Newbie needs help! Macbook, Firewire, Classical/Chamber music mics

[stvatt]

I am a newbie here, and for years I have been recording recitals and chamber music with a Sony MZ-M100 Hi-MD minidisc with an Audio Technica AT-822 mic. I just got an Intel Macbook Pro, 2.16 GHZ, 1 GB RAM.

I am looking for a portable, firewire audio interface that will allow me to record chamber music in concert halls. This will usually mean a 2-mic setup in the hall, but I would like some expandability past just 4 mic preamps so that I could mic individual voices as in a trombone quartet, or brass quintet.

Units that I am looking at are:
Behringer ADA8000
MOTU Traveler
Firestudio
Fireface 800
Apogee Ensemble

Using ProTools would be a plus, but is not a necessity as I will be learning whatever software I get. In addition, are there any mic recommendations for acoustic chamber music? I am on a budget of about $600 for a pair of mics (or one good stereo mic). I've been looking at the Audio Technica 3035.

Thanks for any help!

[James Lehmann]

Originally Posted by stvatt

I just got an Intel Macbook Pro, 2.16 GHZ, 1 GB RAM... I am looking for a portable, firewire audio interface that will allow me to record chamber music in concert halls. This will usually mean a 2-mic setup in the hall, but I would like some expandability past just 4 mic preamps so that I could mic individual voices as in a trombone quartet, or brass quintet.

I'm sorry but since this is the Gearslutz Forum I am going to suggest you spend a bunch more money on your chosen application, otherwise you'll be back here in a year or two wondering why your recordings don't sound as good as you'd like!

You'd be wise to start researching Metric Halo interfaces, as the ULN-2 for sure is used by a lot of Pro's for just such applications (just join the mailing list and you'll see what I mean). Start with a ULN-2 and some Schoeps CMC5/MK2 or MK4 (Earthworks QTC are another popular choice) and you're in serious business for some top draw 2-channel classical recording and see how you get on. You can then add a second ULN-2 or even a Grace Designs Lunatec to hook in via AES to give you 4-channels if you're feeling comfortable with your system and want to expand it.

The other advantages of Metric Halo are the ultra stable drivers, the incredibly flexible routing and patching software and the built-in Record panel meaning you need run NO OTHER SOFTWARE on your MBP in the field to capture your takes and then edit them in your DAW of choice in the studio later.

My $0.02. No I don't work for MH!

[stvatt]

I will check in to these interfaces. Any advantage to the UNL-2 over the 2882?

[stvatt]

OK, I took the plunge and got a MH 2882+DSP for $935 off of eBay. Hopefully it will get here in a few days so I can try it out. I went with the 2882 over the ULN2 because of the greater number of inputs, and there wasn't an ULN2 for sale within my budget anyways.