DAW - Dilema About Workflow

  • Thread starter Thread starter Grandflash13
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Grandflash13

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Ok, I really mean signal flow, but that didn't fit with DAW so well and I was trying to be amusing.

Anyway, currently I am recording onto a Tascam 2488 and then dumping the tracks into my computer to edit and mix. That's just too time consuming and annoying. So I would like to upgrade my equipment.

Basically I am looking for a way to record at least 8 tracks but would like up to 10 if not more at a time. I have been looking at FireWire devices with pre's, A/D converters, Mixers with ADAT out or FireWire outs and all sorts of other combinations.

The problem that keeps coming up is that I keep looking at some "older" mixers with direct outs. I was thinking about getting one and then A/D converters to go to the computer, but if I do that, am I really needing to bother with the mixer? Isn't that basically going to turn the mixer into a string of pre's and not much else?

I was also toying with the idea of bringing the tracks back out, once they are edited, through the mixer and then sending the stereo mix either to a seperate recorder or back into the computer, but would that amount of conversion degrade the signal?

I guess what I'm asking is, what should I really be looking at to get 8-10 tracks at once into the computer? Money is tight, so I will be starting small and then adding more and more as time goes on.

Thanks,
Rob
 
If you get something like the Firepod, you won't need a mixer at all, as it has 8 pres built in.

If money is tight, then a cheaper way to go is a PCI solution like the delta1010LT card, and a small mixer to provide the preamplfication
 
I was thinking about the Firepod, just wondering if over all I would be better served getting a seperate mixer and A/D converters for quality wise. I also wasn't sure if at my expense level there would be a much of a difference between getting something like the Firepod or a seperate mixer and converters. My expense level isn't completely pathetic, I was just trying to avoid suggestions for too high end of gear that I know I can't afford. I'd give you an idea of the budget, but it really depends on what I can find and how much I get for overtime this next couple weaks.

Thanks,
Rob
 
Well unless you're looking for the sound of a particular mixer, I would just get the firepod. It's hassle free, portable, sounds great. It's got everything you will ever need, DI, phantom power, midi, inserts, s/pdif
 
Thanks, you're probably right. I think I'm trying to justify to myself the need to spend more money and by more gear.
 
If you dont require that many mic pres, just buy the Firebox then.
The pres on the Firebox are the same as the ones on Firepod right?
 
Just make sure you think through your whole setup, including monitoring, headphones, outboard processors, etc. A mixer gives you a lot of flexibility that a package of just preamps and converters may not. I'm not familiar with the firepod, and I'm not saying that it wouldn't provide for all your needs, just advising you to think past just the preamps, and through the entire process of what you plan on doing.
 
I would strongly suggest getting a Firebox with a compact mixer.
 
If you are using the mixer essentially for pre's, why not just get one of the various interfaces that have inputs, and then buy decent stand alone pres?
For about $150 less than the cheapest interface I could find with 8 inputs and 24 bit I got a (now discontinued, but still great equipment for me so far) I got a layla 24/96 from Echo, I use preamp(s) -> outboard compression -> layla and I have better pres than most mixers would offer (and my process has been to upgrade the input chain, and then hand it down, my weakest preamp input is two channel from my old 802 bherry mixer (whcih i never really use) then 2 channels from a DMP3, and I have a bit nicer focusrite channel with compression built in-- as i get new abd better preamops, i can move the other stuff downt he line so to speak, evenually bumping the 802 out of the 8 channels of input avialable).

Some of the best advice i have read is to put as little money into the DAW as you can (to get the basic stuff you want out of it like number if inputs, bit rate, etc), and invest in the signal chain before, since you can replace and upgrade the digital procssing stuff faster and cheaper in a short period of time than you can higher quality signal processing. Preamps built into interfaces will always be of a not-boutique quality, and the signal processing (AD/DA convertors, latency, USB/FIreWire/PCI speed, etc) will change quickly in a year or three-- the best digital interface gear will be outdated and obsolete, but a good dedicated preamp, compressor, etc will still handle their jobs the same, especially when you get beyond the entry level (wher ei still am of course).

Daav
 
You might also want to take a Look at the "Alesis 16 Channel Firewire Mixers" as they have 8 Good Quality Mic Pre"s and will allow you to Record 16 Tracks at the same time into your Recording software.....

I have a Friend who rescently got one and he says that it is an awesome Little Unit and for $600 it is hard to Find a 16 Channel Interface with 8 good sounding Mic pre-amps.....

Just a Thought....


Cheers
 
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