Basic, Affordable Setup

[condostudio]

Hi all,

I would like a home studio for my personal use. I'm not a pro, so something "technically" simple and affordable (under a $1000) is ideal. Basically to plug in my electric or pick up my acoustic and record a song, but versatile enough to have my friend jam/record with me.

My currently setup is:
- TonePort UX1 interface
- Xenyx 1202 mixer
- AudioBuddy preamp
- PodFarm & Garageband
- Mac platform

I love the UX1 but have outgrown its limitations (1 mic/1 input/no phantom power). Also, my preamp is very weak, my mixer is excessive, and together they produce loud hissssssing

Can anyone suggest a good setup for me? Something with at least 2 XLRS, 2 guitar lines? Not sure if there's an all-one-interface that will suit me, or if I even need a mixer and preamp... Also please advise me regarding software--something that can record multiple tracks at once. (Though I would still like to use PodFarm for modeling.)

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[matttheaxe]

The one thing that jumps out at me in the list is the audio buddy. Get rid of that thing at once. If you can't afford a good one, try the ART Tubepac. No hiss and pretty good tube gain and compression.

 

[moresound]

The one thing that jumps out at me in the list is the audio buddy. Get rid of that thing at once. If you can't afford a good one, try the ART Tubepac. No hiss and pretty good tube gain and compression.

That and I didn't see any microphones listed!

 

[condostudio]

Yes, the Audiobuddy is a throw-away. I bought it in hopes of boosting the signal, or warming the sound, but it doesn't do either. The mixer is much more effective.

For mics I have the MXL 2003 and MXL 603.

By the way, I was just doing more research and came across the Motu 8pre...looks good, but I'll wait to hear the advice. Thanks!

 

[moresound]

Yes, the Audiobuddy is a throw-away. I bought it in hopes of boosting the signal, or warming the sound, but it doesn't do either. The mixer is much more effective.

For mics I have the MXL 2003 and MXL 603.

By the way, I was just doing more research and came across the Motu 8pre...looks good, but I'll wait to hear the advice. Thanks!

Is that the NEW MXL 2003a?

 

[moresound]

Oh .... and I forgot to welcome you to the ZOO!

 

[TetraFish]

pod farm will be an issue because you have to have the unit plugged in for it to work, or at least that's the way it works with my POD X3 Live. Check into that if you really need to have pod farm.

 

[Washburn100]

From what I've read (never actually used it) the motu is a nice unit.

I have taken a liking to the Presonus stuff, and if you get their interface, it will come with Studio 1, a new DAW that is great for the musician that doesn't want to fart around with computer stuff. I tried the demo and it was excellent. If I wasn't so invested in Sonar, I'd switch.

Come to think of it, most interfaces will come with some sort of lite version of a DAW. Something you may want to consider in your decision.

And also welcome to the forum. Most people here are really nice, but some of us are just jerks!

 

[moresound]

From what I've read (never actually used it) the motu is a nice unit.

I have taken a liking to the Presonus stuff, and if you get their interface, it will come with Studio 1, a new DAW that is great for the musician that doesn't want to fart around with computer stuff. I tried the demo and it was excellent. If I wasn't so invested in Sonar, I'd switch.

Come to think of it, most interfaces will come with some sort of lite version of a DAW. Something you may want to consider in your decision.

And also welcome to the forum. Most people here are really nice, but some of us are just jerks!

Yeah watch out for that Washburn guy!

You also may want to check out reaper as your DAW ... it's a free down load then if you decide it's for you then you pay the (I think) $60.

We added the motu to the digi 02 and it worked out great but you have to turn the monitor knob upon turning it on to have the digi to link up with it's clock.

 

[condostudio]

Hi guys, thanks for the replies and the welcome! To respond to all:

- the MXL is just 2003 (no "a" on the name)

- I was having the same worry about Podfarm--since it relies on the UX1. But I came across a few other sim/modelers, like Axe-FX and Guitar Rig... There must be a standalone version (independent of the interface) right?

- I've heard that many use Presonus, most love it, though some have complained of latency/hiss/malfunction(?) I also heard good things about M-Audio and Alesis.

- For my DAW, I'll probably download some demos and try them out: Reaper, Cubebase, Reason, and Mixcraft.

Phew! All this hardware/software. Now if I could filter them down...

 

[moresound]

Reaper will down load as a fully functional DAW! and all you have to do is deal with a 5 second nag screen upon firing it up .... pretty cool.

 

[Washburn100]

Guitar rig, Amplitude and some others are software only. They reside in your computer. They can sound great, but one drawback is they can eat up your CPU, meaning, you need a smoking fast computer to handle many tracks, plus your DAW.

You can go outboard modeler like the AX-FX. I use a Roland VG-99. All the modeling is done in the VG-99, so there is not CPU hit on your computer. They are not cheap though. The VG-99 will set you back about $1200

I have never used a POD, but can it not just output so you could plug it into an amp? You could just send this output into the line in of an interface.

 

[TetraFish]

I was having the same worry about Podfarm--since it relies on the UX1. But I came across a few other sim/modelers, like Axe-FX and Guitar Rig... There must be a standalone version (independent of the interface) right?

Yeah, I think you can buy it. Looks like you need an "ilok device" not sure what that is, probably a USB dongle. If you have to do that it might be just as easy to keep your UX1 plugged in. Looks like its $99.00 + what ever the iLok costs.

Sounds like they are making it enough of a pain in the butt that i'd check out some others, like the ones you mentioned.

 

[condostudio]

Hi all,

Well I'm close to a decision and would like your feedback please.

The Presonus Firestudio Mobile, $250 : 2 mic/inst lines, 2 pres, 6 line ins, phantom power. Great. Now my questions are:

1) Just to confirm, this unit allows me to record all 8 tracks simultaneously?

2) If "yes" to the above, I'll need an external preamp for the 6 line-level ins on the back, right?

a) What preamp do you recommend?
b) Is it more cost efficient to just upgrade to the Firestudio 10x10? It has 8 mic/inst and 8 pres. (I mean, will the Mobile and external preamp cost much less than $400?)​

By the way, I found someone selling an older Firebox for $100. Don't know if there's a big difference between that and the newer Mobile...

Thanks!

 

[Washburn100]

It sounds like you want 8 mic's simultaneously. For that budget wise, you would be better looking at the 10x10 you mentioned or other multi-pre interfaces.

Good standalone preamps are expensive. 8 channel preamps are extremely expensive for a good one, and if your budget calls for a mediocre 8 channel preamp, you might as well get an interface with 8 pre's.

You could also look at a mixer for that many channels. Check out the Mackies. Presonus has quite a few multi-channel interfaces to look at.

 

[condostudio]

Thanks, Washburn.

Actually, 8 inputs is overkill. Honestly, I only need 2 inputs for myself.

The only reason I considered the 10x10 Studio was because of its simple plugs that make it so easy to plug-n-play (the mission of my home setup). And I really wanted the OPTION of 4 inputs (but interfaces seem to come only in 2, 6 or more).

So, if I just need an external preamp (for the occassional jam with 2 other guitarist), then I'll go with the Mobile setup. But can you recommend an preamp with 2 inputs?

My friends don't know it yet, they'll be thanking you later!

 

[Washburn100]

Here's a thought then, you might not need preamps if the other guitar players have anything to get then to line level. Would they use amps with a line out, or some pedals etc can get you to line level, basically they act as preamps.

For a decent budget 2 channel pre, maybe check out the Art PRO MPA preamp here: http://www.artproaudio.com/products.asp?type=79&cat=1&id=146
That will set you back about $250 though

 

[PDP]

From what I've read, the motu is a nice unit.

:

My fiend sent me his CD done with a Motu interface, sounded great. Better than my M-audio card thats for sure.

 

[kmachman]

If you have a Mac, I would definitely recommend Logic. Either the express version or the full Version. Which ever you can afford. I have the full version and it is great. Many new features in version 9. Flex time being the best of the features. Check it out on apples site.

 

[condostudio]

Yes! Nice call, Washburn. My friends both have Pods, pedals and small amps. I never even thought of that...

PDP - I really liked Motu too, especially since I'm a Mac guy. But then I read about a million posts where the Motu and Mac weren't playing nice (and people were losing their hair). I love the style/design of it, but don't want the hassle.

I might just buy the Mobile and Motu from Guitarcenter, test them both out, then return one.

Well thanks guys! I think I'm ready now. Still need headphones and monitors but I'll read the threads first--before I harrass you again.