Home Studio Setup Advice

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slj125

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Hi guys. So I'm planning on setting up my own home studio soon and I'm just after some advice on certain aspects. I'll be using a Macbook Pro and of course, Pro Tools, and a pair of KRK Rokits. I've been doing some research already and I understand that a lot of audio interfaces these days have mic preamps built in meaning that a mixer isn't strictly necessary, but I'd really love to have one. So I'm thinking that the answer would be to have a mixer with built in preamps and an interface with no preamps (if such things exist) to save money (on the interface at least). I'll be recording drums so I'd like at least 8 XLR inputs and I need each individual track to be on a separate track when recording onto Pro Tools. What I'm after is advice on which mixer and interface to get. I'm working on a tight budget so I'll have to stick to the relatively cheap end of the market, but obviously I want good quality so being the cheapest isn't the most important thing.

Also I'll be setting the drums up in a separate room, so I need to have a 'talkback' feature somehow, either built in to the mixer or any other way you can suggest.

I'm in the UK by the way, just for piece of mind.

Thanks in advance!
 
slj125 said:
Hi guys. So I'm planning on setting up my own home studio soon and I'm just after some advice on certain aspects. I'll be using a Macbook Pro and of course, Pro Tools, and a pair of KRK Rokits. I've been doing some research already and I understand that a lot of audio interfaces these days have mic preamps built in meaning that a mixer isn't strictly necessary, but I'd really love to have one. So I'm thinking that the answer would be to have a mixer with built in preamps and an interface with no preamps (if such things exist) to save money (on the interface at least). I'll be recording drums so I'd like at least 8 XLR inputs and I need each individual track to be on a separate track when recording onto Pro Tools. What I'm after is advice on which mixer and interface to get. I'm working on a tight budget so I'll have to stick to the relatively cheap end of the market, but obviously I want good quality so being the cheapest isn't the most important thing.

Also I'll be setting the drums up in a separate room, so I need to have a 'talkback' feature somehow, either built in to the mixer or any other way you can suggest.

I'm in the UK by the way, just for piece of mind.

Thanks in advance!
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I don't know of any cheap interfaces that don't have any preamps in them. The cheapest one I can think of is the MOTU Ultralite.
 
The amount you would have to pay, to get a quality mixer, with good preamps, and direct outs, would be far more, than just getting a decent interface. One particular interface comes to mind, but I'm not sure if it works with Protools. If you are on a tight budget now, then I would hold off on the whole mixer with interface idea. What version of Protools do you have anyway?
 
And also, why the "of course, Protools"? Do you already have experience with the software? I only ask, because you could easily set up for drum tracking, with a Tascam US1800, and use the Cubase LE5 that comes with it. $200, from Sweetwater, and you are good to go now. Just sayin....

And talkback mic, is as easy as picking up a crappy karaoke mic with a switch. Better, would be upgrading to a monitor controller, with this feature, later.
 
If you haven't already forked out for Pro Tools, then consider getting a different DAW software and investing that money in a good multi-channel interface with good preamps/converters. Unless you have a specific reason for a mixer, other than just "I want one", then don't do it.
 
Also you can search for these options, they will give you a mixer and several channels and preamps
Alesis MultiMix 8 USB 2.0
Alesis MultiMix 16 USB 2.0
Seems they are no longer built.
And be VERY carefull, you want the USB 2.0 specification, the USB 1.0 ONLY converts the STEREO MIX and sends it to the computer.
 
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