Focusrite Platinum Voicemaster Pro + mobile recording?

[littlejim84]

I'm looking to get into mobile recording for a London music rehersal house. I'll need to be pretty mobile... So, as it stands, it'll be my laptop, my mini carry case rackmount, a decent vocal mic and a stand... I'm on a budget here, I'm not an expert, but am looking for decent equipment...

I've already got a M-Audio Pro2626 coming... And, though this isn't too mobile, I don't mind carrying a carry case rack unit if needs be... So wanted that... My main thing will be recording vocals no doubt... So...

My mate put me on to this Focusrite Plantinum Voicemaster Pro, which he beleives could be great for recording vocals... http://www.dv247.com/invt/10984/ ... what you reckon?

Get a 3u rack carry for my M-Audio and the focusrite... (Gator GR3S 3u Portable Rack Case @ Millennium Music)

Also, I've heard about the mobile vocal booth (http://www.dv247.com/invt/31474/) that could be ideal to get a clean recording, but how portable are they? Do they come in the way they look in the picture, or do they fold up nice?... Also, need some sort of foldable mic stand too... Are these available? Which ones a good one? Want something proper sturdy...

I already have a Shure SM58, but thinking a Rode? (http://www.dv247.com/invt/10227/)

Thing is, I want this to be some extra income for me... Not only the fact that I love this stuff!! But... Any suggestions? What would you have to do this type of thing? I know the rack mount carry thing maybe over kill, but I don't want to spend extra cash getting ANOTHER mobile sound card, if I can help it... (but I may have too)...

Any suggestions, ideas, help, info? ANYTHING! Cheers guys!

[Jonboy79]

I wouldn't mess with the Focusrite stuff. IMO it's too expensive for how crappy it is. I just recently purchased a Joe Meek 6Q that's been working very well on vocal tracks and it's only a single rackspace so you might want to consider that. I even think the cheaper Joe Meek 3Q is better than the Focusrite Platinum stuff.

[Reptil]

the Mixmaster and the Compounder being the exception on that "rule".

[littlejim84]

Oh, ok. I mean, I'll have the M-Audio Profire2626 (which is 1u) and if I did get the Joe Meek then that's another 1u... Would be perfect with this:

Gator GSR2U-W Studio-2-Go | Sweetwater.com

? ... So a no go on the Focusrite then? Thing is, the Profire2626 apparantly has some very nice pre-amps on it... But if I was to go the way of getting an extra unit (like the Joe) I would like to make sure it's worthy of having the extra pre-amp, if that makes sense.

I'm expecting that alot of the jobs I'll get will be with people like opera singers, male vocals etc. etc. I personally like the 'warm' sound of such stuff, so maybe the Joe will be good? But please, give me some options...

Also, does anyone know exactly how portable the SE Electronics Reflexion Filter Portable actually is? Would I have to have some rediculous bag for it? Or does it kinda fold up or something?

[Jonboy79]

I feel the Meek has a warm character that most cheaper preamps don't. While it isn't in the same class as something like a Great River or API, I do think it's a notch above stuff from Presonus, Focusrite and the like. There's just something a little sweeter sounding to the Joe Meek stuff IMO.

[littlejim84]

VERY interested in the Joe Meek, I must admit... Seems pretty bloody perfect for what I need... The lack of a de-esser though - That's something I can do after the recording has been made, right? That should be easy. A compressor of somesort is definitely needed though, as these guys I'll be recording on location with have alot of dynamic range (some are opera singers)... But I don't have the cash to get something really top end.

Found a deal where you get a Joe Meek JM37 microphone with the unit. Obviously it's free, and I'm not expecting much, but what are those JM37s like as microphone? Not too bad? (again, not expecting excellence here...)

Hmmm.... cool, ok, so getting this image together nicely.

Does anyone know about these SE filters for microphones (http://www.dv247.com/invt/31474/) ... exactly how portable are they?

Cheers... any advice/info would be great... Anyone!