Well, the M-Box Pro, ain't something to write home about but it'll work. I'm not impressed with their microphone preamps that are " proprietary ". Because that doesn't mean they're good. That only means that they don't want to let you know how badly they built them. They won't even provide you with a schematic there such a highly guarded secret. As if they were good or something? But they'll work. And probably not many people will know the difference that it isn't a Millennia, API or Neve. Only you will. And if you're recording chops are good? You're still going to make a professional recording that you could be proud of and that people will enjoy listening to. It has really nothing to do with your equipment but more to do with you and your skills.

Artist mix control surface? What's that got to do with making a recording? You plug microphones into preamps. You plug preamps into A/D converters and voilà. That's all ya need to do the job.

You don't need gobbledygook control surfaces to get your recording into the computer, so you can mix it ITB.

What you might want to consider is getting a pair of Presonus Fire Studio, FireWire devices that can be daisy chained? It'll set ya back about $1000 US. And ya get a great multitrack software package, Studio One, version 2. And you'll have 16 inputs.

I mean do you need to generate a simultaneous stereo mix for live broadcast purposes while recording? If not? Then you don't need a mixer. You don't even need that 002. You mix in software... with your mouse and maybe your cat? Dog? Ferret? Hamster? Gerbil? Rabbit? Chances are? No.

Do they need a reference stereo mix to stripe onto a video machine? Chances are? No. Is it going to be piped into a PA system? Chances are? No. So leave the 002 at home. Less to schlep. Microphones, cables, preamps and interface is all ya need. Oh yeah... microphone stands.

There are so many ways to do what you need done. Your options are vast. Capabilities, plentiful. Ya only need to get 16 microphones into 16 tracks, on your computer.

I really don't know what kind of quality level you really think you need? You think you need the best? Ya don't. You only need stuff that's professional and that works, whatever it is on sale.

The idea here is to be able to do what you need done, without breaking your bank. You don't need to impress anyone with your selection of your rather mediocre equipment selection and choices. They really don't give a crap about what equipment you use as long as it sounds good. And if the equipment you have is the least bit professional? And it works? You can make perfectly wonderful professional recordings.

Oh but this or that sounds better than this or that. Well who gives a crap? How does it affect your life? Will it make people vomit? If it doesn't? You're good to go. And I'll guarantee you, nobody's going to vomit unless you haven't done your job properly.

This is not an insurmountable expensive problem you have. Sure... everyone wants the best equipment. But if ya can't afford it? Then you use whatever works. As long as it works. For as long as you can use it.

I only take this attitude because I'm not just a recording studio cat. I started off in broadcasting. In broadcasting, you use whatever the station has. It won't necessarily be what ya want? But it'll work. So you'll use it. You'll produce a professional recording with it. That is the only criteria that matters. So, heaven for bid, you could even use a Beringer. And most idiots won't know the difference. Stop trying to impress people with your equipment selection. It has nothing to do with your capabilities as a professional.

Some people think it's all about the equipment. It's not. It's about you. What you can do. How you do what you do. Will it be perfect? Don't be ridiculous. Nothing is perfect. I'm not perfect. You're not perfect. Life isn't perfect. Only death is. It's the one thing in life that can't be changed. So don't worry about perfect. Just worry about professional. And if you're a professional? Then you're good to go.

You went to school for this? What did you learn? Because it didn't teach you what you needed to know. It didn't teach you. So did you have fun spending all that money on education that didn't work? Maybe you should ask for your money back, so you can buy better equipment? Because obviously, they taught you nothing. And if they did teach you something, you weren't listening.

So the only kind of equipment you need to get, is equipment that works. That's all. Wasn't that easy? Because if you really wanted some good equipment? You'll easily end up spending $10,000 plus. And you don't have that kind of budget. That's actually for a low-end system. A good quality system will cost you over 50,000. But you wasted your money with school. How smart was that? Does that say you're professional? I don't think so? None of the top hit making engineers I know went to school for this as it didn't exist. Yet... they still became professional audio engineers. How? Nobody taught them! Are they all geniuses? Hell no. They're audio engineers. You're supposed to be one.

Why am I going off like this? Because when I got into the business, there were no stupid recording schools. You just had to learn what you needed to learn. You experimented with what you needed to experiment with. You practiced on your friend using them as guinea pigs. You learn the directions to Carnegie Hall.

You don't become a doctor by just going to school. You have to cut people open, also. Wow! No matter how bad your audio might be? No one's going to die! So have a beer and relax. Everything is good. You're going to do just fine with what ever you buy. No matter how cheap. As long as it works. That's all you have to worry about.

Am I a hack? No way. I don't think so? 4 major award nominations, so I guess I'm not a hack? Even though I didn't go to school for this.

Why don't I care about the equipment? Because it's really up to me to make a good recording. The equipment doesn't make a recording. It just sits there. It doesn't even know what a good recording is. Because it's not a person. It's a hunk of junk. So just dress well and everybody will think you're professional. They'll never know you're not.

Not sure that came out right?
Mx. Remy Ann David