How is having an interface and DAW better/worse than getting a rack? Which is better?

[yancyv8]

I have Pro Tools MP9 and an M-Audio Profire 610. I'm curious though as to if it's better or worse than buy a whole rack of some sort. I don't know how racks work or anything but would getting one be better than just an audio interface and the DAW and is it cheaper or more expensive?

[audigy]

I think you need to explain what your asking a bit better before anyone can help you, what exactly do you mean by "a whole rack of some sort"?

[gravyface]

Originally Posted by audigy

I think you need to explain what your asking a bit better before anyone can help you, what exactly do you mean by "a whole rack of some sort"?

Rack of lamb. If you had a table full of guests over for Sunday dinner, yes, that would be better.

[darkbuddha]

I prefer another kinda rack...

But in all seriousness, if you're seriously asking about a DAW & interface versus a rack of gear (some sort of digital or analog outboard recorder with a crap load of mic pre's, external effects processors, sync/timing gear, patchbays, compressors, etc.), then I would suggest sticking with whatever you've got now (assuming it works for you and you know how to work with it). Both have their advantages and disadvantages, but the nature of each is very different in a very fundamental way. And to be honest, if you're not familiar with using outboard racked gear, you may find yourself both frustrated and shocked by what goes into accumulating/buying/using all the stuff in an outboard rack setup that would be comparable to your current DAW & interface setup.

BTW, IMHO, a good studio setup would probably have both a DAW & interface and some key outboard racked gear.

[yosefTux]

I think OP is talking about full OTB (out of the box or analog) tracking and mixing. So I'll give it a stab.

Hardware processors, like compression, reverb, delay and EQ, require you to have multiple channels worth of each - one for each simultaneous instance. This is why OTB studios have 100s of thousands to millions of dollars in gear. If you stay analog, you record to tape, with no conversions until you master to CD.

ITB (interface & DAW, Inside the box or digital) mixing allows you to use plugins in place of all that outboard gear, and allows the digital process to be far less expensive. Digital gear can still be very expensive, because how close an approximation of the analog curve is "close enough"?

This doesn't mean there's not an analog component to most digital studios, vocals, acoustic instruments and drums, analog synths, anything you want to record by micing the amplifier/cabinet all have to get into the box somehow. So microphones, preamps, analog mixers, line level inputs and DI boxes are part of the gear that's common to both types of studios.

Not gonna get into the debate about whether either one is better than the other as both have their places, and they're not mutually exclusive. All depends on application and preference, and of course, budget.

[gravyface]

I'm going to say that, given your likely inexperience with recording in general, stick with what you have until you're absolutely certain that it's gear, and not your skill level, that's preventing you from succeeding.

Check out the $200 recording thread for a great example of what you can achieve with quality musicianship and very modest equipment.

[yancyv8]

Originally Posted by gravyface

I'm going to say that, given your likely inexperience with recording in general, stick with what you have until you're absolutely certain that it's gear, and not your skill level, that's preventing you from succeeding.

Check out the $200 recording thread for a great example of what you can achieve with quality musicianship and very modest equipment.

I didn't say I wasn't getting what I needed out of it or that I wasn't doing what I wanted to do, I was just curious because I'm new to all this stuff and wanted to know what was the better route. I'm really just asking because IMO the cosmetics of having a rack looks really cool, but I guess that doesn't really matter.

[Rod Gervais]

I just curious why you asked that in here - and never bothered to ask how the room affects what you hear when mixing...........

No matter what get you own (or don't own) if the room sucks your mixes are going to suffer.......

This is the sort of question one usually pursues in gear forums - not acoustic forums......

Rod

[darkbuddha]

Originally Posted by yancyv8

I'm really just asking because IMO the cosmetics of having a rack looks really cool, but I guess that doesn't really matter.

And there it is... Yes, rack gear looks cool, but function over form rules when it comes down to it, but a fancy rack full of gear can also make a huge impression to others/clients. Remember, it costs a bunch to build a good collection of gear, it takes up a ton of space, makes lots of heat, requires lots of power, requires lots of cabling, and can create potential issues like line noise and ground issues, etc. I speak from experience. Of course, I now do everything "inside the box" and any remaining rack gear I have sits in a closet for the rare occasion I feel I need it.

[yancyv8]

Originally Posted by Rod Gervais

I just curious why you asked that in here - and never bothered to ask how the room affects what you hear when mixing...........

No matter what get you own (or don't own) if the room sucks your mixes are going to suffer.......

This is the sort of question one usually pursues in gear forums - not acoustic forums......

Rod

This sub-forum is called studio building that's why I asked in here, but my fault for asking, my mistake.

[darkbuddha]

Originally Posted by yancyv8

This sub-forum is called studio building that's why I asked in here, but my fault for asking, my mistake.

Not a big deal... just a semantic error I think. This forum is really focused quite literally on studio building, as in the physical space and physical features, rather than the more figurative use of the word "building", as in "building a collection of gear" or "building a system of components."

That said, you can't go wrong hanging out in this forum. The sheer amount of information, generously provided professionally informed advice, and the potential huge benefits of applying what you learn here is often way way way more valuable and important than much of the gear you'll buy or use. Seriously. You think a rack of gear looks cool? That ain't crap compared to a properly treated room! Which one impresses you more?

Untreated home studio with racks of gear:




Treated home studio, and not a rack in the place:




BTW, that's mine.^^^

Get started here:

Acoustics/Treatment Reference Guide - LOOK HERE!

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/studi...er-v2-1-a.html

Whic

[Papanate]

I'd say it would be a bad idea for you to buy anything else.

[audigy]

Yancyv8, I think you need to understand that an audio interface is just that, regardless of wether it's in a rack or not. thats just something you need to consider if your not able to achieve what you want from your desktop unit, there may be another desktop unit that does the job or alternatively a rack-able unit might suit you better depending on what you might want to do in say, the next 5 years.

dont buy something just because "the cosmetics of having a rack looks really cool" this wont get you anywhere.

[yancyv8]

Originally Posted by darkbuddha

Not a big deal... just a semantic error I think. This forum is really focused quite literally on studio building, as in the physical space and physical features, rather than the more figurative use of the word "building", as in "building a collection of gear" or "building a system of components."

That said, you can't go wrong hanging out in this forum. The sheer amount of information, generously provided professionally informed advice, and the potential huge benefits of applying what you learn here is often way way way more valuable and important than much of the gear you'll buy or use. Seriously. You think a rack of gear looks cool? That ain't crap compared to a properly treated room! Which one impresses you more?

Treated home studio, and not a rack in the place:




BTW, that's mine.^^^

Get started here:

Acoustics/Treatment Reference Guide - LOOK HERE!

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/studi...er-v2-1-a.html

Whic

BROOOOOO! That second one is dope as shizzzzz! Lol seriously though that looks so sick! Heres a few pics of mine. I have the desk and all setup and waiting for my TV to put on the wall above my monitors. I have a "vocal booth" as well at least in my opinion it is but other people say that it was a terrible idea to put it in my closet but here goes. Lemme know what you think.

Originally Posted by audigy

Yancyv8, I think you need to understand that an audio interface is just that, regardless of wether it's in a rack or not. thats just something you need to consider if your not able to achieve what you want from your desktop unit, there may be another desktop unit that does the job or alternatively a rack-able unit might suit you better depending on what you might want to do in say, the next 5 years.

dont buy something just because "the cosmetics of having a rack looks really cool" this wont get you anywhere.

Okay thanx for the tip, I'm new to this stuff and I'm just curious to hear people opinions. Thanx

I have 2" wedge foam covering all the walls except the ceiling and the sliding doors and the floor is carpet which is "supposed" to be good for sound dampening I guess but, I don't know. Lemme know what you guys think plzz

[yosefTux]

Only one big piece of advice.
No drinks in the studio without a screw top.

[kasmira]

Originally Posted by yosefTux

Only one big piece of advice.
No drinks in the studio without a screw top.

+9,000

[darkbuddha]

Looks like a good basic setup, and you're ahead of the game having any sort of acoustic treatment in the space already. Most bedroom/home studios don't. That said, all that foam only works on high-mid and high frequencies, which may or may not be good depending. I know from experience that you've probably got some frequency response and room mode issues at work (especially in the bass range), which will have a significant effect on your tracking and mixes. The good news is that you can do a bunch of stuff to fix it without spending a ton of money. Start by reading threads I posted before and download and learn to use Room EQ Wizard (REW), which will tell you what your issues are and where you need to focus your time, effort, and money to improve the room.

BTW, my room is 13x13.5x8'... not big by any means, and I have 28 different treatment elements in the room. I could probably have gotten away with 20 but figured that if I had the material, why not do it all, so I did. If you wanna see more of my room and how it got to that point, you can check out the two threads below. Boy did I learn a lot doing all of this, and I thought I already knew some stuff. Not even close.

FNG needs a bit of direction and help

REW analysis help... uh, so now what do I do?