Computer/equipment in different room than instrument setup...

[kmano8]

I recently moved to a new apartment, and my iMac and interface are in my bedroom, and all of my instruments (piano, guitars, amps) are out in the livingroom due to space constraints (distance from interface to piano is about 30-35 feet). Is it feasible to run long cables out into my living area so I can record on the iMac? Replacing my iMac with a macbook pro would be expensive and a pain, and getting something like a portastudio would be a waste of the great computer/interface setup I have already. Any other ideas?

 

[mjbphotos]

With good quality cables there shouldn't be any signal degradation from using long cables.
But you're going to get tired of running back into the other room to start/stop recording, etc.

 

[12milluz]

just make sure all cables are balanced. It shouldn't be a problem otherwise. I do long runs for the theatre I work at in order to mic pianos (>50ft) and it works no problem.

 

[Jeff_D]

Just get a snake. You can get a cheap 8 channel 50-footer for under a hundred easy. Upgrading your computer would make no difference.

http://accessories.musiciansfriend....nel-XLR-FemaleXLR-Male-Stage-Snake?sku=339003
I maybe wouldn't call it "road-worthy" but ok for a home studio install.

 

[dintymoore]

The audio cables are no problem, look what they do at concerts.

I just added a 3rd monitor to my Mac. It's in the other 1/2 of my studio next to my drums. I had to use two VGA extensions to reach my computer. It's probably around 16'. And then I got a few USB extensions so I could put a keyboard there and I plug the mouse into that.

The Mac Monitors window works great and you can make it duplicate (or not) your main monitor. I have it duplicating it, so at anytime I can sit down at my drums and click the monitor on and control Cubase right from the kit.

Otherwise you might want to get roller blades 'cause you'll go nuts running back and forth, and it's hard to get settled when you do that.

The Belden monitor extensions were pretty cheap and a nicer than usual design.

I don't know what it's like where you live, but there are free CRT monitors on Craigslist almost daily here. One guy had 300 (!).

 

[darrin_h2000]

Its how its supposed to be...you dont want a computer near where you are tracking...unless you are recording direct...mics will pick up fans and spinning hard drives.

 

[Dani Pace]

Having your workstation seperate from your tracking room is great when recording others but it is a pain in the ass when you are recording yourself. If you can't move the computer clocer I'd say get a snake, it's a lot easier to run one big cable than it is to run six or eight extention cables, and a lot less to trip over if you have to run the cable(s) along the floor or down a hallway.

 

[Toker41]

The audio cables are no problem, look what they do at concerts.

I just added a 3rd monitor to my Mac. It's in the other 1/2 of my studio next to my drums. I had to use two VGA extensions to reach my computer. It's probably around 16'. And then I got a few USB extensions so I could put a keyboard there and I plug the mouse into that.

The Mac Monitors window works great and you can make it duplicate (or not) your main monitor. I have it duplicating it, so at anytime I can sit down at my drums and click the monitor on and control Cubase right from the kit.

Otherwise you might want to get roller blades 'cause you'll go nuts running back and forth, and it's hard to get settled when you do that.

The Belden monitor extensions were pretty cheap and a nicer than usual design.

I don't know what it's like where you live, but there are free CRT monitors on Craigslist almost daily here. One guy had 300 (!).

Best advice. I use 4 monitors on my recording PC. 2 main, one by the drums, and one in my little room for vocals, and guitar amps. Add a wireless keyboard, and mouse, and you are set.
Also, I don't know what software you are using, but most can be operated via midi pedal, which could be easily run to your living room. Only problem I see with that is that without a monitor, you may have no idea if it accepted the midi command.
What he said about CRT's is true, also. I personally have 4 sitting in my garage that I can't even give away. Nobody want's them anymore. Check Craigslist, and I'm sure you will find some freebies on CRT's. Anybody on there that is actually trying to sell one for money will have it sitting for a long, long time. Even at $5 each for 19", and 21"....I still couldn't sell them. Even finding someone to take them for free is hard.

Warning: once you go multi-monitor on your computer, you will never be happy with just one again.

 

[kmano8]

I ordered two 50ft cables to get from my iMac to my preamps out in the livingroom (I have a very simple three mic setup). This should solve the distance like some of you suggested. My only concern that remains however, is it will become a pain to run between rooms (as some have mentioned). I could route a DVI cable to my 37" LCD in the livingroom, but what would be the best way to get a mouse/keyboard out there?

 

[dintymoore]

Either buy a few monitor extensions like I did or try a wireless (skinless, boneless AND bra-less) keyboard - I don't know the range on those things.

I'm wearing a wireless hairpiece as we speak!

There's a guy up the street that's had 2 Apple 20" monitors for free on CL here that he can't give away. They're circa 2002, I think they were around $1000 each not that long ago.

Shit, I've got about 7 people in my garage that I can't give away...

coffee's kickin' in... can tell?