Home Recording Solution - opinions?

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HomeRec

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As I inch ever closer towards finalizing the components for my home recording solution, I find that the following combination is what I seem to be zeroing in on:

Aardvark Direct Pro 24/96 (card, breakout and software)
Roland JV-1010 sound module
Fatar SL-161 61-key MIDI controller
Keyboard amp (small, probably ~$100)

Ideally, I'd like to get a 76-key controller (SL-760), but the price differential is enough to settle for 61 keys. If anyone knows of a good, inexpensive 76-key synth-weighted controller, let me know.

Initially, I will probably use headphones for monitoring, with an eye towards eventually picking up Tannoy Proto-J or Reveal studio monitors. However, I may buy the monitors (and an amp) right off the bat, since they can double as keyboard speakers.

I plan to eventually put together a new DAW, but for the time being I'm going to make do with an older (PII) computer and some extra RAM. I checked with Aardvark, and the motherboard is fine for use with the 24/96.

Are there any glitches/limitations/etc. with this setup that I should know about, or something I'm overlooking? I figure this is a good start, but would welcome any input.
 
"Initially, I will probably use headphones for monitoring"

Uh oh.
There's a long thread on this topic somewhere, but the bottom line is don't monitor with headphones.

And don't smoke.

And there ain't no fool like a fool skippin' school!
 
Re: "Initially, I will probably use headphones for monitoring"

zoetrope said:
Uh oh.
There's a long thread on this topic somewhere, but the bottom line is don't monitor with headphones.

And don't smoke.

And there ain't no fool like a fool skippin' school!
Click to expand...

I had heard the same thing about headphone monitoring. However, "monitoring" may not be the best word to describe what I'd be using headphones for... probably closer to "listening to output". Initially, I just want to get working with multi-tracking. However, the point is well-taken, and I may end up with the Tannoys off the bat. PROTOJs + 75-watt Alesis amp = $350-$400.

And I wholeheartedly agree with the other two recommendations. :)
 
I wouldnt be so certain that the MB will handle 24/96....that is more dependant on the hard drive....you will definitely need a 7200 rpm hard drive to attempt 24/96.....some people with better systems only do 24/48 and the Direct Pros effects wont even work at 24/96 and you can only use them to record and not during mixing anyway...sounds like Im trying to talk you out of the Direct Pro.....

How many tracks will you be dealing with typically?....what sources will you be recording from besides the sound module?....do u need Midi?....what is the speed of the PII?....

As far as monitors, the cheapest you will get the Proto J's and decent amp is $400 as you guessed...do yourself a favor and get the JBL LSR 25P's at Musicians Friend for 599.98/pr......Im thinking of getting them myself after eyeing the ProtoJ's and Yorkville YSM-1's for awhile.....
 
"THE 24/96, not 24/96"

I wouldnt be so certain that the MB will handle 24/96
Click to expand...

Gidge, Homerec is just saying that his motherboard is compatible with the Aardvark direct pro 24/96...I think he understands that he can't use 24bit/96kHz recording on a PII :D
 
I hear ya, db.....but i always try to not assume...id rather say something he already knows than not say it, and maybe he didnt know and be in for a shock....the newbie mentality is that if the 24/96 says it will work on such and such a system, then surely it can handle 24 bit 96khz audio....then you find out your hard drive isnt fast enuff....and then you find out you dont have enuff RAM...then you find out how huge a 4-5 minute 16 track 24/96 file is....then you find out with that processor you wont get diddly as far as DX effects.....

Been there , did that....I hope if I can serve one purpose around here is to help some newbies avoid common pitfalls when entering into the PC recording world.....
 
Disclaimer: This was originally written nearly 3 hours ago - I had to get to a computer that would let me actually post it.

Originally posted by Gidge
I wouldnt be so certain that the MB will handle 24/96....that is more dependant on the hard drive....you will definitely need a 7200 rpm hard drive to attempt 24/96.....some people with better systems only do 24/48 and the Direct Pros effects wont even work at 24/96 and you can only use them to record and not during mixing anyway...sounds like Im trying to talk you out of the Direct Pro.....
Click to expand...

The main reasons I have pretty much decided on the Aardvark Direct Pro 24/96 are:

(1) Minimum requirements below my system's specs
(2) XLR inputs and phantom power for eventual high-end microphone
(3) MIDI and audio interface
(4) Comes with Cakewalk Pro Audio 9

I seriously doubt the computer's hard drive is 7200 RPM, as it is small (8GB) and came with the system. I harbor no illusions about the system's capabilities. Chances are, I wouldn't even attempt 24/96kHz. Instead, as recommended on Aardvark's site, I would most likely go with 32, 44.1 or 48kHz recording.

If I can't get that to work, I will most likely buy a 7200RPM drive and appropriate controller card, with plans to eventually move the drive into a new DAW.

How many tracks will you be dealing with typically?....what sources will you be recording from besides the sound module?....do u need Midi?....what is the speed of the PII?....
Click to expand...

I don't know how many tracks I will be dealing with. Initially, only a few (4-8). If I end up needing a lot of tracks, chances are I'll start looking into a new DAW.

Yes, I need MIDI. That's what the module and controller are for. I will be using them for drums, bass and (obviously) keyboard parts. I will also be recording guitar and vocals.

The computer is a PII 333MHz, with 64MB RAM, to be expanded to 320MB (128MB + 128MB + 64MB). This exceeds both the 24/96 (233 MHz, 64MB) and Cakewalk Pro Audio 9 (200MHz, 64MB) requirements.

As far as monitors, the cheapest you will get the Proto J's and decent amp is $400 as you guessed...do yourself a favor and get the JBL LSR 25P's at Musicians Friend for 599.98/pr......Im thinking of getting them myself after eyeing the ProtoJ's and Yorkville YSM-1's for awhile.....
Click to expand...

It's a thought, but that's another $200, which I would most likely spend on a larger keyboard. In addition to everything else, I'm trying to keep this setup affordable. The current "ceiling" is $1500:

Direct Pro 24/96: $500
Fatar SL-161: $250
Roland jv-1010: $400
PROTOJ and amp: ~$400 or Keyboard amp: $100-$250

TOTAL: $1250-$1550

Additional info

Gidge: I actually read MB as Megabytes, and figured you meant that I wouldn't have enough RAM to handle the 24/96. :p

The title may read "Newbie", but I have been doing a lot of research and, as stated above, have a good idea what I'm working with. However, the advice is appreciated.

db51: Thanks for the assist; your confidence was not misplaced :)

Wow... this post is getting novel-esque, isn't it? :D
 
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Yes, I meant 8GB...

Man, this post is just riddled with misunderstandings...

That particular one came from having to hurreidly re-type the message after the board wiped the form clean.

Edited (above).
 
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I knew better...just a little razz. ;)

Since I started typing with both fingers I do typos all the time!
 
There might be anouther typo or misunderstanding...

Although the Fatar SL-161 is a fine controller for the money, it does not have weighted keys. It does everything else you'd want, split zones, transpose, aftertouch, velocity, midi channel select, but no weighted keys.

I'm very happy with mine but I'm more of a guitar player than a keyboardest, so I really don't need the natural expressive real keyboard feel. I use it mostly for bass and rhythm fills (and drums before I put together a PinTech Electronic drum set, great trigger pads at an unbeatable price, Just can't say enough good things about them).

I think you'd have to double your keyboard budget to by anything new with weighted keys .

And just as a suggestion... It's excellent that you're carefully researching this equipment before you buy, but you may wind up missing out on some real deals and spending more for the same capabilities by being too ridgid in your equipment selction. I've added a ton of new gear and really save substancial amounts of money by purchasing closeout and demo gear. Guitar Center has their holiday "List" sales and you never know what kind of deals you'll find there. Some of this stuff really goes dirt cheap. It's just tough to find exactly what you're looking for on sale when you want to buy it. I keep an open mind (and an open wallet), and in most cases buy only what's been marked down. And I know this doesn't work for everyone.

Good Luck,

Happy Hunting
 
Eebaf
Just two words:

Don´t smoke:-)))
Click to expand...

Two more words: No Worries (and Never Will) :D

Pro
And just as a suggestion... It's excellent that you're carefully researching this equipment before you buy, but you may wind up missing out on some real deals and spending more for the same capabilities by being too ridgid in your equipment selction.

It's just tough to find exactly what you're looking for on sale when you want to buy it. I keep an open mind (and an open wallet), and in most cases buy only what's been marked down.
Click to expand...

Sound advice, and definitely something to keep in mind. However, I am cautious in my purchases, but I keep an open mind, and know a good deal when I see one.

Case and point: I recently finalized my synthesizer purchase: an Alesis QS7.1. The major negative was the uncertainty of Alesis's current (and more importantly, future) state of affairs.

However, for only a little more than an SL-161/JV-1010 combo, I got 76 synth-weighted keys (same weight as the SL-161, by the way) instead of 61, a decent backlit display instead of just numbers, and excellent on-board voice-editing options. This was a deal that was far too good to pass up, as the board was brand new and several hundred less than the price it was listed at on many web sites.

Prior to finding the new model, I had reserved a demo model at the same price, and turned down a used QS7.1 for $150 less because it showed a lot of wear.

There is always a fine line to walk when researching a major purchase. The purpose of research is to find out what's out there. When you find something that fits your price range and preferences, then that's the time to make your move.
 
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