Purchase decision help please

[sax_fan]

As I've noted in other threads, I am a woodwind player looking to record myself using audio and some midi. I don't anticipate needing to record more than one (two, at the most, and that's unlikely) tracks at once. I've got an AKG condenser Mic, a midi controller keyboard that uses USB and I am using a fairly new Pentium 4 PC. At the moment I am using Power Tracks Pro Audio as a sequencer. I have an SB audigy 2 sound card. I also have an Alesis Nanoverb, a Roland Sound Canvas module and a Yamaha Synth, none of which I am currently using in my setup, but which I have at my disposal, if needed. The missing piece (for now) is a good way to get my audio into the computer through the AKG mic. These are the options I have narrowed down to:

(1) Pro Tools and Mbox

(2) Replace my Audigy with an M-Audio 2496 (optional) and get a Yamaha MG10/2 mixer

(3) Replace the Audgy with the M-Audio card (optional) and get a single channel mic preamp (I also considered the DMP3, which I know has two channels).

(4) M-Audio Mobile Pre

So, can I get your thoughts on these options? Any other suggestions? I've seen some discussion about similar things, but usually the issue is recording vocals or guitar. I may record some vocals, but primarily I will be recording saxophones (and perhaps clarinet and flute, from time-to time) Assume for now that I would like to keep cost down while getting a decent sound (understanding that I'm not going to get a $10,000 sound on $200 worth of gear). Since the Mbox is about $450, assume that is my upper limit price wise. I'm new to this and want to make the entry into digital recording slowly so as not to get overwhelmed by too much new technology too fast.

Thanks.

 

[manning1]

sax. i'm a long time powertracks user. if you need any tips/tricks i will be happy to share with you as there are many. or you can pick up tricks at the pg forums. my advice to you would be the audiophile sound card mated with a good mic preamp (eg..rane ms1b should be great on sax) or if you dont want to spend a lot of money a yamaha mg mixer for 100 bucks feeding the audiophile sound card. if you want a nice mic to record sax with i would demo countryman mics (before buying one) which used to be quite popular with sax players. but they are money ! peace.

 

[Kevin Deschwazi]

If you want to keep it simple then I'd probably go with the Mbox although it's a little on the pricey side.

The mobile pre is USB and is really better suited to mobile recording into a laptop. Try a search on the mobile pre as I confess I've not used one myself, I do recall some negative comments about USB interfaces.

Whatever you do replace the card. If you only need two channels at a time then the 2496 should be fine.

A mixer can be good if you want a cheap option for lots of mic pres and routing options for monitoring, external outboard etc. but seeing as you'll be recording two sources maximum at any one time; and seeing as you want to keep things simple, I'd go for the DMP-3 over the mixer. I own one and for the money it's a very nice, clean sounding bit of kit.

If you decided you did want the mixer then the yammie is a good choice at that price point.

You'll also need software if you go this route. I love Cubase SE, it's a stripped down version of SX but it's much cheaper, I certainly don't want for any of the additional functionality SX or SL (the intermmediate version) would give me.

If you went DMP-3->2496->Cubase SE it would set you back $360 (from sweetwater anyway). You could save more if you went with cheaper software, powertracks, n-track etc.

The pres in the Mbox would probably be on a par with the DMP-3 quality wise. These are made by focusrite and are comparable with the platinum range pres one of which I used to own so I make the comparison based on personal experience.

Good luck with it anyway.

 

[sax_fan]

Thanks. The consensus (at least of 2) seems to be to go with a mic preamp and new sound card. A couple follow up questions for everyone.

Would it make sense to look at a mic preamp with compression? (I know this will obviously cost more and add some complexity). That has been suggested by some since I am recording saxes. Also, when recording audio is there any way that I will be able to monitor tracks that have already been recorded either through the mic preamp or something else I can put on my desktop? I would think it would be a bit of a pain plugging headphones into a soundcard in the back of my computer under my desk.

Manning, thanks for the offer of help with ProTracks. I may take you up on it. I also spend some time over in the PG music forums.

 

[Rokket]

Thanks. The consensus (at least of 2) seems to be to go with a mic preamp and new sound card. A couple follow up questions for everyone.

Would it make sense to look at a mic preamp with compression? (I know this will obviously cost more and add some complexity). That has been suggested by some since I am recording saxes. Also, when recording audio is there any way that I will be able to monitor tracks that have already been recorded either through the mic preamp or something else I can put on my desktop? I would think it would be a bit of a pain plugging headphones into a soundcard in the back of my computer under my desk.

Manning, thanks for the offer of help with ProTracks. I may take you up on it. I also spend some time over in the PG music forums.

You should be able to monitor your sound through your pc's speakers. Is there a headphone jack on them? That should work. As far as compression, with a woodwind instrument it is probably a good idea to use compression, but I would think that it is something you would add to the track after it is recorded when you are mixing down. I am far from the expert on that, so if someone else who knows chimes in... I think if you just use a decent pre amp, and maybe a good condensor mic, you shouldn't need a pre with built in compression...

 

[manning1]

sax fan. i'll post a no hassle way of monitoring for you over on the powertracks forum. ie...how i do it. youll find it interesting.