MR-8 owners/users: what's your set-up?

[Ricklh]

I've moved my MR-8 about 3 times in the small bedroom it's in and probably need to move it again. I was just wondering exactly how you guys have yours set up in your working area/recording space. Is it on a desk or table, easily accessible? Or, do you move it around a lot due to it's portability, instead of having it in one location? Just trying to get some ideas to facilitate the most comfortable and productive logistical set-up.

Also, feel free to mention where you keep your mics, cables, stomp boxes, other accessories. As for me, I have my MR-8 on a little lamp/end table. My mic & Chorus box is right in front, and the room it's in also keeps our computer and surround stereo, and a couple of guitars. I wish I had the room to get into a room separate from the computer but it's not practical.

[bsr2002]

I just leave the MR-8 on my desk.
Here is my budget set up:

Hardware

1. eMachine T1140 256MB RAM, 40GB HD, 1.1GB Processor

2. External USB Bytecc 80GB Hard Drive

3. External USB CD-R/RW Drive

4. Electro-Voice Sonic-XS 2.1 Speakers

5. TDK Stand Alone CD-R/RW Copier

6. Fostex MR-8 Multi-Track Recorder

7. ZOOM RFX-300 Effects

8. Behringer UB-1002 Mixer

9. NADY SP-9 Dynamic Mic

10. Santa Cruz Turtle Beach Sound Card

11. SanDisk Compact Flash Card Reader for MR-8

12. AKG K-66 & AudioPhase MD-04 Headphones

KEYBOARDS

1. KORG X-3 Synth / Workstation

2. Alesis QS6 Synth

3. YAMAHA SY22 Synth used for MIDI Controller

Software

1. Cakewalk Music Creator Pro24 2004

2. Audacity Audio Editor

3. Nero CD Mastering

4. Hammer Head Dum SoftSynth

5. Rramm Drrumm SoftSynth

6. FreeRip

7. WinRippper

8. Assorted DXi Effects

You can check it out here: http://mymr8.8m.com/

[Ricklh]

Originally posted by bsr2002
I just leave the MR-8 on my desk.

I just listened to a couple of your tracks and especially liked "She". So, did you use the MR-8 alone to record this or your computer software along with the MR-8?

[bsr2002]

On that song (She) I kept the on board effects from my keyboard thru the Behringer then the MR-8 and then mixed down with my computer software. It was one of my first songs that I started actually using any type of software.

And thanks, I'm glad you liked a couple of my tunes.

[kdgospel]

I have my MR-8 in my bonus room that I have been converting into a home studio. I always keep the MR-8 next to my computer because I do all the mixing on the computer. It stays hooked up to the pc all the time. I use the MR-8 in conjunction with a Behringer UB802 mixer and numerous mics: SM58, beta 58, and MXL V67.

Almost forgot. I found a great place to keep cables. I keep them rolled up and hang them on the antlers of a deer that I had mounted that hangs on my studio wall.

[Ricklh]

Originally posted by kdgospel
I have my MR-8 in my bonus room that I have been converting into a home studio. I always keep the MR-8 next to my computer because I do all the mixing on the computer.

What software are you using to mix on your computer? Why mix on computer as opposed to the MR-8? More effects? (not trying to be smart, just trying to get some ideas of something I might wanna look into).

[bsr2002]

I mix down on the computer for added effects and EQ tweeking. Plus, I can add more tracks and instruments if I want.

[bsr2002]

Almost forgot, and I can also save my work and go back to it anytime on my added external hard drive and not have to worry about the limited memory on the MR-8.

[kdgospel]

Originally posted by Ricklh
What software are you using to mix on your computer? Why mix on computer as opposed to the MR-8? More effects? (not trying to be smart, just trying to get some ideas of something I might wanna look into).

I use n-track. I mix on my pc for many reasons. Unlimited tracks, better effects, undo, copy/paste, non-destructive editing, etc. I could go on and on about this. You ought to try it. N-track only cost approx. $40. Once you use it in conjunction with your MR-8 you won't go back.

[Ricklh]

Originally posted by kdgospel
I use n-track. I mix on my pc for many reasons. Unlimited tracks, better effects, undo, copy/paste, non-destructive editing, etc. I could go on and on about this. You ought to try it. N-track only cost approx. $40. Once you use it in conjunction with your MR-8 you won't go back.

Thanks for the advice. I used to have n-tracks on my previous computer, well the trial version. I might look into it again. I forgot all about the whole EQ point (and lack of EQ on the MR-8).

[pjh6467]

I'm using a UB802 mixer and Boss ME-33 guitar effects unit for amp modeling on guitar which can also has a harmonizer in it. I use that also with vocals for back up oohs and aahs and double track it for a fat sound. I use my Cascio keyboard for bass and drums,percussion.horns,strings etc... I also have a Fostex X-26 4 track casstte that I mess around mixing down to tape for a warmer sound. My stuff is on and old tv stand next to my pc desk. I use velcro cable ties for my cables, keeps them coiled nicely with no strain on the cable itself. I also bought gooseneck lights from IKEA that I mounted on the wall above my area. Works great. Just lacking monitors for now. Pc mixing is the way to go on the MR8 though. N tracks gets a lot of praise here. I've been using Power Tracks which is around $25.00 and get great results. But I want to check out n tracks for myself. Can't hurt to have both. Good luck Pj

[mrx]

Originally posted by kdgospel
I use n-track. I mix on my pc for many reasons. Unlimited tracks, better effects, undo, copy/paste, non-destructive editing, etc. I could go on and on about this. You ought to try it. N-track only cost approx. $40. Once you use it in conjunction with your MR-8 you won't go back.

Can't say enough about n-Track. It's fantastic - the ability to draw volume envelopes over a track has been a life saver. It's possible to zoom in on a section of vocal and remove pops and breath sounds - and all of it can be mixed down to wav "offline" in the registered version, so even a modest PC can mix down a huge production that it could never play back in "real time". I've had so much going on that n-Track maxes out the processor and stops playback after a few seconds, but in a three minutes can render the whole mix to a stereo wav.

Gospel is right - you'll never mix any other way.

[cellardweller]

Ya' know, I've never figured how to do the "zoom" thingy.

Is it like when I'm looking for my sunglasses, and they're on my head? I'm especially proficient in missing the obvious.

My MR-8 sits between my puter and my (relatively) huge and cumbersome powered mixer, on a barstool. I've been trying to find a better table which would accomadate the limited dimensions of my room, but haven't found anything in my price range (0-5$).

I really wish I wasn't confined to a room in the basement, but my house is TOO small for anything else.

They let me come upstairs for meals sometimes...

[junplugged]

I cut a cheap pine board and stuck some cheap pine sticks on it to slant it up at an angle, made it longer than the mr8 to add some small fx on it. 12" wide board is a perfect fit for it.

[dave in toledo]

mr8, used with n track
mapex drum set,
peavey 12 channel mixer, two 1200 wat power amps,
peavey fls 31 band eq 2) dod 31 band eq
phonic digital delay alesis digital reverb
behrihger comprressor limiter
two 15 in mains
two 15 in monitors
fender twin reverb amp
fender bassman amp
peavey keyboard amp
no name keyboard
strat
tele
martin acustic
fender precision
weston bass
one big bedroom full of my stuff hahahah

[cellardweller]

Dave in Toledo-

Remember me in your will.

What kind of monitors/mains do you have? New mains are on my wish list, actually mains are on my list period.. My mains now are an old 4X12 cab and a Carvin monitor with a 15 and a horn! Yucky, but for basic playback purposes and jamming occasionally they work for now, You've quite a list going there, if ever you get in a clinch and need some storage space...

[dave in toledo]

i play in two working bands, so i have aquired pa gear through the years. i have two old peavey monitors, that had new speakers put in about 8 years ago, i know of three bar bands that had these befor me and they got alot of miles out of them. They sound better then my mains, which for now are two nady brand 15s, very inefficient but if you throw enough power at them they will do for now. yamaha club series just came out with a new line, the old ones are selling for around 220 each and they are great efficient speakers, id like to trade up soon

[radiorickm]

here's my setup from input to final

NOTE that i do not use a computer at all, work with them at work and that is enought. the mr-8 does it for me at home.


Mikes
1 Marshall MXLv63 Battery Powered
1 Realestic (shudder, but hey it works)
3 Nady 58 clones
Insturments
1 Hondo Fame 12 string electric
1 Martin-Sigma 12 strring acoustic
1 Epiphone bat wing sg base
1 generic midi full size keyboard
1 Alesis SR-16 drum machine

Mixer
Behringer UB2442fx pro

Multi track Recorder
Fostex MR-8

Outboard
Behringer dual 31 band eq
Behringer autocom compressor

Final
2 Phillips 760 CDR (stand alone)
1 Marantz cassette deck

speakers
bose 201
paevey pa speaker
home made 1x 12 cab
small computer speakers
pioneer 15 inch
6x9 in car type box

'bout a thousand foot of cable

hole set up sets on a desk, and side table for the keys.