What REALLY Matters in the Home Studio?

[@devon-graves-studio-D]

I forgot to get back to an important point that the U67/Neve/1176 sounds amazing on SINGING, but it was too noisy for VO. For Voice Over work, the SM7b straight into the Audient iD44 works better! That is the chain you hear on this video with zero post processing. I will clarify that point on the video about mic preamps. So, till then!

[@pursgo]

zero processing?

[@devon-graves-studio-D]

@@pursgo nothing.

[@MrDees_music]

New subscriber here This should be transcribed and added to every gear description in ever store Thank you

[@akumusik3582]

Great info! Gratitude & Appreciation💯

[@devon-graves-studio-D]

Thanks!

[@atcordice]

you are so right on this video.. great job bro

[@dapete6500]

Hey Devon! Just wanted to let you know that Mosquito is one of my all time favourite records (right next to A social grace)! I'm a long time fan of your work and this channel is also really great with lots of useful information. The stuff you mentioned in this video about acoustics and monitoring is way overlooked nowdays. Thanks for your great work and keep it up!

[@devon-graves-studio-D]

Thank you for the kind words my friend! Thanks for the encouragement on the channel as well!

[@compucorder64]

For corner traps you can buy a bail of 703 for each corner. And don't unwrap it, just sew it up in a heavy affordable cloth, like jute. Then place one in each corners. Later, you can frame it diagonally across the corner, from floor to ceiling, with an airgap. A cloud does make a huge difference. I do think room correction is worth it for mixing, in most non-perfect home studios. Sonarworks and ARC aren't too expensive. With Audient, I use the matching Audient ASP800 8-channel mic pre with ADAT for tracking drums into the audio interface. It's really pretty damn good. And the first two channels have two extra voicing controls that are useful for kick and snare, or for the stereo overheads. They're useful shaping options for vocals or electric guitars too.

[@devon-graves-studio-D]

I had been seriously considering the ASP800. I like the idea of those first two channels. But the lack of inserts keeps me coming back to the 880. But both would play nicely. I'll do it if I ever need more I-o for my MacBook which I only use so far for content. Leaving the 703 wrapped sounds reasonable but not that attractive. I couldn't imagine a bit of cloth being too cost prohibitive. I would thing the porousness would help as well. Thanks for your comment!

[@compucorder64]

@@devon-graves-studio-D Definitely panels look better framed out. But, if the bail is sewed up neatly in a big jute rectangle. It just looks like a honking big bass trap. The issue is more that you don't want to stack them floor to ceiling like that, as they are big, heavy and unstable. Could easily topple and take out a mic, monitor or singer :) Another good mic pre option is the newer SSL Quad Pure drive. Four channels goes a long way, so 1k isn't a terrible price for SSL. Has inserts and more i/o options, with three voicing modes (Pure, Drive, Asym Drive).Similar price ballpark to the Audient 880, though that's 8 channels. But, if you aren't tracking drums, and for the singer, songwriter guitarist can be a good alternative.

[@markwilson1446]

Dropping knowledge. Most important thing in any studio is wall treatment!!!! Period. Don't say you were never TOLD.

[@thematsc]

Its uplifting to find someone that talks about the importance of really good monitoring,

[@nungu60a]

Someone finally confirming my low-key convictions. I have appollo x8p- yet to finalize any mix through it. Recently tracked & finalized a mix on the Wing(+S32) and sounds like I have really arrived. First time meeting/ hearing of you but love the truth you're spitting. They're timely for me beginning my studio journey in a small room w short ceiling. Following you 4 sho

[@athonygraham8353]

A truly excellent video, thank you for taking the time to share this.

[@dylanjastle]

I enjoy kicking back and listening to your content. You’ve been in the game a long time. I have lots to learn. I look forward to your future uploads. Thanks!

[@devon-graves-studio-D]

Thanks friend!

[@zoltid1605]

That mackie is prety cool.

[@devon-graves-studio-D]

I'm considering comparing a mix in the box vs on the Mackie. I heard Glen Frickers Reaper vs Neve and the difference was tiny, but pleasing. I'm wondering if the difference would be similar.

[@zoltid1605]

@@devon-graves-studio-D That would be an interesting video, I would watch that.

[@creativeartsmediallc]

Spot on, Devon! I've sorta put my rig together backwards. I've always had emphasis on good gear while having some treatment in my home recording studio, but it wasn't until this year that I really broke down and invested some good, thick bass traps and other acoustic panels, and just a few months back I upgraded my monitors from the "baby" Focals to PMC. (Almost got bigger Focals but PMC won out). Now my "expensive" every thing else-converters, preamps, summing/monitor control, etc. sound much clearer and accurate. Just plain better.

[@devon-graves-studio-D]

Awesome! Yeah, it's like hearing all that good gear for the first time isn't it?

[@Chaos-Dynamics]

Great video, get it right at the source. I totally agree. Also the best investment in my studio has been acoustic treatment and good monitoring 👌🏼

[@devon-graves-studio-D]

Thank you, and good on you man! Thanks for the comment!

[@Scott-u2q]

Man I really dug this video! I actually had to turn off the audio and turn on the CC though because the mouth noise and breaths while you were talking were so distracting. It's almost too clear and in your face!

[@petervantriet2304]

Hey Devon! Great message, very well put. In an interview a little while ago we came to the same conclusion regarding reliable reference in the studio.

[@devon-graves-studio-D]

Good to hear from you Peter! How are you?

[@petervantriet2304]

@@devon-graves-studio-D Doing fine. Little bit quiet in the studio atm but that's ok for vacation time. Been working on some great projects that will come out later this year. Great to see/hear you share your thoughts so elaborately on subjects we share. Somehow I only just came across this channel so I've subscribed now ;-) Besides the monitoring subject I also realised how valuable your advise is on learning certain equipment through getting to know their plugin emulations first. That's exactly how I got from a Pultec plugin to buying my MiniMassive eq f.i., because of it's Pultec related philosophy. Anyway, Good to see you too amigo.

[@GeorgeAmodei21]

"Thriller" Thank you for your VIDEO :) always love to LEARN MORE :) George

[@devon-graves-studio-D]

Right! Thanks! :)

[@alessandrogargivolo]

Hi Devon do you remember which Yamaha console model you used on the Social Grace album? Thanks in advance! Very interesting video, I am also of the thought that a poor instrumentation can lead to greater success, if you add enthusiasm and youthful attitude.

[@devon-graves-studio-D]

I don't remember at all except tat it was a large format 24 channel studio console rather than a live console.

[@cdauterive1]

Speaking of equipment for a pro home studio what equipment would you need for a professional mixing and mastering.

[@devon-graves-studio-D]

Same thing. A well treated room. For mastering you really should have the best speakers possible, along with excellent ears. But more than that, you would need perspective to know what a mastering engineer is listening for. I would not master before hearing how a good mastering engineer would treat your mixes. I might even say the same about mixing. Mix a song yourself, then send it to a good mixer who you trust. Hear who's you like better and why. It could be very eye-opening. Same for Mastering, at least at first. As far as other equipment, you could do it all in the box if you had to. Experience and deliberate actions are the winning hand.

[@Aaezil]

The source you are recording being awesome is the most important thing. I guess the monitors you use to hear the awesomeness back is a far far behind second.

[@devon-graves-studio-D]

True, in a way... But having the right monitoring will give you the best judgement on how awesome your recording is. Having the room properly treated will serve both the recording and the monitoring.

[@TheSpeedyr6]

Can these three way focal can work in small ass room

[@devon-graves-studio-D]

probably not. Maybe the 6" version works better in that situation. But even then, maybe it's too much. My room may be just big enough. Those Mackies I talked about might be perfect. The question will be at the bottom end. A small room can't convey that accurately so you need to check it in a car. That's all. These great monitors only make reference easier in a single listen. And that is the point of this whole video. It's all possible. No matter what you have, but you just need take more time with less. But you will get there of you know where you want to go.

[@GeorgeAmodei21]

Yup!

[@TheSpeedyr6]

@@GeorgeAmodei21how

[@mrmozez1500]

Eric Clayton or Clapton? Links would be helpful actually.

[@devon-graves-studio-D]

Clayton, kzbin.info/www/bejne/aHPTYpybrLCNoac

[@dodgingrain3695]

Ah.... no. Ease of use is probably just as important as the others. If the studio is a pain to use nothing will get recorded.

[@roderickmims4802]

Is there any way you can give me advice on my room?

[@devon-graves-studio-D]

Hey Roderick, why don't you write me at [e-mail] and let's see what I can do. I would normally have to charge for a consultation, but let's see what we're dealing with.

[@roderickmims4802]

@@devon-graves-studio-D I will message you as soon I get off work

[@thanos4480]

if the gear doesn't matter? Why u have a bunch of gear behind u?

[@devon-graves-studio-D]

Because it makes it easier and faster. It IS better, butI have yet to make a more successful record because of it though.

[@thanos4480]

@@devon-graves-studio-D Hmmm. Interesting. But why absolutely every professional studio in the world have a bunch of gear? if it doesn't matter? There is no reason to spend thousands of dollars on gear if it's sound the same as plugins. But they do.

[@devon-graves-studio-D]

@@thanos4480 I wouldn't sa there is no reason. Good gear is awesome, and studios also are better off investing in growth to remain competitive, plus all that investment then doesn't get taxed the way profit does. Good gear sounds better, but cheap gear is good enough to get the job done. The musical ideas and performance matter far more. Those monitors you see were very expensive and they matter. But again, people have done better with less.

[@nungu60a]

I don't think you got the context. The expensive gear is not required to be great or cause noticeable differences. Just adds to once perception and maybe reduce too much stress.

[@thanos4480]

@@nungu60a I am not talking about EXPENSIVE gear. I am talking about gear in general. It shouldn't be most expensive. But u have to use analog gear to get good results. Otherwise with only plugins it's impossible.