Updating my studio, need some advice / help.

[inmyheartx]

Got a new job, got some better cash flow, and i'm looking to upgrade my studio. I'm currently using the following:

Apple Powerbook G4
Cubase LE
PreSonus Firepod
Yahama HS50M Monitors
AKG D112
Paired R0DE NT5
3 Shure SM57
3 Audix F10
Audix F12

Now, I can't upgrade my laptop, it's good and get's the job done. I wanted to switch from Cubase LE to Pro Tools LE 7, I know a lot of you don't like Pro Tools, but i'm using it in class and I like it a lot. I wanted to swap out the Firepod with better mic pre's. I was thinking about getting a Digi002, and then getting a new channel strip (I was thinking a PreSonus Digimax96K) hooking the preamp up using ADAT (I believe the Digi002 is capable of doing this, but then again i've never used ADAT, and I don't know anything about it). Along with that, if I ever needed more than 12 Mic Pre's, I could hook the Firepod in via SPDIF, correct? Now, further down the road i'm thinking of switching from the HS50M to Event TR8. I like the HS50M's but I think I want a little more bass response than the HS50M's are. Any advice, reviews, help, etc. is greatly appreciated. Thank you. =)

Take care,
Adam.

 

[Soundmind??]

ADAT gets tricky when you sample above 48k, you have to multiplex it, at 96k an 8 channel ADAT become 4 multiplexed channels. Your software and sound card will have to be able to do this. Also switching to protools may require some special cards to adapt, not sure about the Digi002. If you must have protools, then the digi002 pres will be close in quality to the Digimax. I'd forgo the Digimax and get a good 2 channel pre for a couple hundred more than the Digimax. Two good channels to the 002 will go farther than 8 decent channels IMHO.

Honestly, I think you may be better off upgrading Cubase to SX, there are a lot of free/cheap plugins available in VST format and more compatability with other interfaces. Protools doesn't accept anything but RTAs which are limited and expensive. If it must be protools, I'd save and go for the full version at $10k plus, then youll still need high end preamps.

 

[dgatwood]

I wanted to swap out the Firepod with better mic pre's. I was thinking about getting a Digi002, and then getting a new channel strip (I was thinking a PreSonus Digimax96K) hooking the preamp up using ADAT (I believe the Digi002 is capable of doing this, but then again i've never used ADAT, and I don't know anything about it).

Officially, lightpipe doesn't support 96k. As Soundmind?? mentioned, you can do it by bonding channels. Of course, unofficially, lightpipe is just a data protocol. Change the numbers and shove it across fiber with a fiber transceiver that can handle the extra data rate and there's no reason that Presonus can't do 96k lightpipe on as many channels as they claim. It just isn't guaranteed to be compatible with anybody else's lightpipe gear because it can't be following the letter of the spec....

Along with that, if I ever needed more than 12 Mic Pre's, I could hook the Firepod in via SPDIF, correct?

Maybe. I can't imagine what two more pres would do for you, though. (S/PDIF only has the bandwidth for two audio channels.) It would make a lot more sense to update to the latest FirePod firmware, unplug it from your computer, and use it as eight stand-alone pres with balanced analog outputs....

 

[inmyheartx]

Say I want to scratch going the Pro Tool's way and lean more towards the Logic Express / Pro way. What are a decent priced, but high quality mic preamp? I'll be recording a lot of drums so I need at least 8 pres. I don't have a desktop computer so I can't really get an ADAT converter, or can I? I couldn't find one that would hook up to a laptop, but maybe i'm blind, haha. I just want my recordings to sound a little more focused, and i'm not sure how to go about that. Like always, any help is greatly appreciated. =)

Take care,
Adam.

 

[ssscientist]

I'll be recording a lot of drums so I need at least 8 pres.

To get pre's better that the Firepod you will need to go way upscale, and would realize only a very small improvement in your recordings.

If more focus is what you're after, better microphones and more of them are what you need. Mics are like artists' colors on a palatte --- the more you have to choose from the better your paintings will look. If you have more selection you can experiment with using various mics on various sources even if it's supposedly the wrong mic for the job.

The diff between the Firepod's microphone preamps and a passel of high end boxes is surprisingly small and in my humble opinion your money would be better spent on beefing up other aspects of your recording chain.

 

[Soundmind??]

Since the Firepod is by Presonus (isn't it) and they do make decent pres, to get a major improvement with 8 channels will be expensive, then to get the 8 channels converted to digital will add to the expense, that is if you want really measurable improvement. Without spending a few thousand, I really don't know what to tell you to get 8 better channels. Microphones may indeed be your next step.

One inexpensive upgrade would be from cubase LE to SX, If u dont like cubase, a crossgrade may be available that may save you a couple hundred. There will be major improvements by upgrading...more tracks, more effects with higher quality. The LE version of most recording software including Protools is a very scaled down, almost demo version.

 

[riffy]

Like the others have said, maybe some different mics? Man with all those Audix mics you gotta get an i5 in there! How about a tube compressor or tube preamp for a bit of hair? Have you thought about a control surface?

 

[inmyheartx]

Like the others have said, maybe some different mics? Man with all those Audix mics you gotta get an i5 in there! How about a tube compressor or tube preamp for a bit of hair? Have you thought about a control surface?

Actually, yes! I was looking at the Mackie Control Universal. It looks pretty nifty. As far as mic's go I want to get a Shure Beta 52 and a few AKG C3000. What tube preamps would you suggest for distortion guitar? I want a warm, thick, tight sound. Anyway, thank you all for the advice and everything. Greatly appreciated. =)

Take care,
Adam.