Great summary of sound advice.

Also, another thing to consider when choosing a computer: what platform are you going to record on? ProTools is the standard and it can be used on both mac and PC, but a lot of the “free” or downloadable plugins can only be used n the PC, while there are very few free ones for a mac Not to mention you have to buy a digidesign or maudio interface to use protools. Logic only work with mac, and that seems to be the best thing going on right now, as it is the total package, and is more user friendly than protools. PCs have many programs that are similar to both programs, and at a fraction of the cost as well. Cakewalk seems to be the best in my opinion right now, but Propellerheads- the company that brought us Reason and Recycle(both highly recommended software additions to your arsenal)has released “Record” which basically allows you to now record straight onto reason and give you the ability to use reason’s devices to shape your sounds that come from record.

Actually, this is my advice to the “SERIOUS noobie on a budget trying to start a vocal/guitar studio” person :Get a computer that has at LEAST(more is always recommended) 4 gigs of RAM and decent soundcard.($600) next, get a decent pair of headphones($150). Get a decent mic (go with the studio projects C1 or the Rode NT-1A ($200)- you will always use these) and a small b Get the Propellerhead Record Reason Duo ($400). you can spend $200 on a decent pair of monitors after, but for the beginning, you can use computer speakers.($50) you will have to also take into account phantom power for the mics: alesis makes a small $80 mixer that connect via usb to the computer-the MultiMix 4. and you’ll probably spend $100 on cables, and another $50 on a GOOD mic stand that wont fall while holding you mic. you will more than likely need a midi controller or keyboard too, especially if youre considering making your own instrumentals. ($50 – 400- depending on what you want to spend)

chances are you got a computer and speakers already. so thats $600 out of your way. For a mic booth, you can just hang some heavy blankets on the wall to “soundproof” or deaden the sound where you are recording. that’ll save you some money on soundproofing.

so in reality, if you’re serious about starting a recording studio you’re going to eventually need at least $1500 to just start up. and you WILL be spending more over time. yeah you can get alternatives to gear, but you’ll relaize that you want to actually sound better. i dont care what you say now, but you’ll come to understand what im talking about if youre really serious.
Also realize, that this will eat up a great amount of your life that you’ll be spending learning the software, recording, mixing, and setting up/breaking down (especially if this is a home studio and you have to put it away when youre done) sidenote word of the wise- creating file templates will shave a lot of time setting up.

think about this, soak it in, and trust me.

Good to hear from you!

Well done re your $150… Not bad, but not exactly Pro gear, is it? All depends on what you need.

re cd burner – quite right, as we said in a couple of places in the original post, if you have a cd burner on you PC, you don’t need a separate unit.

All off http://www.thomann.de
Euros..

Phonic Mixer . 40
T. Bone Small Condenser . 30
Headphones. 10
Cables and stand 20

100 euro , not bad