Home Studio setup

[MattRad610]

I'm just getting into digital recording now..I have made NO purchases yet and i have the following gear
-Digital Performer 7
-IMac
- 1 SM58 and MXL 990 & 991

My Goal: I want to be able to record drums along with guitar,bass etc. and keep it as simple as possible.

So, now i'm looking at audio interfaces. I'm looking at the MOTU 8pre & 896hd.
So my questions are.. Considering the significant price difference between the two MOTU units, what makes the 896hd so much better? or should i just go with the 8pre?

Also, should i be looking into getting any other gear? (excluding mics, cables, stands etc.)
Thanks!

 

[Richard Monroe]

As near as I can figure out, the 896HD also functions as a standalone mixer with onboard FX, and also has additional I/O's. For your stated purposes, the 8pre probably does everything you need.-Richie

 

[mattr]

I have the 896HD. Its a great interface, but the advantages of it over the 8pre may not be of any use to you...

10 analog outputs as opposed to the 8pre's 2. All outputs are XLR rather than TRS jack (not a big thing, but makes some connections easier) and switchable between +4 and -10 line levels. Headphone jack is also an independent output. An extra stereo digital input and output (AES/EBU). Extra clocking options (BNC word clock connections, etc). Can run at 192khz, though no real need for this.

On the other hand, the 8pre includes MIDI i/o which the 896HD doesn't offer... you'd need a separate MIDI interface.

If you'd be interested in spending more money on the higher-spec Motu interface, definitely look at going for the newer 896mk3 over the older 896HD. The mk3 has an extra bank of ADAT i/o (so you can expand it further in the future) as well as the realtime effects for monitoring, etc.

If not, the 8pre would still be a great choice and perfect to get you going. I'd happily trade my 896 for an 8pre and not miss too many of the extra features during normal use.

 

[MattRad610]

Thanks very much for the info

 

[Jeff_D]

...as far as other gear, monitors and acoustic treatment for your room, and you'll be good to go.

 

[MattRad610]

...as far as other gear, monitors and acoustic treatment for your room, and you'll be good to go.

what kind of acoustic treatment would be necessary?

 

[Richard Monroe]

what kind of acoustic treatment would be necessary?

The short form is- in a perfect room, none. Start spooking around on the studio building and display forum. The hard news is- the acoustic space in which you record may be more important than all of your gear put together. If you don't deal with your room, you might as well be doing a coronary bypass without anaesthesia.-Richie

 

[Jeff_D]

what kind of acoustic treatment would be necessary?

broad band absorption and bass traps. I'll save you a WHOLE bunch of time and money right now. Don't bother with a single piece of foam. Use rockwool or rigid fiberglass... corners and first reflection points. Check out the the Studio Building forum here.