My studio is almost embarasingly minimal - I used a Yamaha AW16G DAW, a pair of Oktava MK-012-1 microphones, and Digitech Studio Quad and TSR 24 outboard effects units. A Beheringer 2442-FX Pro was used to mix the effects and return them to the 16G. (I didn't use the FX in that board - get real!). Additionally, I used the Alesis 3630 compressor for inline compression with the mics on a couple of tracks, and the new Presonus Bluetube 2-section preamp for a couple tracks.
Almost every sound on the CD was created using an acoustic instrument. The only exception to this is that I did use a synth (Roland MV-30 - old - purchased in 1992, I think) to create some low, droning pedal tones on a couple of the tracks. Instruments used were a variety of "ethnic" drums (doumbek, darbuka and frame drums), flutes (native american, transverse bamboo, suling, recorder, low D penny whistle), assorted percussion, classical guitar and spoken word. From concept through writing and recording to finished product in hand was just a little over one year. I've been frankly astonished by what can be created with a very minimal cash outlay in a 2-bedroom apartment.
What I liked:
The 16G, while it has a bit of a learning curve, is a really great DAW for the money. I worked hard in the mixing stage to get everything right and was very pleased with the result. I took the finished CD to David Houston here in Sacramento to do the mastering, and, while David made some sweet adjustments to the overall sound, he also said to me that the original recording sounded very good, and that mastering it was really not necessary. I took that as a huge compliment coming from him, but it also speaks a lot about the 16G. I asked him if he felt the next project would be significantly better if I used a machine with 24 bit resolution, and he felt that, though it would be an improvement, that my money would be better spent on a good large diaphragm mic for the drums and a better preamp. I would recommend this unit without any reservation.
I always love the Digitech stuff. Yeah, I know it's noisy - I just use patience with them and an outboard compressor/gate doesn't hurt either.
The Oktava mics were really nice for their price - I love them. I'm a baritone, and was especially pleased with how well they worked out the low, resonant quality I was trying to achieve with my spoken word parts. I will definitely be trying out one of those MXL 990's for the big drums and vocals on the next project, however.
About half way through the project I went out to Guitar Center and picked up one of those desk-thingies that has the rack spaces built in. You wouldn't believe how it cleaned stuff up and created an environment that was SO much nicer in which to work!! Worth every penny of the $200.00 I spent on it.
What I didn't like:
The Presonus is probably a pretty good unit for the price, but I think it may not be good for this application. I'm looking for good, simple pre-amplification of the Oktavas, with as little tone coloring as possible. I used it for the vocal part in one song and felt that it added too much midrange, even with the tubes turned off.
Overall I like the Beheringer mixer. Lots of ins and outs - great for mixing the effects, which were pretty complicated on a couple of the tracks. The effects in the board itself, however, are completely unusable in this application. Would be great if you're mixing a punk band at the Capitol Garage. It also seems to add it's own color to the sound, but for mixing outboard FX I didn't really care. I did not use it to mix mics and send to the 16G - for micing I either went direct or through the Presonus.
If you have any questions or comments about my studio, how this or that was done, or if you'd just like to chat about recording in general, please do feel free to drop me an email.
Greg