors.
There are lots and lots of monitors in our price range. With the interface, Logic, and the keyboard, we are at just under $1200, leaving around $300 for monitors. In that price range, I would suggest the new M-Audio BX5a deluxe. They are very tight, accurate monitors, with updated drivers and electronics. Other good choices would be the Samon Resolv 65a or the Alesis M1 Active MkII speakers.
With these tools, you will have a very powerful and able home studio setup. You will have 8 (or more) simultaneous inputs (all with mic pre’s), low-latency monitoring, accurate monitors, and a powerhouse DAW. Grab yourself a few mics, and you will be tracking in no time. If you have any questions about setting up a studio or the gear in this article, post in the comments here. Or, you can always email me questions.
C
The Studio Files
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