Stec Records
Equipment For A Small To Medium Sized Studio
| This is a breakdown of the gear you need for a typical medium sized recording studio with the capacity to record up to 24 tracks simultaneously. |
| # | Description | Recommended | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Computer | HP Quad Core | 750GB, 8GB RAM, Windows Vista, dual monitor support. Quad core, CD/DVD Burner |
| 2 | Backup Drive (internal) | 1TB (1000GB) |
This is mainly to back up the computer operating system and current project files. You'll also want one of these for each external drive enclosure you buy (below). |
| 3 | Backup Drive (external) | USB SATA Enclosure | You'll want to get some of these for archiving projects. You'll always want to have at least 2 copies of any project. |
| 4 | Video Monitor | ViewSonic | 22" LCD. Get two of these. |
| 5 | Mixer/Audio Interface | Yamaha 01V96VCM | Gives you 12 balanced inputs and ADAT output. When using 2 of these for 24 tracks, you'll need the MY8AT ADAT expansion card for one of the boards which adds 8 more ADAT channels. |
| 6 | Computer Interface | RME Hammerfall HDSP 9652 | A card for the computer. Supports 3 ADAT in and outs for 24 channels of IO. Good driver support. |
| 7 | Optical Cables | 16 foot, 6 foot | Connects the mixing boards to the computer (RME board). Each carries 8 channels so you'll need a total of 6 of them for a 24 track setup: 3 outputs and 3 inputs. |
| 8 | Recording Software | Cakewalk SONAR 8 Producer | Extremely stable, excellent MIDI support, lots of included plug-ins. |
| 9 | Microphones | SM57, 4000B, C414 | Quantity and model depend on the type of music to be recorded but these are good choices to have. See Microphones. |
| 10 | Cables | budget, medium, best | Have at least 2 for every mic. At least one replacment for every mic. |
| 11 | Stands | budget, best ,large boom | One for every mic a few extras. You may also want some short booms for miking guitar amps and other instruments close to the ground. |
| 12 | Speakers | Genelec, Mackie | Control room monitors: Genelec, Studio monitors: Mackie |
| 13 | Headphones | Sennheiser HD280 | One for each player, the recording engineer and the producer. |
| 14 | Headphone Amp | PRO-8 HA-8000 | See Headphones. |
| 15 | MIDI Interface | MIDIsport 4X4 | For older MIDI keyboards, VDrums and controllers |
| 16 | MIDI Keyboard | M-Audio 88 Key | Trigger samples, record keyboard parts. |
| 17 | Patch Cables | 8 pack | Multi-colored 17" TRS cables for connecting gear. |
| 18 | Acoustics | Auralex | Foam for walls, etc. Adjust/dampen the sound of the room. See Acoustics for more. |
| 19 | Isolation | SMPro | Sound isolation for specific mics. See Acoustics for more. |
You also want to consider the following as well:
- House instruments - piano, drums, bass, amps
- Printer - Sheet music, lyrics, lists, etc..
- High Speed internet access - So you can post your clients music to the web.
- Web hosting - to post clients recordings (protected and private areas).
- Security. Alarm, survelience cameras
- Insurance
If you are a working studio with paying customers, you'll want a backup of every piece of gear to ensure that the session can proceed no matter what happens.