Getting Computer, Software and Gear Organized

Posted on Jun 10, 2008 10:19 am
agundrum
Member Since: Jun 10, 2008

It seems like I have all this equipment, software and other things but what has always seemed to be the problem is getting it all organized. There is no workflow and I am not quite sure how to approach the matter. Putting it together to work efficiently has been a big problem.

Here is a list of what I have. Its possible I might have missed something too

Computer:
PowerSpec P4 2GHz with 2GB RAM, Radeon 9550 graphics card, 2 displays, DVD R/W and 3 physical hard drives (about 800GB)

Sound:
EMU 1820M, Samson Resolv 65a Active Reference Monitors

Software:
Sonar 7 Producer
Project5 v2
BFD2
Emulator X2
Dimension Pro
Z3ta+

Gear:
Line 6 PODxt Pro
Line 6 Bass PODxt Pro
Korg Triton Studio 76
M-Audio Keystation Pro 88
M-Audio Trigger Finger
Alesis 3630 Compressor

I'm guessing a patch bay would be the first thing to get. I am looking at a Hosa PHB-265 48pt which I think will serve the purpose.

Beyond that I've been looking at all the digital I/Os that each piece of equipment has - mainly the PODs. If I hook the PODs up via USB they take over as far as the sound card is concerned. I'd prefer sticking with the 1820M for the sound since it has the breakout box (8 ins/8 outs, digital, S/PDIF, etc) Patchmix DSP and all the built-in effects. How would someone approach getting the PODs patched in for recording and not have conflicts? Could I use just digital outs? Would that mean I'd need a digital mixer or something?

For the Korg Triton I'd like to send the digital from that directly but I seem to be running out of digital inputs on the 1820m. How could the digital outs of the PODs and Triton be combined? Is that reasonable? Again, is a digital mixer worth it - would it work?

I've always found recording to be a bear as when I start getting beyond 5-8 tracks of audio, etc I seem to start running into hardware issues etc. A dedicated box would help I sure but the funding just isn't there. I do have several older boxes around (in the 700Mhz to 1.2GHz speed range) that I was thinking of utilizing for BFD2, Dimension Pro, etc. Wasn't sure how effective that would be, especially with getting the sound/MIDI to the main box.

Overall there's probably alot to do and alot of experimenting needed. Any suggestions would be well appreciated.

Thanks!
John

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