Professional Mobile Studio

Thesas · 19th December 2008

Hello, I am looking for ideas on how to invest 12-15k into a professional mobile studio. I have been using lower end gear (presonus, yamaha...) for a while and have the opportunity to upgrade. Would like to have equipment capable of professionally recording maybe 8 tracks at this point. Size/portability important as well. Ideas with/without microphone recommendations welcome. Thanks.

Baithak · 20th December 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thesas

Hello, I am looking for ideas on how to invest 12-15k into a professional mobile studio. I have been using lower end gear (presonus, yamaha...) for a while and have the opportunity to upgrade. Would like to have equipment capable of professionally recording maybe 8 tracks at this point. Size/portability important as well. Ideas with/without microphone recommendations welcome. Thanks.

If you know that 8 tracks is all you will need ...

1. Smallest is the 788 from Sounddevices. Only restriction is that it is currently limited to 44.1. There is a way to do 10+2 tracks on this but I have not used this feature.

2. The Cantar from AETON is a bit of an overkill but probably one of the best one box solutions out there.

3. Sonosax has a 8 track recorder MiniR8 that does 8 track digital recording when fed from a digital source; this is combination with the Cranesong Spider / Sonosax's own mixers will also make a very high end rig. They also have a new recorder that does 4 track recording with built-in pres and 8 track recording with external digital input for the other inputs.

4. If you choose to go with a computer as your recorder, there are many, many choices with front ends from DAD e.g. if you choose to go with Pyramix, many protools solutions etc.

Good luck,
Baithak

DSD_Mastering · 20th December 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thesas

Hello, I am looking for ideas on how to invest 12-15k into a professional mobile studio.

Probably the best out there now under $15k is a Sonoma system with Mytek converters.

Regards,

MichaelPatrick · 20th December 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baithak

...the 788 from Sounddevices. Only restriction is that it is currently limited to 44.1.

The SD788 does up to 48.

summer_room · 20th December 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baithak

There is a way to do 10+2 tracks on this but I have not used this feature.

About the 788 at the SD website:

The 788T has eight inputs, and each of the eight inputs can be routed to any of twelve tracks.

zoom · 20th December 2008

The 788T has more than 8 inputs. Just the eight which are analog...
btw: is it possible to use the additional tracks which are provided by the 788T for a 2channel downmix on location?

videoteque · 20th December 2008

Thesas, you have to decide if carrying a computer or not with you. You say you are concerned about size, but a notebook can be smaller than a 1 unit rack.

If you don't want a computer, you can choose between racked units (not little nor light, but road-ready) or multitrack recorders like those recomended before.

Hope that helps...

If you want a computer, you'd better choose your application, then your platform (PC or Mac) and then your interface.

jindrich · 20th December 2008

where are you located and what do you want this for? Prices vary depending on where you live (US, EU, UK), and as for the application, well, tracking classical is not the same as a metal band.

Anyway you can do much worse than this:

-Apogee ensemble
-Aurora GTQ2 mk3
-Portico 5012+5043
-Presonus HP50

You'd hardly find a more affordable, more flexible (classical to VO to R&R) and better sounding setup, all in just 4U: 8 preamps, 4 DIs, 8 AD/DA, 2ch compression, 2ch tracking EQ, 6ch of totally independent headphone distribution with talkback. In the EU all that goes for around €7k

The apogee is not worse than a Digi 192 as a converter and it also comes with 4 really good transparent preamps, and using its digital I/O can manage up to 18 sources. The aurora gives you 2 ch of awesome nevesque pres with a great tracking eq, plus 2 DI. The portico pres are more accurate sounding, great for classical, overheads or acoustic instruments, and the portico 2ch compressor is perfect for tracking (try both ch in series in same source, comp+limit) as well as for 2bus compression. The presonus along with the ensemble's routing capabilities give you up to 6 very clear and powerful, latency free, totally independent headphone mixes (say mix+click+instrument, for each guy, all with talkback).

cheers

EDIT: mics for the above:

-U47 clone (tube LD mic for big vocals)
-matched pair of Gefell 930 (allround LD cardiods, all uses, vocals, acguitars)
-matched pair of Beyer 930 (all round SD cardiods, sound just like the old neumann 84s)
-AEA 84R (ribbon, you can use it for everything)
-Beyer 88 (dynamic mic, from Kick to vocals)
-3x shure sm57 (staple dynamic mic, snare, vocals, toms, guit amps)

The whole set for €6k. You can track ANYTHING with this, vocals, drums, string quartets, or an entire band.

summer_room · 20th December 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by zoom

The 788T has more than 8 inputs. Just the eight which are analog...
btw: is it possible to use the additional tracks which are provided by the 788T for a 2channel downmix on location?

Hi

Please explain how you get more than 8 inputs with the SD 788T...

As I understand the machine, it has 8 analog OR digital inputs and 12 tracks (A-H, L,R, Aux1, Aux2).
With the optional controller, you can make 2 independent stereo mixes to L,R or Aux1, Aux2.

Yes? No?

-jon

Thesas · 20th December 2008

Thanks for the replies! I live in the US and do understand how the prices vary from region to region. I will be primarily recording rock/pop, but like the idea the branching and recording more on location of all types of music, leading me to have a few different sound types available. I like the idea of the 4 channel api, I have heard sound samples of the aurora preamps and neve porticos which I like (didn't realize the neves were on the the more transparent side). Biggest unknown is the converter, desiring something that is fairly independent of recording platform. Any experience with Rosetta 800, or aurora lynx? Trying to be as versatile and convenient as possible. Thanks

Baithak · 20th December 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelPatrick

The SD788 does up to 48.

Oops. That was sloppy on my part.

Baithak

MichaelPatrick · 20th December 2008

If I were starting over I'd consider one of these:

Nagra VI

Six channels is enough for most location recording of acoustic music as it will capture 2 mains, 2 outriggers, and 2 spots, or other full setups.

I use a SD744 and sometimes miss those extra two channels, but I can't go the SD788 route because I need higher resolution than 48.

All these high end portable recorders are wonderful to use and very reliable. I don't think I could bring myself to rely on a computer for location recording because they're subject to so many operating risks.

For more channels at very high quality you can combine an Aurora 8 converter and ADAT into an Alesis HD24XR recorder. While physically bigger than SD or Nagra, the quality and price are excellent. At 88 or 96 you get 12 channels: 8 channels out of the Aurora into the HD24XR plus 4 using the recorder's converters which are very good.

Costs:
Aurora 8 with ADAT - $2,200
HD24XR - $2,000
Ashly 1U line mixer to monitor up to 16 channels - $520
Snakes - $230
Alesis Fireport - $200
$5,150 total

tsvisser · 21st December 2008

I think that the VI is a great deal if you are looking for the level of quality that it offers. It is not as flexible or has the channel count of some of its contemporaries, but it is quite competitive and a great value at the high end.

I assume that you are talking about a non-computer based rig.

The Sound Devices 788t with it outboard control surface accessory is genius. I really hope that Nagra develops something along the same lines, a sort of miniature control surface to allow manipulation of the built in mixer without resorting to the somewhat cumbersome pot assign method that is used now. I know that such a device could potentially interface with the Nagra via the USB or MIDI port that is built it, but I have seen no evidence of such an accessory coming from Nagra in the near future, although they have said in a non-committal way that something like that would be possible. Because I sometimes need to deliver 24/96, the 788t was not an option for me.

I like the Aaton, but it is very expensive. Unless you are a top dog in the film location sound biz - you would be paying for features you would not necessarily be taking advantage of. I just don't think it is the right machine for music remotes. I can't comment on sound quality as I've never used one. I would be surprised if it offered better audio performance than the VI, although that is just my opinion (with no basis).

Sonosax panel mixer with a built in recorder (basically the guts of the MINIR82) might be an interesting option.

Another very interesting option may be the new Korg MR2000S. It is positioned as a 2-channel studio recorder, but they have shown pre-release firmware that allows multiple units to be slaved together to form a modular mult-channel recorder. 4 of these units would give you 8 channels. DSD recording might be interesting, but somehow the simplicity, reliability, and DC portability of the VI would still sway me to go that direction, personally.

19th December 2008	#1
Thesas Gear interested Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 6 Thread Starter	Professional Mobile Studio Hello, I am looking for ideas on how to invest 12-15k into a professional mobile studio. I have been using lower end gear (presonus, yamaha...) for a while and have the opportunity to upgrade. Would like to have equipment capable of professionally recording maybe 8 tracks at this point. Size/portability important as well. Ideas with/without microphone recommendations welcome. Thanks.

20th December 2008	#6
zoom Gear nut Joined: Oct 2005 Location: bern / switzerland Posts: 146	The 788T has more than 8 inputs. Just the eight which are analog... btw: is it possible to use the additional tracks which are provided by the 788T for a 2channel downmix on location? __________________ http://www.audiobit.ch

20th December 2008	#12
MichaelPatrick Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,254	Nagra VI; or a box of stuff for multichannel If I were starting over I'd consider one of these: Nagra VI Six channels is enough for most location recording of acoustic music as it will capture 2 mains, 2 outriggers, and 2 spots, or other full setups. I use a SD744 and sometimes miss those extra two channels, but I can't go the SD788 route because I need higher resolution than 48. All these high end portable recorders are wonderful to use and very reliable. I don't think I could bring myself to rely on a computer for location recording because they're subject to so many operating risks. For more channels at very high quality you can combine an Aurora 8 converter and ADAT into an Alesis HD24XR recorder. While physically bigger than SD or Nagra, the quality and price are excellent. At 88 or 96 you get 12 channels: 8 channels out of the Aurora into the HD24XR plus 4 using the recorder's converters which are very good. Costs: Aurora 8 with ADAT - $2,200 HD24XR - $2,000 Ashly 1U line mixer to monitor up to 16 channels - $520 Snakes - $230 Alesis Fireport - $200 $5,150 total

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20th December 2008	#7
videoteque Lives for gear Joined: Oct 2006 Location: Near Rome, Italy Posts: 829	Thesas, you have to decide if carrying a computer or not with you. You say you are concerned about size, but a notebook can be smaller than a 1 unit rack. If you don't want a computer, you can choose between racked units (not little nor light, but road-ready) or multitrack recorders like those recomended before. Hope that helps... If you want a computer, you'd better choose your application, then your platform (PC or Mac) and then your interface.

20th December 2008	#8
jindrich Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2003 Location: Palma+Stuttgart Posts: 1,599	where are you located and what do you want this for? Prices vary depending on where you live (US, EU, UK), and as for the application, well, tracking classical is not the same as a metal band. Anyway you can do much worse than this: -Apogee ensemble -Aurora GTQ2 mk3 -Portico 5012+5043 -Presonus HP50 You'd hardly find a more affordable, more flexible (classical to VO to R&R) and better sounding setup, all in just 4U: 8 preamps, 4 DIs, 8 AD/DA, 2ch compression, 2ch tracking EQ, 6ch of totally independent headphone distribution with talkback. In the EU all that goes for around €7k The apogee is not worse than a Digi 192 as a converter and it also comes with 4 really good transparent preamps, and using its digital I/O can manage up to 18 sources. The aurora gives you 2 ch of awesome nevesque pres with a great tracking eq, plus 2 DI. The portico pres are more accurate sounding, great for classical, overheads or acoustic instruments, and the portico 2ch compressor is perfect for tracking (try both ch in series in same source, comp+limit) as well as for 2bus compression. The presonus along with the ensemble's routing capabilities give you up to 6 very clear and powerful, latency free, totally independent headphone mixes (say mix+click+instrument, for each guy, all with talkback). cheers EDIT: mics for the above: -U47 clone (tube LD mic for big vocals) -matched pair of Gefell 930 (allround LD cardiods, all uses, vocals, acguitars) -matched pair of Beyer 930 (all round SD cardiods, sound just like the old neumann 84s) -AEA 84R (ribbon, you can use it for everything) -Beyer 88 (dynamic mic, from Kick to vocals) -3x shure sm57 (staple dynamic mic, snare, vocals, toms, guit amps) The whole set for €6k. You can track ANYTHING with this, vocals, drums, string quartets, or an entire band.

21st December 2008	#13
tsvisser Lives for gear Joined: Feb 2007 Location: Honolulu HI Posts: 1,852	I think that the VI is a great deal if you are looking for the level of quality that it offers. It is not as flexible or has the channel count of some of its contemporaries, but it is quite competitive and a great value at the high end. I assume that you are talking about a non-computer based rig. The Sound Devices 788t with it outboard control surface accessory is genius. I really hope that Nagra develops something along the same lines, a sort of miniature control surface to allow manipulation of the built in mixer without resorting to the somewhat cumbersome pot assign method that is used now. I know that such a device could potentially interface with the Nagra via the USB or MIDI port that is built it, but I have seen no evidence of such an accessory coming from Nagra in the near future, although they have said in a non-committal way that something like that would be possible. Because I sometimes need to deliver 24/96, the 788t was not an option for me. I like the Aaton, but it is very expensive. Unless you are a top dog in the film location sound biz - you would be paying for features you would not necessarily be taking advantage of. I just don't think it is the right machine for music remotes. I can't comment on sound quality as I've never used one. I would be surprised if it offered better audio performance than the VI, although that is just my opinion (with no basis). Sonosax panel mixer with a built in recorder (basically the guts of the MINIR82) might be an interesting option. Another very interesting option may be the new Korg MR2000S. It is positioned as a 2-channel studio recorder, but they have shown pre-release firmware that allows multiple units to be slaved together to form a modular mult-channel recorder. 4 of these units would give you 8 channels. DSD recording might be interesting, but somehow the simplicity, reliability, and DC portability of the VI would still sway me to go that direction, personally.