Q. People say affordable apartments in Manhattan are small. I'm just curious how they compare to the Seinfeld apartment seen on the show.
A. There are two things you have to consider:
1) Seinfeld was fantasy, nobody wants to watch a TV show set in 600 sqft studio apartment over a Chinese restaurant. His "apartment" was a decent size for Manhattan.
2) Seinfeld was filmed in the early 90s, back then, rent was far less than what it is today. His apartment in the 90s might have gone for $1,800 or so.
Today, that same apartment, a one bedroom, elevator building, intercom system, would probably start at $2,700�and that's if you're lucky.
My apartment is in the Upper West Side, 2,200 sqft, two bedroom elevator, doorman, intercom, private terrace and private video surveillance, on-site gym, and it's $4,200 a month to give you an idea of running Manhattan rates.
Depending on what you're willing to sacrifice, which part of Manhattan you're willing to live, and how hard you look (I'll be honest, I didn't spend near as much time as I should have viewing and looking at apartments), you could find an apartment for much less. However, finding anything under $2,000 that isn't in the projects is a Godsend.
1) Seinfeld was fantasy, nobody wants to watch a TV show set in 600 sqft studio apartment over a Chinese restaurant. His "apartment" was a decent size for Manhattan.
2) Seinfeld was filmed in the early 90s, back then, rent was far less than what it is today. His apartment in the 90s might have gone for $1,800 or so.
Today, that same apartment, a one bedroom, elevator building, intercom system, would probably start at $2,700�and that's if you're lucky.
My apartment is in the Upper West Side, 2,200 sqft, two bedroom elevator, doorman, intercom, private terrace and private video surveillance, on-site gym, and it's $4,200 a month to give you an idea of running Manhattan rates.
Depending on what you're willing to sacrifice, which part of Manhattan you're willing to live, and how hard you look (I'll be honest, I didn't spend near as much time as I should have viewing and looking at apartments), you could find an apartment for much less. However, finding anything under $2,000 that isn't in the projects is a Godsend.
Interested in starting an area for music recorder?
Q. Greetings, Yahoo Answers, I come again to ask some questions.
1. I am wondering if it is okay to use my bedroom as a home studio (my drums and guitar are in there)
2. Is there anyway to build something cheap at 13 years old for a home studio? I can just find a free studio software
3. any ideas for vocal recording?
4. Any ideas for drum recording?
1. I am wondering if it is okay to use my bedroom as a home studio (my drums and guitar are in there)
2. Is there anyway to build something cheap at 13 years old for a home studio? I can just find a free studio software
3. any ideas for vocal recording?
4. Any ideas for drum recording?
A. Absolutely, Drew! Go for it. Of course, a bedroom is not an ideal place for recording. No square or rectangular room is. But at your stage it will be fine.
Here are some basic tools for a home studio. It sounds like you're on a tight budget, so you'll have to save up.
The minimum requirement for recording an acoustic drum kit is a pair of microphones to be placed above the kit (called 'overhead's'), and one mic for the bass drum. (If you have an electric kit you don't need mic's.) Adequate mic's for the job might cost you $500 or 600. I know that's a chunk. You could just go with three Shure SM57 mic's. These are $100 each or less. The SM57 (and SM58) are standard gear for any studio. You can use them for almost anything and they are nearly indestructible. You would use two as stereo overhead's and one in the bass drum. When you have a bigger budget you can buy separate SM57's for the snare and toms. One between every two toms can work. The best overheads are what are called small diaphragm condenser microphones, like the M-Audio Pulsar II. There are mic's designed for bass drum.
One of your most important investments will be a good vocal mic. Try to acquire a large diaphragm condenser mic. This type is the best for vocals and all acoustic instruments. You can record drums, too. Just keep them at a safe distance from drumsticks. They're more delicate than SM57's. They can be as cheap as $100, although I would advice spending more than that. MXL makes some great large diaphragm condensers for under $200, and a couple under $100, although I can't vouch for those.
If you can't afford all of this right away, get the vocal mic. You can use it to record drums and anything else. Call Sweetwater 800-222--4700. They will tell you what else you'll need to get started - a mixer, an amp and speakers (or powered speakers), the right patch cords, etc. Tell them what your budget is and they'll work with it if they can.
Keep lots of soft things in your room - pillows, etc - to minimize the sound bouncing off the walls. Keep your mic's, and what you're recording, away from hard surfaces. In a small room it's best to set mic's as close to the source as possible.
Have fun!
Here are some basic tools for a home studio. It sounds like you're on a tight budget, so you'll have to save up.
The minimum requirement for recording an acoustic drum kit is a pair of microphones to be placed above the kit (called 'overhead's'), and one mic for the bass drum. (If you have an electric kit you don't need mic's.) Adequate mic's for the job might cost you $500 or 600. I know that's a chunk. You could just go with three Shure SM57 mic's. These are $100 each or less. The SM57 (and SM58) are standard gear for any studio. You can use them for almost anything and they are nearly indestructible. You would use two as stereo overhead's and one in the bass drum. When you have a bigger budget you can buy separate SM57's for the snare and toms. One between every two toms can work. The best overheads are what are called small diaphragm condenser microphones, like the M-Audio Pulsar II. There are mic's designed for bass drum.
One of your most important investments will be a good vocal mic. Try to acquire a large diaphragm condenser mic. This type is the best for vocals and all acoustic instruments. You can record drums, too. Just keep them at a safe distance from drumsticks. They're more delicate than SM57's. They can be as cheap as $100, although I would advice spending more than that. MXL makes some great large diaphragm condensers for under $200, and a couple under $100, although I can't vouch for those.
If you can't afford all of this right away, get the vocal mic. You can use it to record drums and anything else. Call Sweetwater 800-222--4700. They will tell you what else you'll need to get started - a mixer, an amp and speakers (or powered speakers), the right patch cords, etc. Tell them what your budget is and they'll work with it if they can.
Keep lots of soft things in your room - pillows, etc - to minimize the sound bouncing off the walls. Keep your mic's, and what you're recording, away from hard surfaces. In a small room it's best to set mic's as close to the source as possible.
Have fun!
How does Chicago compares to Phoenix, Arizona or New York City in terms of housing/jobs/environment/people?
Q. Just want to know which city is better for me to move to for affordable studios/1 bedroom under $600-$700/mth and employment in office/clerical/psychology fields.
A. Stick to Arizona, the housing prices are rough in Chicago and NYC.
Even though the Chicagoland area is the largest employment area in the US, the housing in both the large cities would have to set you back at least $700.
Even though the Chicagoland area is the largest employment area in the US, the housing in both the large cities would have to set you back at least $700.
How expensive is it to live in LA?
Q. I'm going to college next year, most likely in LA at FIDM. But i'm just so scared because I know its expensive out there and i'm coming all the way from Indiana. I don't know anybody out there either. It all just sounds so far fetched and impossible, but if i want to make it in the field its basically either LA or NYC. So, whats the cheapest part of LA that's not terribly dangerous? Could I get an apartment for less that $1000 or is that just like impossible?
A. Live in the FIDM housing at first, preferably right near the campus (rather than Park LaBrea, unless you don't mind the commute and like the area), then see if you meet anyone to roommate with, or find a studio apartment to live by yourself. The FIDM apartments are actually good deals for an LA furnished apartment with utilities included, and while downtown LA isn't the best place to live, the FIDM apartments are nice, and very convenient to FIDM. Look on the FIDM website for info.
It is also very convenient to have an apartment all ready for you, setting up an apartment is a lot if work, first, you'd have to find a landlord willing to rent to someone under 21, with no credit or rental history, no substantial job, and parents across the country. Then you'd have to buy furniture, furnished apartments rent for quite a bit more, even close to double unfurnished, and they're hard to find in low end buildings, set up utilities and deposits, buy household goods (pots, pans, towels, etc). It's a lot of work.
The cost for FIDM apartments is $300 a week ($3000 for the 10 week Quarter) for a shared bedroom, $600 for a private bedroom. This will give you time to figure out the best area to live should you decide to move. Low crime areas are a bit far from FIDM, if you don't have a car, it might be a hassle, since you will likely be working on group projects late night at FIDM, and it's not a good idea to take public transportation late at night.
You can find a studio in LA starting at $800 (more on the Westside), but you might not like it or the area, you might have to spend $1000 for a studio you're ok with, or find a roommate and a 2 bedroom, which likely won't save much on rent. Lower crime areas relatively close to FIDM include Glendale and South Pasadena, but the commute takes 20 minutes, or longer in traffic.
Good luck!
It is also very convenient to have an apartment all ready for you, setting up an apartment is a lot if work, first, you'd have to find a landlord willing to rent to someone under 21, with no credit or rental history, no substantial job, and parents across the country. Then you'd have to buy furniture, furnished apartments rent for quite a bit more, even close to double unfurnished, and they're hard to find in low end buildings, set up utilities and deposits, buy household goods (pots, pans, towels, etc). It's a lot of work.
The cost for FIDM apartments is $300 a week ($3000 for the 10 week Quarter) for a shared bedroom, $600 for a private bedroom. This will give you time to figure out the best area to live should you decide to move. Low crime areas are a bit far from FIDM, if you don't have a car, it might be a hassle, since you will likely be working on group projects late night at FIDM, and it's not a good idea to take public transportation late at night.
You can find a studio in LA starting at $800 (more on the Westside), but you might not like it or the area, you might have to spend $1000 for a studio you're ok with, or find a roommate and a 2 bedroom, which likely won't save much on rent. Lower crime areas relatively close to FIDM include Glendale and South Pasadena, but the commute takes 20 minutes, or longer in traffic.
Good luck!
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