Moving from audio reinforcement to recording

[thesteev]

I've been doing audio reinforcement (live theater and the such) for a good three years now at my school, but I want to delve deeper into sound tech because I enjoy it so much. I'm not too much of a newbie (I can tell the difference between an SM58 and SM57) but I'm new to the recording field, and want to get in to recording and editing (and eventaully A/V stuff like TV and Movies.)

I have a decent computer and MIDI/XG keyboard as it is (I play the piano), but I know that's not enough. I know I'd want to set up a DAW at this point because it's cheaper, and I'd go with Linux and Ardour for the software. I'd use the M-Audio Delta for inputs and this Behringer B-Control fader for editing and stuff (I love HID devices. I have a tablet and I wouldn't do any graphic editing without it).

However two problems I have are: Will the ten input and ten output be enough on the Delta? And once I have all this equipment, where do I go from there?

Also, are there any books I should read? I picked up a copy of Digital Desktop Studio from Gutar Center earler today, but I seriously doubt a single book will change everything.

 

[tubesrawsom]

live is in someways similar to recording. Instead of the audio getting mixed into a sonic disease, all seperate tracks/submixes may be sent to seperate tracks on your daw/tape. So do some research on what you need. call sweetwater there very helpful on the matter. 1-800-222-4700. No I'm not an advertiser I just had very good luck with them.

Peace

 

[ssscientist]

call sweetwater there very helpful on the matter.

Very helpful in cleaning out your pockets. They won't hesitate to recommend the most expensive solution to any problem - your 'sales engineer' is actually a salesperson on comission which means it is in his economic interest to recommend that you take the plunge on very expensive gear with the promise of 'excellent support'.

You are on the right track with the MAudio card but unless you're going to be tracking live bands you won't need all 8 inputs (they count 2 SPDIF's as inputs) for a long time. You might want to consider one of these -- I've been using for almost two years now with no complaints -- or this which gets high marks around here for both dependability and audio quality. The Delta card looks good, but you need to figure out just what you'll be recording in the next year or two and the audio on the Delta is compromised compared to the EMU in favor of the extra inputs and outputs.

That software looks very nice. I hadn't heard of it before but will certainly look into it now.

 

[ssscientist]

One more thing - I strongly recommend you look seriously at buying this instead of the one with the moving faders. From all reports the faders are clanky and unreliable - you can access more parameters at a time from this anyway...

 

[treymonfauntre]

yea the 1010 isn't all its cracked up to be unless you have a way to get your mic signal into rca

 

[guitarboi89]

how about that presonous firepod? thats 8 inputs with preamps?

 

[travelin travis]

I've been doing audio reinforcement (live theater and the such) for a good three years now at my school, but I want to delve deeper into sound tech because I enjoy it so much. I'm not too much of a newbie (I can tell the difference between an SM58 and SM57) but I'm new to the recording field, and want to get in to recording and editing (and eventaully A/V stuff like TV and Movies.)

I have a decent computer and MIDI/XG keyboard as it is (I play the piano), but I know that's not enough. I know I'd want to set up a DAW at this point because it's cheaper, and I'd go with Linux and Ardour for the software. I'd use the M-Audio Delta for inputs and this Behringer B-Control fader for editing and stuff (I love HID devices. I have a tablet and I wouldn't do any graphic editing without it).

However two problems I have are: Will the ten input and ten output be enough on the Delta? And once I have all this equipment, where do I go from there?

Also, are there any books I should read? I picked up a copy of Digital Desktop Studio from Gutar Center earler today, but I seriously doubt a single book will change everything.

as already mentioned, the 1010lt has 8 analog ins/outs and 2 digital ins/outs. two of the analog ins are xlr with built in preamps, which pretty much suck (the preamps i mean). those 2 inputs are switchable to line level like the other 6 inputs but you will have to get some xlr to 1/4" or RCA adapters.

you will also need either a eight channel 1/4" to RCA snake or individual cables and 1/4" to RCA adapters because all the other ins/outs on the 1010lt are RCA.

if you're planning to use all channels for mics you will need preamps for all the input channels on the 1010lt. you could buy standalone preamps or a mixer.

if I were you, I would take a look at the firepod. you're gonna end up spending close to what the firepod costs anyway.

i'm not trying to knock the 1010lt, i own it, but after adding everything up, you could get a simpler and probably better quality interface for not much more money. the firepod has preamps, instrument inputs, line inputs, phantom power, a headphone out, etc. it's pretty much an all in one rig. also, alot of places are giving a free presonus hp4 headphone amp with the purchase of a firepod. it powers 4 sets of headphones and has a volume control for monitor speakers.

damn, i got myself wanting a firepod. too bad i'm gonna be broke for the rest of my life. the firepod is going for $600. I think I paid $220 for my 1010lt, $225 for my mixer (6 preamps), and $60 for some cheap hosa snakes. Add the cost of a pre/di box (mixer has no di) and it's about the same cost as a firepod.

also, take a look at some of the usb/midi keyboard controllers with sliders and knobs. you can use the sliders and knobs to control consoles in software and use them for triggering soft synths and soft samplers. my edirol pcr-30 has 8 sliders, 8 knobs, and a bunch of buttons that i use to control sonar.

there are a ton of recording websites you can check out to read up a bit, this one included. check out tweakheadz and therecordingproject.

 

[tubesrawsom]

Very helpful in cleaning out your pockets. They won't hesitate to recommend the most expensive solution to any problem - your 'sales engineer' is actually a salesperson on comission which means it is in his economic interest to recommend that you take the plunge on very expensive gear with the promise of 'excellent support'.

I guess I'm a bit nieve.