Am I missing a trick with any part of this kit list?

[EmbraceRandom]

I produce music for a couple of indie rock/pop singer-songwriters and I'm setting up a small space at home to make demos, track some bits and edit/mix final productions in.

I'd be tracking some vocals, acoustic guitars, electric and bass guitar DIs (to reamp in hired studios), violin and hand perc.

I'll be bringing home a bunch of things I already own, key things being:

• Rockwool panels & traps

• Laptop (with plugins & virtual instruments)

• Electric and bass guitars (plus a bunch of pedals)

• Synths (also MIDI control for virtual insts)

• A couple of ribbons

• A couple of SDCs

• An omni dynamic

• A couple of DIs

The bits I'm missing are:

• Monitors

• Interface

• High-quality vocal mic

• High-quality preamp

• High-quality comp

So I'm shaping up to buy the following:

• Neumann KH80DSPs + stands (£1k - I've read good things)

• RME Babyface Pro FS (£650 - great converters, doubles as a monitor controller, offers two headphones mixes and MIDI I/O - "what's not to like?")

• Sennheiser MD441 (£750 - I can borrow one to test my hunch that this could be a fantastic lead vocal mic for both singers; extended LF (for a dynamic) and smooth top end)

• Neve 1073SPX (£1.5k - I'd like a thick, hefty and deep sounding preamp of undeniable quality but maybe there are better options I'm overlooking)

• Hairball 1176 Rev D (£1.5k - same as above!)

My question is, are there any items of kit I'm looking to buy that you think I should seriously consider alternatives for in a similar price range?

Cheers!
ER.

[The Elf]

I'd certainly want more I/O on hand than the RME Babyface offers. You'll be constantly unplugging and re-plugging to manage mic's, guitars and synths.

[Philbo King]

Pop filters
Coffee/tea maker
Sofa or loveseat
Quiet office chair (a lot of them squeak)

[EmbraceRandom]

Thanks for the replies

Hmm I'm not worried about I/O as I'd only be recording a single thing at once in this space and I'd preferably track each via the 1073 + 1176 so I don't mind changing the mic/DI on the end of an XLR each time! But maybe I'm overlooking something?
As for synths, I'll only have one set up permanently and I'd primarily be using it as a midi controller with these artists. When I'm not, I figured I can throw that into the Babyface's inputs 1-2.

Pop filters and comfort stuff is all sorted!

[N i g e l]

E-Drumkit or pads & drum VST

[EmbraceRandom]

Got virtual instruments covered I program drums for demos and do it very effectively with a mouse.

My post here is more to determine whether I'm missing a trick with any of the kit I've listed that I'm considering buying.

[Wonks]

I’d be looking to get a few vocal mics if and when possible, as not all mics suit all voices. The 441 could be great on your first singer but fail to 100% capture the essence of your second one. So a range of mics with different characteristics would be nice (when finances allow).

[Drew Stephenson]

Personally I'd get a couple of mic options before the hardware pre-amp and compressor.

[MOF]

You indirectly refer to headphones but not specifically. You’ll need open and closed back versions.
Also music stands and spare cables.

[Music Wolf]

Neumann KH80DSPs + stands (£1k - I've read good things)

Add £200 for the MA-1 measurement mic which will unlock the DSP Room Alignment feature on the KH80's

[EmbraceRandom]

Just to be clear, I only listed some of the things I already own, just as part of what I hope is some useful context. I own all the cables and stands I need, I have a couple of sets of Beyer DT770s and some AKG K701s, etc. I'm really just looking for advice on whether the kit that I'm looking to buy should possibly be reconsidered.

Hi Wonks, absolutely agree! I just suspect the MD441 will work really well with these two artists, going off what I've used with them so far and my experience with that mic. Excited to find out (but not excited to probably be underwhelmed by at least one of the tests ha!).

Drew, you're probably right re: alternative mics > pre + comp. I guess my mic tests will determine where that money is best spent right now.

Great point re: the measurement mic! Thank you!

[James Perrett]

I would ditch the Neve and Hairball and go for a Neumann U87 instead. Good mics are far more important than boutique preamps and effects. I'd much rather have a U87 through a Behringer preamp than a cheap mic through an expensive preamp.

[Watchmaker]

There are many great mics. I like my Telefunken TF29 and my Neumann TLM102. You could up your mic locker pretty seriously if you just spend there.

Defo on the beam with the KH80's - and do get the MA-1 mic and calibrate them.

Also for just a little more money you could get the new SSL 18 https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/so ... e-logic-18 <drools>

Don't forget a back up disk.

[James Perrett]

Also for just a little more money you could get the new SSL 18 https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/so ... e-logic-18 <drools>

Any SSL interface would be a downgrade from RME. Yes, SSL make great preamps but they buy in the digital interface expertise from the same place as everyone else as far as I know so you'd lose the great driver quality that RME is known for. RME's Totalmix also appears more usable than SSL's equivalent - they certainly make better use of screen space than SSL do.

[Watchmaker]

I have no experience of RME other than hearing the SOS fanbase choir singing their praises. They are the only brand I can think of for which I've never heard anyone complain...which is pretty remarkable.

Either would be suitable, as many others, but the SSL does have more I/O. I was just suffering from GAS and living vicariously.

My feeling is this use case precludes consideration of the next project. There's, perhaps, something to be said for buying capacity, leaving room for growth.

[rggillespie]

I agree with James Perrett, the mic seems to make all the difference with me, the preamp not so much. I was aware of U87 being the go to all purpose mic, but went for a secondhand Lewitt 1040 as it has plenty of options for recording vocalists of all kinds. Haven't regretted it at all, it's wonderful.

[James Perrett]

I'd certainly want more I/O on hand than the RME Babyface offers. You'll be constantly unplugging and re-plugging to manage mic's, guitars and synths.

That's where something like an Audient ASP880 would make a better addition to the system instead of the Neve. It gives you 8 decent preamps and convertors that you can add to the RME Babyface via the ADAT connection.

[Sam Inglis]

The 441 seems quite a leftfield choice to me, too. If you've tried it and you are certain it's a great fit for both singers then go for it. If you're just going on reputation, almost certainly don't go for it. As others have pointed out, what you are missing from the list is a good quality large-diaphragm capacitor mic. The U87 is the obvious choice but there are millions of good alternatives.

[resistorman]

Good mics are far more important than boutique preamps and effects.

Absolutely agree. BTW, I've owned the 441, sold it on. The most flexible vocal mic I've ever owned is the Lauten Atlantis, which I see has gone up a good third in price. Everyone will post their favorite mics.

[EmbraceRandom]

Thanks for the points re: mic options. Whilst I'm not going off the reputation of the 441 (I have experience with it) and I do genuinely have a hunch it'll suit both these vocalists, the mic is more important than what comes after it and if I redirect funds there, I've not seen the wood for the trees in that I actually have quite a substantial mic budget! So aye, cracking advice - thank you.
I'll test the 441 regardless but I'll try and get hold of a U87 (and anything else I can get my hands on) to compare it with.

That aside, remember I'm setting up this space to essentially just make demos, track a few bits and edit/mix in. I don't (personally) need a lot of I/O for that. If future projects require more than this general setup has the scope to offer, then we go to the studio - there has to be a threshold for that somewhere and I know I can do a lot with what I've outlined before it becomes a studio session.
All that being said (and as James pointed out) I'd shortlisted the Babyface as it also has ADAT I/O so it's not especially limited for I/O. That was in the back of my mind more for doing any simple location recording that might arise, rather than for the primary purpose of this space I'm setting up.
I also had a Fireface for years and adore TotalMix

Appreciate all the input