Gettin' creative with the Tax Refund

[baumer]

Like a lot of other folks I'm looking to sink my tax refund into recording gear (Save, schmave... ) Even though I'm in essentially the lowest tax bracket, I was appalled to see I'll only be getting about $900 back from the government, which is better than paying I suppose...

In any case! Since I can't make a lot of noise in my apartment I've been playing music with friends around town. Something occured to me one night, why not get an HD multitracker and record the jams, then mix at home?

However, I noticed a problem (I guess its a problem) with every single one of the units I came across: not enough XLR mic inputs!! They mostly have 2, or 4. So... that will cover the drums! What about the rest of the gaddamn band!
Am I really doomed to using a bundle of impedance transformers? How should I get power to the mics, as most of the units only phantom power 2 inputs. My hope was to record everyone at once. Overheads - 2, Kick -1, guitar -1, bass - 1, vox - 1, keyboards - 1. Thats 7 inputs, so I'm short any way you look at it.

Should I stop complaining and plan on getting the correct transformers / cables? I'm looking mostly at the Yamaha AW16G and Zoom MRS-1608. CD-RW functionality isn't a primary concern.

I entrust this issue to the care of the board.

[Sloan]

The AW16G can record all inputs at one time so here's my suggestion:

Get the "g" and then get an 8in/out preamp. Such as the M-Audio Octane.

Run your mics into the preamp and then just have the outs running straight to the G. Bam, 8 powered XLR inputs.

[baumer]

Originally Posted by Sloan

The AW16G can record all inputs at one time so here's my suggestion:

Get the "g" and then get an 8in/out preamp. Such as the M-Audio Octane.

Run your mics into the preamp and then just have the outs running straight to the G. Bam, 8 powered XLR inputs.

Thanks Sloan. However, for both the AW16G and the Octane, I'd be looking at spending quite a bit more than Uncle Sam is providing. Is there even a stand-alone unit out there with 8 phantom powered XLR ins? I wonder...

Still open to suggestions.

[notbradsohner]

a mixer or 8 channel pre and an adat.

[distortedrumble]

...i'd get a mixer like the mg16/4 or 16/6fx and send the drums, guitars, bass and vocals out from the mg in "bus" form into the seperate inputs on the aw16g. so lets says stereo drums (2 inputs) bass (1 input) guitars (2 inputs?) vocals(1, 2 or 3 inputs?)

[distortedrumble]

you know you can build/buy a small portable comp for that much

[baumer]

Originally Posted by distortedrumble

you know you can build/buy a small portable comp for that much

Never thought about that. Like a mini tower or something? I think a powerful DAW laptop would be lots of $$.
Of course I'd have to get a new audio interface too...

Nice idea though.

Has anybody worked with the Zoom multitracker I mentioned? The model w/CD burner is comparable in price to the AW16G. But like I said, I'd probably export tracks through s/pdif to my computer setup after recording, so I don't need a burner.

How are Zoom pres compared to the Yamahas, generally?

I'll stop asking so many questions...