Its been said many a time...what's you budget? This will be an impact.

The firestudio 26x26 is a good interface to start with and has reasonable amount of I/O options and the preamps are not bad.

Since you have a laptop you'll need to be aware that the built in firewire chipsets on most laptops doesn't always work with the FS. The worst part is that Presonus only recommends/supports one firewire ExpressCard port which is lame. so be aware of the hurdles. (I know this because I use a FS 26x26 and a Toshiba Laptop for my mobile rig and it's been quite a headache to get the right expresscard port)

As far as mics, again would need to know your budget. but you can't go wrong with a few SM57's and 58's.

Quote:As far as mics, again would need to know your budget. but you can go wrong with a few SM57's and 58's.

Don't you mean CAN'T go wrong? LOL!!

I was thinking that I would need to spend $1500 to 2K for a couple of decent quality mics. And I'm not completely sold on the Firestudio either. I'm still in research mode at the moment. But like I said, this is all working towards a full recording studio, one piece at a time. I'll be using this laptop for now, but getting a separate PC later.

If you are looking for room mic's or overheads then in your price range are some tasty things like a pair of AKG C414's (if smart search) or a set of Beyer M130/160, or numerous other things. Otherwise I'd pick up some Shure 57's, 58's and some Sennheiser 421's.

Interface, I usually recommend the Fireface but there is nothing wrong with something like the FS2626 or Onyx 1200f.

Firewire: forget about using the onboard. Get a Siig adapter that fits your expansion slot-either Express Card or Card Bus.

If you get a "desktop" PC later on for mobile use make sure you go the distance. Get a rackmount system or build a system in a rack case. Also, for computer purposes or hard disc recorders (Alesis, MAckie), a shockmount case is highly advised. It cracks me up when I see one of the local guys carrying his desktop with him around to gigs and see it sliding around the back of his wagon.

Otherwise I'd pick up some Shure 57's, 58's and some Sennheiser 421's.

+1

I do like adding some condenser to the mix. No, not smooth, expensive condensers: nasty, hissing, grating, raw condensers. The AT2020 excels at that, and I'm sure there are other, equally crappy condensers that will do the job.

Thanks for the catch MB. I definately Was recommending 57's and 58's.

Jack, the only firewire expresscard that Presonus supports with a TI chipset is the ADS Pyro. I bought a SIIG expresscard firewire400 with a TI chipset and IT DIDN'T WORK. Presonus just gave me a line that it's not a card they support. They do also support a certain VIA FW chipset, but i have stayed far far away from VIA in the past.

That being said I love the functionality of my FS (Presonus just needs to work on their driver support).