Which Would You Recommend?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Matthew M.
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Matthew M.

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Around last May, I set up a small home studio which consisted of a PreSonus Firebox, Rode NT-1A microphone, KRK RP5 monitors and a MIDI controller, connected to Logic Pro 7. The goal at the time was to be able to record and produce albums strictly through virtual instruments and do a one man project. Well, after trying that out for awhile, I have decided that the virtual instruments can only go so far, so now I want to purchase a drum kit and an electric and acoustic guitar. I also would like to record other instruments around my house, like my old 1967 organ and electric piano. I am not looking to record others, just myself multi-tracking and becoming this one man band, literally. However, seeing as the Firebox is only two outputs, I am looking to find a suitable replacement, along with purchasing many more microphones. I have been looking into MOTU stuff, (in particular, 828mkII, 896HD), and general stuff with eight preamps, as having four would likely be a hindrence, if I record drums. With a budget for a soundcard at about near $1,500, what would you recommend? I just want to be able to record CD quality music of my one man band. Would it be perhaps suitable to instead buy good preamps (i.e. RNP) instead? Any feedback from you all is much appreciated. Thanks! :D
 
If you need 8 preamps built in, the MOTU 896HD, if you still want 10 ins, but can live with 4 built in preamps, the RME Fireface800. You really won't go wrong with either unit.
 
I own the RME Fireface 800 and am very happy with it. It will do what you are asking of it.
 
Thanks, guys, for the very helpful response. Do you guys think that if I instead chose something like the Fireface 800, which has 4 preamps instead of 8, that it would hinder me and limit my options as I also want to record drums? By the way, I still do plan to use the MIDI Controller for things like piano, brass, strings, etc.

Another question... how are the preamps on both the Fireface and 896HD? How would you rate those? Thanks again.
 
Theyre both very good. These units use nearly identical parts, theyre just implemented slightly differently making them sound a bit different. I think the FF800 pres have a little more hi fidelity sound to them, but the MOTU pres are very usable as well for most things outside of vocals.

With the FF800 you stil have lots of recording options, you just need to use a mixer or outboard pres for the other channels. Not bad, not good, just different solutions.
 
Thanks. Considering the price between the 896HD and Fireface is about $500 ($1,000 = MOTU, $1,500 = Fireface), and considering that you say the differences are minimal, then the MOTU is certainly favorable right now. Although, if I wanted to add a separate preamp to it (i.e. RNP, though thinking of really splurging on the Focusrite ISA220... necessary?) would this be possible and, also, would it be a good thing to do?
 
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I use a Tascam tm d1000 before going into a RME Hammerfall HDSP 9652 card via lightpipe. The Tascam is mostly for the pre's, but has other features that are useful. You can score them for around $200.
 
Thanks, guys. One more question: considering I plan to record drums - which will likely take up four mics - would the Fireface 800 still be a way to go, even though recording drums alone would take up all four preamps? I mean, in other words, if I bought the FF800, considering what I want to do - which I'd record one at a time, anyways, being a one man band - would I find myself hindered?
 
If you only need 4 mics for your drums, then the fireface will work fine.

The only issue you may run into is if you really want to close mic a couple of toms as well, then you're into outboard country
 
That's what I thought. I figured that, considering I'm going to be recording instruments one at a time, that I'd be able to get away with four, so I'm not worried. I really don't see myself getting into detailed drum recording at the moment, so I think I should be O.K., then. The Fireface it is... thanks, guys!
 
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