Let me see if I can explain what I'm thinking. Rather than babble and try to form it as a question, I think I'll just plaster the facts of my scenario.
========================================
I have a Duet, so I'm limited to two channels (at a time).
I want to be able to record more than 2 at a time, perhaps up to 5 or 6.
I record electric guitar, acoustic guitar, vox, bass...never drums. I don't see that in the future either. Maybe keys some day soon.
I have a few pieces of outboard gear that I wouldn't mind trying to use in my recordings; reverb, delay, chorus, etc.
I have a single channel preamp right now (GR), but would like to get more in the future.
=========================================
Ok, so given that info, it's obvious that the things that I want to do can't happen with my setup, specifically with the Duet. Which leads me to the 'question' part of all of this. .
Will something like an Ensemble allow me to do what I want? Being 8 channel instead of 2, is that the 'simple' answer?
Will it allow me to integrate outboard gear if/when I desire?
What if down the road I have a few more preamps that I'd like to use, but I don't want to have to "unplug this to plugin that" sort of thing...integration of multiple pres basically. Just choose what I want and go for it.
Would a mixer be a viable solution...something like an Onyx?
==========================================
I'm going to stop there. I know that's a lot, but I don't know how to put it all out there in any more of a simple fashion. I respect the advice that you guys offer, so I don't want to waste your time with none sense. Cuttin' to the chase.
Thank you.
Comments
That's what I was thinking. Nine times out of ten I just reco
That's what I was thinking.
Nine times out of ten I just record myself, but I'm trying to look at possible scenarios where I may track another guitar player at the same time as me, or jamming with a bass player, etc.
Either way I would say 3 is the magic number and that would be based on me singing and playing at the same time, using two mics on a guitar.
Using the outboard gear isn't a deal breaker, I just thought it would be cool to have some room to experiment. And I love the ease of integration/usability of the Duet, so I have no problem (and actually prefer) staying with Apogee.
You'll be able to have up to 5 simultaneous tracks with the Ense
You'll be able to have up to 5 simultaneous tracks with the Ensemble and your existing pre. You can use the existing 4 pres on the unit, then add your mic pre to one of the 4 line ins.
It looks expandable to a total of 8 I/O without getting extra gear, so you can use what's left for your outboard gear. For example, use analog out 8 to send to your reverb, then have it return to analog in 8, etc.
From looking at the specs from the Apogee site, I think the Ense
From looking at the specs from the Apogee site, I think the Ensemble mite work for you.
http://www.apogeedigital.com/products/ensemble.php?show=features
However...
Although it has 8 channels of AD/DA conversion only 4 of these channels are balanced XLR connections with built in mic pre amps, the other 4 are jacks, so if you are going to be using more than 4 mics then i'd say no.
Also there is only an insert on Mic Channels 1 & 2 so you would be limited to 2 dynamic effects units.
You could get a mixer which would allow you to use the FX units you mentioned but you would still be limited to these 4 channels on the interface. The mixer would do if you just wanted to record a stereo track into your existing interface.