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anonymous 26 May 2004

Whats up?
Im putting together a project / budget studio and I'm trying to get the best sound I can.
Unsure of a few things though.

First off the main thing to be recorded will be Rap and R & B.

2nd,i guess i've decided to run pro tools and I'm going to run with either the digi 001 or the mbox.probally the 001 because of the amounts of outs and in's.

The Mic Im using is an AT 3035
monitors will be either Maudio bx5 or krk rokit 5 /krk v6 <-----unsure.

I know people use the Alesis AI3 to add more inputs to the 001 via the lightpipe. but I'm unsure of the sound quality of this piece and wanted your opinions.

Preamps and A/D converters
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my choices are from =
PreSonus Eureka
PreSonus firestation
PreSonus digimax
Focusrite trakmaster
Focusrite voicemaster

I wanted the Apogee Rosetta 800 for A/d conversion but that is out of my price range as of now.

I was thinking of adding a dsp card to the DAW{maxed out custom p4} as well,but Am unsure.

Any Tips or Advice?

thanks

Comments

Minguta Thu, 05/27/2004 - 00:59

How many channels do you want?
focusrite trakmaster have 2 channels but cut off some feature from Focusrite voicemaster ( 1 Channels ).
For Presonus Eureka is the NEW but only 1 channel.
presonus digimax have 8 channels.it's nice pre for who want a lot of channels.

But i recommend PreSonus MP20. that's Dual Servo Microphone Preamplifier like Jensen circuit ( use in a lot of vintage preamps ). 2 channels and have main feature.

KurtFoster Mon, 05/31/2004 - 13:59

I have the AI3s in my DAW and they work just fine... truth is that most converter interfaces that employ ADAT lightpipes are using the Alesis chip in their converters so it's all a lot of apples to apples ... the major difference is in the clocking and in the case where you are running everything with the 001, the Digidesign clock is the master ... Keep in mind the AI3 only has line level inputs no mic pres ...

As far as the mic pres mentioned, none of them are really any better than your basic Mackie type pre. I have tried them all and I don't care a bit for any of them. The Presonus pres don't get enough gain before distorting for my needs. Both the Presonus and the Focusrites don't sound much better than the ones found in most small mixers. Save the cash and purchase one or two really good pres like the GR MP2NV or a Sebatron... you will be happy you did.. Good pres IMO, are the easiest way to getting the best sound there is.. They can make even crappy mics sound better and good ones sound mah-valous!

Kurt Foster

KurtFoster Tue, 06/01/2004 - 10:51

dexters lab wrote: what if i used a Presonus Digimax for the Adat lightpipe situation.
for the in's needed for the drum machine and keyboard?
thank you for the replys

If it works for you, do it. I have trouble getting enough gain out on the Presonus .... the best I can get out of it is about -12dB on a digital scale. Sure, I can turn it up when I mix but by the time I add effects and eq it starts sounding crappy ... I find it is better to record hot enough so that I don;t have to wander far from 0 (gain unity) on the faders when mixing.. less math for the processer = better sound ...

Long story short .... I hate the Presonus mic pres ...

Kurt Foster

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