Recording the band, Noob Help.

[RootsRockEddie]

Hey, Guys I've posted a thread a couple of days ago but yea,
I want to get into recording my band and I want to upgrade from what I have now; Mbox 2 mini, Pro Tools LE, and Krk 6' Monitors.

Im looking at some Interfaces like the 003+ Rack with 8 mic pre-amps
and also the Mackie Onyx 1620i Mixer, i've been doing research and I always end up looking at something else and It makes it harder to decided.

What would you guys recommended for recording a band? Something with at least 8 pre-amps so I am able to record a Drum-set. I want to consider my options before I end up getting something. My budgets up to 1,300 or so that's how much I've managed to save up.

[albee1952]

The Onyx works with Pro Tools M-Powered(not LE) so if you don't mind making the change, that's a reasonable choice. Assuming you want to stay on LE, I actually discourage many from the 003r+ for the following reason. The preamps on the 003 are okay(plain vanilla, clean enough, quiet enough and no particular "character") so do you REALLY want 8 of them? My quick search shows a price difference of a little over $300. Now the standard 003r and a Behringer ADA8000 will get you 12 mic preamps and save you over $100. Or, you can use any of several other(and nicer) 8 channel preamps such as Presonus D8, M-Audio Pro Fire2626, Mackie Onyx800r, Focusrite OctoPre(w/option card), Audient.....the list goes on and on(and up in price and quality). For me, the only reason to pay for the 003r+ is because you absolutely MUST have 8 preamps AND fit it into 2 rack spaces(of course, all those preamps above will work with the 003r+ to get you 16 preamps). Look at your budget and you'll find the choice that's best for you. I just wanted to keep you thinking a bit longer

[edgarbc1]

>> a Profire2626 goes for $600-700
>> you can get two for $1300 and link them via adat to get 16 channels of input
>> sell your Mbox and PTLE and buy PT M-powered with the dough.

You might even come out ahead with money to spare since you can likely find a PF2626 bundle with Mpowered (from ebay seller) for a deal and get a spare PF2626.

If and when I have the money, I would jump at getting another PF2626 to link up
for more inputs.

E

[RootsRockEddie]

Alright I see, Would I be better getting the ones you guys mentioned or an actual mixer, like an Allen and Heath or a Mackie?
or would the preamps on the mixers wouldn't be as good as the ProFire 2626, or Presonus D8?

Im not going to buy anything before I am 100% sure :)

[RootsRockEddie]

On the other hand, I am looking at the MOTU 8 Pre and also the MOTU 896mk3
they look pretty nice, does anyone have any experience using these?

Also been thinking of just getting either somthing like the ProFire 2626 or The MOTU Pre 8 Audio Interface, and buy a Drum Mic Kit as well as a MXL Mic Bundle.

[The Weed]

FYI, the ProFire will work with M-Powered or other audio software. The MOTU will NOT work with M-Powered or Pro Tools.

Cheers,

[RootsRockEddie]

Yea I know that but, that doesn't seem to be my biggest concern because I can just import the audio into Pro Tools and then mix it right?

[edgarbc1]

Originally Posted by RootsRockEddie

Yea I know that but, that doesn't seem to be my biggest concern because I can just import the audio into Pro Tools and then mix it right?

get something which is compatible with Protools for a main interface
(e.g.. PF2626) and link another preamp (MOTU) via ADAT

there is nothing special about your MBox and LE if you are recording a band you can use PTMP with very good success.

if you go your route above, you have extra steps to work around. Thats
fine it will work, but you may not appreciate that workflow down the line.
(e.g. playlists and comping in PT is fantastic for edit/mix work, if you are part of the band its great to pull up a new playlist and record the 2nd or 3rd take, with some amount of speed and you will thank yourself when editing and mixing in PT.. etc etc)

do your due diligence and research what you really want to do
and good luck to you

[RootsRockEddie]

Oh I see, Well yea I guess I have to keep looking into it more

but, I'm defiantly going to sell the Mbox 2 then(: