For discussion about setting up your studio and advice on the gear and equipment within it.
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By cyrus Thu Sep 23, 2004 3:57 am
What does this studio really really need.

I need advice, im making my yearly investment of $1000-2000 bucks!(paying for that shit, credit is beautiful)

So far i am pretty happy with my production, i was thinking more on the "protools" digi 002 rack....and i thought that this is what i would get, but im second guessing myself.


Here is what i have:

MPC2000xl
Triton Studio
Emu mophatt
Emu px7 + zr76 rom
TTX Turtable
VInyl
Yamaha MSP10s Studiomonitors
10 channel mixer
Shure mic
Homebuilt PC with audiophile 2496.

THANKS!

By cashstill Thu Sep 23, 2004 4:27 pm
If i was you i would save a couple of hundreds and use Cubase SX with a EMU 1212m or 1820 Desktop Sampling System

You will be getting a 2 for 1

More Sounds for your arsenal "Proteus 2500" (you could never have enough sounds) and mastering level recording for a reasonable price

By the way the EMU SoundCards use the same chip as the Pro Tools audio digital converter but its price way less but has same quality standards

But if you got the cash and don't need more sounds in yo stash, go with the Pro Tools setup.

You won't loose either way. Just my opinion

* I guess one thing about have the Pro Tools is you will be able to transfer your work from your home pre-production to a real studio with no problems because most studios use Pro Tools. So industry compatiablity wise its a better choice.
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By cyrus Thu Sep 23, 2004 5:04 pm
thanks.

good point with the 2 for 1......see thats why i asked, i need to start thinking like that. Im not good at planning shit out cause i want it all!! I probably should just upgrade everything i already have

yeah, thats why i was thinking protools....all i want, is something with lots of inputs.......my card now has zero! (actually 2 stereo rca)


I want to be able to track everything at once.....and set it up good so i can also midi sync.

But i figured protools cause like you said i can transfer....plus its name sort of backs me up to my mc friends.....they think if you have protools you know what you are doing; so that might help me business wise.

But The reason i was second guessing myself was because im always on the up and up, of checking out new synths, and adding to my arsenal.

I was thinking of upgrading to the mpc4000........or adding a VA synth.

peace
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By ieism Thu Sep 23, 2004 6:06 pm
cyrus wrote:....plus its name sort of backs me up to my mc friends.....they think if you have protools you know what you are doing; so that might help me business wise.


:lol: Amusing stuff.
Get ProTools Free. You can download it at their website. Your mc friends will be impressed, and it will save you some cash to buy a real soundcard.
The Emu cards look good on paper, but they won't leave you much room to upgrade later. With a MOTU or RME you can add more inputs when you need them. Since you're into synths, you never know when you'll need more inputs.
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By cyrus Thu Sep 23, 2004 6:51 pm
i was looking at the motu.....but im never sure about what thier allround model is that will compare to the digi002 rack.......I was gonna set my minimum to 8 inputs, and 8 outputs.......but you say you can expand? nice.


ieism, What software would you use with MOTU? digital performer? is that goood? Im sure you could probably use protools with it....but does the free version run on windows XP?

or does it come packed with some other software.........or should i invest in like cubase.

I was thinking of going that route like you said......but I really dont know too much about the product. Im gonna research!

BTW i know it sounds retarded that my mc friends need to hear protools.....i know better; But you know how it is :roll: sometimes reputation, and prestige are more importand than skills-marketing wise that is.

peace

By cooocooo1 Thu Sep 23, 2004 7:05 pm
PT will ONLY work with Digi hardware. The MOTU will work with most other programs though(DP, Sonar, Cubase, etc, etc.) Both the 002 and MOTU 828mkII give you up to 18 inputs(20 with the 828 I think), 8 analog, 8 adat and stereo spdif. With the addition of an interface like the Behringer ADA800 you can take full advantage of all 18 inputs on the 002.

PT free isn't supported on XP for some reason.

If you go the Digi route do yourself a favor and make sure your PC is capable of working with it or you will be VERY upset later.
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By dudum Thu Sep 23, 2004 10:43 pm
with 2K you can get a wealth of vintage gear. you've got some nice sound modules but a real analog board and old school drum machine would only set you back $800 or so with plenty to pimp out your CPU.

i just picked up a Sequential Circuits TOM : 12khz grungy tones that just can't be recreated on newer gear. depends on your style of course, another nice route are the new Electribe series.

you could also use a quality channel strip or preamp to boost the production value. or get a jazz bass for $300 > used trumpet $200 > used vibes $700 > Behringer BVamp Pro $200 > snare&ride $250 > AKG mic > TCM300 $200 or some other type of outboard signal processor > filter module for your 2K

i could go on and on with spending someone else's money LOL

sky's the limit but i'd invest in multiple pieces of gear and wait the CPU stuff out cause there's always something new and better next month it seems : but i'm a hardware guy

good luck!
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By dudum Fri Sep 24, 2004 12:29 am
LUV my 4K : a nice upgrade from the 2K so i've heard > but check some posts on the transfer of your data to the 4K > some cats have had problems, i can't say as the 4K is my first Akai product and it's mapped my MIDI seq's from Korg/Kurzweil/Roland gear.

the Bvamp is a nice bit of gear > amp models for guitar/bass/keyboard and some ok FX : best feature is being able to switch the amp/cabinet to whatever you want. nice sound is a dual rec head with a vintage Gibson guitar cabinet for analog mono synths. you can get some serious overdrive sounds that would blow out any real gear that you were trying it with and with 24bit digi out/in it carries it's own weight : a real workhorse for the money.

you should check Ebay > i just let go an old Linn drum machine for $225 : you can score some deals!