So this is a somewhat hypothetical question. I am possibly partnering with someone who is interested in getting a VO room and Control Room going. We collectively agree on charging a rate in the area of 100-150/hr for VO track and editing. Room soundproofing and treatment is something I have somewhat already figured out for the rooms we will be utilizing.
Equipment is what I am curious about, specifically from those guys that have or do operate in that dollar per hour amount.
I have been slowly building up my equipment as the projects come and I can afford it. I have been asked to make a wish list. Here is the gear I currently have.
A custom Self built PC- Quad Core 3 ghz, win 7, 8 gb ram, SSD, and 3 other internal drives for Programs, Projects, Media. 2 monitors and a 42" plasma for picture viewing. I have another monitor that will be mounted in the VO room to display lines/picture etc. PT9 and Nuendo 5
I/O- M audio Profire 2626 Event 8 Reference monitors. Yamaha 01v Mackie Control RE20
both of my rooms, control and vo are roughly 10'x8' with 7.6' ceilings
The very weird concern I have, is how much do equipment stereotypes come into play in that price range? For what I have paid for my equipment, they have performed great, but I just do not know the next level.
I personally prefer PCs but I understand Mac is a staple, and my partner wants a mac. So which parts would you say were essential to upgrade/replace and which would be allowed to slide for a little bit.
What would your wish list be, within reason, to go for clients in the 100-150/hr price range. I currently charge people 50/hr to design and edit and I am doing this out of my bedroom with the above noted equipment and no special room treatments. If there are any special plugins you would have in mind. I already know I want a better reverb. If my I/O moves up to something that can support TDM then revibe is on the list as well as altiverb. My tracking room will be very dead due to it being too small to be nice live.