Okay so I currently just mess around recording on pt9 with an mbox but I'm looking to upgrade to where I can do a full live recording of a band with all the instruments on seperate tracks so I can go back and mix them. I'd like to run about 8 mics and 4 or 5 instrument direct inputs at once. I've been looking at the focusrite saffire series and I think I might get something along the lines of pro 40. Anybody have suggestions in terms of interfaces to do this or any info on the saffire interfaces? thanks. for the record my budget is I'll consider anything under 1,000 dollars.
A Digi 002R and an eight-channel preamp with Lightpipe output could be had for well under your budget. Use what's left for the extra cables, headphones, a headphone amp etc. that you will need for bigger sessions.
I mostly do live-off-the-floor recordings and the core of my mobile setup is a Tascam US1800 and an ART Digital MPA. I'll use the DMPA either for room mics, OH or DI, depending on the situation and run all the other mics directly thru the US1800. One good thing about this setup is that I've got 8 XLR pres available if I want to go crazy miking a drumkit and two more available thru the DMPA, plus another six 1/4" for keys, guitars, bass, electric kazoo, whatever.
Buy a crap ton of SM57's or equivalents and some Sennheiser 835 or 935. Mics go missing all the time, so it's better to have way more than you need.
