Back in the Day

  • Thread starter Thread starter djhead
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djhead

djhead

Military Intelligence
Back about 5 years ago i was really into Audio Engineering, took some classes and almost went to one of those fancy schmancy schools for it. But i joined the army instead. Im looking to get back into it. To finance my start i sold my vintage Roland TR-808 for about a G, and gave half to my wife (stupid stupid stupid) but was able to buy some other stuff. Added to my collection already
I have:
A bleeding edge PC with over 2GB RAM and 500GB hard disk space
Digidesign Mbox1 with pro tools LE
Fruity Loops 5
Reason 2.5
Soundforge 8
2 x Oktava Mk-319 matched pair
2 x Sm-57
Line 6 Guitar Port
M Audio Ozone MIDI Keyboard

Now here is my question. I have been out of the loops for so long, I forget what I am doing, but I know I want to produce, record and engineer, because i used to and still do have so much fun doing it.

What should be my next purchase?
How can I expand the # of inputs to my Pro Tools (Mbox only has 2)?
Would anyone take me seriously if I said "Hey hey rapper-in-the-making, come on by my house, i have a novice set up, and would love to record you"?
What's next?

I guess im excited about being able to record again, i just don't know where to go with it.
 
Sorry not an expert at all, but how is the Line 6 Guitarport?
 
if i'm not mistaken the mbox has adat, so you can add 8 more channels if you wanted to
but if you're recording rap (i guess?) then you should probably get a really nice vocal mic and preamp, monitors, and some treatment for your room
 
I joined the army once. I got a pre-enlistment medical discharge
 
Yo DJ. Sorry, but your comittment to the M-BOX limits you in terms of track number terminally. You could use a mixer and feed the main outs to the M-BOX, but then you can't mix or process those tracks independantly after that, which sucks, big time. If you want to work in ProTools (I do), use a Digi002, 4 channels of dedicated preamp, 2 more channels with digital out (I use Joemeek twinQ) into the coaxial S/PDIF in, and M-Audio Octane for 8 more channels by optical ADAT. There's 18 simultaneous ins into Pro Tools for a mere 5 or 10 thousand more (assuming badass preamps). Isn't this a wicked expensive hobby?-Richie
 
Not so much rap, just there is a lot of that, and it would be easier to do than say, my 5 piece band. Speaking of which any suggestions on how to get THAT done?
 
You could try getting an M-Audio 1010 PCI card 8 analog ins and 8 analog outs, You'd need 8 preamps or a mixing board with atleast 8 direct outs or channel inserts to record using all 8 at the same time though.
 
wouldn't i need a seperate Pro Tools for that? Like M Powered or something?
 
What apples is suggesting is valid, but it's not a Pro Tools solution. You would switch to another software system completely- Cakewalk, Sonar, N-tracks, or whatever. Pro Tools LE is firmware, plain and simple. It runs on Digidesign hardware, period. This now includes lower priced M-Audio products which are designed and licensed to run Pro Tools. The M-box is a low cost Pro Tools interface designed to record (2), count'em, (2) simultaneous ins. I think you can add all the tracks you want, up to the software limits of PT LE, which is 32, but only 2 at a time. As far as I know, there is no way to make an M-box record more than 2 simultaneous tracks. A Digi002 will do up to 8 simultaneous ins, if you have 4 channels of outboard preamp, and that can be expanded to 18 if you have preamps with the appropriate digital outs.
That's why so many people hate Pro Tools, even though it works rather well. Because- it is designed to force you to use specific licensed hardware, and has a limited capability, if any, to interface with any other software system. I use a Digi002 with a bunch of outboard gear, and it is a pretty good system. It wasn't the cheapest route I could have gone, by a long shot, but it works for me. If you want a lot of simultaneous inputs, and you want to do it for cheap, you won't do it with Pro Tools. So- either make the comittment, and shell out the money, learn to deal with 2 simultaneous ins, or change software systems.-Richie
 
Well, I am really starting to question my judgement on my MBox purchase. I got a good deal on it from ebay, but i really want to do more.

So as much as I love Pro Tools, i have to face facts and move on. Anybody wanna buy an Mbox or trade for something else?
 
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