recording 7 mics at once: presonus firepod? how?

[holidaz]

Hello,
I am new to the forums, and this seems like a patient community to ask some noob questions about.
--------------------
What I have:
7 drum mics
Acid Pro 5
Sonar Home Studio
PC with fire wire and usb ports
Guitar and bass
synthesizer
--------------------------
What I am trying to do:
Record 7 mics from a drum set at once into digital audio for my computer so I can edit the seperate tracks in Acid or Sonar. As well as then recording synthesizer guitar or bass over the drum track.
---------------------------
My budget:
500.00 (about)
------------------------------
What i need:
somehting to turn 7 mics of audio into digital audio, with phantom power for two of the mics (or all so i dont need preamp)
----------------------------
My Questions:
What exactly do I need to record 7 mics at once to my computer and still be able to edit the seperate tracks in acid or sonar?
Would a presonus firepod do what I need it to do?
Are there any other alternatives?
-----------------------------
I have tried to research as much as i can about mixers and all, so I am not completely hopeless.
Any help/specific item suggestions is greatly appreciated!
People in real life dont have enough patients for me, so I turn to the internet!

-Andy

[guttapercha]

Originally Posted by holidaz

Hello,
I am new to the forums, and this seems like a patient community to ask some noob questions about.
--------------------
What I have:
7 drum mics
Acid Pro 5
Sonar Home Studio
PC with fire wire and usb ports
Guitar and bass
synthesizer
--------------------------
What I am trying to do:
Record 7 mics from a drum set at once into digital audio for my computer so I can edit the seperate tracks in Acid or Sonar. As well as then recording synthesizer guitar or bass over the drum track.
---------------------------
My budget:
500.00 (about)
------------------------------
What i need:
somehting to turn 7 mics of audio into digital audio, with phantom power for two of the mics (or all so i dont need preamp)
----------------------------
My Questions:
What exactly do I need to record 7 mics at once to my computer and still be able to edit the seperate tracks in acid or sonar?
Would a presonus firepod do what I need it to do?
Are there any other alternatives?
-----------------------------
I have tried to research as much as i can about mixers and all, so I am not completely hopeless.
Any help/specific item suggestions is greatly appreciated!
People in real life dont have enough patients for me, so I turn to the internet!

-Andy

The Firepod is probably the cheapest way to go. A lot of people on this board have chosen that route and record really great-sounding stuff.
The focusrite Saffire PRO 26 is coming out really soon and will be competitive with the Firepod and might be worth a look. I'm very interested in that unit myself.

You seem to be on the right track.

JD

[Kevin Deschwazi]

You need 7 mic preamps and 7 channels of A-D conversion. The firepod will do 8 channels of both but at $600 it's not the cheapest way by any means.

If you have a spare PCI slot in your PC I'd go with an M Audio Delta 1010LT PCI soundcard ($200) and a Yamaha MG 12/4 mixer (also around $200). The Card has 8 analog inputs and outputs with mic preamps on ins 1&2, it also has MIDI and digital (spdif) in/out.

The yammie mixer has 6 mic ins with phantom power.

So that'd be 8 in/out (6 with P power) + MIDI and digital in/out for roughly $400.

I can vouch for the quality of the card and mixer (considering the price) having used both but I've never used a firepod so can't compare.

[treymonfauntre]

what the hell man, multiple people replied to your other thread.

[guttapercha]

Originally Posted by Kevin DeSchwazi

You need 7 mic preamps and 7 channels of A-D conversion. The firepod will do 8 channels of both but at $600 it's not the cheapest way by any means.

If you have a spare PCI slot in your PC I'd go with an M Audio Delta 1010LT PCI soundcard ($200) and a Yamaha MG 12/4 mixer (also around $200). The Card has 8 analog inputs and outputs with mic preamps on ins 1&2, it also has MIDI and digital (spdif) in/out.

The yammie mixer has 6 mic ins with phantom power.

So that'd be 8 in/out (6 with P power) + MIDI and digital in/out for roughly $400.

I can vouch for the quality of the card and mixer (considering the price) having used both but I've never used a firepod so can't compare.

Does that Yamaha mixer have enough output busses for 6 channels to be handled independently? I can't tell from the specs, because I don't know that much about mixers. Here is a pic of the back of the thing.

[Kevin Deschwazi]

Originally Posted by guttapercha

Does that Yamaha mixer have enough output busses for 6 channels to be handled independently? I can't tell from the specs, because I'm don't know that much about mixers. Here is a pic of the back of the thing.

The inserts can be used as direct outs by inserting a 1/4" jack plug half way in (until you hear the first click).

[guttapercha]

Originally Posted by Kevin DeSchwazi

The inserts can be used as direct outs by inserting a 1/4" jack plug half way in (until you hear the first click).

Looks like only 4 channels have inserts on this mixer. I suppose the other two channels could then go through the master for the total of 6 that you speak of.

Yes, it's a cheaper solution than the Firepod. But you might want to bring that total $ up a bit more for the additional cables that this way will require.

A cool way to do it might be to wire custom TRS cables where the ring on one side goes to the tip of the other, so you don't have to do the half way in business.

The firepod might still have added value for this person though b/c of the MIDI interface (he's got a synth). There are lots o' VST instruments out there (free ones) that give worlds of options.

[Kevin Deschwazi]

Originally Posted by guttapercha

Yes, it's a cheaper solution than the Firepod. But you might want to bring that total $ up a bit more for the additional cables that this way will require.

True, another reason I'm not so keen on these all in one interfaces is that if one bit breaks your whole system is down. And you can't just upgrade one bit. Sure you can use other pres through the line ins but you can't sell on the 8 pres in the firepod. Same thing if you're happy with the pres but want to upgrade the converters. You're tied in to everything on that one unit.

We all like to do things in different ways though.

Originally Posted by guttapercha

A cool way to do it might be to wire custom TRS cables where the ring on one side goes to the tip of the other, so you don't have to do the half way in business.

Yeah I think I recall some retailers sell something like that.

Originally Posted by guttapercha

The firepod might still have added value for this person though b/c of the MIDI interface (he's got a synth). There are lots o' VST instruments out there (free ones) that give worlds of options.

The 1010LT has MIDI in/out too.

I'm sure the OP will be able to weigh up the pros cons of each solution and decide which is best for him or maybe that something welse would be better?

They're both good options.

[guttapercha]

Definitely. I wasn't dissing your solution at all - In fact, I learned something. Cya round the boards.

JD

[Kevin Deschwazi]

Originally Posted by guttapercha

Definitely. I wasn't dissing your solution at all - In fact, I learned something. Cya round the boards.

JD

..........................

[lurgan liar]

I can't decide either whether a firepod or a MIXER + something like a delta 1010LT would best suit my needs .

I suppose it all depends on how much you are willing to spend ... I'd be willing to spend 400 pounds on the firepod ...

however if i could get a yamaha mixer and a 1010 lt for less than that, i'd still need to buy the cables ...also

the firepod would be a lot more portable than a PCI card like the 1010LT ...and i could use the firepod with a laptop....

Help me Decide someone lol !!!!! please !!!!