CHRISTMAS 2.0!! (Studio Gear) yet another UPDATE

[Volitions Advocate]

Sometimes you just have to be excited about stuff!

I'm calling it christmas 2.0 because I had to pay for everything myself.  But it was nice to receive from myself.

Or was it the bank that got it for me? :help:

All my upgrade parts for my computer. needed to get away from the OEM crap and get some aftermarket hardware.

Mobo, Its a socket 775, i'm just upgrading and recycling my Quad Core Q6600.

New Videocard for Video editing, my game design, and of course... some hardcore videogaming!!

Stuff from the trip to Calgary today! (the sm-57's aren't new, they just looked good in the pic)

Cubase 5 Ed edition. $600 cheaper. and the only handicap it has over the normal version is that I can only run it for 25 consecutive hours. No problem!

I already had one, but I picked up a Second today. the Equation Audio DS-V7. Best friggen handheld I've ever used. Perfect for rock vocals and guitar. I prefer them to anything Shure has, A quiet little company that most would probably not buy from because its "budget" well its the best handheld I've used so stick it! and at $60 bucks a pop. You can't go wrong.

an AKG Perception 120 I wanted something comparable to an AT-2020, Simple and inexpensive, but effective. I could've spent more but I didn't want to, I have lots of time to get decent microphones.
This one has a lo cut and a 20dB pad.

UNBOXING!!!

I/O
I'm using RCA out of my computer's sound card right now, That will change when my MOTU gets here. (sorry for blurry picture)

I went with these because they're a bit easier to manage on a desk. Plus they're powered and relatively inexpensive. And I liked the sound of the R6's in the computer lab at school. They really look and feel sturdy. and not cheap. ...

The old set.  I'm gonna gift them away probably.  Useless for mixing.

My new computer parts are way too big for my crappy current-computer.  But I had to install a few of the things so that they didn't just sit in the closet.. I'm far too impatient.
My mini tower case is  so small the cables from the PSU can't even fit inside.

I had to remove the harddrive cage just to fit the videocard inside the computer

This is the case I'm getting to replace it with.

what it all looks like for now...  Once the rest of it gets here this setup will change a bit.

And this is the interface I have on the way to finish the setup.

http://www.motu.com/products/motuaudio/896mk3

I'm going to Rackmount the computer, and the MOTU, and my GI-20 and leave some room for some other gadgets (i need a power conditioner).
This way I can gig with it. using the MOTU and my computer to write my own effects in MaxMSP and maybe use reason.. I havent decided yet.

What do you think?

 

[kboman]

I think this will be a VERY cool rig! I've never heard of Equation Audio, are they availiable in the civilised world too?

 

[Superlizard]

:icon_thumright:

If ya don't have "beelions" of dollars to throw around for a studio, a PC-powered DAW setup is the way to go.

 

[nathan a]

...It looks really cool, but ahhh that is way more technology than my feeble mind can handle at once. The most 'custom' I get with this stuff is running Ubuntu on my laptop. Beyond that, I like to keep things real simple.

But I'm glad you're excited  :icon_thumright:

 

[AndyG]

Some great choices there!

Those KRK monitors, IMHO, give the best bang for the buck ... nice flat response.  However, with the Rockit 5's, I'd eventually get a subwoofer as well ... the low stuff is pretty hard to hear on 5" drivers.

 

[Volitions Advocate]

I think this will be a VERY cool rig! I've never heard of Equation Audio, are they availiable in the civilised world too?

http://www.equationaudio.com/dealers/international.php

It actually shows the store you can buy it at, not just the distributor.

I agree about the subwoofer, But like I said, just starting out.  This is vast improvement since before we were mixing with a combination of Roland headphones and JBL PA speakers...

 

[kboman]

http://www.equationaudio.com/dealers/international.php

It actually shows the store you can buy it at, not just the distributor.

Not for Sweden, but the Denmark based distributor had a complete list, which happily includes every single music store here in Malmö, yay!

 

[-CB-]

nice

 

[whyachi]

Is there stuff like that in my Mac?


...I kid, I kid. But I take my computers light and white with fruit on the covers. I've never once had reason to look inside them.

 

[jimh]

The KRK Rokit speakers get some great reviews for 'budget' boxes.  A great choice.

I hate pee on your BBQ but is that a Seagate hard drive i see before me?  My experience (and it's only MY opinion) of Seagates is not great.  I've had several personal Seagates anda few work ones, go kaput on me.  Make sure you take out the warranty on it.
Your mileage (I hope) may vary  :icon_thumright:

Otherwise.  A great looking set of kit.  You'll get right up and running with that stuff.

Enjoy!

 

[kboman]

IIRC it's the new Seagate 7200.11 series that's had a lot of issues, often breaking down permanently and taking all data with them in the fall :-\

 

[Volitions Advocate]

Well i've got error reporting through the mobo with faulty drives.

I've dealt exclusively with Western Digital and Seagate harddrives in the past and I've never had a problem with either one.  I actually went with the Seagate Barracuda because MaximumPC rated it as their best consumer level (as in not enthusiast) hard drive.  And I find that they're right over 90% of the time.  if not... the bios will tell me if errors begin and I can back up the data long before the drive gets to the point where it fails.  and if it does.. I'll get it replaced.

It was also on sale. $120CAD for 1.5TB,  I've got 2 500GB WD's in the machine right now.

My plan is to install windows 7 on one of them, and I'll try my hand a Ubuntu on the 2nd and use the seagate for data.  I have a 1TB USB drive as well that's too slow to work from, but is great for storage. So i periodically back everything important up on that.

 

[Volitions Advocate]

more about the seagate HD's

http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/1050374/seagate-barracudas-7200-11-failing

apparently its mostly just hitting the 1TB drives.  This is a 1.5 TB so hopefully I might dodge the bullet.  They're also saying they've got firmware upgrades to fix the problem before it happens. So I guess I'll do that.

And maximum PC named their 7200.12 drives in their best of the best list. not the 7200.11  so I picked wrong I guess.  But with a firmware update, I suppose I have no problem.

 

[Volitions Advocate]

2 more pieces arrived today:

and the all important power conditioner:

nothing fancy, but it beats a department store power strip. which is what I've got now.

 

[JaySwear]

I take my computers light and white with fruit on the covers. I've never once had reason to look inside them.

me too. and honestly garageband still confuses me. this is entirely too much technology for me!

 

[OzziePete]

That is some very nice gear you have bought VA.  :icon_thumright:

 

[Volitions Advocate]

The case came yesterday. I spent about 4 hours putting the new computer together.
this thing is heavy.... good thing the shockmount I've got coming has big thick castors on it.

I realize these ones are more computer related than gear related. but its an important part of my rig.  I can't wait for that damn shock mount.  that last picture is crazy... cables everywhere.  Once i can mount all my hardware this will be cleaned up quite a bit.

Don't worry I moved that monitor so that its not in such a scary position....

 

[kboman]

I've got that lunch box too :icon_biggrin:

 

[Volitions Advocate]

haha, you talking about the Chenbro? or Fallout 3?

 

[kboman]

Fallout 3! My eyes went straight to the games... :glasses10: