Need help choosing studio equipment.
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Posted on Apr 26, 2006 10:37 pm
Bluesdues
Member Since: Apr 26, 2006
I'm learning alot looking around in here, and I'm hoping I can get some help here. I've been away from the music from the music for the last 5 years or so, but I've been playing or about 30 years. I've done some home recording but that was analog to cassette 8 track several years ago. Oh what a difference a few years makes. I'm trying to make the jump to digital and I'm lost. So far I have a mackie 24-4, motu 896, presonus digimax LT, emagic logic control. So far I'm looking at the mackie tracktion 2 software. (never used recording software). But I have a chance to get the mackie onyx 1620 with a firewire card, and I'm wondering if I'm better keeping the 24-4 or going with the onyx. And do I need all of this or what should be changed. I have not chosen a computer format yet. Sorry for the long question, but I'm not quite sure what I should be asking.
Thanks,
Blues
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Apr 27, 2006 08:02 am Welcome to HRC Bluesdues.
Perosnally, I'd keep what you have, the MOTU reads like a great device (never used one personally), you have a decent mixer and Tracktion is very cool software, especially for somebody in your position, that being somebody new to PC based recording. The MOTU has hi rez audio, 8 preamps, hell, depending how your record you may not even need your mixer considering all the power the MOTU has itself.
Apr 27, 2006 04:39 pm Thanks, I was looking at this option because I have to opportunity to get this no money out of pocket with equipment trades. So I trying to get all the outlooks I can over the few days I have to decide.
LokiCone PokerMember
Since: Apr 07, 2002
Apr 27, 2006 05:02 pm I'll have to check, but I think the onyx with firewire card can be used as a DAW controller as well. If it were me in your shoes I'd opt for that since mixing with a mouse sucks.
Apr 27, 2006 06:49 pm hiya there from nashville!
if your 896 (and drivers for it) and mackie board are working good and properly, i'd stick with those, sell the digimax and logic controler and with that money, get some good mics (or preamps)....i've accually never heard of the digimax until just now, and after some research, it seems like a nice interface, but i'm not seein' any audio outputs!! the 896 is much more of a solid unit with more I/O options (always a plus)....the logic controler (which is very simular to the generic HUI type that they make aswell) i don't think will work well with other programs other than Logic....not quite sure though, but you can survive just fine without it and there's plenty of good controlers out there...which leads me to my next thing, MIDI, if you plan on using midi, you are gonna need an interface, these are very cheap compaired to audio interfaces, and are quite handy...unless you get a USB MIDI controller (keyboard type) these little boogers are a sweet deal if you don't have other keyboards around...
hope that helps some
wyd
Apr 27, 2006 08:15 pm Again thanks for the input, The sharing of info is a huge help. I was wondering if the logic controller was needed, I guess I looking for a way to hold on to what I know from working analog. And I believe the logic control version 1.2 firmware will work with other recording software. I will be be getting an edirol midi cotroller, I have a m-box software bundle. but no interface for it( will probably get rid of this).So at this point I'm sure I have more than I'll keep. I just need major help on what to do now. I started buying this stuff over a couple of years from pawn shops. And now I have my studio rooms ready to set up.
Apr 27, 2006 08:51 pm if ya wanna mix old school style, hook up yor mixer to the 896 channels 1-8 on the board, to the inputs on the back of the 896, then run the outputs of the 896 to channels 16-24 (BE REAL CAREFULL, feedback loops are very easy to get when dooin' this) so keep your faders down on these at first....in your recording app, you can accually route channel outputs (or even groups) and you can use the mackie to mix, this is really cool if you have outboard processors)....send the main outputs of the board to two more inputs (cd burner or a tapedeck) and you'll be summing in analog!!
i'd hook up the monitors to the main outs of the 896 (unless it's got a monitor output) and just mix completely in the computer (box)...if ya don't mind hookin' up your mics to the back of the 896, and don't have much outboard gear, you can get along just fine without the mixing board....unless you need it for live purposes.
cheers
wyd
Apr 27, 2006 09:18 pm Its amazing how the obvious can be over looked. Not using the mixer never crossed my mind in all the time of putting this together. I guess I'll have to learn the think in a new way by moving into the digital realm. Thanks thats another consideration.
Apr 28, 2006 10:02 am also, if the digimax and the motu 'get along together' you might be able to record 16 tracks at once! is veddy good deal!
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Apr 28, 2006 09:10 pm I'll just jump in and agree on the bits mentioned above. With the Mackie and the MOTU unit you have a great set up that most home studio owners would love to have. Excelant audio interface and a great board with plenty of options.
