Help me invest $2600 / €1800, please!

dregen77 · 24th August 2009

Hello all,

This is my first post in this forum. I have been reading it for months, and I do realize there are many big engineers/mixers around. For now, I will have to stick to the Low-End Theory subforum, because I am not a professional, and if I am one day, I guess it will still take some time.

Anyway, let's get to the point. I am selling a nice instrument and that will get me around €1800 / $2600 to spend on recording equipment.

Right now I have an MBox I bought used in order to use ProTools. I'd like to upgrade and get the Digi003 Rack + with the 8 preamps, but I read over and over that they suck. I'd really like to use ProTools (I have LE 7.3 now) after an upgrade and I'd need at least six decent mic pre's. So, what do you think are my options?

I thought about the regular 003, but then again, I will be stuck with the AD/DA converters, which I also only hear shit about. What I like about the Digis are that they come with ProTools, of course. I guess my only other option is an M-Audio with no pre's and then get external pre's? Are the AD/DA converters in the M-Audios any better than the Digis?

On top of that, I'd like to get a pair of new mics too. I think I will settle on a Heil PR30 AND a Heil PR40 for snares, kick drums, guitars, bass, etc. That is about $350 for the 40 and $270 for the 30, which leaves me with about $2000 for the audio interface /pre's (I could go with an SM57 instead of the PR30, but I'd like to try something different).

Any suggestions will be highly appreciated. I am in a situation in which I am thinking no matter what I purchase, I will have gone with the wrong option!

many thanks.

Obitheincredible · 24th August 2009

The 30 and the 40 rock! Love mine to death and get used all the time! Now I would look at maybe 2 auteurs for pres, Sytek, 4 true p solo's used, 2/3 RNPs, 3 Art MPA And it could go on for awhile with decent pres in that price range really. Now for a interface I'd go with a Echo Layla 24/96 and adat that into a digi 003 to bypass conversion. I have seen them average about 150 for it and the pci card. I got mine for 50 bucks! The pres could go in there and you's still have all the mediocre pres on the digi in case you needed them. You could also look at the digi and mackie 800r on the used market/b stock marjet and be good there too. Or you can upgrade it later down the road with a black lion audio mod. The other interface that would be good would be a profire and that is more than decent in its pre's by them selvs. You have a good budget that will give you a tone of options, good luck!

dregen77 · 25th August 2009

Hello Obi,

Many thanks for your reply. There are really a lot of options around. It's hell to try to make a decision. I have my eyes set on that Profire 2626, looks pretty good and more or less has the same features as the Digi003+ and by the comments on the forum, seems that the converters and pre's are better. Not supergood, but at least better. That's a start!

fezel · 27th August 2009

im in exactly the same boat, but without the mbox to start with.
im looking at getting an 003 and bypassing the conversion but really am not sure what direction to go in. this thread should shine some light

24th August 2009	#1
dregen77 Gear Head Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 32 Thread Starter	Help me invest $2600 / €1800, please! Hello all, This is my first post in this forum. I have been reading it for months, and I do realize there are many big engineers/mixers around. For now, I will have to stick to the Low-End Theory subforum, because I am not a professional, and if I am one day, I guess it will still take some time. Anyway, let's get to the point. I am selling a nice instrument and that will get me around €1800 / $2600 to spend on recording equipment. Right now I have an MBox I bought used in order to use ProTools. I'd like to upgrade and get the Digi003 Rack + with the 8 preamps, but I read over and over that they suck. I'd really like to use ProTools (I have LE 7.3 now) after an upgrade and I'd need at least six decent mic pre's. So, what do you think are my options? I thought about the regular 003, but then again, I will be stuck with the AD/DA converters, which I also only hear shit about. What I like about the Digis are that they come with ProTools, of course. I guess my only other option is an M-Audio with no pre's and then get external pre's? Are the AD/DA converters in the M-Audios any better than the Digis? On top of that, I'd like to get a pair of new mics too. I think I will settle on a Heil PR30 AND a Heil PR40 for snares, kick drums, guitars, bass, etc. That is about $350 for the 40 and $270 for the 30, which leaves me with about $2000 for the audio interface /pre's (I could go with an SM57 instead of the PR30, but I'd like to try something different). Any suggestions will be highly appreciated. I am in a situation in which I am thinking no matter what I purchase, I will have gone with the wrong option! many thanks.

24th August 2009	#2
Obitheincredible Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2008 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 577	The 30 and the 40 rock! Love mine to death and get used all the time! Now I would look at maybe 2 auteurs for pres, Sytek, 4 true p solo's used, 2/3 RNPs, 3 Art MPA And it could go on for awhile with decent pres in that price range really. Now for a interface I'd go with a Echo Layla 24/96 and adat that into a digi 003 to bypass conversion. I have seen them average about 150 for it and the pci card. I got mine for 50 bucks! The pres could go in there and you's still have all the mediocre pres on the digi in case you needed them. You could also look at the digi and mackie 800r on the used market/b stock marjet and be good there too. Or you can upgrade it later down the road with a black lion audio mod. The other interface that would be good would be a profire and that is more than decent in its pre's by them selvs. You have a good budget that will give you a tone of options, good luck! __________________ ObiAudio.com

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25th August 2009	#3
dregen77 Gear Head Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 32 Thread Starter	Hello Obi, Many thanks for your reply. There are really a lot of options around. It's hell to try to make a decision. I have my eyes set on that Profire 2626, looks pretty good and more or less has the same features as the Digi003+ and by the comments on the forum, seems that the converters and pre's are better. Not supergood, but at least better. That's a start!

27th August 2009	#4
fezel Gear interested Joined: May 2008 Posts: 23	im in exactly the same boat, but without the mbox to start with. im looking at getting an 003 and bypassing the conversion but really am not sure what direction to go in. this thread should shine some light