Soundcraft Spirit M8 and Delta 1010

[onrdrums]

Here is my list of gear first:

1 Delta 1010
2 M-Audio AudioBuddy's
1 ART TPS Dual Mic Preamp
2 Oktava MK012's
1 AKG D112
1 SM 57
1 AT 4033

I was wondering whether it would be worth it to buy a Spirit M8 and send the direct outs to my Delta 1010. I would sell the ART Dual Mic Preamp and the Audio Buddy's in order to get some of the money for the M8. The reasons i have for buying the Spirit M8 are: 8 Mic Preamps, Better EQ, and i like having something at my fingertips. I like the fact that i can touch something besides my mouse and keyboard. The main reason are the Preamps though. Is it worth it for just that and the EQ, or do I have comparable mic preamps now? Is the EQ on the board better than that of Cubase SX? What advantages or disadvantages would i have in buying the M8? Would it be better for me to track post or pre fader? Seems best to track pre fader and just use the faders in Cubase. Would it be more rational to buy better mic preamps and if so which units would be the best for the price...$600 for 4 mic pre's. Thank you for all your help. I appreciate it.

-Sean

 

[ambi]

yea the soundcraft is a great board i think its worth it, im planning a similar set up to you. The pres are probably better than what you have now, although you might want to keep your old ones just to have a different flavour, if you can afford it(thats if you like the sound of them). I've heard the EQ in the soundcraft isn't that great, or in any boards that aren't extremely expensive for that fact, so i would track clean and edit in cubase to taste. Ive heard the Ghosts have awesome EQ, but the lower end board, and other boards like them, such as the mackies, just aren't worth using the EQ.

just my input.

 

[HarvardShark]

"Spirit M8 direct outs to Delta 1010"

YES - that's the most awesome way you could do this type of setup. Very good sound and easily configurable, very good pre-amps in that mixer. The EQs in the Soundcraft are better than the Mackies and I think they are workable. The mid-sweep is very good. You'll love the M-series boards.

Cheers

 

[Seanmorse79]

Is it worth it for just that and the EQ, or do I have comparable mic preamps now?

You do have comparable preamps now. Having a good mixer has more benefits though (IMO)

Is the EQ on the board better than that of Cubase SX?

...apples to oranges. Chances are, you're not going to use the EQ's on the M8 at all (if your sends are pre-EQ). IMO, a good paragraphic EQ (Cubase SX) is going to be better than a basic mixer's anyway, and you're going to be doing most of your EQ at mixtime, not while tracking.

What advantages or disadvantages would i have in buying the M8?

- Hands on levels (via trim knobs though, probably not faders )
- Consistent pre's
- Sheer convenience and flexibility for routing and monitoring
- It looks cool in the dark when all the lights light up

Would it be better for me to track post or pre fader?

...Pre. The fewer electronics the signal passes through the better.

Would it be more rational to buy better mic preamps and if so which units would be the best for the price...$600 for 4 mic pre's.

...depends on your situation. For most home recc'ers, a good mixer is the best, most rational option (try tracking drums with 4 different pre's ). If you find that you want a more pristine pre for vox, you can always add one down the road. Soundcraft is known for excellent pre's though. I think you're on the right path.

 

[TexRoadkill]

Are you planning on mixing through the M8? If not you will lose much of the functionality of having hardware faders. You might want to mix some stuff through it and leave some stuff in the computer.

I can't say if you will hear a significant difference for tracking but I prefer to have a mixer for all the other benefits- monitor, routing and mixing flexibility. Since you have 10 i/o on the delta it will give you a lot more options in the future if you decide to expand into more hardware processors or more complicated recording scenarios.