A story about what to buy

  • Thread starter Thread starter Chris Fallen
  • Start date Start date
Well I feel like an idiot now. I just looked up all of the prices..

ADC - 600 (with tax)
DSP24 - 229

That makes it about 850 for both. Hm. I can get those AND the DAC for $879. Hrm. So for about 50-70 bucks more, I can get an additional $400 dollar item.

::chris goes to cancel his order and save up for another month::

Christopher
 
...

I'm glad you realized your miscalculation ;)

the System III in its entirety IS a great deal ... and as I said

>2) Buying the the three units(DSP24, ADCIII, DACIII) together
>(=SystemIII) might not be a lot more expensive than buying two >units separately

Save a month and have a great unit. I haven't heard anyone talk badly about the System III or the Multiface so I think we're faring very well with them ...
 
Rdub said:
Basslord1124 - For what it's worth, here's a link to a review on the Behringer MX802A and the MX2004A in case you haven't read any reviews on these particular models.

Once you get to this web page, it's the 11th review down entitled 'Behringer Eurorack Mixers' and it's in 'pdf' file format.
It also compares the mx2004 to the Mackie 1402vlz concerning noise.

Behringer Reviews

Just thought I'd pass it along.

Thanks for the info Rdub! Guess it sort of brings positive words to some of the negativity I'm hearing. Even if I happen to get the mixer and turns out to be noisy or whatever I'll only be out about $80 which isn't too bad I guess, could be much worse. It's funny, it seems that the word I've heard on Behringer products is very good and positive EXCEPT for their mixers.
 
I have a Q10 and I like it a lot. I am a college student - but I live with my parents therefore I have the space that I need, and the money that I need to buy some gear.

If I had it to do again - I would buy a Delta 1010. Probably will buy one (or its follower) around christmas.

I will certainly keep the Q10 though. Problem with the Q10 is you can never *really* disable the onboard pres to the best of my knowledge. You can run in from another pre...but the Aardvark pres will still affect the sound.

The Aardvark pres/phantom power/software is good though. in terms of drivers, they are *finally* getting their act together. It took them a while to get around to 2k/XP (they are one in the same..to vark)...but, it's finally getting there. Some XP boxes are up and running with no prob. (But 2k is much better for an audio system anyways ;) )

Aardvark is a good choice for you...if you really don't think you need 8 ins, you can get 4 with the same pres on the Aark 24/96 thingy save a couple hundred bucks. I think all of the featues of the Q10 are worth it though. At this point I just want a variety of preamps..

want a grace, want an rnmp, want the SP, want a vintech....so, when i get those, i will be getting something like the Delta.

I support the Q10 for you though, later.
 
Awww common

Greetings,

I'm no expert, but I have been reading up the last several months on all this soundcard debate. Some points;

1. Its insane to go for one input at $400 when you can get 8 for $800. I mean really, if you can't afford it, SAVE, its worth it. I can't wait for the day when I record 8 tracks of drums at 24/96 (once I find a freaking reliable drummer!). I know its double the price, but its like 10x the flexability. I mean, calling up a few buddies and just jamming for a while and recording it all easy?

2. Delta 1010 + Mackie mixer is what I really like. Hardwear is a good thing to have always, its just plug and play, And there are so many routing options with a mixer it just makes life easy. The new mackie XLR pres are pretty good, rated very much like alot of the breakout boxes

3. I personally would be willing to drop a total of $1500 for a COMPLETE system. I think the 1010 + mackie would last me 5 years before i would even have used it to its limits...


the only other things that can compare is those new 24 track 24/96 boxes that mackie has put out....those are just damn cool.....

SirRiff
 
I'm just wondering about the ADCIII. Now, if I get the system III, the second secion of it, the DACIII, has eight outputs. What would t hese be used for if I'm just recording to the computer?

Christopher
 
outputs ...

You'll need outputs to:

a) monitor a a signal: e.g. feed your monitors (if you have more than two different pairs of monitos you'll already need 4 outputs)

b) for FX sends (use output to send signal to an external FX processor ... then loop the processed signal into one of your inputs

c) to feed an external mixer


I will use it mainly for a) and b) ... for instance, when I have a recording session with a singer, a guitar player and myself (piano), I want to create three different headphone mixes: e.g. the guitar player wants to hear more of the piano than the vocal ... or the singer wants more piano than guitar ...etc.
The soundcard that allows me to do that best turned out to be the RME Multiface. With their TotalMixer I can assign EACH Input channel (i.e. 8 analog inputs and 8 channels from inside the sequencing program = 16 channels) to every output I want. PLUS, I can create different levels for each input at each output ... I hope that's not too confusing.

If I give every recordist their own stereo headphone mix, I (piano) would use the headphone output and would assign outputs 3/4 and 5/6 to create a stereo headmix for the others.

I use Outputs 1/2 for my nearfields ... and have a stereo effects processor looped in at outputs 7/8

Under most cisrcumstances I'll be fine using outputs 1/2 (monitors), headphones and outpus 7/8 (FX) ..... but when I record with more people or want to use more outboard effects, I guess the additioal outputs will be very useful.
 
I never even thought about headphones. Thanks for bringing that to my attention.

But anyway, one more questions. Since you're using effect loops, that means (if I had an eight I/O card) that I would go is say, Input one, go out Output 2 to the effect, then come back in Input 2? So if essence, if I'm using four effects that would take all eight inputs? Sounds like it would be a better choice just to buy two eight input cards and one eight output and use one for pre effects and the second for post effects. And the money adds and adds. :)

Christopher
 
...

What you said is not necessarily the best way to do things ... at least I don't see why you should use 8 inputs for 4 effects. Under most circumstances, you will record first and apply outboard effects later on. In such case, you will have the four tracks be played back from the computer -> sent to four soundcard outputs -> sent to four effect processors -> sent back to four sundcard inputs.

If you want to record four tracks WITH effects the best way to connect your stuff is to go from your instrument (or mic) directly into the FX processor and from there into four of the sound card inputs. This is what you would also do to apply sound processors like a limiter or a compressor.

E.g.: Mic -> Pre-amp -> Compressor -> sound-card input

Does that help? :)
 
Okay, okay, I get it. So pretty much you'd do a basic first mix, record, then go back and do any outboard effects after you get the first tracks down by running the outputs to the effects and back in the outputs. I was thinking about doing it all live, so there was my mix up. Well. Sounds good to me. Now I just need 800 bucks. Hm, piece of cake..

And now, the next step. I bought a MXL V67 or whatever they are. That'll work for me right now for a mic.

What's a good compressor?

Christopher
 
If you guys are looking for best bang for the buck it is hard to beat the Roland Studio Pack. 8 in/out for record and playback. 2 mic pre's, 8 line in, 2 spdif in/out, 2 Compressors, 2 FX processors. Full midi remote control of DAW. Emagic LogicAudio RPC software. <$700

I would compare the overall sound quality to a mackie. The compressors are decent and the effects are very clean. You could get slightly better sound quality for the money but as a package I couldnt see any way to beat it with software and hardware.
 
...

A lot of people are eaegrly waiting for the release of the SP VTB1 ... if their VTB1 turns out only half as good as their mics, it should be a great deal.

Also, I pray FMR finally gets their act together with their really nice compressor (or whatever else they'll call it).

Both, the FMR compressor and the VTB1 should be the best bang for your bucks (probably around $200 street price) ... but who knows - noone's been able to test them so far ...

In the same price range, people would probabbly talk about:
DMP3 (2 pre-amps)
Presonus MP20 (2 pre-amps)
or some ART pre-amp


to Roadkill,
The Roland thing sure does a lot of banging for the bucks. However, it leaves you with one of the least flexible solutions. If after 6-12 months of making music you start hearing the deficiencies of the Roland pre-amps, converters, or FXs you'll be a very unhappy Roland Studio owner because there's not a lot of upgrading you can do.

If you know that you only need what the Roland offers, and you know that you won't desire better quality some time down the road then I say "get it and be happy". However, most people will develop an ear for quality and will have changing needs and then it will be good to be able to change different components separately ....
 
"Also, I pray FMR finally gets their act together with their really nice compressor (or whatever else they'll call it).

Both, the FMR compressor and the VTB1 should be the best bang for your bucks (probably around $200 street price) ... but who knows - noone's been able to test them so far ...
"

This sounds just too much like someone who has been reading a lot in the mic forum but doesn't actually get out much :)

FYI: FMR audio *has proven* that they have their act together BECUASE of the Really Nice Compressor. It's an amazing unit and basically anyone in the field will tell you that. It's been out and been tested in basically every pro studio and homerecording setup around the country for the past year or so.

I assume that you are refferring to their pending product, the RNMP (really nice mic pre) - Which will be around 400 dollars, and is not a compressor. In terms of "getting their act together" - they never promised a release date, people are just very anxious, but it should be out within a couple of months.

All FMR has to worry about is keeping the amazing reputation they have built for themselves with the RNC (their first and only product).

-Wes
 
...

Wes, you're right, I was referring to FMR's pre-amp.
Was not the smartest of all mistakes .... but I guess that's what happens when you get a blow-job while typing - it's just too distracting ;)

jk
 
Well well well. They stopped making the System III, so it's either wait for the System 3000 or go onto another path.. Dammit.

So it's between a mixer and a delta 1010, outboard preamps and a delta 1010, aardvark q10, or waiting for that damn system 3000. Does anyone have any info on the new system 3000?

Christopher
 
What about an all in one unit such as the Fostex VF-16

Hi,

Considering the following -

*budget is of concern
*need decent sound quality
*would like 8 analog inputs

- VF-16 also gives you 16 tracks with 8 virtual tracks,
- ADAT optical inputs
- built in effects and compression that are supposed to sound fine.
- SCSI interface if you want to master on your PC or burn a CD.
- plus this thing is tiny - you can cart it around to recording sessions.

Check out a demo that this guy did called "10,000 miles" on the following WEB site:
http://www.bindle5.com/sounds.asp

He said it was his first recording with his VF-16 and he didn't put a lot of effort into it. Considering that, it sounds pretty good to me. You can pick up a VF-16 for $799 now - while they last (they are being replaced with VF-1600 for $1399).
 
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