Improving setup

[abstract]

I currently have the fantom, mpc 2000xl, proteus 2000 all going into a mackie 32-8bus then into a 002 rack. I recently spoke to a friend of mine that recommended adding a Radial jd-6 direct box http://www.radialeng.com/di-jd6.htm, an apogee rosetta 200, and an avalon pre to go with a rodes ntk mic. I would like opinions on this paticular setup. Im trying to get a good quality sound. Would going through a direct box then into the 200 improve my sound? Would the ntk sound good with the 737?

[hangman]

the Rosetta would certainly be an improvement over the stock O2 converters.
why did he suggest the Radial?
I feel like I always say this... but have you thought about the Ensemble? use it in standalone mode..... not as quite as nice as the 200... but you wouldnt need the radial.

[abstract]

Will check dat out

[abstract]

Originally Posted by hangman

the Rosetta would certainly be an improvement over the stock O2 converters.
why did he suggest the Radial?
I feel like I always say this... but have you thought about the Ensemble? use it in standalone mode..... not as quite as nice as the 200... but you wouldnt need the radial.

I spoke to my sales rep and unfortunately the ensemble is not compatible with pro tools. Thanks for the suggestion though. Would've saved me 800.00 bucks!

[abstract]

Originally Posted by Azriel_7

Please find yourself another sales rep or someone with a clue.

Ensemble Stand alone mode with DIGI002


I wonder what other wrong info they have given or will give you?

Do you have any suggestions for IMPROVING MY SET-UP. That was the title of the thread or was it FINDING A SALES REP..... WHAT THE ENSEMBLE SOUNDS LIKE....

[matthew.sawicki]

Originally Posted by abstract

Do you have any suggestions for IMPROVING MY SET-UP. That was the title of the thread or was it FINDING A SALES REP..... WHAT THE ENSEMBLE SOUNDS LIKE....

Maybe it was IM GONNA FLIP OUT AND YELL AFTER ABOUT 4 POSTS IN THIS THREAD...

[abstract]

Originally Posted by Azriel_7

18 Post and attitude


Or was it 18 Post, attitude and a great sales rep??

Or 110 post and an internet wansta! Go find out how to list where you're from or come back when you grow up and stop playing on your mommies pc.

[Stoneface]

WOW!!! Someone shows you your sales rep is either lying to you, didn't know it was possible or is just plain ******** and you get upset? I would have been giving big thanks for that. Ahh these kids today...

You probably won't get much help after that childish display but here's some better questions. What are your monitors? Is your room acoustically treated? I personally have never liked the 737. I guess it's a cult piece at this point. Most people without a clue default to the 737 because they don't know any better for Hip-Hop. How about a better mic? Then again, maybe it's not your gear...maybe it's you. Do you have talent? All the gear in the world can't make up for that.

What is it that you're not getting from your current setup?

[abstract]

Originally Posted by Stoneface

WOW!!! Someone shows you your sales rep is either lying to you, didn't know it was possible or is just plain ******** and you get upset? I would have been giving big thanks for that. Ahh these kids today...

You probably won't get much help after that childish display but here's some better questions. What are your monitors? Is your room acoustically treated? I personally have never liked the 737. I guess it's a cult piece at this point. Most people without a clue default to the 737 because they don't know any better for Hip-Hop. How about a better mic? Then again, maybe it's not your gear...maybe it's you. Do you have talent? All the gear in the world can't make up for that.

What is it that you're not getting from your current setup?

Gaves thanks several post ago. Even wanted to save the 800.00. Wow, maybe thats the reason some many people are afraid to ask questions on here and for years they just browse. So now I'll close by even thanking you for your response!

Originally Posted by abstract

I currently have the fantom, mpc 2000xl, proteus 2000 all going into a mackie 32-8bus then into a 002 rack. I recently spoke to a friend of mine that recommended adding a Radial jd-6 direct box Radial JD6 - Six channel rackmount direct box, an apogee rosetta 200, and an avalon pre to go with a rodes ntk mic. I would like opinions on this paticular setup. Im trying to get a good quality sound. Would going through a direct box then into the 200 improve my sound? Would the ntk sound good with the 737?

Dog, the pre/mic thing is up in the air, I've never used the rode ntk, but the 737 is a decent pre so it should be cool.

(You should test a few and choose the one you like soundwise).


As far as the direct box, honestly you won't hear a huge difference from what you have now with your mackie 32-8. It's been a while since I had a mackie board, but I'd say connect the outs from your fantom/proteus and MPC to the Mix B ins on the Mackie. (You'll have to use the volume knobs instead of faders but it sounds a bit cleaner.)

When you get ready to track your instruments, track from the Direct outs on the channels (If my memory serves me correctly they are balanced outs.)

Don't bus through the board's bussing scheme. DONT OVERLOAD the channel inputs.

From your set up, I'd guess you're hustling beats or making beats/recording. Neither the rosetta 200 or the DI is gonna help you a bunch. I'd keep what I have until I could buy better.

Get an outboard Pre and call it a day, Infact A good combo for the set up you have would be the API 2 channels pre with digital outs. It would give you DI to use for more important instruments (kick/snr/bass). A pre for Vox, and a digi out to bypass the converters on your Dig

Get that and throw in a dbx 160xt or 2 for compression and you'll be happy.i

Do you already have the rode mike? IF not, I'd recommend you check out some of the SE micropones on your budget. OR an AT4060 (used)

an AT4060 to an APi pre is pretty nice chain. I'd use it at any budget level.

[Stitch333]

The radial would be used to bypass the mackie for the sake of recording an electronically balenced signal from your collection of keyboards and samplers. I use apogee and am happy with'em. They will DEF show a sonic improvement in your recordings over the AD on a stock 002, FWIW...

[abstract]

Originally Posted by no ssl yet

Dog, the pre/mic thing is up in the air, I've never used the rode ntk, but the 737 is a decent pre so it should be cool.

(You should test a few and choose the one you like soundwise).


As far as the direct box, honestly you won't hear a huge difference from what you have now with your mackie 32-8. It's been a while since I had a mackie board, but I'd say connect the outs from your fantom/proteus and MPC to the Mix B ins on the Mackie. (You'll have to use the volume knobs instead of faders but it sounds a bit cleaner.)

When you get ready to track your instruments, track from the Direct outs on the channels (If my memory serves me correctly they are balanced outs.)

Don't bus through the board's bussing scheme. DONT OVERLOAD the channel inputs.

From your set up, I'd guess you're hustling beats or making beats/recording. Neither the rosetta 200 or the DI is gonna help you a bunch. I'd keep what I have until I could buy better.

Get an outboard Pre and call it a day, Infact A good combo for the set up you have would be the API 2 channels pre with digital outs. It would give you DI to use for more important instruments (kick/snr/bass). A pre for Vox, and a digi out to bypass the converters on your Dig

Get that and throw in a dbx 160xt or 2 for compression and you'll be happy.i

Do you already have the rode mike? IF not, I'd recommend you check out some of the SE micropones on your budget. OR an AT4060 (used)

an AT4060 to an APi pre is pretty nice chain. I'd use it at any budget level.

Kool i'm checking on those pieces asap. Man thanks for the info.

Originally Posted by Stitch333

The radial would be used to bypass the mackie for the sake of recording an electronically balenced signal from your collection of keyboards and samplers. I use apogee and am happy with'em. They will DEF show a sonic improvement in your recordings over the AD on a stock 002, FWIW...

I didn't mean to give the impression it wouldn't make any difference, just that I'd save for a Rosetta 800 or something before buying a 200.

Would the Rosetta 200 sound better? Yes.

Would it probably piss him off eventually that he only had 2 channels? Yes.


At least with the API he's not adding much to the cost to get all of what he needs.
I just don't get the logic in getting a rosetta 200

I tried to point him in a direction that would provide improvement now, but not be a speed bump when he wants to improve more later down the line.

[Stitch333]

Originally Posted by no ssl yet

I just don't get the logic in getting a rosetta 200

me either. a rosetta ad still gets great recordings at 1/4th the cost
api is a solid suggestion as well

be ez