what's my next step up - gear wise?

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shackrock

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-M-Audio Bx5 Studio Reference Monitors
-Studio Projects C1 Condenser Microphone
-M-Audio DMP2 Preamp
-M-Audio Delta 44 Soundcard
-MXl V63m Condensor Microphone
-Behringer MX802A Eurorack Compact Mixer
-(2) Shure SM58's
-Shure SM57
-(2) MXL 603s
-Audio-Technica PRO 25 kick drum mic

Vegas Video 5 + plenty of FX, etc.

I have been listening to some other recordings done locally, etc - by some other people of course. I really like what I hear in them. One specifrically is a pro tools set-up.
anyway, What's my next step up here?
upgrade mics? to what?
upgrade soundcard (i think this is one step i want to take, to have more inputs at once!)? to what?
upgrade mixer (also want to do this)? to what?
preamps... to what?
I know I dont want any outboard FX units, aka compressors or anything. I like using software.

anyway, anyone got some input? I got some cash to spend, although I don't want to go crazy.
 
how many inputs are you wanting? and that'll determine your mixer and soundcard
 
hmmm, even 8 would be a pretty big step up - and all i would really NEED.
of course, I kinda rather have the step up be quality/clarity rather than quantity. 8 is enough for drum set recording, so I can work with that. and do the rest seperate for the most part. you know?
 
It really depends on what you're trying to achieve.

If it's just more inputs, then another 44 would slot right in beside your existing card, and a new mixer to give you 8 outs.

If it's better sonic quality, then maybe an outboard A/D converter
 
go with the delta 1010lt...that way it is compatible with the 44....gives you a total of 12 analog inputs. thats $279

I've been eyeing the mackie 1604 vlz due to the fact that its like 16 xlr inputs and 8 direct outs. and then you'd have room to expand with good equipment when you're ready
 
hmmmmm well I don't want the LT - that's for sure. I rather go for the normal 1010 for the extra quality, you know?
 
i wish there was a webpage that kinda gave me in depth info on several platforms at once - side by side! haha.

like, all tech specs, ins/outs (and types of these), preamps included, etc. etc.

maybe of a bunch like:
delta 1010
motu...several of them
aardvark q10
protools setups (hardware)
...etc

also.....are all of these a huge step up (quality wise/sonically i suppose) compared to the Delta44?
and how are the preamps on these units (the ones that have them)
 
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Speaking of the BX5's, that's be my suggestion. Not to get rid of them, but to move them into the "B" position and upgrade to some larger/more-kick-ass monitoring.

The gear you have is capable of putting out decent quality stuff *IF* you can hear it all accurately. Although I'm a fan of M-Audio's monitors, I'm a bigger fan of bigger monitors. I'm also a big fan of keeping the small ones for reference.

You might consider going for a hybrid Hi-Fi / Reference setup (my personal favorite, although not everyone's).
 
eh, to be honest, I rather go for the gear upgrade.

Ilove the BX5's. You gotta get used to them, but they rule after you do. Pretty bright sounding, actually. Not a lot of low end, so a sub would work well with them. I've heard the BX8s too, and they are basically the same, plus some low end - which is tite if you can afford them.
 
Yeah id go for 1 good preamp at least. When i buy something i try and get something that will hold its own when i upgrade the rest of the studio. I rather have 1 good preamp (not that ihave any good ones ATM!) then 4 or 5 shity ones.
Buy cheap, buy twice
 
Id personally upgrade the card and do away with the mixer. If I had the money, those RME cards provide lots of power and room to grow. If you're serious on only needing 8 inputs, take a good look at the E-mu 1820M. 8 analogs and a bunch of digital as well.

Then I'd go and get a mic-preamp combo that you just gotta have. Something to impress. aka (Lawson, Soundelux, vintage Neumann, etc... through an Avalon, Great River, etc...) Well, maybe you don't have to go that high up... but you know what I mean.
 
I'd be keeping my eye out for a used Allen & Heath or similar mixer on ebay...that's the route I went and the mic pres and eq are excellent on it. I also went the Delta 1010 route, later adding 2 Delta 410s giving me 12 inputs and 24 outs back to the desk.

While I use and am quite happy with software compression & gates, a good outboard reverb unit (or 2 for more flavours) is always a plus...Lexicon or the TC electronics M300 are good buys
 
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