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Post by Tbone81 on Jun 25, 2020 21:22:14 GMT -6
I have a little money saved up, and am expecting payment on an album soon. That combined with selling a few mics and I should have some decent spending money. I'm trying to be really business minded here. What purchase is going to have the best ROI? I've got a pretty good setup but could definitely use an upgrade with monitors and converters. But GAS has me craving an expensive new tube mic. What do you think would make the biggest sonic difference in my current setup? Whats the best business decision here? And what specific pieces would you buy?
Budget is $2000 as I'm already set on buying an Axe Fx 3. I everything except drums in my small space. If need to record drums or full ensembles I just rent a proper room. I've also been writing a fair amount of music for production libraries lately (hence the Axe Fx3).
I was think maybe two Motu 16a's or an Antelope Orion 32+ for converters. I need a solid 16 channels for my hybrid mixing setup (not including monitor and headphone outs).
For monitors been looking at JBL 705p, Neuman KH series, and Dynaudio Lyd's.
For a tube mic I need something that does cardiod and figure 8.
Current Setup:
Mics: ADK tc-67 Gefell umt 70's Beyer mc930 (pair) Various Dynamics (421, m201, sm57/58, re11, ev 635a, etc)
Computer: Mac Pro 4.1 Plenty of RAM, SSD's, and plenty of plugins/software
Monitors: Adam A7's Tannoy Sub
Avantone Mix Cubes Beyer DT990
Converters: Motu 828 mkiii hybrid (x2)
Outboard/Mic Pres: UA LA610 Sebatron vmp4000 CAPI VP28 (x4) AML ez1073 (x2) Portico 543 (x2) Buzz Audio DBC (2 channels) Aphex 651
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Post by tkaitkai on Jun 25, 2020 23:31:54 GMT -6
You have some nice stuff. I'd lean towards a new mic making the biggest difference. But it might be a little tricky to find a multipattern tube mic under $2k that beats what you already have. My two favorite tube mics are the M149 and the Lawson L251, both multipattern. You could probably find a used M149 for ~$2500. There's a Lawson 251 tube + 47 FET combo on Reverb for $2500 right now... if they're in good shape, that's a steal.
There's also a Gefell UM92S on Reverb for $2K. Not the 92.1S you were looking for, but maybe close enough?
If you already know your speakers well and your setup is bringing you consistent work, I'd be cautious about making a change there without extensive demoing.
Converters can make a difference for sure, but I'd probably wait to make an upgrade there until I had everything else sorted out.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 26, 2020 4:18:24 GMT -6
Dependng how pleased you are with the monitoring chain and the Adams, I would go for monitoring, the Motu AVBs have very good price/performance ration IMO and I really like the idea of Neumann/KHs. But you should try before you buy. The old K&Hs that I have, sound as boring as it can get. And I love that. But that does not suit everyone' needs ...
You already have a great set of microphones and I would strive for an old budget rule of thumb that also might not apply to everyone ... 1/3 mics, 1/3 monitoring/acoustics, 1/3 everything else.
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Post by svart on Jun 26, 2020 5:56:05 GMT -6
Always monitors. If you can't hear what's going on, nothing else matters because you can't make the right decisions.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 26, 2020 8:37:55 GMT -6
I'd say monitors as well. I'm in that same boat right now, but I'm waiting for someone to buy my Focals before I can explore other options. Want to buy them!?   Your mic collection is good. Good preamps to capture them with. I don't know anything about converters. I've never been able to afford the big boys, so I try not to think about them. Someday I'll own a Cranesong to print mixes through, but that's a long ways off for me. |
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Jun 26, 2020 10:11:10 GMT -6
Start with the monitors, but take your time and learn what you want, so your not just drawn to “new is better”. Then the mic, then conversion/ interface.
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Post by Tbone81 on Jun 26, 2020 11:01:19 GMT -6
Thanks guys. Yeah my mind says "buy monitors", my heart says "buy a mic", and no part of me wants to spend big money on converters, lol. They're just not a fun purchase. I have to admit that I've been a little hesitant to go the monitor route purely out of fear. It just seems like a big hassle. I like the a7's but they do have some problems. Maybe its the "ribbon" tweeters, but I have trouble in the mids on vocals and reverb trails and ambiences are hard to get right. The low end is pretty dialed in however. With my tannoy sub, and spending lots of time with REW, I'm getting the most accurate low end I've had. Still not perfect, but I know how the low end sounds and will translate.
Please feel free to correct me, but I feel like speaker tech has come a long way in the last 10-15 years. Think I could get a considerable jump in quality in the sub $2000 range? I'm always open to buying used but then you can't try before you buy...
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Post by Tbone81 on Jun 26, 2020 11:13:46 GMT -6
Damn, there's a pair of jbl 705p's right now for $1600 on Reverb...What do you guys think? I like "fun" sounding speakers if that makes sense. Speakers that are too clinical sound awkward to me. For reference, I never got along with Genelecs, but always loved the old jbl 28p's whenever I heard them.
Major step up from my Adam's? Or just a lateral move?
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Post by svart on Jun 26, 2020 11:21:18 GMT -6
Damn, there's a pair of jbl 705p's right now for $1600 on Reverb...What do you guys think? I like "fun" sounding speakers if that makes sense. Speakers that are too clinical sound awkward to me. For reference, I never got along with Genelecs, but always loved the old jbl 28p's whenever I heard them. Major step up from my Adam's? Or just a lateral move? Well shoot, in that case I have a pair of really beat up looking LSR4328p's sitting in the closet waiting on a new home.. First gens so the plastic got sticky, and one dust cap is pushed in a bit. |
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Post by Tbone81 on Jun 26, 2020 11:42:04 GMT -6
Damn, there's a pair of jbl 705p's right now for $1600 on Reverb...What do you guys think? I like "fun" sounding speakers if that makes sense. Speakers that are too clinical sound awkward to me. For reference, I never got along with Genelecs, but always loved the old jbl 28p's whenever I heard them. Major step up from my Adam's? Or just a lateral move? Well shoot, in that case I have a pair of really beat up looking LSR4328p's sitting in the closet waiting on a new home.. First gens so the plastic got sticky, and one dust cap is pushed in a bit. Ha, how come every pair of 28p's I see now days have a pushed in tweeter dome? Lol. Either way, too late. I just pulled the trigger on those 705's! |
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Post by Johnkenn on Jun 26, 2020 11:43:55 GMT -6
Yeah - I’d say monitors and something like Sonarworks.
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Post by Guitar on Jun 26, 2020 12:03:46 GMT -6
Looks like you made a move, but I would also say that a stereo DAC and a monitor controller are part of the monitor path. Without having to buy an entirely new interface.
I really like the Topping stuff but some people want to burn it on a stake. There are tons of options on stereo DAC's out there at various price points. And a standalone monitor controller is most likely going to be better than using a recording interface for that function. Assuming you don't already have one. Those are many fangled and vary in price also.
But you could spend $2000 on a DAC and a monitor controller, or both in the same product, if you don't have that covered yet.
Speakers would probably come first though, yeah.
And a great mic is never a bad idea, never ever.
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Post by Tbone81 on Jun 26, 2020 12:22:22 GMT -6
Looks like you made a move, but I would also say that a stereo DAC and a monitor controller are part of the monitor path. Without having to buy an entirely new interface. I really like the Topping stuff but some people want to burn it on a stake. There are tons of options on stereo DAC's out there at various price points. And a standalone monitor controller is most likely going to be better than using a recording interface for that function. Assuming you don't already have one. Those are many fangled and vary in price also. But you could spend $2000 on a DAC and a monitor controller, or both in the same product, if you don't have that covered yet. Speakers would probably come first though, yeah. And a great mic is never a bad idea, never ever. You make some good points, but I do already have a Coleman monitor controller. Its fantastic. I thought about getting a stand alone DAC, but in the end it seems more expensive than getting everything in a single interface. Also, I'm trying to save physical space. The fewer rack spaces, wall warts, and power supplies the better. |
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Post by Tbone81 on Jun 26, 2020 12:24:20 GMT -6
You have some nice stuff. I'd lean towards a new mic making the biggest difference. But it might be a little tricky to find a multipattern tube mic under $2k that beats what you already have. My two favorite tube mics are the M149 and the Lawson L251, both multipattern. You could probably find a used M149 for ~$2500. There's a Lawson 251 tube + 47 FET combo on Reverb for $2500 right now... if they're in good shape, that's a steal. There's also a Gefell UM92S on Reverb for $2K. Not the 92.1S you were looking for, but maybe close enough? If you already know your speakers well and your setup is bringing you consistent work, I'd be cautious about making a change there without extensive demoing. Converters can make a difference for sure, but I'd probably wait to make an upgrade there until I had everything else sorted out. Well I already made a (somewhat) impulsive decision and just bought some 705p's. But its funny you mention the Gefell um92. I waited too long on a reverb sale that was listed for $1750. Then I found one for $1650 on ebay but was out bid. I took that as a sign that the Gefell wasn't meant to be lol. |
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Post by Guitar on Jun 26, 2020 12:38:04 GMT -6
Looks like you made a move, but I would also say that a stereo DAC and a monitor controller are part of the monitor path. Without having to buy an entirely new interface. I really like the Topping stuff but some people want to burn it on a stake. There are tons of options on stereo DAC's out there at various price points. And a standalone monitor controller is most likely going to be better than using a recording interface for that function. Assuming you don't already have one. Those are many fangled and vary in price also. But you could spend $2000 on a DAC and a monitor controller, or both in the same product, if you don't have that covered yet. Speakers would probably come first though, yeah. And a great mic is never a bad idea, never ever. You make some good points, but I do already have a Coleman monitor controller. Its fantastic. I thought about getting a stand alone DAC, but in the end it seems more expensive than getting everything in a single interface. Also, I'm trying to save physical space. The fewer rack spaces, wall warts, and power supplies the better. Very nice! I would love to own a Coleman someday. And I hear you about having things streamlined. In my personal rig there is a dedicated space for these little half rack things, monitor control, DAC. I know everyone has a physically different setup though, and that makes gear choice way more specific sometimes. That's why I love those show us your room threads. |
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Post by svart on Jun 26, 2020 12:42:10 GMT -6
Well shoot, in that case I have a pair of really beat up looking LSR4328p's sitting in the closet waiting on a new home.. First gens so the plastic got sticky, and one dust cap is pushed in a bit. Ha, how come every pair of 28p's I see now days have a pushed in tweeter dome? Lol. Either way, too late. I just pulled the trigger on those 705's! Pushed in woofer dome here, tweets are perfect. |
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Post by tkaitkai on Jun 26, 2020 17:17:44 GMT -6
You have some nice stuff. I'd lean towards a new mic making the biggest difference. But it might be a little tricky to find a multipattern tube mic under $2k that beats what you already have. My two favorite tube mics are the M149 and the Lawson L251, both multipattern. You could probably find a used M149 for ~$2500. There's a Lawson 251 tube + 47 FET combo on Reverb for $2500 right now... if they're in good shape, that's a steal. There's also a Gefell UM92S on Reverb for $2K. Not the 92.1S you were looking for, but maybe close enough? If you already know your speakers well and your setup is bringing you consistent work, I'd be cautious about making a change there without extensive demoing. Converters can make a difference for sure, but I'd probably wait to make an upgrade there until I had everything else sorted out. Well I already made a (somewhat) impulsive decision and just bought some 705p's. But its funny you mention the Gefell um92. I waited too long on a reverb sale that was listed for $1750. Then I found one for $1650 on ebay but was out bid. I took that as a sign that the Gefell wasn't meant to be lol. Hey, maybe it's for the best! Congrats on the new speakers. I'm sure you'll get lots of great use out of them.  |
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