Reccomend audio interface/mic/studio foam/reflection filter?

musicformedia

Hi all,

I'm going to be purchasing the following list of products and would like some help/advice on which ones to buy:

- Acoustics foam pack (working in a very small room so want a starter kit first. Never done anything with room treatment so something basic will be fine. Would be nice to get something good that I can take with me whenever I get a house)
- Reflection filter
- Acoustic guitar mic
- Audio interface (Only ever record one line at a time. Want something sturdy and simple)

I want to spend €1,000 between it all. I'm using a PC with Cubase.

Any thoughts/recommendations?

Thanks

Emmett

madtheory

1. See if you can get an interface bundled with Cubase, best value option. I'm sure the others here will chime in with suggestions.
2. Beyerdynamic MCE530 is super for acoustic guitar, and super value for money. Even better, get the stereo set (two of the mics plus a stereo bar).
3. The foam is a waste of money. Seriously. Stack two rolls of rockwool in each corner, and if you're handy with a saw and hammer, make three panels with some more rockwool. One for each of the mirror points, one overhead.
4. The only reflection filter worth having is the SE. The rest make the sound worse because they actually add reflections which is the opposite of what they're suppose to do. On your budget I would be inclined to leave it out and put the money towards the interface. Then spend a lot of time experimenting with position of guitar in room, and positioning of mics.

Do you have monitors or headphones? A mic stand? Cables?

musicformedia

Hey there,

Thanks for the reply. I guess it would be handy if I told you what I have already:

- Access Virus Ti Keyboard
- 2 KRK RP5s (will later be upgrading to Adam A7x's)
- Cubase 6
- High end audio PC (i7, 24gb RAM etc.)

I just want a simple interface with zero/low latency and only around 2 inputs as I'll only be recording 2 lines max at a time. Don't need it bundled with any DAWs.

What about the Motu Ultralite MK3, or the Lexicon Ionix U82S?

Will go for the SE Reflexion Filter Pro so thanks.

To be honest, I don't have a good enough ear to hear any issues with reflections currently - but I'm not doing any live recordings. I only wanted it in case live recordings came out pretty dodge. I live in a rented house and the room is very small - that was why I was looking at the foam as it can be placed in certain areas and doesnt take up too much room (as opposed to rock wool in the corners).

I'll put two Beyerdynamic MCE530's on the list so thanks. Someone suggested the SE2200A II and the SE X1 - anyone use them?

Thanks guys

musicformedia

Someone actually suggested the Prime Acoustics Voxguard as an alternative to the SE Reflexion Pro - might go with that one as its got good reviews?

Denalihighway

madtheory wrote: »

4. The only reflection filter worth having is the SE. The rest make the sound worse because they actually add reflections which is the opposite of what they're suppose to do. On your budget I would be inclined to leave it out and put the money towards the interface. Then spend a lot of time experimenting with position of guitar in room, and positioning of mics.

Do you have monitors or headphones? A mic stand? Cables?

I bought the Thomann version recently. havent actually used it yet.

just wondering what the word is on that?

Squidgy Black

For the interface, I'd be inclined to go for the RME Babyface. 2 clean high gain mic pres, extremely stable drivers, and if you need to expand it, it has an ADAT port.

mkegvn

Denalihighway wrote: »

I bought the Thomann version recently. havent actually used it yet.

just wondering what the word is on that?

Used one of these on a session last night, and the vocal sounded better without it.

Denalihighway

mkegvn wrote: »

Used one of these on a session last night, and the vocal sounded better without it.

yikes...

Dead Man Walking

+1 for the RME babyface. Best drivers, low latency and good pre amps. Works great with cubase and win7. Goes for 545 on thoman.

Just kitted out my own room with DIY absorbers. You are best off putting some time and money into this or the A7's will be wasted in an untreated room. As mentioned above go for the 3 main reflection points, either side of you and above you on the ceiling. I built 12 panels from RW3 rockwool (You can get it in chadwicks) you want to be going for the 10cm stuff. Some lengths of 2x1 and material to cover it all. All in each panel cost me 25 euro to make. I seen similar ones for sale for 90 euro each. So what, tools excluded, you can have a pretty well treated room for 300 euro.

Here is what you should be aiming for placement.

I have two panels on top of each other in each corner as bass traps. One on each side of me for the first reflection points and I ended up buying some acoustic foam for the ceiling as the panels are a bit weighty and didn't want to put my neck or gear on the chopping block...literally.

Try by clapping hands in your room before you do anything and listen for the noise coming back. I was really suprised at the diffence in my room after treating it. Besides the one i glued to the ceiling nothing is permanent, so its handy if you are renting the place. Also means you can bring them with you if you move.

There are loads of instruction vids on youtube on making them. This is the vid i used http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyYUpkpL0gw

So between the treatment and the interface you are looking at about 850. You should be able to pick up a decent enough condenser mic for about 200. The babyface has phantom power. Keep an eye out for a deal on adverts.ie.

Can't stress enough the importance of treating the room. Even if you dont plan on recording live in your room, it will make a huge difference for the reference from your monitors. I just got the A7's baby brothers the A3x and so far i'm loving the sound from them. They don't go too low but I have a Sub 7 on the way

CrimsonSounds

Hi There, I agree with the "ditch the foam" approach. Given you have a small room, be aware that smaller rooms are more prone to problems due to the short time it takes for reflections to make it around . If it's a box room of any sort, then it could be worse. Invest in some DIY Rockwool panels instead of the foam kits - for the price you would pay for a foam kit, you could have some serious rockwoolidge going on. I also did mine for around 22 quid each. You could build yourself a custom rockwool "vocal wall" aswell - which could well negate the need for that - worth experimenting with for the low cost before investing in a reflexion as small tidy and cute as they look ! The A7's are cool - I managed to get a set of A77X's and absolutely love them to bits ;-) Good luck !