vadoom
ай!! арбу

A bit of history:
I've been recording for some time now. Started with Yamaha PSR500 back when they just came out. I'd lose songs every time the D cell batteries needed replacement . Upgraded to Korg i3 after about a year and progressed for a while mostly concentrating on obtaining various modules and recording in a MIDI sequencer.
Later I've moved towards recording to a digital recorder. Have been using AW4416 for the last few years. A very nice piece of equipment. I like it better than a MIDI sequencer as a primary recording tool. Even though AW4416 gives me a decent amount of control over the sound, I still feel that I don't have much freedom to shape the sound the way I want it to be.
My plan for moving forward:
In past few weeks I've considered moving toward a computer based recording (laptop. XP/Vista). The idea is to create a good interface (signal path) between the source of sound and a computer. Primary source of my sound are sound modules. Also have access to bass guitar, acoustic and an electric guitar. Plan to record vocals as well. Vocals are a whole new can of worms - I haven't even considered the mics. But I figured when I have a solid signal path, I'll then determine the mics I need.
At the end I decided I need a solid A/D converter and a solid preamp (yeah, I figured this all on my own!). I'd prefer the converter be transparent while the pre can add some warmth/color. At this point not really sure how warmth and color specifically sound, but to me it means mids somewhat boosted, added harmonics, a bit of "vintage noise", and perhaps a bit of "life" vs digital sterility/flatness in a sound.
Conclusion:
Reading through hundreds of posts and sites I decided that a good starting point would be Fireface 800 for a converter and JoeMeek twinQ for a pre. Below I list my impression/expectation regarding the Fireface and twinQ:
Fireface: My impression that it is transparent (similar to Aurora 8) vs Apogee Rosetta that adds color (according to some posts). I expect it to be adequate for when I use higher quality equipment: condenser in $1k-$2k range. Preamp upgrade in $2k-$4k range
twinQ: My impression is that this pre is a solid middle-of-the-road preamp for vocals as well as guitars and maybe modules. OK, maybe a preamp for modules is a bit of an overkill, but it is still something I want to experiment with. I expect it to still be an adequate preamp even alongside a more expensive one.
The idea is to avoid having to upgrade converter in next 5 years. Also to be able to upgrade to a great preamp (if need be) while keeping exiting preamp. At the same time have a wide enough "sweet spot" where I don't have to think too much about compensating for equipment to get the warm colorful sound.
My point:
I would like to see if my reasoning is on a right path - that I'm not missing something critical. Or perhaps I'm going off the deep end all and that equipment is an overkill. Please provide some suggestions if possible - even though I'm set on the described equipment, there is still part of my mind that is open. You wouldn't believe how many times I've reconsidered what to get in the past few weeks. Even after I was dead sure I wanted something or other, I'd come across some element that would make me change my mind.
Sorry for making this so long.
Thank you in advance.
I've been recording for some time now. Started with Yamaha PSR500 back when they just came out. I'd lose songs every time the D cell batteries needed replacement . Upgraded to Korg i3 after about a year and progressed for a while mostly concentrating on obtaining various modules and recording in a MIDI sequencer.
Later I've moved towards recording to a digital recorder. Have been using AW4416 for the last few years. A very nice piece of equipment. I like it better than a MIDI sequencer as a primary recording tool. Even though AW4416 gives me a decent amount of control over the sound, I still feel that I don't have much freedom to shape the sound the way I want it to be.
My plan for moving forward:
In past few weeks I've considered moving toward a computer based recording (laptop. XP/Vista). The idea is to create a good interface (signal path) between the source of sound and a computer. Primary source of my sound are sound modules. Also have access to bass guitar, acoustic and an electric guitar. Plan to record vocals as well. Vocals are a whole new can of worms - I haven't even considered the mics. But I figured when I have a solid signal path, I'll then determine the mics I need.
At the end I decided I need a solid A/D converter and a solid preamp (yeah, I figured this all on my own!). I'd prefer the converter be transparent while the pre can add some warmth/color. At this point not really sure how warmth and color specifically sound, but to me it means mids somewhat boosted, added harmonics, a bit of "vintage noise", and perhaps a bit of "life" vs digital sterility/flatness in a sound.
Conclusion:
Reading through hundreds of posts and sites I decided that a good starting point would be Fireface 800 for a converter and JoeMeek twinQ for a pre. Below I list my impression/expectation regarding the Fireface and twinQ:
Fireface: My impression that it is transparent (similar to Aurora 8) vs Apogee Rosetta that adds color (according to some posts). I expect it to be adequate for when I use higher quality equipment: condenser in $1k-$2k range. Preamp upgrade in $2k-$4k range
twinQ: My impression is that this pre is a solid middle-of-the-road preamp for vocals as well as guitars and maybe modules. OK, maybe a preamp for modules is a bit of an overkill, but it is still something I want to experiment with. I expect it to still be an adequate preamp even alongside a more expensive one.
The idea is to avoid having to upgrade converter in next 5 years. Also to be able to upgrade to a great preamp (if need be) while keeping exiting preamp. At the same time have a wide enough "sweet spot" where I don't have to think too much about compensating for equipment to get the warm colorful sound.
My point:
I would like to see if my reasoning is on a right path - that I'm not missing something critical. Or perhaps I'm going off the deep end all and that equipment is an overkill. Please provide some suggestions if possible - even though I'm set on the described equipment, there is still part of my mind that is open. You wouldn't believe how many times I've reconsidered what to get in the past few weeks. Even after I was dead sure I wanted something or other, I'd come across some element that would make me change my mind.
Sorry for making this so long.
Thank you in advance.