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Full home studio set up

  • 11 replies
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Topic Full home studio set up
Hello all!

I did some research since few years and saving money to invest in a lasting on long term home studio configuration. Until now, I produced with a simple studio configuration with my computer, soft, midi keyboard and VST only.

I produce mainly techno/IDM/ambient…

It’s maybe important to precise the type of music I want to approach related to the machines choices. I also would like to do some live session.

Here, is the studio set up I would like to do. I putted some options for some elements or machines. Could you please help me to select the most better related to my style utilisation and budget? I would like something versatile, pro quality.

Speakers

Option 1: Focal Alpha 80
link: https://www.thomann.de/gb/focal_alpha_80.htm


Option 2: Equator D8 studio
link: https://www.equatoraudio.com/D8-Studio-Monitors-with-DSP-Pair-p/d8.htm

Option 3: Yamaha HS 8
link: https://www.thomann.de/gb/yamaha_hs_8.htm

Budget: 700€ (brand new)

Stands speakers

Adam Hall SKDB039 V2
link: https://www.adamhall.com/en/Adam_Hall_Stands_SKDB_039_-_Speaker_Stand.html

Budget: 50€ (brand new)

Pads speakers

Auralex Acoustics ProPAD Monitor Isolators
link: https://www.thomann.de/gb/auralex_acoustics_propad_monitor_isolators.htm

Budget: 150€ (brand new or second hand)

Soundcard

Option 1: RME Fireface UCX
link: https://www.thomann.de/gb/rme_fireface_ucx.htm

Option 2: SPL Crimson
link: https://www.thomann.de/gb/spl_crimson.htm

Budget: 1000€ (approx for brand new)

Midi keyboard

Option 1: Arturia KeyLab 49 Black Edition
link: https://www.thomann.de/gb/arturia_keylab_49_black_edition.htm

Option 2: M-Audio Axiom 49
link: http://www.m-audio.com/products/view/axiom-49#.VnFA60p97IU

Budget: 400€ (brand new or second hand)

Sampler
Option 1: Elektron Octatrack
link: https://www.thomann.de/gb/elektron_octatrack.htm

Option 2: Akai MPC Renaissance
link: https://www.thomann.de/gb/akai_mpc_renaissance.htm

Budget: 400€ (brand new or second hand)

Synths
Option 1: Dave Smith Instruments Prophet 08 PE
link: https://www.thomann.de/gb/dave_smith_instruments_prophet_08_pe.htm

Option 2: Korg MS20
link: https://www.thomann.de/gb/korg_ms_20_mini.htm

Option 3: Moog Minitaur
link: https://www.thomann.de/gb/moog_minitaur.htm

Option 4: Studio Electronics SE-1
link: http://www.vintagesynth.com/misc/se1.php

Budget: 2000€ (brand new or second hand)

Drums machines

Option 1: Jomox XBASE 999
link: https://www.thomann.de/gb/jomox_xbase_999.htm

Option 2: Elektron Analog Rytm
link: https://www.thomann.de/gb/elektron_analog_rytm.htm

Option 3: Vermona DRM 1 MKIII Silver/Black
link: https://www.thomann.de/gb/vermona_drm_1_mkii_silberschwarz.htm

Midi controller for Ableton

Novation Launch Control XL
link: https://www.thomann.de/gb/novation_launch_control_xl.htm

Budget: 180€ (brand new or second hand)

Mixer

Mackie Onyx 1620i
link: https://www.thomann.de/gb/mackie_onyx_1620i.htm

Budget: 600€ (brand new or second hand)

Multi effects processor

TC Electronic M-One XL
link: https://www.thomann.de/gb/tc_electronic_m-one_xl.htm

Budget: 500€ (brand new or second hand)

Microphone

AKG C214
link: https://www.thomann.de/gb/akg_c214_set.htm

Budget: 500€ (brand new or second hand)

Recorder

Option 1: Sony PCM-D100
link: https://www.thomann.de/gb/sony_pcm_d100.htm

Option 2: Sony PCM-M10
link: https://www.thomann.de/gb/sony_pcmm10_anthrazit.htm

(To make sample outside)


-A compressor, multi machines effects to advise? Others types of important machines I didn’t selected?

-Could you please tell me if everything is coherent? If for the same budget I have to select other better machines, for example the mixer, microphone, synth or keyboard?

-For a sampler, better to buy a brand new or old model likes the legendary MPC60?

-Is there is a real difference with the two soundcard? If I can save a bit of money on it by taking an SPL Crimson instead of the RME which is really expensive.

-For the drums machines and synths, I selected different options to have more possibilities; I will probably by few for each type of machines. Maybe certain are better or didn’t have to buy all of them if they do double use?

-Some gears to advise to produce IDM/Ambient?

Thanks you for your help!

Musically
2
Ok here i go as starter

Your monitors is something personal and not every monitor sounds good in your room.
This is due the room accoustics ( standing waves etc.) so my advice is try to listen to them in your room.

For the sampler i think i whould go for the MPC. Your memory is limited to the memory in your computer. 2nd it can act also as controller.

Speakerstands and acoustic pads is definitely a good idea. But keep in mind that you probably need other stands for some speakers ( weight, width and depth)

My biggest point is the audio interface.
Why this one? Have you specified reasons for your choice?

Mic and the rest of your list has also to do with what works best forr you.
If you record your own voice pick a mic that suits your voice. Not every mic response at the same way....

Hope this helps a bit

- Angelie

It's not about what you got to use ....    but how you use what you got...

3
Thanks you for your help Angelie ! ;)

OK for the sampler, i will stay on the MPC.

For the audio interface, it's a friend, who recommend me that two models for the good specification : 192 kHz of the SPL Crimson. RME if have more money to invest. Theses are not a good choices?

For the MIC, it will be only speaking :-D

what about the keyboard?

For the stands, maybe i should look for more bigger ones: https://www.thomann.de/gb/millenium_bs_1208.htm

Best wishes!

[ Post last edited on 12/16/2015 at 16:05:28 ]

4
I'm sorry but i can't help you with the keyboard because it is not my department.
But there are plenty musisians here who will help you making your choice.

About your audio interface :
I'm not saying it is a bad choice but i was wondering why not a bigger one and mix everything inside the box by using a daw.
( but hey i understand i use an external mixing console as well :-D)

- Angelie

It's not about what you got to use ....    but how you use what you got...

[ Post last edited on 12/16/2015 at 22:26:57 ]

5
Thanks you again for your help ;)
6
For the keyboard, I would suggest the Arturia over the M-Audio. You might want to also check out Akai's Advance controller series. Check out our review of the Advance 49:https://en.audiofanzine.com/49-key-midi-keyboard/akai/advance-49/editorial/reviews/advancing-the-state-of-the-art.html
7
Thanks you Mike Levine, yes I also heard very good reviews about Arturia, i will stay on Arturia KeyLab 49 ;)
8
Somebody got other machines to advise? Multi effects? Compressors? :-D

Also, more help about the choice of the audio interface ? :D:

Best!

[ Post last edited on 12/17/2015 at 08:15:27 ]

9
Up svp ;)
10
One thing I'm thinking is that you could save a lot by using more software and less hardware in your setup. Since you're doing electronic dance music, you could easily base your studio around DAW software and plug-ins, rather than so much outboard gear. Synths, drum machines, effects processors and more can all be software based and still be of excellent quality. If all your synths and processors are hardware, you're going to have a very difficult time recalling a mix. Is there a reason that you need to have so much hardware in your setup?