Setting up new home studio

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Hello. I'm new to this BBS. I'm a keyboard player who's looking at setting up a small computer recording setup. I'm interested in some feedback. First of all, I'll be using Cakewalk Pro Suite. I know many are partial to Cubase or Logic Audio, but I had an old Pro Audio 6 so I was able to upgrade to the new Pro Suite for $150. Couldn't pass that up. The keyboard I have is a Korg Trinity Pro. The rest of the recording gear is not purchased yet, but I think I'm closing in on it. Here goes.

Mic: AKG C1000S Condensor Mic
Soundcard: MAudio Delta 66
Mixer: For now, MAudio Omni I/O
Monitors: Event PS-5 or PS-6

I also have an old Audio Centron powered mixer that I may use as necessary. I'm going to be upgrading my computer to a PIII 800. My budget is around $2000, with $1000 already used for computer upgrade.

The MAudio card works well with Gigasampler, from what I've heard, and does not need AudioX, since it has no on-board DSP, so it should work well with Cakewalk. Plus, I haven't seen it yet, but it is now bundled with the Omni I/O as Omni Studio. I've seen it on the MAudio site and in EQ magazine, but have not found it in stores or online yet. Anyone know where I could find it. MSRP is $700, but I know that I can get the individual components for around $530.

I think the C1000S is a pretty good mic, and I will have the Cakewalk Audio FX packages to simulate other mics as well.

I'll be setting up in my basement. It won't necessarily be the most ideal location, but it's a start.

Well, I would love to get lots of feedback. I will probably be buying stuff by the end of November.

Thanks.
 
I didn't see any mention of a MIDI interface though you have a nice MIDI keyboard... surely you'll need one. Midiman makes a couple of USB models.

I own a Delta 66 and I love it. I bought a Behringer mixer for mic preamps etc., and it has been more than adequate for my purposes (I don't sing much, nor very well!) My system is in a Pentium III 700 MHz. Sounds like you'll have a terrific rig when youre done.
 
Actually, I was looking at some of the Midiman Midisports. They look like they'll run around $50 to $200 depending on how many MIDI ports I want. Any suggestions on MIDI ports. I think that I will only have my keyboard and possibly one external device (I want to get a Line 6 Pod and play around with some guitar stuff). I'm thinking that 4 would be more than enough for what I would need initially.

How is the Behringer. I had also contemplated getting a small Behringer M602A Eurorack for pre-amps. Then I saw the Omni I/O. I actually think that I may want to get at least an 8 channel mixer so that I can have better control over my sound. Plus, I've been told that it is best not to run powered monitors staight from a Sound Card, so I might want to use it for that as well.
 
I have a MidiSport 2X2; I use one in for my controller keyboard, and one out for my POD, and so far that's it. I don't contemplate doing much more at the moment so I don't need any more than I already have.

I got a Behringer MX1604A, the bigger brother of the one you mentioned. It's got 4 mic preamps and 16 (14?) channels overall. I use it for the occasional vocal or acoustic guitar thing, and then I route my two sound cards (SB Live and Delta 66) into it for playback. Re the comment about running powered monitors, I think if you run them from Omni i/o it should be fine -- line level is line level, why would the speaker care?
 
That's true. For a minute I forgot about the Omni I/O. This weekend I'm going to sit down with all the specs and make sure that I know what I need in terms of inputs and outputs. Since it's just me right now, I don't need a lot of channels. The Omni I/O has phantom power and pre-amps, as well as effect sends. It has two XLR inputs and two line inputs. I'll typically be recording just one item at a time. If I buy the Onmi I/O seperately from the Delta 66, I'll have the Delta's breakout box, as well as the extra pre-amps and stuff. Maybe I won't wait for the Omni Studio, since I don't think it has the original breakout box. I'll get more I/O buying them seperate.

Probably the only thing that I'll use multiple tracks on is the drums, but I'll probably use Gigasampler (included in pro suite) drums for that. I have four outputs on the Korg, but I think there are limitations to what I can send through them. Up to now, I have not had the time to explore all my options. It's like I'm entering a whole new world as I finally dive into this more.

I was thinking of the 2X2 Midisport USB as well. I can always get a 4X4 later and chain it in. This is all for starters.
 
Actually, I'm rethinking the Omni I/O. Any suggestions on a little mixer for this type of setup?
 
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