I have $3000 to spend on upgrades, new stuff...

[wonshu]

I agree with the

microphone
pre-amp
converter
monitor

suggestions...

Cheers
wonshu

[ChrisA]

some hints without listening to your music:

mixing:
- better monitors
- uad-1 + some plugins
- maybe your favourite software works much better with a certain controller (like mackie control)

recording:
- much better mic + preamp

and maybe an update to cubase sx 3

[bmanic]

I also suggest that you get a new pair of nearfield monitors. Take a close look at the new Genelec 8030a or 8040a. If you go for the 8030a then you'll end up spending about 1k$ or a little more depending on where in the world you are (I paid exactly 920 euros for my pair).

Another upgrade is the microphone. I have the Rode NTK and can warmly recommend it for MALE vocals. For female vocals and speach I wouldn't use it. Make sure you check out the Studio Electronics range of cheap chinese microphones as everybody raves about them.

For a preamp I'd look seriously at the http://www.dbxpro.com/376.htm
I can warmly recommend it as I own one . It's superb value for money and helps in recording sources where you don't know how loud it will get as it has this non-linearity in the last 4 bits (read: smooth saturation).

Genelecs + better mic + preamp should set you up about 2k$ so you've still got 1k$ left. I'd use part of it to upgrade your cubase SX to the newest SX3. I'd also use some of that cash to buy a bunch of Voxengo plugins from www.voxengo.com . They are ALL excellent but I especially recommend, Elephant, GlissEQ, Voxformer and Soniformer.

Sigh, that still leaves you with about 400$ or so. Hmm, use some for donations to smartelectronix and other donationware people. ok?

Cheers!
bManic

[Amberience]

Give it to me for a blowy.

I could use it for university

[bugs]

Thanks folks. Very helpful.

I'll pass on the blowy, but I do strongly encourage you to continue your education.

Will certainly make "donations".

Rode mic looks very good--good price now too. I do very little live recording at my home studio, generally rely on a commercial venue. But I do occasionally make vocal samples, so a better mic might well be in order. I suppose the ultimate goal is to have a "commercial" studio in my home and to that end I am making incremental upgrades. Hopefully there is a windfall on the horizon which will enable me to install everything in one fell swoop--Waves Plugs, top of the line Genelec or Dynaudio monitors, a RME FireFace or comparable MOTU unit, multiple DAWs with lots of RAM (4GB min)and storage, a projection display system--you know, all the stuff of dreams. That's the plan. I have the composition part down pretty well, an excellent focus group, and I'm blessed to know some of the finest musicians this part of America.

So, thanks again and best to all.

[Sicklecell666]

http://www.kvr-vst.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=691080

Even though you have the money for whatever you want, you should still consider getting involved in the group buy for Wusikstation..

WilliamK's coding a special FX only version of it exclusively for the ppl that sign up for the group buy & the price is extremely reasonable even before the group buy..

[kevink]

Spend the $3000 on rice and beans so you can spend a few months full-time actually using what you already have!

[Meffy]

Gear? Ha. You need a personal trainer. And -- surprise! -- I'm available for three weeks at $1000 per week. ;-)

Meffy

[MickGael]

API 7600 Channel Strip: http://www.mercenary.com/api76chst.html

or

Chandler/Abbey Road Channel Strip: http://www.mercenary.com/chchwiposu.html

And while you are at it, send me a few...

[Ford Prefect]

I can imagine how you may feel...but all the same, if I were you, I'd save it for your kid's future...

[VitaminD]

monitors
z3ta+


and buy me a license to Z3ta+ too

[Sicklecell666]

I can imagine how you may feel...but all the same, if I were you, I'd save it for your kid's future...

That's completely uncalled for




















but totally valid