I'm finally taking the plunge (relative to my income anyways) and stepping up to some "higher" quality recording equipment. Here's the list I can come up with as to what all we'll have, new purchases noted by a *
- Apple Macbook, 2.2ghz Core Duo, 1GB Ram, 160gb HD running Pro Tools M-powered*
- M-Audio fasttrack pro*
- M-Audio Bx5a monitors
- Mackie 1202 Vl3 mixer*
- RODE NTK *
- Apex 435 LDC
- Shure KSM109 *
- Shure Sm57
This will all be used for recording vocals, guitars, basses, and keyboards in my home studio. Aside from the obvious cables, shockmounts, filters, isolation equipment etc is there anything major I am missing or could be improved? I am trying to keep the cost of new thigns under $3,000 at the absolute max. Thanks a bunch!
Comments
Any particular reason for selecting Power Tools? If you are ope
Any particular reason for selecting Power Tools? If you are open to non-PT options, the lines of products from MOTU run very well with Macs and give excellent sound quality. The Fastrack Pro wouldn't fall into the 'higher' quality equipment category. Plus, it is based on USB1 which could be quite limiting. Macs will work better with Firewire.
How were you planning to use the mixer with the Fastrack Pro? The mixer doesn't have any computer connection so you have to connect it through the Fastrack. That unit only allows for two audio channels. Hence, you could only record two channels at once, either the raw signals or the stereo mix.
If instead you got something like the MOTU 896HD or Traveler instead of the Fastrack and mixer, you would get 8 (or 4) pre-amps with a Firewire connection to the computer, and ADAT expansion capability. And, it could still function as a stand-alone mixer if you want.
Both the 896 and the Traveler are a bit over my budget at this p
Both the 896 and the Traveler are a bit over my budget at this point, would an 8Pre do the job fine? I guess I was just planning to use PT since all I hear is that it is the industry standard. Right now I'm using Sonar 7 and Acid Pro 6, would PT or Digital Performer really be much of an upgrade from those? Is Sonar even useable on a Mac?
Thanks!
Sonar is PC-specific and won't run on an iMac in OS/X mode. You
Sonar is PC-specific and won't run on an iMac in OS/X mode. You might run it using Bootcamp but that isn't really running a Mac then :)
I have no experience with PT. But, everything I have read is that there is no advantage to using PT LE when compared to Sonar, Cubase, Logic, etc. In fact, the non-PT software often offers a significant advantage over PT. The PT edge comes with PT HD and the associated hardware, but that costs 'big' money. Unless, you need to transfer files to a PT studio in which case the ease of transfer might be a big issue to consider.
If you want to discuss MOTU hw/sw, you might consider joining the following forum: http://www.unicornation.com/phpBB2/index.php
Second hard drive (USB or Firewire) for recording the audio. It
Second hard drive (USB or Firewire) for recording the audio. It's not recommended to record the audio to the same drive that your OS/Programs are run from.