------hey everyone sorry if this is kinda all over the place, I’m posting from my phone for the first time. So i am looking to try and find a great setup for my wife. From what I’ve read it seems going dac, headphones, and separate mic is the best way to go for a music enthusiasts. She is a classically trained pianist and vocalist, and she has been doing alot of vocal recording. So i know nothing about audio, but what would be a good setup for her, budget isn’t so much the key factor so I’m open to all ranges of price. So i figured I’d ask around here for some help.
I forgot to add she primarily listens to EBM and dark wave
An O2 amp would be my suggestion, paired with byerdynamics dt990 pro headphones and a blue yeti mic to bring the setup together. If your wife plans on doing a lot of vocal recording sound dampening foam on the walls may be a good idea.
Thanks ill have to check those things out, if it shows how much of a music novice i am i only recognized blue yeti, never heard of the other two. lol.
On another note, is there a suggested article/website that would be good for learning how to setup an appropriate space, such as best way to properly setup foam dampening etc...?
an approprate space would be one that dosnt have alot of background noise, ideally you dont want to record singing right next to a railway track, loud kids playing basketball in a driveway etc. A basement would be my reccomendation for a good spot. As for the foam installation http://www.doityourself.com/stry/installing-acoustic-foam#b
Side Note; to get the purest sound you will not want the computer in the same recording space as the singer, look for ways to rout the mic cable through the walls so you dont get the whirring of fans and hard drives into your recording
Let me just go ahead and say that the DT990 for EDM and dark wave would be a mistake. They are very piercing in the high end. What you want for EDM especially is a good low end response and neutral everywhere else. Something like the DT770 or preferably the HP150 would be the way to go in that regard. Now, you mentioned that she is a pianist and does vocals. For something like that, I would say an open backed set of cans along the lines of the Q701 would be a nice choice. They have good mid range nad a very open sound which is nice for classical instruments. Combine those two and you get something along the lines of the HD600 or the K7xx. Considering the price and availability, I would suggest going with the K7xx (which can usually be found on massdrop). Otherwise, something like the Alpha Dogs (currently on sale on Mr. Speaker's website) or the HE500 would be a good choice, though a good bit more expensive. As far as dacs and amps go, something like a schiit stack (magni and modi) would be a good way to go. Alternatively, the O2 is always a good choice (although I think the ODAC is overpriced for what it is).
Personally, I don't like open backed headphones as it is too easy to get other sounds interfering with what I am listening to, and I shouldn't have to be listening in a quiet room in order to enjoy my music. Alternatively, I shouldn't have to disturb the people around me in order to listen to my music on my headphones at a loud volume. Closed is my preference. In that regard, the HP150 or the Alpha Dogs would be my first picks (they also both have great reviews). I might be able to find some other options if these don't suit you too well, but yeah.
I'm currently using the Q701 and think they're great, especially when amplified by my O2 amp. Not sure I see the need for a DAC to be honest.
First of all thank you so much for your suggestions.
As far as the room goes i do plan on making it as quiet as possible. My wife is actually terminally ill and doesn't feel she can sing or play as well as she use to. That being said she doesn't want me listening to her. We do have separate offices since i have a regular job from home as well as i build/repair pc's. Our offices are divided with a bathroom in-between them. That being said the house is very well insulated plus i plan on adding some sound absorbing panels to her office. Knowing that would that effect any of the suggestions you mentioned, i know you said you personally don't like open backed but just curious if the environment changes anything.
That environment does change things a bit. However, if she likes to listen while typing (which I do a lot), then open backed still might not be the best option. Since she is in a quiet place though, it is really going to depend on what it is that she is listening to. For EDM, something like the HP150 or DT770 or Alpha Dogs would be the best choice. For something like piano music and female vocals, something like the K7xx or ATH-AD2000X would be the best option. It would really help me if you gave me a price range though. I am trying to stay around $200 for the most part, but honestly, the two best options before $500 are the Alpha Dogs and the ATH-AD2000X. It really will depend on what she listens to more. If you want a darker, more laid back sound (ie more EDM and dark wave than anything else) then the Alpha Dogs. If you want a more energetic sound with better mids (ie classical instruments and female vocals) then the AD2000x. I will be able to better recommend things with a price range though.
P.s. Basically all of these will require an amp, so make sure you have that down. A small schiit stack should do just fine.
Perfect thanks,
The budget isnt so much the issue as either way i will be saving up for it, not ready to drop the money today. She will be listening to EBM and Darkwave mostly, and even though she is classically trained she tends to record more mainstream forms of music.
In that case, I would say to look towards the Alpha Dogs. However, they are not going to be around for much longer. I don't know much more stock he has left, but he isn't going to be making any more, hence the sale. He is moving on to making other things and is just clearing the stock. You can find them used on head-fi from time to time for a good price. The AD2000x is definitely not a bad option either and would be more widely available.
Sennheiser HD 600, they sound pretty linear, they are completely open, the soundstage mimics more a "control room" situation, so it isn't that wide.
But i guess it depends on the person, some people love flat/linear, other people find it utterly boring.
i picked that one, because you wrote "classicly trained vocalist/pianist", so i thought she might like hearing what's really going on. Besides that, mixing engineers like them, so that might be a thing because of the "recording part" of your post.
Downside of the 600s, uhm lets see, they are 300ohms rated, in reality they go up in resistance till about 550ohms.
As far as foam goes, even cut foam have better acoustical properties than their pyramid-like shaped counterparts.
Have you got the product "Basotect" available where you are? The material has good acoustical properties....
The quality of headphones you buy will depend on how good your audio gear is to begin with.
If you have decent audio gear then you buy AKG-K812's.
If you have crap audio gear then any of the headphones mentioned in this thread will do - as in this case it doesn't matter what headphones you use as long as they pick up the human audible range. Be aware though, without monitoring speakers you won't pick up on any phase cancellation by just using headphones alone.
For straight out vocal recording I'd only recommend the following mics;
- AKG’s C12, $6000
- Neumann’s M49, U47, and U67, $1500, $4000, $2500
- Telefunken’s ELA M251, $10,000
- Sony’s C800G $10,000
If you plan on harmonising (other polar patterns) it's generally best to pick up a couple of cheaper dynamic mics like the Beyerdynamic M88, Shure SM57 and SM58 or even the Shure SM7 and Electrovoice RE20.
If this stuff isn't in your price range, I'd look at a couple of ribbon mics like Sontronics or a Superlux R102 as they are a fairly decent low cost alternative while still maintaining decent sound. Just be careful with them as they're fragile. A good ribbon mic paired with a cloudlifter box has some great timbre without too much production work.
As far as Mic preamps are concerned, anything from Manley Labs, Greg Hanks, Grace Design or Summit Audio will serve you well. Prices range from $5000 to $10,0000+
Thank you guys for everything,
Sorry for the delay in getting back we recently moved and its been a pain trying to set up the house and our individual offices. Once we get unpacked and can start picking up some gear im going to give you guys an update.
Hey, man. Life's a bitch sometimes. No worries.