Upgrade recording gear to . . ?

[The Viking]

I currently have an M-Box with Pro Tools, an M-Audio O2 keyboard and Groove Tube GT66 Mic. I am a guitarist that plays hard rock to Flanico. Any sugestions as to what I can upgrade to? Mixers, control surface, etc.

[Twitch]

Why do you want to upgrade? I take it you don't like protools? Are you looking to improve you sound? you got a nice setup so far

[Big Kenny]

I don't know what Flanico is. If it is anything like flamenco, get a pair of sdc's.

[Twitch]

If you want or have the need to upgrade.. then i would say get a mixer.. like a small mixer behringer or Alesis do have some great little mixers for the money... You will have to look at the whole picture.. Ask yourself if you want to record a band or your own band, add any synths to your setup, another guitarist.. give me an idea on your future planning please

[n8tron]

definitely get a better keyboard, i'd go for s synth of some kind. then you'll have a bunch more sounds to work with too.

either that or some nice soft synth/sampling software. how fast is your computer? also some good plugins would help for mixing.

[SonicAlbert]

The MBox has a SPDIF input, allowing it to be used with external converters. I'd suggest you upgrade your front end, in other words, everything ahead of the Mbox. This will give you the most bang for the buck in my opinion.

So that would mean upgrading mics, preamps, and converters.

As far as converters, I use a UA-2192 that sounds great, I highly recommend it. As far as preamps, I think the DAV BG-1 sound great on guitar. But so do some others like the Grace 201, and Neve Portico. There are a *ton* of really good preamps out there, so you have plenty to choose from.

As far as mics, you might want to ask that question in the microphone forum here at homerecording.com. But I do think you will want to get into stereo micing.

[The Viking]

Thanks for all the imput!! I have a Pentium 3.4 ghz, and sound blaster card. I currently use Sample Tank to use for strings in recording. Sorry for the typo s/h/b Flamenco.

I was reading a clip from Craig Chaquico. He is using Digital Performer - would it be worth it to switch to a Mac? Also, M-Audio Project Mix controller surface looks interesting - anyone have one?

[BigRay]

PC can do anything that a MAC can do. MAC isnt any better. YOu know PC, why switch???

wavelab, soundforge, samplitude, sequoia...cubase, sonar..

[wx3]

What about monitors? You didn't mention your montoring chain, which is probably the most important part of your setup.

[The Viking]

You are right! All I have for monitors are a pair of cheap Altec Lansings with a subwolfer. What do you recommend?

[Gnash5150]

How do you like that Gt66 you have? I'm thing of picking one up. For your A/D conversion, check out MOTU. My MOTU 24 i/o shipped with Digital Performer, but I use Sonar 5. You can really upgrade your signal with a good preamp. I'll recommend the Great River ME 1NV Musicians friend is running a special,$799, on the Tascam US 2400. It's a controller for your DAW with MOTORIZED FADERS. Awesome tool, no more mouse crap. I don't know how I ever worked without it. Good monitors are really mandatory, I would but them first. I use the Event TR8 XLs. They are powered, and sound really great to me.

[BigRay]

monitors???

the yamaha ns-1000m are recognized as a pair that is second to none for mixing.

if you cant afford those, upgrade at least to a pair of SWann M200s..'

[Big Kenny]

I have Dynaudios for mixing but on my comp I use Maudio BX5a, $225 @ Full Compass, they sound fine

[The Viking]

I'm using the GT66 for all recording with a Shure BG. The GT seems to do a good job with my acoustics steel and nylon strings - picks up the highs and has good depth. As for the monitors - I'm going today to the Guitar Center to hear all your sugestions. This BBS is awsome!

Also, the recomendation on the controller surface is much appreciated. I finally have the time and money to invest in good gear - don't want to "reinvent the wheel".

Would it improve my system if I bought a new sound card? I currently have a sound blaster that came with my Dell.

[wx3]

lol.

Ditch the soundblaster now! You need a new sound card thats made for audio recording. M audio makes a great line of cards, they probably have one that would suit your needs. I started off with an M Audio Audiophile 24/96, great little card for the price, most people would call it the standard 2 input card. Now I have a firepod, and I'm not looking back.

[The Viking]

Originally Posted by wx3

lol.

Ditch the soundblaster now! You need a new sound card thats made for audio recording. M audio makes a great line of cards, they probably have one that would suit your needs. I started off with an M Audio Audiophile 24/96, great little card for the price, most people would call it the standard 2 input card. Now I have a firepod, and I'm not looking back.

I'll add the firepod to my list to check out. Thanks for your sugestion! I have 8 guitars, bass and mandolin. Hopefully, my wife won't divorce me for a couple more items.

[SonicAlbert]

The Soundblaster is the first thing that has to go.

My policy when upgrading/buying gear is to put the priority on anything that passes signal, because this is what you'll hear. I have yet to buy a control surface and am getting along just fine. So my advice would be to put every available cent into gear that you can hear.

[Gnash5150]

I like the Motu 24 i/o, since I am always recording drums. If you have the cash, it's around $1400. It matches great with the 24 channel controller. They have some less pricey units. Motu has some great products, and they all come with a pci card. You'll never look back!

[guitarboi89]

i swear you say that you have an mbox, which is your soundcard!

[wx3]

Oh, bingo. We might have just sent him to the store to buy something he doesn't need...

[The Viking]

Originally Posted by guitarboi89

i swear you say that you have an mbox, which is your soundcard!

I do have an mbox. I thought the sound blaster card processed the output of my recordings once they are bounced to disk. Which brings up a question. The quality is degraded when I bounce tracks, even with various dither combinations. I was suspecting the sound card as the problem. Does the soun card have anything to do with the bouncing problem?

[wx3]

The MBOX is your soundcard. The soundblaster shouldn't be used at all for audio recording or editing.