Not sure where to go.... Need new system :)

[stecel]

Hey everyone... Recently came across gearslutz becuase someone linked to the Def Leppard recording thread on another message board that I read daily, and I finally signed up tonight!

As far as recording is concerned, this forum is everything I have ever wanted, and I'd love some suggestions on what I am trying to accomplish currently..

Right now I have a very basic setup:

M-Audio 2496
Computer (Athlon 1900, 736 ram)
Behringer Eurorack 602A (use this as a preamp)
FMR RNC (Don't use this much)
Pro Tools
POD XT Live
Studio Projects C1 Condenser
SM58, some overheads (I can't figure out the brand)
Yamaha Speakers (I don't even have real monitors currently)

I am looking to upgrade my system, but I am not sure the best way to go. The quality of the 2496 is great, but I could use a better preamp, and I would like to be able to record drums on individual channels.

I have about $1,000 to spend right now, and hopefully a little bit more soon ...

I met someone with an M-Audio Octane and I was really impressed with the quality. What does everyone think about that preamp? Be honest!

I have been eyeing used Digidesign 002 rack mounts on eBay as well, but I can't decide if I should make the leep! If I didn't want to use the preamps on the 002, and wanted to use an Octane, how would that sound, and is that possible to do? Should I spend a little bit more and go for a 003? They seem like the same thing almost...

I could also get the Octane and an M-Audio 1010 or one of their multiple channel interfaces instead of an 002r... Would this save me money and be almost the same as the 002?

If I got a 002 would I need to buy real monitors? Right now I output my 2496 through a stereo receiver.


Sorry for all the questions, I am totally self taught and have learned everything I know from reading up on the internet..I would really appreciate any suggestions and input of any kind!

[tINY]

Pro Tools is going to limit your options when it comes to interfaces.

If you have good speakers, the stereo receiver is fine - hows the acoustics in the room you mix in?

Mics might be in order..... Kel HM-1 is a good bang for the buck - as is the CAD M177 right now




-tINY

[stecel]

Originally Posted by tINY

Pro Tools is going to limit your options when it comes to interfaces.

Yes I know, but it works with the 002 and M-audio products.

[stecel]

Not a single serious reply??

[tINY]

I was serious.

And you didn't answer my question.



-tINY

[stecel]

Originally Posted by tINY

I was serious.

And you didn't answer my question.



-tINY

Sorry! I didn't see the part about the room acoustics.

Well, they aren't horrible, but not great either... I am just set up in my bedroom, so nothing to write home about right now..

[preben]

If you're in your bedroom there's not much need to 'write home' is there?

Sorry - couldn't help myself.

On a serious note. Sit down and try to analyse your situation as much as possible. If you're in a bedroom is it at all possible to record drums in the first place or will you end up going somewhere else anyway?

Also instead of getting caught up in what 'would be nice to have' try to be honest to yourself and truthfully answer yourself: what EXACTLY is it that you can't do that you REALLY NEED to do with the gear you have now?

I know this is VERY difficult and I am as crap at it as anyone else. But 9 times out of 10 I think the thing that will improve your results the most is spending as much time possible working the gear and as little time possible worrying about gear.

When you've outgrown something because it REPEATEDLY lets you down in a number of areas that you can define and recognise THEN it's time to upgrade. If you're just GENERALLY unhappy about your 'sound' or whatever chances are it's NOT the gear that's the problem.

And I am saying this as someone who has A LOOOONG way to go in outgrowing my relatively modest set-up.

All the best.

[stecel]

Originally Posted by preben

If you're in a bedroom is it at all possible to record drums in the first place or will you end up going somewhere else anyway?

what EXACTLY is it that you can't do that you REALLY NEED to do with the gear you have now?

Well, I am actually very satisfied with the quality of the recordings I get.. The one area that I am really cut short is my interface because it is only 2 inputs.. They are great quality, 24/96, but for drums it just doesn't cut it.... So that is the main reason I am looking into a Digi 002 or possibly a Delta 1010, because they have the extra inputs I need...

Then, the reason I want the M-Audio Octane preamp is because I know it will sound better than using my Behringer Eurorack mixer as a preamp (although it has served me very well!).. Although I totally agree with your stance of learning how to make what you have sound good and not "worrying about the gear" so much, I think having one pre-amp is a reasonable thing for a home studio...

Do these some like reasonable buys to you?? Would you suggest going another direction? Please give me your honest input..

And yes... Every time I have recorded drums I have moved my rig and done them somewhere else...

Thanks for writing back!

[preben]

I don't actually know any of the products you're talking about so it's probably better to get someone else to chime in here...

But I can tell you what I normally do in situations such as yours which is of of 3 options

1) Buy something classic that will keep the value (U87, SM57, Tele, Strat... that sort of thing). This is probably not an option here due to cost restrictions

2) Buy the cheapest thing you can get away with - preferably second hand. It's amazing what relatively high-end can that are a couple of generations old that be had for very little money because it's 'old technology'... (old technology that is being used on records that were recorded a few years back and STILL sound great not because the people who made them knew what they were doing). I'm a mac guy so I have no idea what is possible in that department on a pc, and also I don't know the restrictions - firewire, pci-e, pci-x etc etc etc. Make SURE you know what is compatible with your rig BEFORE you buy second hand..!!! I have bought such things as MOTU 828 in the past under 'scheme 2'. Something like that could increase your track-count for very little money, you could use your Behringer for preamps for less vital duties (toms for instance) and keep the stuff you have and like for overdubs. Something like a second hand Mackie with a duff channel or something can also be had for nothing and is surprisingly good value. Who cares if send 2 doesn't work - you're only using the preamps.

3) Try to make a bang-for-the-buck purchase with new gear. This is where something like your C1 lives. I recently bought a Focusrite Sapphira 26 for a friend to do some drums recordings on a budget and whilst it's NOT as nice as the stuff I *like* to use and normally use it gets the job done and is expandable and generally looks as future proof and anything else on the market right now. I.E. it might be useless and worthless in 3 years time - which brings us right back to the second scenario.

As a general rule: don't get all to hung up on the pres and converters. The difference positioning the mikes properly makes is probably of far more significance to the end product and if you're a home recordist the sound of your drum recording room will most likely be more of a problem than the sound of your converters and pres. In my humble opinion obviously.

[warhead]

Originally Posted by stecel

The quality of the 2496 is great, but I could use a better preamp, and I would like to be able to record drums on individual channels.

The question I have is: how many channels do you need to record at once? Using an M-Audio Octane preamp won't work out with your 2 channels of AD and DA conversion.

Also, do you own the mics you need to mic up a drum kit?

Too many unanswered questions!

War

[stecel]

Originally Posted by warhead

The question I have is: how many channels do you need to record at once? Using an M-Audio Octane preamp won't work out with your 2 channels of AD and DA conversion.

Also, do you own the mics you need to mic up a drum kit?

Too many unanswered questions!

War

I could work with 8 channels... I know that the octane won't work with my interface, but it will work with an 002r which is what I am looking at right now

[warhead]

Originally Posted by stecel

I have about $1,000 to spend right now, and hopefully a little bit more soon ...

Originally Posted by stecel

I could work with 8 channels... I know that the octane won't work with my interface, but it will work with an 002r which is what I am looking at right now

OK so the $1000 budget part is out the window then.

Sure, a 002R and Octane would get the job done.

War