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Production Hardware Setup

Home :: Producer tips and DAW information :: Production Hardware SetupReply

Production Hardware Setup Posted on: 31.05.2010 by Verona Fashbaugh Now that I spend the majority of my time at work and am making some decent money again (at least for the next few months), I can finally look into investing in some new stuff! I hate to sound cliche, but I want to take my producing to the "next level" (lolz). Put more seriously, I want a production set up so that I can get a realistic idea of how my music will sound when someone else listens to it. Currently, I have no soundcard. I have no studio monitors. Ideally, in the next two months, I'd like to buy a decent, budget-friendly (I still have to pay my school bills) set-up so that I can do what I do better. This thread isn't a "what soundcard" or a "what monitor" thread. I can make my own decisions as far as that goes. I need to know what I need. Theoretically, I'd have two monitors (one right, one left; duh). However, I have no idea how to get the audio signal to said monitors. Do I need a soundcard? A mixer? I'm a bit of a noob when it comes to hardware. Thanks guys. Your advice is always much appreciated!
Eloy Snopkowski 16.07.2010	Originally Posted by Lambox Edit: Also, whats the difference between balanced and unbalanced inputs? http://www.gearslutz.com/board/low-e...nbalanced.html with my bad english i believe this guys explain it better
Verona Fashbaugh 01.07.2010	Originally Posted by pilmat As for running a single monitor, I believe you will lose a lot of dynamics, but it should work. Just make sure you send you audio as mono. I believe if you went this way, you would very quickly make the necessary sacrifices to get the other monitor quickly! But where there is a will, there is a way. Phil. Gotcha. Sadly, I have car payments to make. As much as I'd like to skip the payment and just buy all this gear at once, logical believeing tells me otherwise. Originally Posted by jasonj If you can buy your monitors first do so. Have a look at the connections available to you... Interesting... I suppose I could buy both monitors at once and then pick up the soundcard later... Actually that's probably what I'll end up doing. I didn't notice the RCA's on the back for some reason. Thanks again, guys Edit: Also, whats the difference between balanced and unbalanced inputs?
Verona Fashbaugh 01.07.2010	Originally Posted by pilmat For the subwoofer, I run a KRK system and it works like this: L an R input into the sub, and then XLR to each speaker. The sub handles the low pass and has a foot switch to switch to bypass (and when in bypass, the full frequency spectrum is sent to the speakers). While this is useful, it is not essential, as Lance Blaise explained to me a while back in another thread, and that careful mixing with monitors is important. Final checks and touches can be done through the sub, but mastering will better define your low end anyways. So the outputs that generally would be running to each monitor instead run to the sub? Originally Posted by pilmat Instead of adding a sub, just shoot for really good monitors (at least 6"). For the sound card, I have a NI Audio Kontrol 1 and also the card in my Xone DX to compare, and there is a big difference in them. The DX provides a much fuller sound. But does that mean it colors the sound or does it mean the AK1 D/A is not as good? This I can't answer, but will deduce that sound cards are NOT all equal! For the quality that I believe you need (your production skills are right up there so you need REALLY good stuff!), I believe you should be looking at Motu, Presonous or Apogee sound cards. I have not used any of them, but have read a lot of producers have them in their set-ups. If I was plonking down my money it would be for the Apogee Ensemble, but as you are not a Mac guy, maybe the other two have something for you (Motu Traveller would be my choice). Phil. Thanks for the compliment! Unfortunately, I am limited by my lack of firewire port on my computer... Hmm... looks like im stuck with USB. Presonus, for example offers only one soundcard tat supports USB, and that is the AudioBox, which runs for about $150. NI's Audio Kontrol is about $50, and I'm leaning towards that, only because they market it more towards production. The AudioBox seems to be geared towards people who aim to do some recording, which I will not be. I don't know, just first impressions. I'm also leaning towards KRK's because I've heard them before and I liked how they sounded. Fortunately I will be able to listen to a variety of them since the Guitar Center by me stocks a lot of them. Originally Posted by jasonj I forgot about the Peavey Mixer that I use. This to combines the signals from the iMac, PC and MacbookPro as I can only use one at a time with the FS Open Device and helps to not have to switch wires all the time. The iMac is mainly always the one using the Firewire device since it's the machine I use most. That makes a lot more sense! Thanks a lot for your help guys. I have one more, slightly stupid, question: in all likelihood, I won't be able to buy both the monitors and the soundcard at the same time. But, I can probably pull off buying the soundcard and one monitor before I have to wait til my next paycheck. As dumb as it sounds, could I connect just one monitor to the soundcard for a little bit?
Ashirumatic DJ 30.06.2010	Originally Posted by Lambox ^^ How do you run the audio signal to those monitors? Are you using the factory soundcard on your computer to output to that EQ and then output to the monitors from there? Originally Posted by Jason J My Setup: Hardware iMac Behringer UMAX25 Midi Keyboard Behringer B103a Monitors Behringer Ultragraph Pro Equalizer Sony MDR V600 Headphones FS Open I forgot about the Peavey Mixer that I use. This to combines the signals from the iMac, PC and MacbookPro as I can only use one at a time with the FS Open Device and helps to not have to switch wires all the time. The iMac is mainly always the one using the Firewire device since it's the machine I use most. My signal path when I have everything hooked up is: iMac / MacbookPro / PC- Firewire -> FS Open - RCA to 1/4" -> Peavey Mixer - 1/4" to 1/4" -> Ultragraph Pro - XLR -> Truth Monitors The simplest signal path I can use is iMac / PC / MacbookPro- 1/8" to RCA -> Monitors The back of the Monitors offer for inputs 1/4" , XLR and RCA. Originally Posted by pilmat For the subwoofer, I run a KRK system a... Sweet! I wanna add a sub into my rig as the Ultragraph Pro offers an internal crossover. I just need one I can hook up with XLR.
Verona Fashbaugh 29.06.2010	Originally Posted by Nephew Also, believe about getting a decent sub as well. I'm a big believer in a 2.1 set up for production monitors as it will give you a more accurate interpretation of you your low end. Sorry guys I know this thread is a bit old... So if, theoretically, I wanted to get a subwoofer in my set up, how do I go about doing that? What I'm trying to say is this: if I buy a soundcard now and some studio monitors, and a few months down the road I finally have the cash for the subwoofer, will I need to buy a new soundcard to support that? Also, can you guys specifically recommend a soundcard? I searched but I couldn't find anything specifically on soundcards for producing. And also it would have to be a USB soundcard, as my laptop has no firewire ports
Verona Fashbaugh 31.05.2010	Now that I spend the majority of my time at work and am making some decent money again (at least for the next few months), I can finally look into investing in some new stuff! I hate to sound cliche, but I want to take my producing to the "next level" (lolz). Put more seriously, I want a production set up so that I can get a realistic idea of how my music will sound when someone else listens to it. Currently, I have no soundcard. I have no studio monitors. Ideally, in the next two months, I'd like to buy a decent, budget-friendly (I still have to pay my school bills) set-up so that I can do what I do better. This thread isn't a "what soundcard" or a "what monitor" thread. I can make my own decisions as far as that goes. I need to know what I need. Theoretically, I'd have two monitors (one right, one left; duh). However, I have no idea how to get the audio signal to said monitors. Do I need a soundcard? A mixer? I'm a bit of a noob when it comes to hardware. Thanks guys. Your advice is always much appreciated!
Antonetta Wikel 16.07.2010	You definitely DON'T want to buy your monitors one at a time. They're usually a matched set from the factory, tested together for stereo imaging.
Eloy Snopkowski 16.07.2010	Originally Posted by Lambox Edit: Also, whats the difference between balanced and unbalanced inputs? http://www.gearslutz.com/board/low-e...nbalanced.html with my bad english i believe this guys explain it better
Verona Fashbaugh 01.07.2010	Originally Posted by pilmat As for running a single monitor, I believe you will lose a lot of dynamics, but it should work. Just make sure you send you audio as mono. I believe if you went this way, you would very quickly make the necessary sacrifices to get the other monitor quickly! But where there is a will, there is a way. Phil. Gotcha. Sadly, I have car payments to make. As much as I'd like to skip the payment and just buy all this gear at once, logical believeing tells me otherwise. Originally Posted by jasonj If you can buy your monitors first do so. Have a look at the connections available to you... Interesting... I suppose I could buy both monitors at once and then pick up the soundcard later... Actually that's probably what I'll end up doing. I didn't notice the RCA's on the back for some reason. Thanks again, guys Edit: Also, whats the difference between balanced and unbalanced inputs?
Ashirumatic DJ 01.07.2010	If you can buy your monitors first do so. Have a look at the connections available to you... As you see in the back of this image (this is the speaker I use) there are three different connections you can use. XLR, RCA and 1/4". This helps because you can just use your computers internal sound with a Stereo Mini (1/8") to RCA chord to the back of the monitors. Behringer is considered entry level to intermediate gear, by some perhaps Shat but will serve well at the low cost solutions they offer. As it stands I am enjoying my monitors allot with no troubles, the sound from them is nice and crisp and with a fairly flat response. With the multiple connections on the back that helps when wanting to upgrade you gear when adding EQ's, Compressors etc... because you won't have to upgrade the speakers off the hop. Good Luck and Happy Producing.
Corine Kasman 01.07.2010	As for running a single monitor, I believe you will lose a lot of dynamics, but it should work. Just make sure you send you audio as mono. I believe if you went this way, you would very quickly make the necessary sacrifices to get the other monitor quickly! But where there is a will, there is a way. Phil.
Verona Fashbaugh 01.07.2010	Originally Posted by pilmat For the subwoofer, I run a KRK system and it works like this: L an R input into the sub, and then XLR to each speaker. The sub handles the low pass and has a foot switch to switch to bypass (and when in bypass, the full frequency spectrum is sent to the speakers). While this is useful, it is not essential, as Lance Blaise explained to me a while back in another thread, and that careful mixing with monitors is important. Final checks and touches can be done through the sub, but mastering will better define your low end anyways. So the outputs that generally would be running to each monitor instead run to the sub? Originally Posted by pilmat Instead of adding a sub, just shoot for really good monitors (at least 6"). For the sound card, I have a NI Audio Kontrol 1 and also the card in my Xone DX to compare, and there is a big difference in them. The DX provides a much fuller sound. But does that mean it colors the sound or does it mean the AK1 D/A is not as good? This I can't answer, but will deduce that sound cards are NOT all equal! For the quality that I believe you need (your production skills are right up there so you need REALLY good stuff!), I believe you should be looking at Motu, Presonous or Apogee sound cards. I have not used any of them, but have read a lot of producers have them in their set-ups. If I was plonking down my money it would be for the Apogee Ensemble, but as you are not a Mac guy, maybe the other two have something for you (Motu Traveller would be my choice). Phil. Thanks for the compliment! Unfortunately, I am limited by my lack of firewire port on my computer... Hmm... looks like im stuck with USB. Presonus, for example offers only one soundcard tat supports USB, and that is the AudioBox, which runs for about $150. NI's Audio Kontrol is about $50, and I'm leaning towards that, only because they market it more towards production. The AudioBox seems to be geared towards people who aim to do some recording, which I will not be. I don't know, just first impressions. I'm also leaning towards KRK's because I've heard them before and I liked how they sounded. Fortunately I will be able to listen to a variety of them since the Guitar Center by me stocks a lot of them. Originally Posted by jasonj I forgot about the Peavey Mixer that I use. This to combines the signals from the iMac, PC and MacbookPro as I can only use one at a time with the FS Open Device and helps to not have to switch wires all the time. The iMac is mainly always the one using the Firewire device since it's the machine I use most. That makes a lot more sense! Thanks a lot for your help guys. I have one more, slightly stupid, question: in all likelihood, I won't be able to buy both the monitors and the soundcard at the same time. But, I can probably pull off buying the soundcard and one monitor before I have to wait til my next paycheck. As dumb as it sounds, could I connect just one monitor to the soundcard for a little bit?
Ashirumatic DJ 30.06.2010	Originally Posted by Lambox ^^ How do you run the audio signal to those monitors? Are you using the factory soundcard on your computer to output to that EQ and then output to the monitors from there? Originally Posted by Jason J My Setup: Hardware iMac Behringer UMAX25 Midi Keyboard Behringer B103a Monitors Behringer Ultragraph Pro Equalizer Sony MDR V600 Headphones FS Open I forgot about the Peavey Mixer that I use. This to combines the signals from the iMac, PC and MacbookPro as I can only use one at a time with the FS Open Device and helps to not have to switch wires all the time. The iMac is mainly always the one using the Firewire device since it's the machine I use most. My signal path when I have everything hooked up is: iMac / MacbookPro / PC- Firewire -> FS Open - RCA to 1/4" -> Peavey Mixer - 1/4" to 1/4" -> Ultragraph Pro - XLR -> Truth Monitors The simplest signal path I can use is iMac / PC / MacbookPro- 1/8" to RCA -> Monitors The back of the Monitors offer for inputs 1/4" , XLR and RCA. Originally Posted by pilmat For the subwoofer, I run a KRK system a... Sweet! I wanna add a sub into my rig as the Ultragraph Pro offers an internal crossover. I just need one I can hook up with XLR.
Corine Kasman 30.06.2010	For the subwoofer, I run a KRK system and it works like this: L an R input into the sub, and then XLR to each speaker. The sub handles the low pass and has a foot switch to switch to bypass (and when in bypass, the full frequency spectrum is sent to the speakers). While this is useful, it is not essential, as Lance Blaise explained to me a while back in another thread, and that careful mixing with monitors is important. Final checks and touches can be done through the sub, but mastering will better define your low end anyways. Instead of adding a sub, just shoot for really good monitors (at least 6"). For the sound card, I have a NI Audio Kontrol 1 and also the card in my Xone DX to compare, and there is a big difference in them. The DX provides a much fuller sound. But does that mean it colors the sound or does it mean the AK1 D/A is not as good? This I can't answer, but will deduce that sound cards are NOT all equal! For the quality that I believe you need (your production skills are right up there so you need REALLY good stuff!), I believe you should be looking at Motu, Presonous or Apogee sound cards. I have not used any of them, but have read a lot of producers have them in their set-ups. If I was plonking down my money it would be for the Apogee Ensemble, but as you are not a Mac guy, maybe the other two have something for you (Motu Traveller would be my choice). Phil.
Verona Fashbaugh 30.06.2010	^^ How do you run the audio signal to those monitors? Are you using the factory soundcard on your computer to output to that EQ and then output to the monitors from there?
Ashirumatic DJ 01.07.2010	I personally have a "Budget" system and have found it to have worked out quite well thus far. My Setup: Hardware iMac Behringer UMAX25 Midi Keyboard Behringer B103a Monitors Behringer Ultragraph Pro Equalizer Sony MDR V600 Headphones I use the FS-Open unit for my sound card. Software Logic Express 8/9 Ableton Live 8 Reason 4.1 Various VST/Au Synths/FX Not the absolute top line in gear but they have severed very well all the time I have had them. Really the most important pieces are the Software (DAW) and the machine you run them. The Midi keyboard is key as well. I know allot of producers who actually use mainly headphones when making their tracks.
Verona Fashbaugh 29.06.2010	Originally Posted by Nephew Also, believe about getting a decent sub as well. I'm a big believer in a 2.1 set up for production monitors as it will give you a more accurate interpretation of you your low end. Sorry guys I know this thread is a bit old... So if, theoretically, I wanted to get a subwoofer in my set up, how do I go about doing that? What I'm trying to say is this: if I buy a soundcard now and some studio monitors, and a few months down the road I finally have the cash for the subwoofer, will I need to buy a new soundcard to support that? Also, can you guys specifically recommend a soundcard? I searched but I couldn't find anything specifically on soundcards for producing. And also it would have to be a USB soundcard, as my laptop has no firewire ports
Breana Singerman 03.06.2010	Also, believe about getting a decent sub as well. I'm a big believer in a 2.1 set up for production monitors as it will give you a more accurate interpretation of you your low end.
Hertha Fang 03.06.2010	just bought a used pair of alesis m1 mk2 off GC for $150 shipped. they retail for 300 without shipping, check around on gc you can find some real nice used deals
Giselle Kawalec 03.06.2010	whats up lambox! you will need a good soundcard/audio interface with good drivers for the operating system yiou are using.. i would recommend and sound card with good i/o and balanced 1/4 plugs... you can either buy passive monitors (but then you will need to buy an amp to power them both) or power monitors (which might save you money in the longrun) if you go the powered amp route.. make sure the Ins are blanaced 1/4's and all you need to do is hook the speakers straight up to the outs of your sound card. easy as. for price.. i like the beringer truth monitors.. b2030's are good for price and still has good bass punch -Tom
juan garcia 31.05.2010	alot of monitors are self powered, meaning the amp is built in and the speakers will have In's for the output coming from the soundcard. yeah, unless you are planning on using the stock or internal soundcard you should be looking at soundcards. having a quality soundcard that outputs to quality monitors should be top priority IMO. with this setup you won't necessarily hear what everyone else hears, as their experience will be limited by their playback/listening devices, but you will hear exactly what your songs will sound like (instead of being limited by the range/dynamics of your current playback/listening devices.) most consumer and heck alot of professional gear colours the sound, not sure if you have heard of the smiley face in eq, but alot of consumer playback devices colour the sound in that fashion. for production you don't want any colour in the audio reproduction. even though i love mixing out of the box when djing, for producing I would recommend you stay in the box or get a mixer when you start having the need to bring the audio of external instruments/drum boxes into the mix. good luck.

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