How to save a few bucks and still sound great
It wasn’t always like this..
I wasn’t always loaded with gear. That’s a very recent deal. In my 20’s, I was homeless. I was nearly there again in my early 40’s. In my late 40’s, the gods have seen fit to grant me with earthly pleasures, but it is still new. I still eat cheap. I still don’t go out much. And I still freak out at the cost of most gear.
I don’t mind being this way. I often work with folks in various places on various pay scales. I like staying within their range too, if I come across sound they like. I ultimately want them to be able to do it. If I keep it on the cheap, the likelihood they’ll be able to make the sound they want is greater.
About DAW’s
I have been around the world in DAW’s. I started back in 2002 with Cool Edit Pro 2.0. I am trying to get away from computers, personally. However, I find I don’t have everything I want from them squared away in the analog realm. So my Tascam Model 24 is hooked up to the Reaper DAW. Most recently, I used Logic Pro forever. I can no longer get along with it. Kudos to those who can. Since they updated to version 12, I have had nothing but issues. I get grumpy while mixing, well, grumpier. I do not enjoy Logic Pro anymore. So, I tried Reaper. Reaper is the first money-saving tip. You can try it out as long as you like, honor-system. Then buy it for 60 dollars. What you get free and clear for 60 bucks here is a very good deal these days. No subscription. A full DAW loaded with great features. Until they change it too, Reaper is the best deal out there I have found. Even other free DAW’s aren’t free like Reaper is. Try it free, long as you want, pay 60 bucks when you’re hooked. Never pay another thing. Unheard of.
Mics, done.
As far as gear itself, if you are like me, you like the word, “clone.” I got SM57 clones I was telling a friend about this morning. I got a few. They are called the GLS-ES57 and they have a sound in my tiny mixing room here I prefer over the real deal. They are 25 dollars on Amazon. Even on tiny budgets, they are doable. But even if I was loaded, I’d still have a basket full for tracking. They are very handy, sound great, and easy to use. I made a song with Keri about them. All tracks are made with the GLS-ES57. I didn’t do a lot of processing because I hate it. But it also lets you hear a more raw signal than most songs. The signal is great, even on the pots and pans! I said to hell with drum mics, bought a bunch of these. Sounds fabulous.
MIDI
100 bucks can get you an ultimate Midi controller. I have the MPK Mini MK3. I am not much of a keys player. But I have to have something to trigger sounds I find that I like. I play a lot of finger drums on this thing, The pads are glorious for it. The pressure sensitivity is adjustable so you can get it where it sounds just right and natural with fluctuations in volume that give it the right touch. Many DAWs come with loads of sounds you don’t even have to search for. This triggers them and it is easy. I have used it in three DAWs. Easy.
The old stuff
I know it is a cliché, but keep older gear in mind. I have gear that dates back to the 70’s. Some of that stuff sounds better than some of the stuff made today. I have an acoustic guitar made by Pearl Drums from the early 70’s in Japan. It is worth more than a million dollars to me. 70’s acoustics from Japan often have treasures still in them waiting to be discovered. They usually don’t cost very much, usually way less than my Pearl. They have character already. I have had more than a couple. Old Alvarez, Suzuki, Yamaki, Takamine, etc. You find one of them for a good deal, try it! It might be just that, a good deal!
Old basses? I got a Peavey from the 1990’s. I think it is only 500-600 dollars on Reverb sometimes. Folks, this is a professional bass. The bridge is insane with sustain. The electronics maximize on the build potential, taking the sound to the next level. It is a pure monster of a bass. I have basses in various price ranges with different characters. I’ve only had this one a short while. It is the first one I am grabbing for most things. Marvelous low end here, and it goes on forever until you stop it or play another note.
I have an old Casio Keyboard. I keep it hooked up and ready to go. These are Goodwill items. Many times, I have seen keyboards like this for 20 dollars. It has a metronome, which I find handy. It has great sounding drums for certain types of music. The low keys have tremendous “thud.” Plus, having it so handy while writing is a cool tool, I have found. Sometimes I go there to find something, or to create whole new problems. Very cheap. Very worth it.
Don’t sleep on digital recorders
I think a digital recorder is a great way to record on the cheap. I have a Zoom R16 I have had for years. A friend let me pay it out, about 3 hundred if I remember right. If you do not want to do computers, or you want to record on batteries, or remotely (which I’ll still use it for), I don’t see how you go wrong here. It is not a computer. It records to memory card more like a camera. It is keeping a record, which is really what making a record is. I had a lot of fun on this thing. I still like having it. No DAW, no online, but 8 inputs, easy to use, and it sounds fabulous.
Being poor is not in your head. But being rushed is.
About being poor and time. When I was hurting for money, skipping meals to save a buck, I didn’t feel as though I had any time. I don’t know why that is, but it isn’t true. It is a mindset that works against the poor. It takes time to get nice things if the system is working. Many occasions, I sold things at a loss because I couldn’t spare the time to sell them properly. They say it takes money to make money. When it comes to appraisals, complicated deals, selling art, inheritances sometimes, even, “they” are on point. Don’t let “them” rush you. They know they can get a better deal if you feel you are in a hurry.
Some instruments are worth a lot of time.
The same applies to nice instruments. I have one I paid a lot (for me) for. It wasn’t easy. It took a lot of time. It was a good value as I plan to never get rid of it. If I didn’t feel I had time, I could have never gotten it. Being poor doesn’t only mean being robbed of things in your home. Poor keeps you from getting things inside your home to begin with. It is a mindset. It hinges on time. Give yourself time to think. You are worth it. If it takes time, get that son-of-a-bitch. Coming from a former homeless mental patient now with an Oregon Breedlove made from ancient Spruce that I play every single day.
Unfortunately, I haven’t found easy tricks. But I have found some tricks. I don’t think I enjoy it if it’s “too” easy. lol.
I hope you are able to save money wherever possible and still get to enjoy music. I hate that this stuff costs so much. But between Reaper, 25 dollar mics, quality affordable instruments, and good decisions, I am rooting for you. If you need help, I am here. Jus’ holler. Email: thekintnersmusic@gmail.com
Kelly Kintner