Help with possible studio setup #3

[woody777]

My band is building a small project studio to track 8-10 songs for our first album. We aren't looking for pro quality, but we are looking for a step up from typical local band quality you hear on MySpace. We want a product that we are proud of and don't have to add "please forgive the recording" when we give someone a copy.

I've been researching setup ideas here on the board. I'm onto idea #3 and have a few questions regarding the Presonus Firepod.

Idea #1 - Digidesign Digi002r
Pros: already familiar with Pro Tools
Cons: only 4 mic preamps

Idea #2 - Mackie Onyx 1620 w/ Firewire card
Pros: great mic pres and converters
Cons: really don't need the mixer

Idea #3 - Presonus Firepod
Pros: ???
Cons: ???

How are the pres and converters on the Firepod? Is the Firepod all I need to record 8 simultaneous tracks to Cakewalk? Are there any real drawbacks to the Firepod? It really looks like the best bang for your buck for a simple all-in-one recording interface.

Thanks!

 

[wx3]

How are the pres and converters on the Firepod?

Great for the price.

Is the Firepod all I need to record 8 simultaneous tracks to Cakewalk?

Yes.

Are there any real drawbacks to the Firepod?

No. Well, maybe some. It's nice to have all your connections on the back of the rack, less messy that way.

The firepod also comes with cubase LE so you can get started right away. I like LE I'm still using it to date.

 

[woody777]

Cool... thanks for the info. Anyone else care to chime in?

 

[random.hero]

ehhh, not really



















































firepod

 

[woody777]

lol... so I take it you like the Firepod?

Let me rephrase the question... are there any other all-in-one recording interfaces with at least 8 mic pres that I should be looking at? Budget is really around $1000, but if we can come in under that, I won't be upset

What about the Mackie Onyx 800R? The Focusrite Saffire Pro 26i/o? Any others? Also, I'm not dead set on firewire... that just seems like easiest option.

 

[treymonfauntre]

focusrite saffire pro, but its a newer product so a lot of places don't have them.

 

[epic]

Motu 896HD is about $1000...or you can look for used ones, or an older 896. I got a 896 (not hd) for $180!! Best purchase ever.

 

[random.hero]

firepod, and use the left over budget money to rape it with some tasty mics...

 

[BushmasterM4]

Im in the same boat. But Im going for the Mackie 1640 with firewire. The appeal of recording 16 tracks at a time and the price won me over. I will be using 8 tracks alone for the drums. I have a mackie cfx16 allready that will be the road mule. Its always better to have more than less.

 

[big country]

I heard that the travler is a dynomite interface definitly a step up from presonus

 

[woody777]

I got a Firepod

Should have it in a week or so... I'll let you guys know what I think. Thanks for the help!