Forums Music Sound Equipment Buying recording equipment for a hospital project…

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  • #1043431
    SD
    Participant
      Allo guys..
      My doctor has helped me get a load of recording equipment (in exchange for me leading a project to set up a music room for the psychiatric ward in my local hospital)

      Does anyone have any suggestions for equipment?

      We have a budget of around £5000 (this had to include the cost of soundproofing the room too)

      So far Ive suggested:

      A set of vinyl decks with mixer
      A set of CD decks with mixer
      An amplifier
      Studio monitors
      Studio headphones

      Then: 2 acoustic guitars
      An electri guitar with amp (poss FX pedals too)
      A keyboard
      Possibly a drum kit
      Lots of percussion instruments – bongos,tambourines etc

      Ive also suggested some recording equipment:
      A digital four track

      What do u guys think?

      Seperate from that shes buying me £300s worth of stuff in payment! Cool eh

      this is what ive ordered:

      http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/basket.php

      Hope that works, its my shopping basket form Gak

      :group_hug

      #1152484
      Raj
      Participant

        Cant check your basket SD

        Will give this some thought and get back to you 😉

        #1208217
        Raj
        Participant

          Cant check your basket SD

          Will give this some thought and get back to you 😉

          #1152483
          General Lighting
          Moderator

            budget for security measures as well.

            I don’t mean to be “non-PC” (particularly as relatives of mine work for NHS mental health trusts not too far away from you) but from what I have been told by them and others in the social workers in todays psych ward there are “patients” in there who have symptoms that make them lack empathy for others as well as substance abuse/addiction issues – to them that kit will be a lot of cash what can be converted easily into drugs (I’m sure the local UK grime crews would want cheap decks/mixer)

            youth clubs have this problem as well – clearly you don’t want to overly limi access or make it a prison but you need both “hard” security (i.e inventory/access control) and “soft” security (the professionals creating a climate where the patients to not want to derail the positive project by nicking stuff)

            maybe network with people like teachers and janitors at nearby high schools and colleges who would have the same problem (and maybe be able to help with other matters!)

            #1208215
            General Lighting
            Moderator

              budget for security measures as well.

              I don’t mean to be “non-PC” (particularly as relatives of mine work for NHS mental health trusts not too far away from you) but from what I have been told by them and others in the social workers in todays psych ward there are “patients” in there who have symptoms that make them lack empathy for others as well as substance abuse/addiction issues – to them that kit will be a lot of cash what can be converted easily into drugs (I’m sure the local UK grime crews would want cheap decks/mixer)

              youth clubs have this problem as well – clearly you don’t want to overly limi access or make it a prison but you need both “hard” security (i.e inventory/access control) and “soft” security (the professionals creating a climate where the patients to not want to derail the positive project by nicking stuff)

              maybe network with people like teachers and janitors at nearby high schools and colleges who would have the same problem (and maybe be able to help with other matters!)

              #1152487
              SD
              Participant

                Yeah shes awre of all that, she is the head psychiatrist at the DDU, shes used to junkies lol

                All the equipment would be in a locked up room and only be open for staffed sessions/lessons.

                Ive told her it will all need to be in flight cases and be secured to the furniture somehow…

                #1208224
                SD
                Participant

                  Yeah shes awre of all that, she is the head psychiatrist at the DDU, shes used to junkies lol

                  All the equipment would be in a locked up room and only be open for staffed sessions/lessons.

                  Ive told her it will all need to be in flight cases and be secured to the furniture somehow…

                  #1152485
                  Raj
                  Participant

                    I think a small mixing desk would be a useful addition to this list as you have only listed one amp apart from the guitar amp so I assume it would all be sharing the same amp. If you have a mixing desk you have a wider choice of recording equipment [not tied to a digital 4 track] It will save you plugging and unplugging things endlessly.

                    I like a soundcraft M8 personally as its very good as well as having 8 mono and 4 stereo channels on it. Its fairly simple to use and will allow you to blend all the inputs into one output for recording purposes. Without a desk recording will be a pain in the nuts IMO as you have more than 4 potential inputs you may want to use.

                    If you get the right dj mixer you may not need to get two separate ones as the cdjs and the decks could all use the same mixer [need something with 2 phono and 2 cd channels [or switches which allow you to swap input signals]] – this could be a useful saving. Remember that djs will need headphones too 😉

                    Remember to budget for cables to connect all this stuff together too. Plus some spares 😉 as there is nothing worse than not having a spare cable when you need one [the option is to be good with a soldering iron]

                    You havent listed microphones either – are you planning to have some? You will need voice . I like the sm-58 or sennheiser E series for general work – they are very versatile. You can get condenser mics for overhead pickups but you can use the sm-58/e series at a pinch. You will need mike stands with shock mounts to go with your mics too. When you are micing up the mixing desk will be a god send to you.

                    Regarding soundproofing describe the room to us and we can recommend soundproofing to you if you want some ideas 😉

                    My flow of ideas has dried up just now – will get back to this later.

                    #1208220
                    Raj
                    Participant

                      I think a small mixing desk would be a useful addition to this list as you have only listed one amp apart from the guitar amp so I assume it would all be sharing the same amp. If you have a mixing desk you have a wider choice of recording equipment [not tied to a digital 4 track] It will save you plugging and unplugging things endlessly.

                      I like a soundcraft M8 personally as its very good as well as having 8 mono and 4 stereo channels on it. Its fairly simple to use and will allow you to blend all the inputs into one output for recording purposes. Without a desk recording will be a pain in the nuts IMO as you have more than 4 potential inputs you may want to use.

                      If you get the right dj mixer you may not need to get two separate ones as the cdjs and the decks could all use the same mixer [need something with 2 phono and 2 cd channels [or switches which allow you to swap input signals]] – this could be a useful saving. Remember that djs will need headphones too 😉

                      Remember to budget for cables to connect all this stuff together too. Plus some spares 😉 as there is nothing worse than not having a spare cable when you need one [the option is to be good with a soldering iron]

                      You havent listed microphones either – are you planning to have some? You will need voice . I like the sm-58 or sennheiser E series for general work – they are very versatile. You can get condenser mics for overhead pickups but you can use the sm-58/e series at a pinch. You will need mike stands with shock mounts to go with your mics too. When you are micing up the mixing desk will be a god send to you.

                      Regarding soundproofing describe the room to us and we can recommend soundproofing to you if you want some ideas 😉

                      My flow of ideas has dried up just now – will get back to this later.

                      #1152488
                      SD
                      Participant
                        Raj wrote:
                        I think a small mixing desk would be a useful addition to this list as you have only listed one amp apart from the guitar amp so I assume it would all be sharing the same amp. If you have a mixing desk you have a wider choice of recording equipment [not tied to a digital 4 track] It will save you plugging and unplugging things endlessly.

                        I like a soundcraft M8 personally as its very good as well as having 8 mono and 4 stereo channels on it. Its fairly simple to use and will allow you to blend all the inputs into one output for recording purposes. Without a desk recording will be a pain in the nuts IMO as you have more than 4 potential inputs you may want to use.

                        If you get the right dj mixer you may not need to get two separate ones as the cdjs and the decks could all use the same mixer [need something with 2 phono and 2 cd channels [or switches which allow you to swap input signals]] – this could be a useful saving. Remember that djs will need headphones too 😉

                        Remember to budget for cables to connect all this stuff together too. Plus some spares 😉 as there is nothing worse than not having a spare cable when you need one [the option is to be good with a soldering iron]

                        You havent listed microphones either – are you planning to have some? You will need voice . I like the sm-58 or sennheiser E series for general work – they are very versatile. You can get condenser mics for overhead pickups but you can use the sm-58/e series at a pinch. You will need mike stands with shock mounts to go with your mics too. When you are micing up the mixing desk will be a god send to you.

                        Regarding soundproofing describe the room to us and we can recommend soundproofing to you if you want some ideas 😉

                        My flow of ideas has dried up just now – will get back to this later.

                        Thanks a lot Raj, will get back to this properly when I can….

                        #1208226
                        SD
                        Participant
                          Raj wrote:
                          I think a small mixing desk would be a useful addition to this list as you have only listed one amp apart from the guitar amp so I assume it would all be sharing the same amp. If you have a mixing desk you have a wider choice of recording equipment [not tied to a digital 4 track] It will save you plugging and unplugging things endlessly.

                          I like a soundcraft M8 personally as its very good as well as having 8 mono and 4 stereo channels on it. Its fairly simple to use and will allow you to blend all the inputs into one output for recording purposes. Without a desk recording will be a pain in the nuts IMO as you have more than 4 potential inputs you may want to use.

                          If you get the right dj mixer you may not need to get two separate ones as the cdjs and the decks could all use the same mixer [need something with 2 phono and 2 cd channels [or switches which allow you to swap input signals]] – this could be a useful saving. Remember that djs will need headphones too 😉

                          Remember to budget for cables to connect all this stuff together too. Plus some spares 😉 as there is nothing worse than not having a spare cable when you need one [the option is to be good with a soldering iron]

                          You havent listed microphones either – are you planning to have some? You will need voice . I like the sm-58 or sennheiser E series for general work – they are very versatile. You can get condenser mics for overhead pickups but you can use the sm-58/e series at a pinch. You will need mike stands with shock mounts to go with your mics too. When you are micing up the mixing desk will be a god send to you.

                          Regarding soundproofing describe the room to us and we can recommend soundproofing to you if you want some ideas 😉

                          My flow of ideas has dried up just now – will get back to this later.

                          Thanks a lot Raj, will get back to this properly when I can….

                          #1152493
                          cheeseweasel
                          Participant

                            I found this website when I was doing some research for a mate’s community radio station, they’re a non-profit organisation that specialise in setting up community radio stations and giving advice to people like yourself who are interested in starting out. They have some extremely reasonable equipment packages on there too in the “what we do” section of the site, and explain what all the gear does and why you might need it.

                            http://radioactive.org.uk/home.htm

                            #1208239
                            cheeseweasel
                            Participant

                              I found this website when I was doing some research for a mate’s community radio station, they’re a non-profit organisation that specialise in setting up community radio stations and giving advice to people like yourself who are interested in starting out. They have some extremely reasonable equipment packages on there too in the “what we do” section of the site, and explain what all the gear does and why you might need it.

                              http://radioactive.org.uk/home.htm

                              #1152489
                              SD
                              Participant
                                cheeseweasel wrote:
                                I found this website when I was doing some research for a mate’s community radio station, they’re a non-profit organisation that specialise in setting up community radio stations and giving advice to people like yourself who are interested in starting out. They have some extremely reasonable equipment packages on there too in the “what we do” section of the site, and explain what all the gear does and why you might need it.

                                http://radioactive.org.uk/home.htm

                                Cool, ill suggest it, thanks for the mic and mixer tip raj, forgot about that.

                                Ill give a complete run down of everything ive suggested at some point..

                                #1208227
                                SD
                                Participant
                                  cheeseweasel wrote:
                                  I found this website when I was doing some research for a mate’s community radio station, they’re a non-profit organisation that specialise in setting up community radio stations and giving advice to people like yourself who are interested in starting out. They have some extremely reasonable equipment packages on there too in the “what we do” section of the site, and explain what all the gear does and why you might need it.

                                  http://radioactive.org.uk/home.htm

                                  Cool, ill suggest it, thanks for the mic and mixer tip raj, forgot about that.

                                  Ill give a complete run down of everything ive suggested at some point..

                                  #1152486
                                  Raj
                                  Participant

                                    Thanks Cheeseweasel 🙂

                                    #1208222
                                    Raj
                                    Participant

                                      Thanks Cheeseweasel 🙂

                                      #1152494
                                      cheeseweasel
                                      Participant
                                        Raj wrote:
                                        Thanks Cheeseweasel 🙂

                                        Not a problem 😉

                                        #1208241
                                        cheeseweasel
                                        Participant
                                          Raj wrote:
                                          Thanks Cheeseweasel 🙂

                                          Not a problem 😉

                                          #1152490
                                          SD
                                          Participant

                                            Allo again, this is a rough draught of what im planning, tell me what you think.
                                            Bear in mind im not a DJ or sound tech, this is just all from my memory and minimal experience with rigs/sound systems





                                            Homerton Music Room For Patients And SAU Service Users





                                            List of equipment needed:

                                            Item: Link:
                                            Instruments;
                                            Guitar x 2 (Acoustic) http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/options.php?id=71407
                                            Guitar (Electric) & Amp http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/71410
                                            Keyboard And Stand http://www.rockingrooster.co.uk/productCasioWK8000Keyboard-118-110.html
                                            Percussion;
                                            Drum Kit?
                                            Tambourines x 3 http://www.thedrumplace.co.uk/tdp_default.html
                                            Bongos x 2

                                            http://www.thedrumplace.co.uk/tdp_default.html
                                            Triangle
                                            Castanettes
                                            Maraccas
                                            Xylophone
                                            Dj/Recording Equipment;
                                            Vinyl Decks With Mixer http://www.djkit.co.uk/package.php?id=PKG-274-376&cat=200
                                            CD Decks With Mixer http://www.djkit.co.uk/product.php?id=208&cat=202
                                            Main Mixer

                                            http://www.djkit.co.uk/product.php?id=419&cat=98
                                            Powered Studio Monitors http://www.djkit.co.uk/product.php?id=2351&highlight=powered%20monitors
                                            Microphones With Stands x 2 http://www.djkit.co.uk/product.php?id=1413&cat=300
                                            http://www.djkit.co.uk/product.php?id=2328&highlight=microphone%20stands
                                            Digital Four Track? (for recording) http://www.turnkey.co.uk/web/productAction.do?dispatch=showProduct&SKU=FOST-MR8MK2&context=WEB

                                            Item: Price:
                                            Instruments;
                                            Guitar x 2 (Acoustic) £59 Each

                                            Guitar (Electric) & Amp £79.99 Each Keyboard And £299 Stand


                                            (This is quite a high spec keyboard, we can go cheaper)


                                            Percussion;
                                            Castanets £4
                                            Tambourines x 3 £9.99 Bongos x 2 £65
                                            Triangle £11
                                            Darbuka (hand held drum) £29
                                            Cabasa £23
                                            Maraccas £12.95
                                            Wood Guiros £8
                                            Bar Chimes £27
                                            Swanee Whistle £18




                                            Dj/Recording Equipment;
                                            Vinyl Decks With Mixer £199 CD Decks With Mixer £179
                                            Main Mixer £74.95
                                            Powered Studio Monitors £149.95 Microphones £19.99 Each
                                            Microphone Stands £18.99 Each

                                            TOTAL: £1367.00

                                            Other/Misc;
                                            XLR Cables

                                            6.35mm Stereo Cables
                                            Phono Cables
                                            (Amount depending on what comes with the kits we buy) £50-75?

                                            Digital Four Track? (for recording at a later stage) £165.00

                                            Soundproofing:
                                            This is going to be a professional job and will have to be contracted out, I’ve had trouble trying to find an approximate price for this.
                                            I suggest we find a room first so we have an idea of size and then get an engineer out to give a quote.
                                            Also there is the fact that it will have to meet all hospital safety requirements.
                                            http://www.soundstop.co.uk/
                                            http://www.mch.co.uk/centrallondon/acousticsoundproofingspecialists.shtml

                                            #1208232
                                            SD
                                            Participant

                                              Allo again, this is a rough draught of what im planning, tell me what you think.
                                              Bear in mind im not a DJ or sound tech, this is just all from my memory and minimal experience with rigs/sound systems





                                              Homerton Music Room For Patients And SAU Service Users





                                              List of equipment needed:

                                              Item: Link:
                                              Instruments;
                                              Guitar x 2 (Acoustic) http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/options.php?id=71407
                                              Guitar (Electric) & Amp http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/71410
                                              Keyboard And Stand http://www.rockingrooster.co.uk/productCasioWK8000Keyboard-118-110.html
                                              Percussion;
                                              Drum Kit?
                                              Tambourines x 3 http://www.thedrumplace.co.uk/tdp_default.html
                                              Bongos x 2

                                              http://www.thedrumplace.co.uk/tdp_default.html
                                              Triangle
                                              Castanettes
                                              Maraccas
                                              Xylophone
                                              Dj/Recording Equipment;
                                              Vinyl Decks With Mixer http://www.djkit.co.uk/package.php?id=PKG-274-376&cat=200
                                              CD Decks With Mixer http://www.djkit.co.uk/product.php?id=208&cat=202
                                              Main Mixer

                                              http://www.djkit.co.uk/product.php?id=419&cat=98
                                              Powered Studio Monitors http://www.djkit.co.uk/product.php?id=2351&highlight=powered%20monitors
                                              Microphones With Stands x 2 http://www.djkit.co.uk/product.php?id=1413&cat=300
                                              http://www.djkit.co.uk/product.php?id=2328&highlight=microphone%20stands
                                              Digital Four Track? (for recording) http://www.turnkey.co.uk/web/productAction.do?dispatch=showProduct&SKU=FOST-MR8MK2&context=WEB

                                              Item: Price:
                                              Instruments;
                                              Guitar x 2 (Acoustic) £59 Each

                                              Guitar (Electric) & Amp £79.99 Each Keyboard And £299 Stand


                                              (This is quite a high spec keyboard, we can go cheaper)


                                              Percussion;
                                              Castanets £4
                                              Tambourines x 3 £9.99 Bongos x 2 £65
                                              Triangle £11
                                              Darbuka (hand held drum) £29
                                              Cabasa £23
                                              Maraccas £12.95
                                              Wood Guiros £8
                                              Bar Chimes £27
                                              Swanee Whistle £18




                                              Dj/Recording Equipment;
                                              Vinyl Decks With Mixer £199 CD Decks With Mixer £179
                                              Main Mixer £74.95
                                              Powered Studio Monitors £149.95 Microphones £19.99 Each
                                              Microphone Stands £18.99 Each

                                              TOTAL: £1367.00

                                              Other/Misc;
                                              XLR Cables

                                              6.35mm Stereo Cables
                                              Phono Cables
                                              (Amount depending on what comes with the kits we buy) £50-75?

                                              Digital Four Track? (for recording at a later stage) £165.00

                                              Soundproofing:
                                              This is going to be a professional job and will have to be contracted out, I’ve had trouble trying to find an approximate price for this.
                                              I suggest we find a room first so we have an idea of size and then get an engineer out to give a quote.
                                              Also there is the fact that it will have to meet all hospital safety requirements.
                                              http://www.soundstop.co.uk/
                                              http://www.mch.co.uk/centrallondon/acousticsoundproofingspecialists.shtml

                                              #1152491
                                              SD
                                              Participant
                                                Apologies for the formatting, it didnt like being cut and pasted from works..

                                                Quick question…

                                                Will this mixer http://www.djkit.co.uk/product.php?id=419&cat=98

                                                (6 channel)

                                                Do the job?
                                                I was planning to have independant mixers on both sets of decks and then running them through this central mixer.
                                                This would mean I can also then plug in mic’s, laptops etc too
                                                And obviously crossfade between both sets of decks.
                                                Or am I mad and this is impossible?

                                                Raj-
                                                I should have explained myself better in the first post, Im basically being paid in equipment to do it, ive been given approx £300 to spend on what I want. As im trying to get some of my own tracks down at the moment and am not good enough at cubase im gonna buy a digital four track:

                                                http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/options.php?id=68584

                                                And some other bits:

                                                http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/72718

                                                http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/options.php?id=67669

                                                And then just some headphones and a new mic.

                                                I should be able to plug the fourtrack straight into the powered moniters eh?

                                                Thanks in advance for the help guys!

                                                #1208235
                                                SD
                                                Participant
                                                  Apologies for the formatting, it didnt like being cut and pasted from works..

                                                  Quick question…

                                                  Will this mixer http://www.djkit.co.uk/product.php?id=419&cat=98

                                                  (6 channel)

                                                  Do the job?
                                                  I was planning to have independant mixers on both sets of decks and then running them through this central mixer.
                                                  This would mean I can also then plug in mic’s, laptops etc too
                                                  And obviously crossfade between both sets of decks.
                                                  Or am I mad and this is impossible?

                                                  Raj-
                                                  I should have explained myself better in the first post, Im basically being paid in equipment to do it, ive been given approx £300 to spend on what I want. As im trying to get some of my own tracks down at the moment and am not good enough at cubase im gonna buy a digital four track:

                                                  http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/options.php?id=68584

                                                  And some other bits:

                                                  http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/72718

                                                  http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/options.php?id=67669

                                                  And then just some headphones and a new mic.

                                                  I should be able to plug the fourtrack straight into the powered moniters eh?

                                                  Thanks in advance for the help guys!

                                                  #1152492
                                                  SD
                                                  Participant
                                                    Also this place is wicked for drums and percussion stuff, and reasonably priced….

                                                    Found it during my research

                                                    http://www.thedrumplace.co.uk/tdp_default.html

                                                    Thanks for the links

                                                    #1208236
                                                    SD
                                                    Participant
                                                      Also this place is wicked for drums and percussion stuff, and reasonably priced….

                                                      Found it during my research

                                                      http://www.thedrumplace.co.uk/tdp_default.html

                                                      Thanks for the links

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                                                    Forums Music Sound Equipment Buying recording equipment for a hospital project…