Thanks to Uncle Sam, joining Taxi and setting up shop!

[burkeproductions]

Hello Taxi members,
This is my first of what I hope to be many posts here in the Taxi Forum. Thought I might throw out a 'hypothetical' question to see what the pro's might recommend. If you were receiving a $3,000 tax refund and plan to use it as 'seed' money to join Taxi (for 2 years), write, record and submit music, what would be your essential outboard gear?

Heading to 'shop' the usual stores just appreciate any recommendations.....

Thanks!

Lisa

[mojobone]

Welcome, Lisa! The answer to your question depends on your genre(s) and what you'll be recording; if you produce pure electronica, you could do everything with either Reason or Ableton Live, plus a good pair of headphones and an Alienware laptop, but things get a little more complicated, if you're using virtual instruments to replicate an orchestra, or if you intend to record live instruments in acoustic spaces.

[burkeproductions]

Thanks Mojobone! I plan to record keyboard, accoustic, vocal and probably will include virtual orchestration. I'm pretty hooked up with computer/software but would love a recommendation on brand/model: midi-keyboard, headphones, monitor speakers, etc.

Appreciate your prompt reply (heading to Guitar Center in SF tonight afterwork).....

Lisa

[Russell Landwehr]

Aw, Geez, Lisa.

Don't be in such a hurry, eh?

Anyway,

KRK makes some nice sounding affordable Powered Near Reference Monitors.

Test drive a few decent headphones with your favorite CD if you are going to Guitar Center. Make sure you pick one for clarity and REALLY good bass response.

If you are gonna get a MIDI controller test drive a bunch for what "feels" good to your fingers/hands cause THAT is the most important thing. ( I reccomend M-Audio)

Get yourself a good large diaphragm condenser mic.

Oh and most important... spend a some of Uncle Sam's Rebate on a fun experience...

[burkeproductions]

Hey Y'all,

Thanks so much for your reply. I should mention I have at least a month to shop before I have $ in hand, so that will slow me down enough to avoid 'impulse' buying. Your recommendations are EXACTLY what I found (went to GuitarCenter and Mission Music in SF who had much better prices, btw). I did find the KRK Rokit 5's for $100/ea, and I like the half weight keys of the Axiom Pro6 Controller for $500 (is that a good brand, hadn't see this model before, wandering if anyone has). Is there a specific M-Audio controller you recommend? I also found V6 Studio MDR-V6 headphones for $69.......sooo how am I doin?

Lastly, and I know this is more of a preference but I have to ask you home based recording engineers......if you had a choice, would you prefer PC based recording or MAC and what software? I have Cubase but might take advantage of revamping since I can dedicate my hardware soley to recording. Seems more people are using ProTools and Logic.......

I love this space man.....what an untapped resource for me hee hee! thanks!

Lisa

[mojobone]

As to keyboard controllers, I'm no fan of M-audio's stuff, but the Axiom series seems to be well-regarded. There's a good keyboard controller thread here in Recommended. If you're on a Mac, Logic is very full-featured and comes with enough built in virtual instruments that you'd likely need little else for quite a while. If you work in other studios or if others work in yours, ProTools is recommended. If you already use and know cubase, there's maybe no compelling reason to climb another learning curve. I recommend monitors with 8 in woofers so that you don't need a sub; there always seem to be issues with sub placement and keeping everything symmetrical. You should spend 25-30% of your budget on nearfield monitors; your best options will be found north of $500/pair. I like the Mackie MR8s, in that price range, they're hard to beat at the price, but there are better choices further up the food chain.