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anonymous 21 December 2005

Hi everyone:

I have agreed to set a full recording system for my children (Jazz, Classical and some pop/rock Music) but I need some help and comments in trying to determine the best approach and equipment.

I was for years into music recording (Neve, Cadac, SSL.. ) before moving into television so I am not quite up-to-date on all options available today.

I first looked at a Roland 2480 but did not like it much. I felt more like a gadget to me (with all due respect for owners of that equipment!).

This is where I stand as of now:

I already have:

Monitors: Dynaudio BM6A
Mikes: 1 - Neumann U87
2 - Neumann KM 184
1 - Sennheiser MD421
1 - AKG D12 (On its way - Love it for BDrum)
Compressors: 1 - TL Audio Fatman2
1 - UREI LA3a
1 - UREI 1176
Software: Cubase SX

I am looking at the following equipment to complete the setup:

Mixer: Allen & Heath GL3800 (I am told great pre-amp sound)
A/D: RME FireFace800 (2 Units)
I am told Apogee is better but is it really worthed the addl. cost?
Computer: AMD Dual Core 3800
Mikes: A couple more Neumann (TLM 103/193 - I am quite confused as which one is the best - conflicting opinions...)
A set of drums microphones - suggestions are welcome...

I would very much appreciate any comments and suggestions and I already thank you for your help.

SParis

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Comments

moonbaby Wed, 12/21/2005 - 07:25

Welcome to RO! Dude, you've got it goin'! Nice choices, especially the mics. I do question the mixer, though. I have a couple of Allen&Heath mixers and they aren't bad, the pre's are better (IMHO) than the Mackies, but I wouldn't buy the A&H for the pre's, if I was in your situation. If I were to buy a mixer in that price range for mic pre's, it would be a Midas Venice. Better pre's, better build quality, better pizza...(sorry!)...And the UREIs...I'm in love!
Have you considered a nice outboard 8-channel mic pre instead of the mixer? Maybe a True Systems Precision 8, a nice Grace, or an API lunchbox? If you are handy with a soldering gun, how about the 7th Circle Neve-wannabe kits? I have had great results with my Grace pre's (real clean and transparent) and The Brick tube pre's, and a Precision Two (love that phase meter on the o/heads!).And for vocal flavoring, I like the Langevin Dual Vocal Combo. BTW, stay away from Avalon stuff....too flashy and limited useability for the $$$. If you want a "star" tube pre, check out the Sebatron Thorax. Sorry about the meandering there, I love seeing someone buy quality insead if glitz....Good Luck!

anonymous Tue, 12/27/2005 - 11:43

From my experiences, live tracking via laptop has been a hassel, at best. You need to carry around some sort of audio interface that usually doesn't have enough I/O, get the signal from your board to your interface, then set up your laptop and make sure that your levels are set using a mouse. PITA!!!

Don't get me wrong, I absolutley love the Fireface (I have one in my studio), but here's a simple solution: get a digital board and an ADAT.

For example, I run a Soundcraft 328XD directly to my Alesis HD24 via lightpipe. I already have the gain structure set that I don't need to worry about levels to the ADAT, giving me plenty of time to worry about my live mix. No messing around routing cables, either. I can be set up literally in a matter of seconds. On top of this, the HD24 gives me days (almost) of 16-track recording @ 24 bits with a 200 gig HD.

Look into a 328XD, O2V, or DM-24. Well worth the price for what you get!

anonymous Tue, 12/27/2005 - 11:53

Sorry, I just re-read your post. You're actually setting up a studio, huh? Go with the Fireface and a digital board. This way you probably only need one Fireface as you'll be able to track 26 channels at once (10 analog, 16 via lightpipe)! Other than that, your mics look damn fine. You seem to know your stuff!

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