iMAC + ??? = great recordings

  • Thread starter Thread starter ShadoWReX
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ShadoWReX

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Am new to computer recording and have a few questions on the system and interfaces.
Recently bought an iMAC and plan on using it to record a 5 piece band, using acoustic drums. So an interface with 8 inputs is a requirement.
A lot of the 'pros' seem to use the ProTools (PT) system and recently I read that PT9 now work with a number of different interfaces. I have looked at the Focusrite Saffire LQ56 or Saffire Pro40, as well as the MOTU 896mk3 or pre8.

Would appreciate any thoughts on either the PT system vs. ??? or the interfaces. Nothing is etched in stone except for the iMAC and having 8 analog inputs.

Thanks!
 
Well the sarcastic information would be "IMAC + talent and hard work = great recordings"
:D

Being the sort who neither owns a mac or records more than 2 or 3 tracks at a time. I don't have any recommendations for an interface other than that getting 8 tracks to sound good is going to be very tough!
 
I was going to say iMac + good engineering = great recordings, but....

I can't say anything about the Focusrite hardware, as I'm not personally familiar with their gear. I would think that either of the MOTU interfaces you mention (the 8Pre or the 896Mk3) would be a good choice.

As for Pro Tools, it's just another DAW. Mess around with Garage Band for a while (it came with your Mac) and learn how to use the gear. When you outgrow it, I'd probably go with Digital Performer or Logic. For that matter, if you buy the MOTU gear, it comes with AudioDesk, which will probably be plenty of DAW for you unless you want to do MIDI-driven virtual instruments or something. And they provide a cheap upgrade path to the full Digital Performer if you later decide you need the full feature set.
 
I'm running an older intel iMac with a MOTU 828MKII + a Tango 24, for 18 inputs, and I get results I'm happy with. I use Cubase (still on version 4!) with no issues.

I think we're at a point, technologically, where most any DAW and any interface will work. Preamps can make a difference, mics, etc. But skill is the real differentiator. Don't get lured in by Pro Tools and new flashy stuff. Look around for used gear, it's dirt cheap, and pretty indistinguishable from the fancy new stuff.
 
providing the talent is there: (good ear for tone, good gear, good technique and can play well)

1. 80% Mic postion techniques etc.. (engineering knowledge)
2. Decent mics
3. Decent interface
4. Decent monitors for mixing

If you have great mics but in the wrong place,
Or great mics and they are placed well in front of a bad sounding amp,
or Great sounding amps to mic with crappy mics:

#3 and 4 won't fix it.

I like my Motu but if I put 2 radio shack mic's into it and set them in front of a bass and guitar amp that are crappy.............I could go on and on.

Recorded a live gig..........bass player was locked on, had good gear but no tone and had pops in the tracks from bad technique whacking the strings or pick ups
 
Uhdinator said:
Recorded a live gig..........bass player was locked on, had good gear but no tone and had pops in the tracks from bad technique whacking the strings or pick ups
Click to expand...

Hate that. Either lower the input level so low that the signal is swamped in noise, or deal with clicks and pops. Maybe brickwall limiter on the way in would help. I'm thinking I need a DI box with a soft clip function, if there is such a thing!

Bass players, please don't wack your strings against the pickups!
 
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