Wooo, finally got a job. I'm planning to invest my money into a small, well rounded audio interface (on a budget). I know I've posted here before, maybe awhile ago, saying I was planning on getting one... But it didn't happen as soon as I thought.
There are two local bands that are broke, or have little money and want to record. I've recorded 2 bands before using other stuff and I guess I somewhat have an ear for recording (not to mention I want to do this as a career).
Anywho, I figure, if I buy one of these things, and these two bands pay me...ah, $200 each? Maybe like 4-5 songs, for however long it takes them, it'll be worth it. Since I have to buy maybe like an SM57 or two, some good monitors and maybe another stick of RAM and an external harddrive...
Ive been stuck on the Mbox1. But then I've seen good reviews on the Omega too, AND ITS CHEAPER! I'm trying to keep things real low. Noting that I just got a job (and my mom will give me $25 per A I get on my report card haha).
Any suggestions? Ideas? opinions? If you've had experience with any of these it would be great! thanks
Comments
I really liked the feature set on the Omega. DBX preamps, direc
I really liked the feature set on the Omega. DBX preamps, direct monitoring, efx inserts, all the connections on the back. A lot of the same features as the Mbox but just better executed in my opinion.
It just seemed like a really well thought out box for mixerless computer recording. Sound on Sound has a good review of it.
Cubase LE is now bundled with the Omega, or if you get an older one, it comes bundled with ProTracks which is actually Cakewalk lite.
Between the two I would choose the Omega. However, I ended up with an Edirol DA-2496 8in-8out interface in great condition that I picked up on Evilbay. It's better than either of those.
I really liked the feature set on the Omega. DBX preamps, direc
I really liked the feature set on the Omega. DBX preamps, direct monitoring, efx inserts, all the connections on the back. A lot of the same features as the Mbox but just better executed in my opinion.
It just seemed like a really well thought out box for mixerless computer recording. Sound on Sound has a good review of it.
Cubase LE is now bundled with the Omega, or if you get an older one, it comes bundled with ProTracks which is actually Cakewalk lite.
Between the two I would choose the Omega. However, I ended up with an Edirol DA-2496 8in-8out interface in great condition that I picked up on Evilbay. It's better than either of those.
Hmmm very interesting. Thanks for the reply guys. Id just like
Hmmm very interesting. Thanks for the reply guys.
Id just like to throw out of there is anything else any can recommend, besides those it would be great.
I'm for sure going to get an SM57 for guitar/bass....
But how about drums and vocals? I don't really know what to get as far as drum mics.
Usually people are very concerned about a good bass drum sound... Can an SM57 be used as an overhead for the drums and then maybe another mic for the bass drum? But then what about vocals... an SM57 isn't really a vocal mic (though I know some people get put in situations haha).
With these audio interfaces, you can generally hook up two microphones by XLR, so I might as well do a two way micing. I've used cheap equipment and with one mic... a little mastering you can get the bass drum loud and clear in all the other drumming...
Thanks!
Honestly, the sm57 is an excellent mic for the money. It can al
Honestly, the sm57 is an excellent mic for the money. It can also be stellar for vocals. They're also build like a tank and should last a lifetime with proper care. One of those MXL large diaphragm condensers could make an excellent low-budget counterpart.
When I was in high school and just starting out, I had one mic -- an OLD sm57 I bought at a garage sale. I used it for everything with my Tascam porta02, and it worked great! Of course, these were the days before DAWs and $100 chinese condensers, so I was forced into learning how crucial mic placement is! The point is, if you truly know how to use it, you can glean great sounds from practically any piece of gear.
Good luck!
Personally, I am a Pro Tools user of 10 years and have no experi
Personally, I am a Pro Tools user of 10 years and have no experience whatsoever with the Omega, so I'm naturally going to recommend the Mbox. :)
They look to be very similar boxes, so I believe it really comes down to what software you like -- the classic argument for Pro Tools is that you can import your session data on any Pro Tools system in the world with tremendous ease - say, a large 'Class A' studio for overdubs or mixdown - and still have 100% compatability. Just save the session data on a Cd-R or DVD-R, and take it anywhere there's a Pro Tools system. All of your fades, edits, signal routing will be intact. Inputs and outputs will be different depending on the system, but they're easily reconfigured.
I have an Mbox, and I love it - I do all my demoing at home, and like I described above, I take it to work (an HD3 accel system) and work on it some more.
An SM57 and a $100 large diaphragm condenser (a $180 mic investment) will do some serious work for some young bands and a young engineer. Trust me, once people hear that you can record them with good results, you'll have your gear paid for in no time. :)