Here's my kit. I compose primarily extended primarily electronic tone poems with the occasional ambient and dance (Trance, House) track. Any suggestions on how to spend down the budget to significantly improve my set-up. Much appreciated--have great respect for you folks. (Sorry for the length of the post.)
Hardware
Computer
PIV 2.4GHZ
1GB SDRAM
2x60GB HDDs
DVD/CD-RW
160GB External FW HDD
OS: WinXP Home
Displays
19” Pivoting LCD
17” LCD
Audio Interface
M-Audio FW410
Line Mixer
MIDIMan MultiMixer 10
Controllers
Ensoniq Digital Grand/MIDI Keyboard
Evolution UC-33 Control Surface
Sound Module
Audigy Platinum eX (for playing soundfont)
Yamaha MU100R
Monitors
Edirol MA10-DBK
AL Subwoofer
Mic
Behringer B1 Condenser
Music Software
Notation
Sibelius 2
Sequencers
Cubase SX
Fl Studio 4.5
Acid Pro 4
Reason 2.5 (rarely)
Editors/Mastering Tool
WaveLab Essential
Soundforge Studio
Instruments
Commercial
Reaktor 4
FM7
Kontakt 1.5
Battery
Atmosphere
Reason Rack (Malstrom, NN-XT, etc)
CM Stuff: SR-202, CM-101
Waldorf A1
FL Studio Generators
Free (Favorites)
Augur
Aqua
Crystal 2
Synth1
FreeAlpha
PolyIblit
SuperWaveP8
Chainer
Effects
Commercial
Reaktor FX (Flatblaster, SpaceMaster, etc)
BBE Sonic Maximizer
Spectral Relativity Impulse Responses
Free (most used)
Blue Line Effects
DigitalFishPhones
SIR
Ambience
Frohmage Filter
TLs Maximizer
Nyquist EQ
Analogue Delay
AI Doppler
Sound Libraries
Kontakt and Battery Libraries
Acid Loop Libraries
Pro Samples Choirs
G-Town Percussion
NS-Kit (percussion)
SoundFonts (most used)
Xioad
SquidFont
Maestro_Malmsjo Piano
Papelmedia Choir
Boychoir
French Horn
Misc percussion and exotic instruments
I have $3000 to spend on upgrades, new stuff...
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- KVRian
- 903 posts since 14 May, 2003
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- KVRist
- 293 posts since 9 Dec, 2002 from Europe, Stockholm, Brussels or Rome
Well is there something you really miss or feel is lacking in your music or is it just $3000 burning in your pocket?
I've had GAS for many years and always thought that just some new stuff would change my world and make everything so much better but after the initial kick everything is back to normal and you're after the next kick. Just a thought...
Back to your question, looking through your list I would spend money on a new microphone (something like a Rode NTK ) and preamp (nothing too expensive but better that a standard mixer preamp check Focusrite or Joemeek, nowadays TFPro), some better monitors (the Mackies if you can afford it, but I'm using the Tannoy Reveals with good results), some kind of hardware effects (either external patched in using SP/DIF like the Lexicon MPX-550, I do this myself, or a DSP card like the UAD1 and/or the Powercore), and some kind of real analog synth (something like the Waldorf Pulse can be found for $300 secondhand, real analog makes a difference especially for bass) and finally some soundproofing of the studio, this makes a big difference to the final result of your mixes.
I've had GAS for many years and always thought that just some new stuff would change my world and make everything so much better but after the initial kick everything is back to normal and you're after the next kick. Just a thought...
Back to your question, looking through your list I would spend money on a new microphone (something like a Rode NTK ) and preamp (nothing too expensive but better that a standard mixer preamp check Focusrite or Joemeek, nowadays TFPro), some better monitors (the Mackies if you can afford it, but I'm using the Tannoy Reveals with good results), some kind of hardware effects (either external patched in using SP/DIF like the Lexicon MPX-550, I do this myself, or a DSP card like the UAD1 and/or the Powercore), and some kind of real analog synth (something like the Waldorf Pulse can be found for $300 secondhand, real analog makes a difference especially for bass) and finally some soundproofing of the studio, this makes a big difference to the final result of your mixes.
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- KVRAF
- 12977 posts since 29 Sep, 2003 from Ottawa, Canada
You have more than enough good gear to make music. Unless you have concrete plans (ie. you've talked to lawyers about getting a business license) to open a studio, there are only a few things I can think of for you to use $3,000 that wouldn't feel like I'm advising you to blow your dough. 
-Computer upgrade; you can get a whole new system if you want, but if your current system isn't holding you down much (looks sweet to me!), you can get by with a processor upgrade.
-new nearfield monitors
-a better condenser mic
-a guitar
-a commercial drum library like the BFD
That's about it. I mean, in every aspect of your setup, there are tonnes of things people can suggest, ie. their favourite "You gotta have _____" synth, $2,000 microphones, all kinds of outboard gear ($5,000 preamps, anyone?), spiffier soundcard. With $3,000, you'll get no end of suggestions; however--
I think most of us, after looking at that rig, will conclude that you already have more than enough power to make songs, so your $3,000 might be better spent on something else that could inspire you musically... lessons for an instrument you can't play... a vacation... some concerts... !
Greg
-Computer upgrade; you can get a whole new system if you want, but if your current system isn't holding you down much (looks sweet to me!), you can get by with a processor upgrade.
-new nearfield monitors
-a better condenser mic
-a guitar
-a commercial drum library like the BFD
That's about it. I mean, in every aspect of your setup, there are tonnes of things people can suggest, ie. their favourite "You gotta have _____" synth, $2,000 microphones, all kinds of outboard gear ($5,000 preamps, anyone?), spiffier soundcard. With $3,000, you'll get no end of suggestions; however--
I think most of us, after looking at that rig, will conclude that you already have more than enough power to make songs, so your $3,000 might be better spent on something else that could inspire you musically... lessons for an instrument you can't play... a vacation... some concerts... !
Greg
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- KVRAF
- 3139 posts since 6 Sep, 2002 from United Kingdom & Opinions Will Travel :O)
I suggest a good psychologist, for your audio equipment addiction.bugs wrote:Here's my kit. I compose primarily extended primarily electronic tone poems with the occasional ambient and dance (Trance, House) track. Any suggestions on how to spend down the budget to significantly improve my set-up. Much appreciated--have great respect for you folks. (Sorry for the length of the post.)
Hardware
Computer
PIV 2.4GHZ
1GB SDRAM
2x60GB HDDs
DVD/CD-RW
160GB External FW HDD
OS: WinXP Home
Displays
19” Pivoting LCD
17” LCD
Audio Interface
M-Audio FW410
Line Mixer
MIDIMan MultiMixer 10
Controllers
Ensoniq Digital Grand/MIDI Keyboard
Evolution UC-33 Control Surface
Sound Module
Audigy Platinum eX (for playing soundfont)
Yamaha MU100R
Monitors
Edirol MA10-DBK
AL Subwoofer
Mic
Behringer B1 Condenser
Music Software
Notation
Sibelius 2
Sequencers
Cubase SX
Fl Studio 4.5
Acid Pro 4
Reason 2.5 (rarely)
Editors/Mastering Tool
WaveLab Essential
Soundforge Studio
Instruments
Commercial
Reaktor 4
FM7
Kontakt 1.5
Battery
Atmosphere
Reason Rack (Malstrom, NN-XT, etc)
CM Stuff: SR-202, CM-101
Waldorf A1
FL Studio Generators
Free (Favorites)
Augur
Aqua
Crystal 2
Synth1
FreeAlpha
PolyIblit
SuperWaveP8
Chainer
Effects
Commercial
Reaktor FX (Flatblaster, SpaceMaster, etc)
BBE Sonic Maximizer
Spectral Relativity Impulse Responses
Free (most used)
Blue Line Effects
DigitalFishPhones
SIR
Ambience
Frohmage Filter
TLs Maximizer
Nyquist EQ
Analogue Delay
AI Doppler
Sound Libraries
Kontakt and Battery Libraries
Acid Loop Libraries
Pro Samples Choirs
G-Town Percussion
NS-Kit (percussion)
SoundFonts (most used)
Xioad
SquidFont
Maestro_Malmsjo Piano
Papelmedia Choir
Boychoir
French Horn
Misc percussion and exotic instruments
Failing that – how about another 19” LCD or a really cool laptop with enhanced usb and a decent usb sound card (oh! And great mic)
Best regards,
Spe3d
:O)
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- KVRAF
- 7317 posts since 7 Mar, 2003
In my humble opinion, you have TOO much stuff. Maybe you'd be better off getting the top of the range motherboard+CPU combo (AMD??) and putting the rest away for a rainy day.
My Youtube Channel - Wires Dream Disasters
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- Suspended
- 17889 posts since 14 Jun, 2001 from Somewhere you're not!
As much as I am impressed with my MA-10's, if I had three grand to blow on audio stuff the first thing I would do is get better near-field monitors. Then I'd blow the rest on prostitutes.
NOVAkILL : Legion GO, AMD Z1x, 16GB RAM, Win11 | Audient EVO 8 | Lumi Keys | Studio Pro 8
Korg Odyssey, bx-oberhausen, Proxima, PolyMax, GR8, JP6K, Union, Atomika,
Invader 2, Flow Motion, Olga, TRK 01, Thorn, Spire, VG Iron
Korg Odyssey, bx-oberhausen, Proxima, PolyMax, GR8, JP6K, Union, Atomika,
Invader 2, Flow Motion, Olga, TRK 01, Thorn, Spire, VG Iron
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- Beware the Quoth
- 35531 posts since 4 Sep, 2001 from R'lyeh Oceanic Amusement Park and Funfair
If your stuff is fairly complex and you wind up bouncing or freezing a lot, you could always consider getting a fairly powerful 2nd system and FXTeleport or VStack.
Apart from that you're not missing much, IMO.
Apart from that you're not missing much, IMO.
An idiot on Set Theory:
"In some cases there is an object called red that contains everything that is red. In much the same way a pot is a plate."
"In some cases there is an object called red that contains everything that is red. In much the same way a pot is a plate."
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- KVRAF
- 4176 posts since 2 Feb, 2003 from lost in music
I´m in line with the other guys,
if at all you need to spend money, buy a new/better pc or upgrade yours. You could buy a second pc or a notebook and connect them through net and use FX teleport for the vst connection and then you have a huge DAW.
and get better monitors and a decent mic.
but all of that you really don´t need.
if at all you need to spend money, buy a new/better pc or upgrade yours. You could buy a second pc or a notebook and connect them through net and use FX teleport for the vst connection and then you have a huge DAW.
and get better monitors and a decent mic.
but all of that you really don´t need.
sound is vibration, vibration is life
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- KVRAF
- 2054 posts since 3 Jun, 2001 from Not far from Australia
I'd say too, you have a good set up.
Better spend some time to learn how to use it right.
Just 1 tip, get RgAudio's sfz or sfz+ for your sf2's.
Better spend some time to learn how to use it right.
Just 1 tip, get RgAudio's sfz or sfz+ for your sf2's.
DSP with attitude
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- KVRAF
- 3139 posts since 6 Sep, 2002 from United Kingdom & Opinions Will Travel :O)
I doubt he needs too many tips on how to use it right , check out his site – failing the laptop – the LCD or nearfields and mic - Get bigger hard drives – if there is one thing I always need its disk space.
Best regards,
Spe3d
, check out his site – failing the laptop – the LCD or nearfields and mic - Get bigger hard drives – if there is one thing I always need its disk space.Best regards,
Spe3d
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- KVRist
- 96 posts since 24 Apr, 2004
seeing that ambience, nyquist, ... are donation ware and chainer isn't really free either, maybe consider donating some money to their makers of those most used 'free' pluggins?bugs wrote: Free (Favorites)
..
Chainer
...
Free (most used)
Blue Line Effects
DigitalFishPhones
SIR
Ambience
Frohmage Filter
TLs Maximizer
Nyquist EQ
Analogue Delay
AI Doppler
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- KVRist
- 151 posts since 11 Mar, 2004 from Hong Kong
Easy question... Enter the z3ta+ group buy! 
http://www.kvr-vst.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=687894
You may not need it, but it helps you spending your budget, while helping others (including me ) to get a better price from the group buy.
http://www.kvr-vst.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=687894
You may not need it, but it helps you spending your budget, while helping others (including me
) to get a better price from the group buy.