Building a mobile rig

[AdamAMM]

I've been lurking around this forum for a while reading all the informative posts but I still need some help for I am totally lost as to what to do now. I am a total newbie when it comes to gear. Digidesign is known for its problems and I don't really want to get caught up in them but I really like pro tools!

I would like to build a mobile recording rig. This rig will be used initially to just record my bands demos but eventually once I get all the gear together I'd like to use it as a extra money maker for other local bands. My first thought was to buy the new 003+factory rack because I know Pro Tools pretty well and I have a Mbox2 to exhange. After reading that the pre's and just about everything apparently is pretty crappy within the 003 I'm having second thoughts.

I'm open to PC or Mac, although I prefer Macs because I'd like to use it as a personal computer as well. If I got a PC it'd be strictly for audio because we all know PCs love to contract viruses and spyware from the internet. It may just be me but pro tools seems to run smoother on PCs too. I feel like I'm wasting money on the 003 if the pres sound like crap. So help me out guys, I need at the least 8 mic pres. What is a decent, price effective rig?

[JoeyM]

I'm doing the same and am strongly brainstorming:

*Seventh Circle 8-channel DIY Mic Preamp Kits - Seventh Circle Audio

I still can't be perfectly sure how many of which type. I'd probably be well off with 2 x N72s and 6 A12s, into a Fireface 800 or similar.

With my budget I'm thinking more about direct close micing common sound sources more than worrying if I need a J99 to capture the essence of a special room which houses a flautist

Other than money, the only hitch is whether to have them build the N72s, because using an ocillioscope is recommended (but they claim not required) for that one. But it's a lot more expensive having others build them, and frankly I like my own soldering skills etc.

Good luck to you AND me!

-will be back to finish this train of thought-

[Seamus TM]

We use an Alesis HD24xr for our mobile rig.
It's a no brainer.

As for pres, what is your price range?
How many tracks do you need to record at once?
Do you already have mics?
What about pesky little things like stands and cables?

[drBill]

Mobile?

Two words. And nothing to do with computers, DAW's or hardware.

Multipin Interconnect. Think Elco/EDAC. Smartest thing I ever did.

[henryrobinett]

The most incredible mobile rig -- well one of them. ULN-8 and Macbook. Actually I'm just using a Powerbok 1.67. Though today I just picked up a Quad Core Mac Pro, that';s not for mobile work.

I've had no problems whatsoever with Metric Halo boxes, and their Record Panel.

[John Eppstein]

The Presonus StudioLive is what you need. 16.4.2 digital mixer with full firewire ins and outs. Easy to use interface. Good mic pres, full eq and dynamics on every channel. Will send all 16 individual channels, all aux buss outputs, and all main outputs to your computer on one firewire connection while mixing a live show at the same time. It lists for 2 grand. I usually hate digital mixers, but when I saw this at the SF AES last fall I was blown away. No @%$##@%@ nested menus to deal with. If you're going to be recording at clubs where there is a separate mixer for the system you'll probably need a mic splitter and possibly a snake. Depending on the circumstances you might want to mic things that are not miced for the PA as well. You won't get a good band mix off a set of PA mics that are only for vocals.......

You'll also need a suitable laptop with a firewire port, of course.

You can import the tracks into PT after the gig.

[Remoteness]

I'm thinking this thread is better off in the Remote Recording... forum since we talk about this all the time.

[AdamAMM]

Originally Posted by John Eppstein

The Presonus StudioLive is what you need. 16.4.2 digital mixer with full firewire ins and outs. Easy to use interface. Good mic pres, full eq and dynamics on every channel. Will send all 16 individual channels, all aux buss outputs, and all main outputs to your computer on one firewire connection while mixing a live show at the same time. It lists for 2 grand. I usually hate digital mixers, but when I saw this at the SF AES last fall I was blown away. No @%$##@%@ nested menus to deal with. If you're going to be recording at clubs where there is a separate mixer for the system you'll probably need a mic splitter and possibly a snake. Depending on the circumstances you might want to mic things that are not miced for the PA as well. You won't get a good band mix off a set of PA mics that are only for vocals.......

You'll also need a suitable laptop with a firewire port, of course.

You can import the tracks into PT after the gig.

I researched the StudioLive and I thought I had found what I wanted (thanks!). I then came across the A&H ZED420. I prefer analog board over a digital, and it has everything I need including USB connections which would save me some money. USB just as good as Firewire? I know the A&H ZED R16 is firewire, is there a firewire model for the 420?

Can Sonar LE be ran on a Mac? If anything I'll just track into the Sonar then transfer into Pro Tools or Logic for when I get some plugs. I've never used Sonar before, any thoughts?

I've read only good things about A&H, apparently very nice sounding and quiet pres. It's only $1500! Anyone else want to elaborate or share they're experiences with A&H?

Thanks for all the responses!

PS: Most everything I'll be recording is going to be in the metal genre, anyone see any problems or more suggestions? Thanks again

[mixedupsteve]

Originally Posted by AdamAMM

I researched the StudioLive and I thought I had found what I wanted (thanks!). I then came across the A&H ZED420. I prefer analog board over a digital, and it has everything I need including USB connections which would save me some money. USB just as good as Firewire? I know the A&H ZED R16 is firewire, is there a firewire model for the 420?

Can Sonar LE be ran on a Mac? If anything I'll just track into the Sonar then transfer into Pro Tools or Logic for when I get some plugs. I've never used Sonar before, any thoughts?

I've read only good things about A&H, apparently very nice sounding and quiet pres. It's only $1500! Anyone else want to elaborate or share they're experiences with A&H?

Thanks for all the responses!

PS: Most everything I'll be recording is going to be in the metal genre, anyone see any problems or more suggestions? Thanks again

The 420 USB is only 2 tracks through the USB I think. The R16 is 18 outs through firewire (16 ch plus 2tr mains). The R16 is analog too except that the unit can be used as a digital control surface for mixdown of multitrack later.
The Presonus is all digital. If you need multitrack and want it through a console then you might look at the Mackie Onyx firewire units also or even the Alesis Multimix 16 firewire. The Alesis has few features and only 8 mic inputs but is a good starter unit for the price.

[AdamAMM]

Originally Posted by mixedupsteve

The 420 USB is only 2 tracks through the USB I think. The R16 is 18 outs through firewire (16 ch plus 2tr mains). The R16 is analog too except that the unit can be used as a digital control surface for mixdown of multitrack later.
The Presonus is all digital. If you need multitrack and want it through a console then you might look at the Mackie Onyx firewire units also or even the Alesis Multimix 16 firewire. The Alesis has few features and only 8 mic inputs but is a good starter unit for the price.

Ahhhhh! Can anyone confirm this? Only two tracks through USB? Thought I had found my console!!!

The R16 is $1500 more than the 420. Although I'd love to have the R16, $3000 is a little much for me right now.

I've only seen videos of the studiolive but does anyone else think it just kind of looks cheap? I could be wrong, but if anyone has had some hands on time with it, chime in here and let me know what you think about the build/quality of the board. Thanks

[gareth.h.rees]

Yup, its only 2 channels through USB

[AdamAMM]

Originally Posted by gareth.h.rees

Yup, its only 2 channels through USB

Looks like I'll be saving up for a while....The R16 looks great though! I'm assuming the pre amps are different from the 420, they claim they are the best pres allen and heath make.

Like I said before I'm pretty much a noob when it comes to gear, could some give me an example of how I could connect the 420 to my pc or mac? What other gear would I need and around how much would I have to spend? I'm guessing it would probably come out to about the same price as the R16 if not more.

Thanks

[AdamAMM]

Originally Posted by Mumblesound

We use an Alesis HD24xr for our mobile rig.
It's a no brainer.

As for pres, what is your price range?
How many tracks do you need to record at once?
Do you already have mics?
What about pesky little things like stands and cables?

I don't really have a price range, I want to buy good stuff the first time, so i'm saving up and buy as I go. With that said, I'm not looking to spend 3K on a Neve pre right now either. Eventually the high end things will come but I want good sounding gear for reasonable prices.

For mics, right now I've got 3 SM57s, and the band has some other microphones I'll be using until I get my collection going. We have enough to record now. How comfortable are you guys buying used microphones on ebay? I'm nervous about it cause what are the chances these guys switched out the internal components? I wouldn't know the difference!

We've got cables, need a couple more mic stands and clips.

[mixedupsteve]

Do you have to have a mixer. You could just get an interface to start. How many channels do you need?

[tsvisser]

I think that both the StudioLive and R16 are excellent products and represent a lot of value for the money. I personally would go with the StudioLive if emphasis was on live sound reinforcement and the R16 if the emphasis was more on the recording aspect, plus its utility in the studio as a controller. The StudioLive is rackmountable, which almost trumps the decision in its favor in my mind, as much respect as I have for the quality of the A&H mic pres and analog EQ.

[AdamAMM]

Originally Posted by mixedupsteve

Do you have to have a mixer. You could just get an interface to start. How many channels do you need?

No mixer yet. I'd like to have at least 16 channels. I think I've decided on the R16 even though it's over a grand more in cost, it looks like the best you can get in it's price range and the fact that it's 18 i/o all by firewire is a big reason I'm going with it.

If anyone wants to donate some money to a poor audio engineer in the making PM me and I'll get ya my address.

[LimeMusic]

If you are really looking for a cost-effective way to start out your recording rig, I would buy two Firepods and daisy chain them for 16 inputs. If you buy them used, it will probably cost you $500, and you can put more money towards mics and other gear. I know Firepods get alot of flack around here, but I use them for my mobile recording, and I get some great stuff with them. And you can buy more mics with the money you save instead of borrowing them. You won't be able to use ProTools to record, but you can fly the tracks over for mixing later.

I don't know, I just think it's better to save money for mics and outboard gear when you don't have it as opposed to spending a big chunk of money on a mid-level Firewire interface you'll likely grow tired of. Might as well buy an ok interface, buy cool outboard gear you'll grow with, and then save for a killer interface later. Just my thoughts....