New recording gig with questions
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Posted on Sep 23, 2015 02:02 pm
BeerHunter
www.TheLondonProject.ca
Member Since: Feb 07, 2005
Hey everyone!
I have taken on a new job as IT Director at a private catholic school. Part of the perks to my job is access to a bunch of gear and talent.
There are some complications however. Due to job relocation, my entire studio was left behind. I will be bringing all of my gear out eventually but for now it is over 1000 miles away. I am looking at getting some new gear that will a) fill an immediate need and b) will integrate well into my existing gear when I finally get it all here. I have nothing with me but an acoustic and electric guitar and my studio PC (no audio interface).
The main gear that I have to work with currently is
1) Allen & Heath GL2400
2) Soundcraft Spirit M12
3) Yorkville Power Max 22
Now then, for mic's I only have a couple of 58's and some Peavey pencil condensors to work with. I will be recording a variety of instruments including acoustic guitar, electric guitar, piano, drums, violin.....actually pretty much everything at some point as well as solo and choir vocals.
For my first purchase I only have about $300 to work with. I was thinking of purchasing this first
www.amazon.com/Focusrite-...rds=studio+pack
Here is what I'm thinking. I could use the Scarlett 2i2 to interface with all three of the above boards. The Scarlett 2i2 would be connected to a dedicated laptop running Reaper. I would use this for tracking only. I would also use the Reaper laptop and 2i2 for stand-alone tracking.
For mixing I would dump the WAV files from my Reaper laptop into my Sonar PC. I would then use the Scarlett 2i2 and Headphones to mix with.
Now then for the questions. Has anyone used this Scarlett Studio pack before? I'm reasonably confident that the Scarlett 2i2 would work great (looking for feedback here as well). My concern is more with the mic and headphones. Would it be better to purchase these 3 products separately? Is there a better value audio interface out there? I already have Audio Technica M50's back at home as well as several other mic's and another set of M50's would put me way over budget.
My tracking studio at home is a Roland V-Studio VS-2400 with an 8 track add-on for a total of 16 tracks.
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Sep 23, 2015 02:11 pm Hey there BH, good to see you.
Well, first I'd say go home and git yer gear! But, beyond that, congrats on the new job, and let's move forward.
That kit has a lot of good reviews, and any bad one's seemed to be more shipping related than sound quality related, so I consider that a good thing.
I like those simple little interfaces, personally, I still use my Line 6 KB37, nice and easy, no complications of the big, multitrack interfaces with complicated software, the few I have used and reviewed over the years like the one you are suggesting (though not that exact model) have been low latency and easy to use. I'd say it'd be a nice little kit to have.
I am no expert on mics at all though, so I wouldn't waste you time listening to me on that...
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Sep 23, 2015 02:16 pm Thanks dB... yes a little 2 track is all that I should need for now. I know that they will want to have a lot of the guest speakers recorded etc so I just plan on grabbing a feed off of which ever board they are using.
...and yes... would be nice to get my gear. I surely do miss it already. PLUS - the house I'm living in has a great future studio area ;-)
I will snap a post of the studio space where I will be recording most of the instruments and vocals.
Sep 24, 2015 06:32 am Good luck in the new role, and getting your gear back soon!
So many folks go out and get big expensive multitrack gear for the simplest tasks, it's nice to see someone else has the critical thinking ability to realize when it simply is not necessary...guest speakers, round tables, things like that, two tracks often work fine, fit the mics, mix 'em, and run the mains to record, easy peasy.
I like you Reaper. Is that new for you or have you been using it a while? I love Reaper, bought an actual license about 3 years ago, well worth the meager money for such a great application.
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Sep 24, 2015 09:03 am I'm pretty new to Reaper actually. I've toyed with it for years but never replaced my primary DAW with it. My main rig started out as Cool Edit Pro -> Adobe Audition and then I moved to Sonar about 5 years ago. To be honest the only reason I didn't go with Reaper in the past was the financial investment I had into Sonar (as well as workflow). Now that I'm in a position to re-evaluate I figured I'd go with Reaper this time for tracking at least. I might even begin mixing with it as well. Will have to see if I can get the hang of it.
I love my V-Studio for tracking though. I have been taught by a pro on how to use it and it is rock solid. I know I can count on it not to crap out at time of need.
BTW - the laptop I'll be using is a Fujitsu T725 and has a SSD and can switch to tablet mode. It will be interesting to see how well it works, especially the touch screen interface. I'm curious if I will be able to move two faders at a time for example. I'm really looking forward to using this new simplified DAW.
Next on the list after this purchase will be a pair of decent pencil condensers (suggestions anyone?).
Sep 24, 2015 09:08 am THAT is cool! I've been trying to get those "convertible" units for our sales staff, to work between office use and trade show booths...but now, I have been moving so much more out to the cloud (email, document sharing, etc) I think their next upgrades are going to be convertible Chromebooks. :-)
I was a Sonar guy for a long time too, but started recording with guys remotely enough, and Reaper was a good solution for all of us to work in the same formats, it worked great while we were doing it, and sharing the files of Google Drive...was super cool and worked very well...so I just stuck with it from there, it works with my KB37 very well and all the plugins I had, so what the heck.
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Sep 24, 2015 09:39 am One thing about the Fujitsu (and was a determining factor) was that a second battery can be used in place of the DVD drive. We bought 350 of these for all of our students (and me cause I'm the IT guy - lol). We are a paperless school.
If I can figure out how to run the Scarlett via power from the laptop I'd be in great shape
Sep 24, 2015 09:41 am Now that is really cool, a great idea with the second battery.
My kids have iPads for school, so much more is now in the cloud, text books, study aids, assignments, grades, parental tools and such...
They certainly carry much smaller bags/backpacks than I did at their age! Few chiropractic issues later in life too, I bet!
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Sep 24, 2015 11:06 am Yes, the second battery option is pretty unique to Fujitsu. I am not aware if there are other manufacturers out there that have this feature. Since it is a secondary battery, the students can eject the battery (while on battery power) and put in a charged up battery. This effectively allows them to never have to plug in their laptop.
Some of our classrooms are quite old and only have 1 or 2 power outlets in them so it was pretty important that the students could stay on battery power all day. We get about 10 hours of power without having to swap out the second battery
J-botByte-MixerMember
Since: Dec 04, 2007
Sep 24, 2015 01:07 pm Hi BH, been awhile. While I can't vouch for the other components of the studio kit (headphones/mic) I can say the interface is pretty solid, and the preamps are decent if not capable of +60dB of gain. EDIT: Just to be aware, and you probably don't need it, but the 2i2 has no midi in/out. The 2i4 does, and it's only $10 more than the 2i2, but the 2i4 studio package is $100 more than the 2i2 studio package, since it includes more stuff.
I've never heard the headphones, and I've never looked at the mic, but they're probably "decent." Some people seem to like the mic quite a bit.
Eventually, if you plan to mix on headphones a lot, I'd get a good pair of open or semi-open back headphones. Like, a good pair of Grados, or some AKG K240's, and delegate the focusrite cans to tracking duty later. I've talked to a few engineers who say they can get a good ballpark mix on the AKG's and double-check on the monitors.
Good luck with the new position, and as always, have fun! (not that IT work is "fun." at least not in my experience, but I was probably with the wrong crowds hah.)
I'm planning on moving forward with my offering pro-bono services to local schools and trying to get in touch with some community enrichment foundations. But, before I get into recording small ensembles in like an auditorium, I need to get a couple tools, namely a 15' capable boom stand, and an ORTF array mount (I'm looking at a Manfrotto stand, and a R0DE SB20 mount). But money's a little tight at the moment, and I'll have to wait a little on that. (we're working on saving up for a house here in the Main Line area of Philly) I should have the stuff in time for spring concert season though.
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Sep 24, 2015 03:46 pm Hey J-Bot - thanks for the feedback. All of what I'm doing here music-wise is on my own dime. I'm paying it forward so to speak.
They are in real need of someone that knows what they are doing. I'm thinking I will put a program together that will give the students some sort of portfolio by the end of the year.
I will eventually get my gear out here so I won't be mixing with headphones forever. I'm happy to hear that the mic is decent. I was concerned about it. I know the interface will work great.
Here is where I will be doing most of the recording. The room sounds pretty good surprisingly. I hope to treat it a bit as time permits.
J-botByte-MixerMember
Since: Dec 04, 2007
Sep 24, 2015 07:20 pm That looks like a nice sized room with a lot of potential. If it's wide and long enough, you probably won't need a whole heck of a lot of treatment. Maybe stagger QRD diffusion and broadband panels on the wood panel segments, and hang some good thick absorbers from the ceiling to deal with that corner from the peak. And if the floor is an issue, maybe a good thick cushy but low-pile room-sized rug with some kinda music related design. I think that would make for a nice tracking space!
Sometimes the dreamer side of me thinks about putting together some sort of educational recording program for students, but I don't have the credentials for it. I don't have a BA or BS degree, and you need at least that to get a teaching permit. :P Hmmm, maybe I can work something out with one of these "enrichment" organizations if I build up my reputation enough. :)
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Sep 30, 2015 02:14 pm OK, well I pulled the trigger on the Scarlett. I will post some mixes after I get used to it.
I'm going to try and find a big area rug to toss in the room. I was also thinking of adding some of those cubicle panels to the room. I thought I could place them along the walls like -> /
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Oct 08, 2015 02:23 pm OK, I got my Scarlett 2i2 Studio yesterday. Here are a couple of quick observations.
1) Power is supplied via USB which I was hoping for. The interface with my laptop will allow roaming
2) The headphones are fairly lightweight compared to my M50's but sound surprisingly well. I look forward to comparing side-by-side
3) Haven't tried the mic but I'm not expecting much. It "looks" alright FWIW.
4) The interface sounds great and absolution zero latency.
Really looking forward to tracking the choir with this.
Oct 08, 2015 02:32 pm As soon as I hear USB power, latency is a concern, I've seen that happen on some gear before, but I think it's gotten better through the different versions of USB.
Hope it works out for ya, looking forward to hearing how the adventure continues on.
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Oct 08, 2015 03:50 pm I'm concerned as well about latency... especially if I run 2 phantom power mics. It will be a great setup if it works as planned though
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Oct 16, 2015 08:38 am Deleted By BeerHunter
Oct 22, 2015 08:09 am I had some time this morning, so I was going to listen to some tunes I think you posted a few days ago, did you delete them?
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Oct 22, 2015 02:51 pm I took it down as I had second thoughts about posting it without all the proper permissions in place. I am happy to say that all is well.
This was recorded with the above gear with Reaper and in the room above as well. I love the mic that was included with the studio pack. I was truly surprised by the performance. I bought this pack for the interface and headphones mostly. Speaking of headphones this is my first mix using them so I would appreciate any feedback on the mix. Cheers!
EDIT: Track updated with some synth action lol
