ProjectMix + Profire 2626

[obiwan177]

I had a question, I was thinking about upgrading my studio and getting a ProjectMix. As of right now I have only a fasttrack pro, and upgrading to a firewire device with 8 inputs and nice preamps is a must for me. I was also looking at the ProFire 2626. My question is this, it says that on the Projectmix that its expandable up to eight more channels via lightpipe. Does this mean than that if I outgrow 8 inputs I can hook a profire 2626 into it as well? Thanks. -Obi

[ondruspat]

The short answer is yes. Keep in mind that in using the 2626 with the ProjectMix you would only be using the lightpipe, not the firewire.

You could save several hundred dollars by adding something like the Behringer ADA8000 (under $200 most place) which is just mic pre's with a lightpipe out. Or use the lightpipe to add a more "boutique" pre-amp if you have the money. IMO it's a little bit of a waste to buy a unit with the capability of being a computer interface if it's only going to be used for it's pre-amps (unless it's pre-amps are really good!! LOL!!)

[obiwan177]

ok thanks then.

[tha]-[acksaw]

If you want to add to the ProjectMix, get an Octane 8 instead of the 2626. The Pre's are the same. It's all Octane amplification. And you don't need the fire wire interface on the 2626. You just need ADAT Lightpipe, and the Octane has ADAT for 8 outputs.

Now, if you don't mind not having the small console feel of the ProjectMix, plus all the moving fader and such, you could get the Profire 2626 for a lot less, and add an Octane 8 to that. Thats 16 channels of Octane Pre's.

The Pre's on the Octane 8 and Profire 2626 are better then the ProjectMix, IMHO.

Either way, you can always upgrade to some real nice converters and preamps later. Lightpipe is pretty universal.

[obiwan177]

Yeah, I'm trying to decide right now which upgrade would be the most beneficial to me right now. I'm still running all stock plugins, and I was looking at the Waves Musician 2 bundle, cause it's not too expensive, and has some good plugins. Maybe you have a suggestion on that.

[peppertree]

I would bail on the ProjectMix and get 2x2626's. Note that the 2626 has very low-latency cue mixing, and digital/analog outputs, and the inputs can bypass the preamps completely. And better converters and drivers. Of the products mentioned in this thread so far only the 2626 is something a pro studio would want.

The command 8 you might find used and will work with PT dis-M-powered. A frontier alphatrack will also work. The ProjectMix is from the bad old M-Audio.

[tha]-[acksaw]

Originally Posted by obiwan177

Yeah, I'm trying to decide right now which upgrade would be the most beneficial to me right now. I'm still running all stock plugins, and I was looking at the Waves Musician 2 bundle, cause it's not too expensive, and has some good plugins. Maybe you have a suggestion on that.

I love all the Waves stuff. I have the Mercury bundle, but I havent upgraded in a while. It's amost all version 5 stuff.

The Waves Musicians Pack 2 should work well for you. The Ren Vox is my GoTo vocal compressor. It just sounds amazing. Its easy to use. Gets your vocal as upfront and you would want, with little or no effort.

The Ren Axx is great for taming all kinds of guitar stuff. I don't use any of the Waves EQ's unless i need one of the 10 band ones, which is rare. The digi EQ3 works good, and I also like the Waves V-EQ, but I don't think its in that set. The Ren Bass is SWEET though! I always use it on my bass tracks. Real fat!

[carterobrien]

Originally Posted by tha]-[acksaw

If you want to add to the ProjectMix, get an Octane 8 instead of the 2626. The Pre's are the same. It's all Octane amplification. And you don't need the fire wire interface on the 2626. You just need ADAT Lightpipe, and the Octane has ADAT for 8 outputs.

The Pre's on the Octane 8 and Profire 2626 are better then the ProjectMix, IMHO.

Either way, you can always upgrade to some real nice converters and preamps later. Lightpipe is pretty universal.

This is very helpful, I am looking into this (I have the PJM I/O) right now as the PJM preamps are not cutting it for the drum kit.

Am I better off sticking with Octane as it's an M-Audio product? An engineer I know suggested looking into Presonus DigiMax stuff as it's also lightpipe ADAT compatible, but I'm thinking staying with the same manufacturer might be wise?

[DanoWpg]

Presonus makes some nice stuff; it doesn't have to be the same manufacturer to make it all work. My Mackie 800R works very nicely with the 002R. Focusrite makes the OctoPre which is a nice unit as well.

[carterobrien]

Originally Posted by DanoWpg

Presonus makes some nice stuff; it doesn't have to be the same manufacturer to make it all work. My Mackie 800R works very nicely with the 002R. Focusrite makes the OctoPre which is a nice unit as well.

good to know, thanks.

I thought I had read M-Audio products were a bit different, but maybe I'm thinking of the M-Powered Pro Tools.