New home studio - software v. hardware?

[Headfull]

I'm an experienced musician and Mac user, but a recording novice. I want to set up a small home studio that will include the ability to compose my own drums and percussion without using real drums (they're in my head but I don't have room for, nor can I play, a real kit).

Can anybody tell me what the pros and cons are of my two initial starter considerations (or whether I'm going down completely the wrong route!), as follows:

1. A ProTools LE system running on Mac OSX, integrating either a software drum/percussion generator (Glaresoft's iDrum perhaps) or alternatively the Roland DR-880 drum machine (not sure whether the latter will intergate with ProTools though).
OR
2. A hardware alternative consisting of the Roland BR1600CD 16-track portastudio hooked up to the Roland DR-880 drum machine again.

Many thanks for any pointers.

 

[altitude909]

1. A ProTools LE system running on Mac OSX, integrating either a software drum/percussion generator (Glaresoft's iDrum perhaps) or alternatively the Roland DR-880 drum machine (not sure whether the latter will intergate with ProTools though).

Pros: Good sound recording rig
Cons: Crappy midi support (this maybe different with PT7, but I have not used it), drum machine is mediocre at best

2. A hardware alternative consisting of the Roland BR1600CD 16-track portastudio hooked up to the Roland DR-880 drum machine again.

Pretty much same pros and cons

I would look at something a little more midi oriented since that will help with getting drums just right. There are plenty of software samplers (Drum Kit from Hell, BFD, Drumcore) which have very high quality samples from real drum kits and offer much better editing interfaces via computer. If you want hardware, there are the MPCs or even a used S5000 sampler can be found for less than the DR880

 

[Davidson]

Have you looked at computer solutions other than ProTools? When I first started my search for a recording platform, I thought that ProTools was the obvious choice for me.

I am a complete noob in the digital domain but just purchased a FireBox after much research. It is exactly what I needed and a couple of hundred dollars cheaper than the MBox2. After a week of use, I am exceptionally happy with the value of the system. The money I saved will be used to purchase some additional software.

There are a ton of threads discussing starter systems on this site that were very helpful in my decision.

 

[apl]

A Presonus Firepod will you give you 8 nice mic preamps (probably more than you'll ever need) and comes with Mac version of Cubase LE which is good starter software.

It'll take a long time before your recording skills would outgrow this setup, and when they do it'll be easy to upgrade.

 

[Headfull]

Pros: Good sound recording rig
Cons: Crappy midi support (this maybe different with PT7, but I have not used it), drum machine is mediocre at best

From DigiDesign's website it looks like they've beefed up midi support in the latest version (v.7) of ProTools. But this is obviously relative, and I have no experience of past versions.

Is the Roland DR-880 drum machine really only mediochre? My local music store claim that it's the 'best', but I think they were hailing it's value for small live performances more than its small studio recording compatibility. I must say I have read poor reviews of this box online, as well as good ones. Roland's own online demo does make it look amazing, but they don't tell you what it can't do so I won't fall for their sales pitch if the end users rate it so poorly.

...software samplers (Drum Kit from Hell, BFD, Drumcore) which have very high quality samples from real drum kits and offer much better editing interfaces via computer. If you want hardware, there are the MPCs or even a used S5000 sampler can be found for less than the DR880

Thanks very much for the pointers on drum samplers. I'll follow through with more research on this.

Cheers.

 

[Headfull]

Davidson / apl, thanks for the pointers

Guys, thanks for the comments on the Firebox and Cubase. I'd ruled them out early on when I compared some average reviews with the apparent universal popularity that ProTools gets in the professional arena. It just seemed that the latter was the ultimate choice. Clearly that's not the case; I will revisit and do deeper homework.

Does Cubase provide its own internal drum programming/sequencing, or do you have to bring this in from an external source? I must admit I'm still getting to grips with the level of facilitites that each standalone package can provide.

thanks again,
and regards.

 

[altitude909]

Like I said, I cant really say what the midi implementation looks like in PT7 but it should be ok for basic midi stuff (at least I would hope) but if you are going to go that route, I would pass on that drum machine and invest in a good software package (BFD is $300, DKFH is $270). If your going to be using PT as your sequencer anyway and just trigger sounds via midi then the DR880 becomes an expensive sound module and you would much better sounds from a softsampler

You should also look at other software for your mac since there are some pretty good alternatives to PT: Traktion, Digital Performer, Logic, Cubase

 

[Headfull]

Like I said, I cant really say what the midi implementation looks like in PT7 but it should be ok for basic midi stuff (at least I would hope) but if you are going to go that route, I would pass on that drum machine and invest in a good software package (BFD is $300, DKFH is $270). If your going to be using PT as your sequencer anyway and just trigger sounds via midi then the DR880 becomes an expensive sound module and you would much better sounds from a softsampler

You should also look at other software for your mac since there are some pretty good alternatives to PT: Traktion, Digital Performer, Logic, Cubase

I've clearly still got plenty of homework to do, and I value your thoughts.
Thanks again, and best regards.

 

[altitude909]

Does Cubase provide its own internal drum programming/sequencing, or do you have to bring this in from an external source?

Oh yes.. Cubase has its roots as a midi sequencer so the midi features are pretty extensive. Since your on a mac, Logic would also be something I would look at

 

[ericlingus]

how are the drums in cubase? Would my Triton LE's drums be better do you think?

 

[altitude909]

Cubase comes with LM7 which is a pretty weak drum machine but the are mountains of excellent VSTis for drums. I'm really into the Linplug RMIV which has an analog modeled drum synth for the analog drum machine sounds and it is a rich sampler also so you can use whatever sound you want and you can use multiple samples.