help me w. project studio

balis · 28th July 2004

I have about $1500-2000 over the next couple months that I plan to put towards my project studio...right now have a

1) tascam 16 x 8 bus mixer
2) bunch of midi controlled real analogs (juno 106, pulse, etc,..)
3) akai s5000 w/ ak sys usb
4) assorted guitars and amps

preferred sequencer: Im going to be using DP4 on OSX

had a g3 w/ digi001 but received a g4 ibook lappie for b-day so planning to upgrade to some sort of firewire setup..never loved digi001 converters

so I want:

excellent A/D conversion
some sort of DI facility for recording bass and guitar (would like ability to record vocals but not priority right now) -- will also prolly close mic simultaneously w. sm57
effects

I rarely record more than a couple tracks at a time so many inputs are not priority

first priority:

good ad/da -- looking at mh ULN-2..do I need such good pres since I rarely record vox?

maybe the motu 2408mkII (for one thing I know it will integrate seamlessly w. my but I dont need that many inputs so that's why Im leaning towards the ULN-2)? more concerned about ad/da quality..

are there other good options? mini-me looks nice but pricey.

second priority:

ability to track bass and guitar and get a clean but warm sound

third priority:

decent reverb---will eventually purchase kurzweil rumour I think but for now prolly puts me over the top...

Please help!

Thanks guys (and girls)!

Jay Kahrs · 29th July 2004

Mics and micamps make a bigger difference then converters.

mattoxxx · 29th July 2004

I've used motu converters and they are pretty good for the money. If you are going to be tracking a lot of synths and DI's I'd look into getting a nice 2 channel pre with di's on it. That way you have the pre's if you need them. Maybe a motu 828mkii and a RNP would be good for you then you'd have a little left over to get a couple of mics or another synth.

hope this helps

Matt

wynsmth · 29th July 2004

I've used Motu hardware for years & just recently switched to the MH ULN2 which is far superior in every way to the Motu gear.(pres, clock, convertes, etc) Motu is good bang for the buck but Metric Halo stuff is the ultimate bang for the buck IMHO.

balis · 29th July 2004

appreciate the reply..

regarding pres--i.e. the RNP..don't I still need some sort of DI box to get the guitar (or bass) to mic level before i plug it into the preamp?or can I just direct to something like the RNP (or for that matter the pres on the MH ULN2)

rite now Im using the pre on my fender amp to plug into a line level input..sounds decent, not great

thx again!

Jay Kahrs · 31st July 2004

You'll need a DI box if the preamp doesn't have a DI input on it.

wynsmth · 31st July 2004

I plug my basses direct into the ULN2. It has the combo XLR & 1/4 inch jacks. It has plenty of clean gain. A friend of mine says the pres compare favorably to his Milenia as far as sound. Very clean & uncolored. I will probably get something like a Great River NV2 to add color but you don't need another pre or DI to get the level up.

28th July 2004	#1
balis Gear Head Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 46 Thread Starter	help me w. project studio I have about $1500-2000 over the next couple months that I plan to put towards my project studio...right now have a 1) tascam 16 x 8 bus mixer 2) bunch of midi controlled real analogs (juno 106, pulse, etc,..) 3) akai s5000 w/ ak sys usb 4) assorted guitars and amps preferred sequencer: Im going to be using DP4 on OSX had a g3 w/ digi001 but received a g4 ibook lappie for b-day so planning to upgrade to some sort of firewire setup..never loved digi001 converters so I want: excellent A/D conversion some sort of DI facility for recording bass and guitar (would like ability to record vocals but not priority right now) -- will also prolly close mic simultaneously w. sm57 effects I rarely record more than a couple tracks at a time so many inputs are not priority first priority: good ad/da -- looking at mh ULN-2..do I need such good pres since I rarely record vox? maybe the motu 2408mkII (for one thing I know it will integrate seamlessly w. my but I dont need that many inputs so that's why Im leaning towards the ULN-2)? more concerned about ad/da quality.. are there other good options? mini-me looks nice but pricey. second priority: ability to track bass and guitar and get a clean but warm sound third priority: decent reverb---will eventually purchase kurzweil rumour I think but for now prolly puts me over the top... Please help! Thanks guys (and girls)!

29th July 2004	#5
balis Gear Head Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 46 Thread Starter	thanks! appreciate the reply.. regarding pres--i.e. the RNP..don't I still need some sort of DI box to get the guitar (or bass) to mic level before i plug it into the preamp?or can I just direct to something like the RNP (or for that matter the pres on the MH ULN2) rite now Im using the pre on my fender amp to plug into a line level input..sounds decent, not great thx again!

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29th July 2004	#2
Jay Kahrs One with big hooves Join Date: May 2002 Location: Earth, NYC metro Posts: 5,898	Mics and micamps make a bigger difference then converters.

29th July 2004	#3
mattoxxx Gear maniac Join Date: May 2003 Location: boston Posts: 173	I've used motu converters and they are pretty good for the money. If you are going to be tracking a lot of synths and DI's I'd look into getting a nice 2 channel pre with di's on it. That way you have the pre's if you need them. Maybe a motu 828mkii and a RNP would be good for you then you'd have a little left over to get a couple of mics or another synth. hope this helps Matt

29th July 2004	#4
wynsmth Gear Head Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Camarillo Posts: 48	I've used Motu hardware for years & just recently switched to the MH ULN2 which is far superior in every way to the Motu gear.(pres, clock, convertes, etc) Motu is good bang for the buck but Metric Halo stuff is the ultimate bang for the buck IMHO.

31st July 2004	#7
wynsmth Gear Head Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Camarillo Posts: 48	I plug my basses direct into the ULN2. It has the combo XLR & 1/4 inch jacks. It has plenty of clean gain. A friend of mine says the pres compare favorably to his Milenia as far as sound. Very clean & uncolored. I will probably get something like a Great River NV2 to add color but you don't need another pre or DI to get the level up.