Well Scott, things have changed considerably in the past few years since that article was written.

Are you looking to build an all-digital system or a analog/digital hybrid system? Utilizing your computer or mixing down to a standalone CD recorder like the Alesis MasterLink? I utilize both modular digital multitrack recorders and the multitrack capability of my computer.

Why not go out and purchase some (or online) newer trade publications and read up some more on what's available in what many people are doing today?

I live in the past and therefore I utilize a combination of analog and digital hardware. I think the most important thing you should keep in mind is the " front end" i.e. microphone, microphone preamp which will set the character of your recorded sound regardless of the storage or mixing utilities you use. That is the most important part of your recording set up. I would also follow up by saying a couple of decent hardware compressors are very beneficial and good to use in addition to any kind of software compressor/limiters and can both be used in combination with one another. For instance, I always utilize a compressor/limiter when cutting a vocal before it ever gets into the computer and/or digital recorders. Other people on this forum may not recommend that method but it's what I do and have done throughout my career. Just remember, like salt on your food, less is more.

Of course these days, a good computer either Macintosh or PC clone is recommended. If you already possess such a device and I would not recommend utilizing your Internet computer for this purpose, the only ancillary item you need to obtain is a proper interface that would give you the features you believe you need for your basic tracking. I utilize a MOTU 2408 mkII with a clone Pentium 4, which if I require, affords me 8 analog line inputs that I can feed from my Neve and API mixers. This particular device also mates well with my 3 TASCAM DA88 digital multitrack recorders. It however requires a PCI card to be installed into the computer. If you have a computer that has a Fire Wire Jack, you may want to purchase an associated device such as the Presonus Fire Pod which has 8 XLR microphone inputs. MOTU also makes a quality oriented Fire Wire device that allows 8 inputs with both microphone and line inputs but not 8 of one or the other. There are many other interfaces available of a multitrack nature.

You may still want to purchase a mixing board that has reasonable microphone preamplifiers built in, with switchable to line input capabilities, along with numerous monitoring options? I still like using my analog mixing board as being an engineer, I like playing with all the knobs and dials of which you do not get the kind of tactile capabilities from within the computer. So much of this comes down to how the signal flows, through your brain, first.

Speakers and microphones are very personal and should be selected based on what your basic application applies to. The good old-fashioned PA style microphones like the venerable SM58/SM57, you should have a bag full of anyhow, they are great microphones. A couple of good reasonably priced condenser microphones both large and small capsules are also a wise investment, as they both have different characters.

For control room monitors these days, many of the self powered units are a wise investment as they are already carefully matched components of a known quantity and quality. I like the powered KRKs, Meyer HD1s, old-fashioned JBLs (with external amplifiers), etc. are my monitors of choice.

There is such a smorgasbord of equipment out there, it's all pretty much what you envision yourself to sit behind, like a car, which you will be living with sometime to come.

Varoom Womb
Ms. Remy Ann David

Thank you so much for your reply.
I am looking for an analog/digital hybrid system.
I will be mixing down into my computer.
I currently have a great new ADK DAW computer.
Edirol DA24/96 interface
Mackie 1604 mixer
(2) Alesis compressors-the cheap ones
Alesis midiverb 3
Studio Projects C-3 large diaphragm mic
Studio Projects VB-1 mic pre
Presonus Blue Tube mic pre
Audix OM-6 mic
Paradigm monitors
ATM-Pro 25 kick mic

Anyhow, I was intrigued by the 02rv96 possibilities of 24 i/o TDIF using the added cards through a motu 2408MkII. As an older style setup is this a proven system? Thanks again.
Scott

It seems that you already have a hybrid system in place? If what you want is 24 inputs, then the MOTU 24i, offers 24 analog inputs utilizing its 324 PCI card, if that model is still available?? I haven't been to their site lately. What more are you trying to accomplish??

Mixing in the digital realm is probably better suited to your computer rather than the Yamaha digital mixer. If you want to use multiple faders, you can purchase any number of MIDI/USB fader packages, from numerous manufacturers that will interface into many different kinds of software.

Remy Ann David