Need some input on Digi Products

scalhoun2005 · 1st December 2007, 04:13 PM

Hello All,

I need some advice on my next move. I have been slowly toying in the recording world for the past year or so and currently have a mbox 2, macbook pro, jbl lsr6300 monitors and my main preamp is a DACS MICAMP, etc. I never upgraded my mbox to a digi rack because I never needed all the inputs and didn't have the cash at the time.

I am considering buying a digi 002 or 003. But what I am really trying to find out is if I will see a big difference between the mbox 2 to the digi rack? I wasn't sure how that would work since I have been using my own preamp anyway. Any input would be great.

I am also looking for some good places to learn how to actually make what I record sound good and professional if anyone has any good sites they would recommend for getting started on that side of things.

Thanks so much you guys are a GREAT help!

Shane

Thierry · 1st December 2007, 08:38 PM

Maybe think about Project/Mix from M-audio better then 002 or 003 and cheap... at lease for me...

Peace
Thierry

dasmetre · 1st December 2007, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scalhoun2005

Hello All,

I need some advice on my next move. I have been slowly toying in the recording world for the past year or so and currently have a mbox 2, macbook pro, jbl lsr6300 monitors and my main preamp is a DACS MICAMP, etc. I never upgraded my mbox to a digi rack because I never needed all the inputs and didn't have the cash at the time.

I am considering buying a digi 002 or 003. But what I am really trying to find out is if I will see a big difference between the mbox 2 to the digi rack? I wasn't sure how that would work since I have been using my own preamp anyway. Any input would be great.

I am also looking for some good places to learn how to actually make what I record sound good and professional if anyone has any good sites they would recommend for getting started on that side of things.

Thanks so much you guys are a GREAT help!

Shane

you won't hear a difference between the mbox and the 002 or 003, especially if you are using your own preamp. the i/o differences will make your setup much more flexible, however, and that can be a huge help. the console units can also help workflow, but since i learned pro tools with a keyboard and mouse i am nto getting full use of the control surface...but that one's a simple matter of opinion.

the m audio boxes are going to give you the same audio quality as the digi boxes--so no real difference there.

:)

Ironklad Audio · 2nd December 2007, 01:58 AM

if i were you, i'd only be doing it if you needed the extra inputs that the 002/003 offers. aside from that, there would be no benefit

bilco · 2nd December 2007, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dasmetre

you won't hear a difference between the mbox and the 002 or 003, especially if you are using your own preamp. the i/o differences will make your setup much more flexible, however, and that can be a huge help. the console units can also help workflow, but since i learned pro tools with a keyboard and mouse i am nto getting full use of the control surface...but that one's a simple matter of opinion.

the m audio boxes are going to give you the same audio quality as the digi boxes--so no real difference there.

:)

[quote=Gear maniac
if i were you, i'd only be doing it if you needed the extra inputs that the 002/003 offers. aside from that, there would be no benefit

[/quote]

I agree with both of these comments. I have an Mbox 1 and a Digi002 Rack and I don't think the Digi002 really sounds any better than the Mbox. (They both sound fine to me.) Unless I am recording our band live and need multiple inputs, I actually prefer the Mbox and my ibook for portability and simplicity. The Digi002 Rack is sort of portable, but you have to have AC power. The ibook and Mbox can run off the battery for over an hour wherever I want to go record.

I do have a Digi001 as well and to my ear, the Mbox and Digi002 do sound better than the preamps in the Digi001.

As a songwriter first, looking back, I should have just gotten the Mbox and stuck with it instead of starting with the Digi001 and then adding a Digi002 Rack too. They are both gathering dust and only come out to record the band at gigs. The Digi001 will probably go to a friend. The Mbox is the true workhorse for me, good sound, stable with the Mac. I think I can do everything I need to do with it for recording demos and even a homegrown CD.

bilco

aussie_techie · 2nd December 2007, 07:33 AM

the 003 DOES have better converters than any of the boxs, anyone who says otherwise cant hear whats going on in their room or is defending another purchase in their own mind. even the 002 was a big step up from the M-Audio converters to me and who would want 8ch of crappy pres in a project mix anyway 4 in a 002 is bad enough.

that said unless you need more I/O a 002/003 wouldnt be worth while as you could use that money to get better converters to use with your mbox and get better results. however if converters are the best thing for you to spend your money on is another issue. if you want the control surface get a command 8.

to make things sounds good, find what in them is sounding bad and take it out. learn your monitors and room (is your room treated?) so you can mix something that will translate well, always import reference tracks into your sessions, dont keep your monitors just for mixing listen to music on them so you can learn them. if you are unclear on how the use the basic things like eq and compression then try and google some tutorials. other than that if you know how everything works it just takes time and experience to develop your ear and know what to use. sorry i dont know any sites as ive found learning for others and experience has been the best thing for me.

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1st December 2007, 04:13 PM	#1
scalhoun2005 Gear interested Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 2	Need some input on Digi Products Hello All, I need some advice on my next move. I have been slowly toying in the recording world for the past year or so and currently have a mbox 2, macbook pro, jbl lsr6300 monitors and my main preamp is a DACS MICAMP, etc. I never upgraded my mbox to a digi rack because I never needed all the inputs and didn't have the cash at the time. I am considering buying a digi 002 or 003. But what I am really trying to find out is if I will see a big difference between the mbox 2 to the digi rack? I wasn't sure how that would work since I have been using my own preamp anyway. Any input would be great. I am also looking for some good places to learn how to actually make what I record sound good and professional if anyone has any good sites they would recommend for getting started on that side of things. Thanks so much you guys are a GREAT help! Shane

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1st December 2007, 08:38 PM	#2
Thierry Gear Head Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Sacramento Posts: 59	Maybe think about Project/Mix from M-audio better then 002 or 003 and cheap... at lease for me... Peace Thierry

2nd December 2007, 01:58 AM	#4
Ironklad Audio Gear addict Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 493	if i were you, i'd only be doing it if you needed the extra inputs that the 002/003 offers. aside from that, there would be no benefit

2nd December 2007, 07:33 AM	#6
aussie_techie Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 1,980	the 003 DOES have better converters than any of the boxs, anyone who says otherwise cant hear whats going on in their room or is defending another purchase in their own mind. even the 002 was a big step up from the M-Audio converters to me and who would want 8ch of crappy pres in a project mix anyway 4 in a 002 is bad enough. that said unless you need more I/O a 002/003 wouldnt be worth while as you could use that money to get better converters to use with your mbox and get better results. however if converters are the best thing for you to spend your money on is another issue. if you want the control surface get a command 8. to make things sounds good, find what in them is sounding bad and take it out. learn your monitors and room (is your room treated?) so you can mix something that will translate well, always import reference tracks into your sessions, dont keep your monitors just for mixing listen to music on them so you can learn them. if you are unclear on how the use the basic things like eq and compression then try and google some tutorials. other than that if you know how everything works it just takes time and experience to develop your ear and know what to use. sorry i dont know any sites as ive found learning for others and experience has been the best thing for me.