I think the biggest one on your list is the treatment. Treatment from the big box stores is extremely expensive. Save yourself a lot of money and build them yourself.
Great video. I agree on the plugins, cheap cables, monitors and mics. I just use my SM57 to record my guitars and SM7B for vocals. And Yamaha HS7 monitors. Been using them forever.
For me, coming from the guitar and electronics home studio side, I think I would avoid wasting money on the following: tube upgrades, makes minimal difference. Too many overdrives: once you've found two or three you like, can sell the rest. Stock pickup upgrades, too often the new ones will be a little different, not necessarily better. Most stock speaker upgrades, often the amp manufacturers chooses one that pairs well. 4x12 cabs - too hot to handle unless you can isolate them really well - similar goes for 100w+ tube guitar/bass amps like Plexis, JCM800s, SVTs. Hardware all-digital syntheseziers, just use plugins, or even free ones - they are often better. Mixing consoles - most but not all home studios would do better to get an audio interface with many inputs, and go straight in, and spend the money on a few great rack or 500-series preamps, EQs and compressors. Loud/big tube bass amps and 8x10 cabs - there's a reason most studios won't have much other than a B-15 and a great D.I for bass.
Great video. My biggest regret is diving into the waves plugins, not realising that you have to pay for them again and again to keep them working. Biggest scam on the internet.
Really get to know your existing gear before buying new gear. It could be that getting creative with your existing gear might be just what you needed. I still have my Johnson J Station as I just can't bring myself to part ways with it. Last year I picked up an IR loader pedal and hooked the J Station's output to the IR pedal's input. Surprisingly, I am getting some pretty good sounds out of it. It won't be my main way to record guitars but it adds a little variety when necessary.
Spend on a Class A monitor system. Central station is great or a Big knob because it is cheaper. Your monitor section is the studio. Grace, Cranesong, Drawmer even. The potentiometer is important and you get better design as well as tested response. Danger as well.
Gold as usual. I‘ve learned a lot on this channel and it was a good guide to buy new stuff. Btw, does it have to be i.e. Mogami Cables or is Cordial or Sommer good enough?
unfortunately the closest place with high end speakers set up to listen to is vintage king in nashville. I called a few places in texas and there weren't really any stores dealing in the stuff. I just spent a ton of time researching and talking to my reps from Sweetwater and Vintage King. Asked all the questions I could, but really just did a ton of research. Listened to what others had to say about them and stuff. I knew I wanted a three way design and I knew I wanted a closed box, non ported design. Was able to find some killer deals on a left and right pair by shopping b-stock. I'm happy to answer any questions you have about them! @@cainogang2353
one thing I heard many people say was that they were sort of "unremarkable sounding." That was exactly the type of honest representation I was looking for in a pair of studio monitors. Physically capable but "boring" sounding. ironically, they're not boring at all! I LOVE listening to music on them. @@cainogang2353
Good advice. Let me add on "Don't Waste Money On This Recording Gear" : any DIY gear, "clones" as they are not, any gear advertised as "used by x artist or engineer" as you surely will not sound as "x artist or engineer".
What’s wrong with a ‘clone’? Tons of 1176 and distressor DIY kits out there that are all the same. Tons of good clones of iconic guitar pedals and amps. I think paying the price for original hardware is not worth it if you only care about the sound.
I find trying to isolate a few plugins for mixing difficult. 2 comps, 1 strip, 1-2 eq and a limiter. The rest I'm not concerned with. I'm considering saving and buying trusted hardware to just be done with it. Maybe getting some 500 series clones. The bombardment of hyperbolic advertising and influencers makes digital mixing confusing. I also couldn't be stuffed dealing with aliasing, oversampling... it bores me. I find it's wasted time from actually enjoying the process of learning. Which is hard enough.
Thanks Kyle you have good information and insight there and you have a relaxed and non-judgemental way of presenting it. Even the music is relaxing. Off topic a little: Is there a name for that kind of beat that seems to drag behind the pocket but never loses it? Thanks for the video. Tod in Vegas :)
I think the biggest one on your list is the treatment. Treatment from the big box stores is extremely expensive. Save yourself a lot of money and build them yourself.
Absolutely! Lots of DIY ways to acoustically treat your room.
Well said. It's so much better that way!
Great video. I agree on the plugins, cheap cables, monitors and mics. I just use my SM57 to record my guitars and SM7B for vocals. And Yamaha HS7 monitors. Been using them forever.
Kyle, love your work! What camera are you using and what lighting devices? Your content looks amazing!
Great advice! I already own the one knob pumper and used it on a remix in 2014 that’s about it.
Very thoughtful. With room treatments, especially with windows, just some good blackout curtains and rearranging the furniture can do the trick.
Totally agree!
Now, this is a video everyone who's serious about getting into recording should watch. It's excellently put together. :D
Man, I couldn’t agree with all of this more! Fantastic advice!
many thanks, that's some solid advice !
Thanks man, solid video and production
thanks for taking the time to watch!
For me, coming from the guitar and electronics home studio side, I think I would avoid wasting money on the following: tube upgrades, makes minimal difference. Too many overdrives: once you've found two or three you like, can sell the rest. Stock pickup upgrades, too often the new ones will be a little different, not necessarily better. Most stock speaker upgrades, often the amp manufacturers chooses one that pairs well. 4x12 cabs - too hot to handle unless you can isolate them really well - similar goes for 100w+ tube guitar/bass amps like Plexis, JCM800s, SVTs. Hardware all-digital syntheseziers, just use plugins, or even free ones - they are often better. Mixing consoles - most but not all home studios would do better to get an audio interface with many inputs, and go straight in, and spend the money on a few great rack or 500-series preamps, EQs and compressors. Loud/big tube bass amps and 8x10 cabs - there's a reason most studios won't have much other than a B-15 and a great D.I for bass.
Hey Kyle. So true, Man.
straight to the point regarding simple approaches in a home studio, new sub here!!
Great video. My biggest regret is diving into the waves plugins, not realising that you have to pay for them again and again to keep them working. Biggest scam on the internet.
Really get to know your existing gear before buying new gear. It could be that getting creative with your existing gear might be just what you needed.
I still have my Johnson J Station as I just can't bring myself to part ways with it. Last year I picked up an IR loader pedal and hooked the J Station's output to the IR pedal's input. Surprisingly, I am getting some pretty good sounds out of it. It won't be my main way to record guitars but it adds a little variety when necessary.
great advice!
Cheap cables...Amen to that Kyle!
Spend on a Class A monitor system. Central station is great or a Big knob because it is cheaper. Your monitor section is the studio. Grace, Cranesong, Drawmer even.
The potentiometer is important and you get better design as well as tested response.
Danger as well.
Precious and valuable advice 🙏
Gold as usual. I‘ve learned a lot on this channel and it was a good guide to buy new stuff. Btw, does it have to be i.e. Mogami Cables or is Cordial or Sommer good enough?
Really like the Canare Star Quad cables. Cordial and Sommer use the same Neutrik connectors which is a great start.
I have the Neumann kh310’s as well 😊 love em. One of the best purchases I’ve ever made
What other monitors did you listen to? Why did you end up with the 310s?
unfortunately the closest place with high end speakers set up to listen to is vintage king in nashville. I called a few places in texas and there weren't really any stores dealing in the stuff.
I just spent a ton of time researching and talking to my reps from Sweetwater and Vintage King. Asked all the questions I could, but really just did a ton of research. Listened to what others had to say about them and stuff.
I knew I wanted a three way design and I knew I wanted a closed box, non ported design. Was able to find some killer deals on a left and right pair by shopping b-stock. I'm happy to answer any questions you have about them! @@cainogang2353
one thing I heard many people say was that they were sort of "unremarkable sounding." That was exactly the type of honest representation I was looking for in a pair of studio monitors. Physically capable but "boring" sounding. ironically, they're not boring at all! I LOVE listening to music on them. @@cainogang2353
Good advice. Let me add on "Don't Waste Money On This Recording Gear" : any DIY gear, "clones" as they are not, any gear advertised as "used by x artist or engineer" as you surely will not sound as "x artist or engineer".
What’s wrong with a ‘clone’? Tons of 1176 and distressor DIY kits out there that are all the same. Tons of good clones of iconic guitar pedals and amps. I think paying the price for original hardware is not worth it if you only care about the sound.
Really enjoying your content on your channel. Subscribed!
thanks so much!
Great video mate!
I find trying to isolate a few plugins for mixing difficult. 2 comps, 1 strip, 1-2 eq and a limiter. The rest I'm not concerned with. I'm considering saving and buying trusted hardware to just be done with it. Maybe getting some 500 series clones.
The bombardment of hyperbolic advertising and influencers makes digital mixing confusing. I also couldn't be stuffed dealing with aliasing, oversampling... it bores me.
I find it's wasted time from actually enjoying the process of learning. Which is hard enough.
"Stop buying useless plugins". Ooopps! Too late.
they're only useless if you don't get anything out of them! No shame or shade!
Make your own cables or get them made for you at redco for still less than 50%.. and I mean Canare, Mogami.. etc with Neutrick ends..
Excellent recommendation. I have many redco (mogami) cables.
Thanks Kyle you have good information and insight there and you have a relaxed and non-judgemental way of presenting it. Even the music is relaxing. Off topic a little: Is there a name for that kind of beat that seems to drag behind the pocket but never loses it? Thanks for the video. Tod in Vegas :)
Build your own cables
Not with my soldering skills 😊
A very important thing to invest in is a great pre-amp, it will probably last more than a lifetime 😊
Maybe you could save some of that plugin money and apply it to some shaving cream and razors. Good video! Thanks for the intel.
Never gonna get that time back.
4:29?? So sorry for your loss!