Setting up my studio advice?!?!? SV-1, Prophecy, audio interface?

[AndyApe]

Hey guys,

Hopefully I'm on the correct forum here...Bit of advice needed for my setup..

I use an iMac running Logic (at the moment) just creating few beats with an Akai MPK controller keyboard..I also use a Korg SV1 for piano, rhodes etc just for general playing..I want to start getting my SV1 riffs etc into my iMac and want to purchase an audio interface..I'm also looking at buying a pair of studio monitors as well..

I'm looking at getting : Focusrite Scarlett audio interface 2i2 or 2i4 (i'm keen to try the free Ableton and maybe swap from Logic)
Presonus E4.5 or M-Audio BX5 active monitors (which ones are best?)

Cost is an issue so I can't afford to get expensive monitors although the ones mentioned have good reviews for the price.

The 2i4 has Midi In/Out so I could possibly use these for my Korg Prophecy (the 2i2 has no Midi ports).

In addition to these, would it be an advantage to purchase a small mixer to move things through there instead of just through the interface. This way I could jam along to stuff I have created and have control over my keyboards..and then hook up to interface when I want to record music into the software..
I like to play stuff live so i was thinking that a mixer will allow me to plug everything in and 'go for it'..

I know a little about this stuff but I want to make the right decision when purchasing the interface, monitors and/or mixer and setting it up..

Any ideas/thoughts would help out and perhaps enlighten me as to how I'm going to set stuff up..

iMac
Korg SV-1
Korg Prophecy
Akai MPK Mini
Trumpet, percussion, Bulisacchio reed organ (I know i'll need a mic at some point to get this down)

Many thanks for reading

Andy

 

[ecc83]

The 2i4 plus a small mixer is not a bad idea but cost wise that puts you into Native Instrument KA6* territory (or F'rite 6i6 but, nah) .

The extra line inputs will handle the Korg Joe' plus it has MIDI and the lowest latency and most stable drivers you will find this side of RME.

*NOT on commish' I promise you!

Dave.

 

[JMac52]

I have an iMac, Logic, Scarlett 2i2, and M-audio BX-5s and am quite happy with my setup. I will be upgrading from the BX-5s soon, but they served their purpose well as low-entry level monitors while I figured things out.

If you want to capture MIDI from your HW synths, or track more than two audio sources simultaneously, then yes you will need a more ins/outs on your interface. I don't see a need for an external mixer, though.

J