Next best investment?

[Alex95]

Hello!

I have just seen a post talking about whether it is better to get pre amps or better microphones, the general consensus was that microphones are the better option. Now, with that in mind, I am currently looking for the best place to invest my next chunk into in my studio.

I currently record mainly rock/indie styles and the equipment I have is -
2x Tascam US16x08 interfaces
1x Golden Age Pre 73 Pre Amp
1x AKG d112
1x Audix D6
3x SM57
2x Sennheiser e 604
2x Behringer B1
2x Rode NT1
1x Behringer C1
1x Stagg SRM70
1x SM7b

I am happy with my current computer, studio monitors and headphones set up so what do you guys think would be the next best place to invest?

I am thinking maybe in a better set of microphones I could use as overheads/room microphones but unsure on the best direction to go with that! Let me know your suggestions!

I'm looking in the midrange market around £300 - £600 mark!

[James Perrett]

You haven't mentioned room acoustics so I'd suggest some acoustic treatment should be next on the list. Half a dozen acoustic panels will make a big difference.

[Alex95]

Ah I should have mentioned! I do have some acoustic panels I built, I have 4 at the moment. Would you say building a few more of those would be a better option?

Thanks!

[Wonks]

It looks like you are heavily based around drum recording. What other stuff do/do you want to record?

I'd definitely be looking at some replacements for the Behringer B1s and C1s. The SM7b is a good vocal mic, but it's not for everyone.

The NT1s are very good for the money. Their low self-noise makes them ideal candidates for room mics, though for drums, the volume is normally loud enough that mic noise isn't that much of an issue.

But four acoustic panels would seem to be a start on your room treatment. What sort of panels are they and what size? If they are mounted flat on the walls, some corner bass traps would be beneficial.

[Alex95]

Yeah I think you're right! As I say, 99% of what I do is rock/Indie so the usual, bass (I usually Di + Sans Amp), guitars (Usuals are a 57 and the stagg SRM70), Acoustic guitars (Usually go for the NT1's) and then vocals witch Id use either the sm7b or one of the NT1's for!

As for my acoustic panels they are 4 wooden frames with rock wool slabs inside each measuring 1.4M - 0.6M and 10cm thick!

I don't have them mounted on the walls as because of where my studio is located I am not allowed to make any permeant modifications to the room so I currently have them placed around the room leaning against each walls and move them around to suit whatever I'm recording.

Thanks for the help!

[jaminem]

GIK Acoustics 'Tri-Traps' are great bass traps that are free standing - I have 2 towers of 2 traps joined on the top plate and on wheels, then I can move them round at my leisure - I have wooden floors - if you have carpet you can probably skip the wheels.
I need to move a stack as I had a lot of bass build up infront of a cupboard, so its useful to be able to move them when I want to get in there and they stand quite happily infront when I don't need access.

GIK always have 2nds on their eBay shop so its a good place to check if the new ones are a bit rich...

https://gikacoustics.co.uk/product/gik- ... 9MQAvD_BwE

[sonics]

Hi-hat and OH mics?
Something like a Shure SM81 and a pair of Lewitt LCT 140 AIRs?

What are you finding you're missing in you sessions? That should be your guide.

Sometimes it's a coffee machine...

[Arpangel]

Investment has s dual meaning in terms of either what it gives you back in terms of usefulness and what it doesn’t give you in terms of money when you have to sell it!
I’d booking at getting a couple if really nice mic’s, a pair of AKG 414’s, a U87 or two, Beyer 201’s great for drums and percussion.
No recording equipment is an “investment” in financial terms.

[James Perrett]

No recording equipment is an “investment” in financial terms.

Hmm - it depends. Quite a bit of my gear has at least kept up with inflation and some is worth more than 10 times what I paid for it (admittedly bought used around 40 years ago). My trick is to buy things used although even some of the stuff I've bought new has appreciated in value.

Admittedly the computer gear hasn't fared so well (I've got a few old soundcards and a huge Philips CD writer which are probably worthless) but real classic studio gear seems to always be in demand.

[Alex95]

No recording equipment is an “investment” in financial terms.

I mean I guess if you're talking strictly, however recording equipment is absolutely an investment, I couldn't work without it and so would have no income hahaha

[James Perrett]

...however recording equipment is absolutely an investment, I couldn't work without it and so would have no income hahaha

If you are making money at this then I would say you need to step up a notch with your gear ambitions. Get yourself a Neumann U87 - not a cheap imitation but the real thing. Spend some time saving up for it if you need to. You can often find them used for around £400 less than a new one.

It may not sound impressive when you first try it but you will find that the recordings you make with it will work far better in context. My U87 is probably my most used mic.

[Arpangel]

...however recording equipment is absolutely an investment, I couldn't work without it and so would have no income hahaha

If you are making money at this then I would say you need to step up a notch with your gear ambitions. Get yourself a Neumann U87 - not a cheap imitation but the real thing. Spend some time saving up for it if you need to. You can often find them used for around £400 less than a new one.

It may not sound impressive when you first try it but you will find that the recordings you make with it will work far better in context. My U87 is probably my most used mic.

There speaks a wise man.

[Alex95]

...however recording equipment is absolutely an investment, I couldn't work without it and so would have no income hahaha

If you are making money at this then I would say you need to step up a notch with your gear ambitions. Get yourself a Neumann U87 - not a cheap imitation but the real thing. Spend some time saving up for it if you need to. You can often find them used for around £400 less than a new one.

It may not sound impressive when you first try it but you will find that the recordings you make with it will work far better in context. My U87 is probably my most used mic.

Thanks for the tip! I make most my money writing and mixing however I do want to expand into tracking more. Honestly I'm in in a possession to get one yet but it will defiantly be something I want to get in the future!