New Studio Setup (What should I get?)

The monitors are a good choice, I'm using their baby brother right now and it's the best pair of speakers I've ever owned. Soundcardwise, I think you're going a bit deep for the needs you've outlined. You could do quite well with just a new USB interface (or Firewire, if your new system has a jack for it). Something like this, for instance: Half sound card, half mixer, all you really need for just one or two tracks of recording. I've never used one, so I can't speak for the quality of the product, but everyone seems pretty happy with M-Audio in general. The way I went for my system, since my crappy USB ports are maxed out already, was one of these at the back of the computer: (Well, not exactly. I have the E-MU 0404, which is in the same ballpark. 2 in, 2 out, MIDI, etc.) Into that I've got a Behringer Eurorack UB1204, which serves as an interface for all my various gadgets. Though I could easily get away with one of the smaller mixers in the series, I like having the extra channels to tinker with for signal routing. For recording vocals, direct guitars, and occasionally two mics from an amp, this setup has kept me more than happy for a couple of years. As for a MIDI pad, I'm assuming you just mean a keyboard. There are tons of these out there, but I'll stick with the M-Audio theme. After all, it's fair to assume all of their products will work together, right? A couple octaves of keys, some pads you could drum on if you want (I just use the keys), plus a few knobs and buttons you can set up to work with your DAW. Personally I find it easier to run a DAW with my mouse, but it's really up to your own taste. Cheers.

Typical forum situation: I read your post, the first thing that comes to my mind is "must warn this guy NOT to buy these monitors" - and then I read the next post where Lokasenna says "The monitors are a good choice..."! Well, I've had them (to be exact: BX5) for exactly 1 month, and I couldn't find anything decent about them, a friend bought (though I've warned him) BX8: same dilemma. Maybe order two pairs of monitors (I always suggest Yamaha HS50's) and A/B them, send the other pair back (at least in Germany it's no problem). The interface is surprisingly good - we have it installed on the rehearsal room computer, and turned out that it's stable and sounds pretty good. The cable mess is a little annoying, be sure to fix every connection with gaffer tape!

alesis M1 Mk2 actives are a nice choice for monitors. Not the most detailed of speaker,- but they're cheap,- and get you in the general ball-park, and have sufficient bass-response to make sensible decisions also. Kind regards Dave Rich

There are lot's of people using the BX5a monitors, including me, and I am pleased as punch with them, of course it depends what you are looking for. I heard the Alesis M1 have not so good a reference and clip when turned up loud, if that's a problem. I am also still using an aging AP 2496, and it's been a great performer, I keep toying with the idea of upgrading to another M-audio PCI card, these seem to be a risk free solution with great drivers. I'm going to keep using PCI devices until it's done away with. I'm quite happy with my old-school analog mixer for an interface. I get a huge number of tracks and FX on mine so you should expect to be stunned with that processor

Very interesting post 

I went through all this stuff nearly 2 years ago and thought I would get the EMU 0404 but in the end I decided to get a MOTU interface. It is great but I should have stretched a bit and gone for the RME although there is nothing wrong with the MOTU save that they do not believe in customer support and there is trouble winding back the four files to SP1 to make firewire work properly, If the budget is a grand then look around for a bargain on good monitors first. I got Event monitors. They are good. The guy at Sweetwater recommended them but they came here to Australia with US voltage. The company that owns them is Rhode mics and I contacted them in Sydney, I explained that their material showed that the voltage was switchable. I got nothing but assurances from them. I am very concerned if a customer is unhappy after s/he/it has paid and I have done my work. Last night I had a string of phone calls from a client wanting to take me out on Friday to thank me for the work. I am charging $10grand but am really stoked that 'post deal' the client is happy. This is not a big client and there is not likely to be any repeat work but it warms the heart to hear great feedback. Still the Event monitors are good. I cannot compare them to anything on A/B switching so I would recommend you hotfoot it to a place where this can be done even if you have to pay a bit more. I found Sweetwater a very decent, honest and reliable company to deal with and I am sure if you are near Indiana they will set up a side by side. They also discount demo hardware (not by much but there is a saving there0. This does not answer your question but I hope it solves your connundrum. G.

wow, thanks for all the replies guys, I really liked the interface is that first post, but after looking into it it doesn't run vista, I have vista 64-bit, which is a problem with reaper, so I will actually probably be buying xp 32 bit and creating another partition on my drive. I really like that setup you had in the first post, I think I'm going to look into that a bit more. The midi keyboard is exactly what I was looking for. As for the monitors I'm still not quite sure what to get, I actually have a pair of events that I really like, but we use these in our studio at my buddies, just looking for a home studio so i can do some independent recording. We have the model before this, brand new I think they were like 800 bucks we got them from a buddy at a local music store, for 200 bucks because they had been used on the floor but they had no damage etc. Maybe Ill see if my buddy has any monitors he can get rid of for cheap. Thanks for all the input, gona do a little more research and then I'll post with my final setup. Kevin DiGennaro

@smueske what if i got the setup you suggested, then started with one of those monitors? looks like its about 575 bucks for one, then saved up for the other. Would that be dumb to go with one speaker for a while? I guess it would make it difficult for stereo playback

So after reading all of these posts and doing some research I've came to this decision, Studio Monitors: Sound Card: Preamp: *Not sure, have looked around but brands like M-Audio and Mackie are expensive Midi Keyboard: Total about: $1500 more than I wanted to spend, but I'd rather get stuff that will work and last me a while. Also, with this setup is that all I need? Or do I need something else for my midi keyboard to work? Any other suggestions? Any changes I should consider? Recommended Preamps? Thanks again, Kevin DiGennaro

Those all sound like very good choices. What mic are you using? You only need one decent pre and maybe a direct box for your guitar. Honestly though, unless you plan on doing some *really serious* mixing yourself, the A7's might be budget overkill. They're great monitors but the question is... do you really need them? That level of very subtle detail and imaging is mostly only really necessary when mixing, but always good if you can afford it. There's cash tied up there that could be spent elsewhere. Unless you plan on doing final CD mixes at home yourself I'd cut that monitor budget way down ... ..and spend the difference on at least one really good pro-level mic pre ... like this one... (the next pre on my list ... ;) ... I already have the Summit TLA-50 and it's nice.) ...and still have really good monitors for home recording. If you do plan on doing your own final mixing (and plan to make real CD's - out to mastering / duplication etc) then you might as well get the A7's sooner than later. Either way, if you're on a budget you'll have to sacrifice somewhere. If you can swing the A7's *and* the Summit Pre... you'll be very happy I think. :)