Setting up a home studio (semi-pro/pro)

[sam1]

Hi Everyone,

Im sure there are thousands of these posts but i've got questions that haven't been answered before. I would like to do something with an analog mixer but i dont think that would be a good idea because I dont think i would end up getting a cheap mixer.

I want this gear to record my band in my home studio and some other bands. I would like to have the ability to live track but it will be more semi live (2+ instruments at once) and multi tracking. (im currently using logic pro 9 but will get pro tools sometime)

So someone recommended that i get some different preamps so i can have varying sound and get some good gear ad use a control surface. I want to have at least 8 channels at first then have the ability to upgrade to 16+ channels.

So my question is how do i get these preamps into the computer. there a interfaces such as the echo audiofire 12 that has just line ins that could be good (its a bit low end though)? i dont see the point in getting an interface with preamps just for line in really.

Would it be smarter to just get a good interface? (such as?)

Thanks

 

[mjbphotos]

Yes, it would be better to get a good interface with enough channels, and SPDIF input so you gang up another interface wiht it later.
Any outboard preamps you purchase at low budget are unlikely to do anything to improve the sound compared to the preamps in the interface. Of course if your budget is in the $thousands$ ...

What is your budget? Don't forget you need headphones (maybe a headphone amp), monitors, cables for everything.
Presonus 1818 is on sale at Sweetwater right now for $400.