Dave, you don't have to twist my arm!
As far as the software, comfort goes a long way. Right now, I'm sort of displeased with Audition 2.0. There are no major problems, just a bunch of little ones that add up to something that is less-than-perfect. I have no doubt, though, that the next release will bring the program to the level that it should be. I've been very happy with Audition 1.5 and I think 2.0 has some outstanding professional features that 1.5 was lacking. But 2.0 forgot about some of the simple, basic functions that made 1.5 (and previous versions) so good.
If you're used to Pro Tools and like it, look into the Mbox, which comes with PTLE. The combination will run you about $400 (I think), and then you won't have to buy a soundcard. It's no secret that
I don't care for Pro Tools. But the PTLE/Mbox bundle is a good all-in-one solution for someone who likes the GUI and its operations.
Sony Vegas is another popular option. Again, I've never liked it much. But I know several people who swear by it and wouldn't use anything else.
The software choice is a very personal one. There are many options on the market; and for every option, you can find a handful of REALLY talented people that swear
their software choice is the best. Try as many demos as you can and choose which one makes
you feel comfortable. There's nothing worse than trying to work with software that doesn't function the way you think it should.
Hardware is much the same. In general, you "get what you pay for" much more with hardware than software, however. If you're purchasing a mic that only YOU will be using, you can usually get by spending less and get great results. If a variety of people and voices will use the mic, you're better off to spend the extra money and get a proven performer. At home, I use the Audio-Technica AT4040, which goes for about $300. At work, I use a Neumann TLM103, which sells for closer to $1000. For my voice, I prefer the Audio-Technica...It has a frequency response that matches my voice exceptionally well. But at work, the Neumann is a much better choice because it sounds good on everyone, not just me.
Most of the time, a large diaphragm condenser will sound better than a dynamic. The exception comes if you'll be working in a noisy environment, since dynamics are much less sensitive to background noise.
I generally encourage people to steer clear of the "budget brands". Go for something with a solid name, like Shure, AKG, Neumann, Sennheiser, Audio-Technica, R0DE, etc. I'm not saying that you can't get acceptable results from brands like MXL, Behringer, Studio Projects, SE Electronics, Nady, etc.; you certainly CAN. But it can be a crapshoot. With hardware, when you pay for a quality name, you can be pretty sure that you're getting a quality product. But again, my opinion. I've heard MXL mics that sound great and AKGs that sound horrible. The best thing you can do is try some out at a local retailer.
As far as preamps, the pre can make as much difference to the quality as the mic itself. Get a good one. There are many to choose from.
For processors, any processor is only as good as the settings you give it. DiamondDave63 mentioned the dbx 286A, which is a fine product. It's also very easy to get a good sound, especially for less "technically oriented" people. I would rather have a processor with more options to work with so I can really dial-in the sound I want. But if you don't know what you're looking at, you'd be better off with something simple, like the 286A or Symetrix 528E, which is probably the most popular mic processor in radio. All the processing options in the world are useless if they're not set properly.
If you opt for the soundcard option, there are plenty of choices out there. Three great choices at the bottom of the price scale are the E-mu 0404, M-Audio Audiophile 2496 and the Echo MiaMIDI.
And don't forget about good monitors. Also very personal. My monitor of choice is the Tannoy Reveal 6. A guy I work with despises the Tannoys, but loves the old Yamaha NSM10, which I hate. Listen and pick your favorite.
Finally, don't forget about some sort of room treatment. You don't have to spend much to make a big improvement.
Emmett
