Advice for new stuff for mobile redording setup

[angelo]

Hi

I recently sold my Tascam Mx2424 and Yamaha 01v96 and i'm looking for new stuff to upgrade my currecnt mobile recording setup.
I'm doing live, theater and recording sound for over 15 years and due to several reasons in the last years it has become more of a (serious) hobby instead of trying to make some money.
I sold this equipent to make my setup smaller and because I have enough with 12 to 16 channels (mainly jazz). I kept my preamps and microphones. I have 2 Focusrite Red1's, a Trident IX-one and a Presonus digimax.
I'm using a Digi 002r with a Macbook Pro. I connect my Red's analog to the 002r and use the buildin A/D conversion, via the adat I connect the Presonus digimax.
I recently recorded a 4-5 man jazzband and I'm very happy with the soundquality. To my ears the sound was less dark and gritty and more open then with the A/D conversion from the MX2424. With the MX2424 I did more rock orientated stuff and together with the Trident, soundwise this was a good combination.

Offcours there is room for improvement and at this stage i'm looking for ways to improve the sound. Due to the sale I have some money to spent and I'm looking for new preamps, better conversion and perhaps new mics. I also want to sell the Trident IX-one because I don't use it anymore.

So, I need some advice; what would be a bigger/better improvement, adding some good preamps or upgrading the A/D conversion?

I'm happy with the Red1's and at this stage I do not want to replace them. I'm could add a Focusrite Isa 428 with the digital option and connect one of the Red's to the extra 4 inputs.
From what I read on the internet the conversion from the digital card is from high quality. This way I have 12 channels of fine preamps and it get's the job done.
The Isa 428 together with the digital card is priced very competetive.
Another option is to buy an Apogee Rosetta 800/Mini Me to add high quality I/O or should I add some other good preamps to go with my Red's?


Thanks in advance for your advice!

Regards,

Angelo

[angelo]

Eh, 2 days and responses??

If I posted this on the wrong forum, please let me know.

Ideas are really welcome.

Cheers,

Angelo

[FS0420]

An alesis HD24XR and something like the Saffire just for monitoring would be a smaller set up. Not sure if you are interested in another disc recorder since you sold your mackie, but thats about the smallest set up I can come up with.
Something like a Fireface800 would be a smaller set up for 12 tracks or so, but I cant guarantee the FF800 drivers will ever be stable.
Have you looked into the Mackie 1200F that is coming out? Looks like your all in one solution. Cant comment on the drivers or support, but the 800R sounds better than the Fireface800 to me....

[Remoteness]

Originally Posted by angelo

Eh, 2 days and responses??

If I posted this on the wrong forum, please let me know.

Ideas are really welcome.

Cheers,

Angelo

Angelo, Baby... It's the right forum. Don't give up hope just yet.

Furthermore, I really appreciate your detailed post. Very cool my man!

I think you already have the answers. Demo the 428 with the digital card and see how it sounds to your ear. If you really like the Red's, go for the combo. It sounds like you’ll have a really nice compact system to play with.

Keep it simple and smart -- Like others have said before, “If you cannot hear the difference, why spend the extra bread.”

In any event, demo as many of the suggestions you mention and compare the sonic quality to economics ratio. I’m sure more fo9lks will chime in with their opinions.

Oh, have you listened to the DAVs yet?

Keep us posted on your developments!