Has anyone used a MOTU 828 and a Tascam 428 together?

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Godsguitarist73

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Hello! I will soon be getting a laptop and I am thinking about getting an 828 mkI (not the newest one... can't afford it ;)) and then using a Tascam 428 later, primarily for mixing. I was just wondering if anyone has done this and, if so, how were your results? It'll be a PC compatible laptop, not a mac. :) Thanks!

Brandon <><
 
Exactly the set up in my project studio.

The slickest (but ugliest and least artist friendly) version of this was:
Powerbook 667mhz, 786ram, Lacie firewire HD, 828 and US428.
Excellent automation of Cubase SX1/Reason combination.
Used primarily VI's + heaps of audio (around 28 tracks...bear in mind anything more than 16 audio and I think... turd polishing)
The ability to mix virtually out the box and the sheer compatibility was aces. (Midi went into the US428)

Another good combo, better GUI, better features and...interesting.... summing is DP 4.11 ..same HW system. (Actually my weapon of choice these days). It has it's own sound....
The best version of this was to use the US428 as sound in/out and midi. I ended up not using the 828 at all!! This was for singer songwriter work though and not to be reccomended for bands.

I would have to say that, for bands, 828 is stable and lovely..really all you would need in the prosumer end.

For things you know are going to head for radio and TV. My best combo has been
sameish hardware. (substituted a 1gig imac for the powerbook)
MBox/US428/DP4.11(if a big midi number) or PTLE 6.1.2 if midi is being used subtely and you need nice sounds.

If you're the singersongwriter/like doing most stuff yourself and don't need the inputs of the 828 I would go for this.
The pre's and the converters of 828 and MBox cannot really compare (the MBox is class). Similarly MBox and apogee (more like the studios you work in) etc etc.

Finally the biggest thing I have found to make a difference in sound is mic pre's and convertors to sat nothing of keeping the clocking simple.

Go for sound...all DAW's are NOT the same. All sound interfaces are different. The US428 though, is handy forever!

Jimihey
 
Hey man! Thanks so much for your reply. I am actually going after the 828 so we can record in our band. :) I will probably not go the 428 route. We discussed tonight investing some money as a band into recording (prior to this talk, everything has just been for me personally and, being college, means that I have nothing... lol) and so we're looking at getting an 828 and a Mackie BabyHUI to mix with instead of a 428. :D If you have anything else to add, by all means please do. We'll probably be using the preamps on our Mackie board to begin with and may later buy an outboard preamp (something in the $200-$300 area) as funds become available. Thanks again for your post!! Anyone else?

Brandon <><
 
No problem dude.
If you're doing the band thing we've found that the following worked well for us:

4 mikes on the drums (BD, Snare, highhat, overheads) - spend a lot of time getting this right and you are laughing.
1 guitar through "pod" - DI to 828
1 guitar through "pod" - DI to 828
1 Bass through compressor and DI box
Keys going into reason via midi

Guide vox going into a neuman. (only if you really need it though)

Play it all live.

This captures the feel, and if you've enough headphones and spend enough time this can sound really live.

It cut our recording time to nearly half and provided a sound basis for overdubs later.
Also the noise is simply drums tracking and the wife/girlfriend/cat will let you do this in the comfort of your own living room,garage.

Good luck dude,


Jimihey

<><
 
jimihey said:

4 mikes on the drums (BD, Snare, highhat, overheads) - spend a lot of time getting this right and you are laughing.

Do you take maths? :D
 
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