Studio setup question. Advice would be really appreciated.

Hey everyone

I was wondering if anyone here could spare a few minutes to help with how my studio setup should be as im having a li'l trouble with it.
I've been working with my MPC2000 and synth keyboard for a while now, learning their functions, and basically practicing the art of beat making. Im at the stage now where i wanna put my beats on cd and start learning how to mix stuff down. I know the mixing down and mastering process is a art initself so im gonna make sure i take it slowly and learn it well.
The question i've got is regarding what i need to buy to be able to get my beats onto cd. I've been saving up and i was thinking of either a Tascam 2488 or a Tascam 1884. I was thinking of getting 8 outs added to my MPC, then connecting the MPC to the tascam and putting the beat onto cd that way. The thing im not sure about though is if it would be best to just take the data from the MPC straight into my a PC software and use that to burn the beat, plus what equipment i'd need to be able to take the beat from the MPC to the PC.
Im a little lost on which option would be best or even if theres another option thats better so any guidance or ideas would be really good. Thanks for your time

If you already have a pc with some software, there is no need to buy the tascam.....! Just simply purchase you a soundcard so you can connect your mp to the pc....and from there you can record your songs in to the pc that way....Im assuming you don't have the 8 outs, so if you wanted to record into the pc you can only record 2 tracks at a time..as where if you had the 8 outs you can record 8 tracks at once..(time consuming)...On the flipside I would recommend getting the 8 outs and getting the tascam because it comes already fully equip......The pc on the other hand....if you are going to use it you better make sure its fast and powerful enough to run your recordings other wise you will have to spend money on getting your pc upgraded....! What software do you have?...

Thanks for the reply

i've got Sonar and Cubase which are pretty good i've heard. The only thing i've wondered is whether things like the Tascam are as good as software when it comes to the options software provides like EQ, reverb etc etc. My PC's pretty healthy too, its got 1gig or RAM, 2.4 Processor and i bought a 200gig external hard-drive which i'd recommend to anyone for storage.

I think i've pretty much got the gist of the situation thanks to your post The thing is, i always think if you're gona do something u should do it to the best standard or not do it all, thats why i've been working hard to get the money together to buy the best equipment i can without having to buy something to "make-do" for a while until i can buy something better. So i'm really tryna buy something that'll last for a pretty long time and is as best quality as possible without having to declare myself bankrupt over it If you had the money available, would u go for the Soundcard option or for the 8 Outs and either a Tascam 1884 or 2488?

I would forget about the tascam and go with the pc....Thats a pretty good unit you have!...With the computer you got I would go with the soundcard option. You already have some pretty good recording software.....

Thanks for the help bro

hoo wrote:Thanks for the reply

My PC's pretty healthy too, its got 1gig or RAM, 2.4 Processor and i bought a 200gig external hard-drive which i'd recommend to anyone for storage.

pretty healthy, lol. your computer must eat an apple a day.

Yo hope its not to late to give you some info. About three weeks ago I convinced some cats I'm working with to get the FW1884 / its the BOMB. It's a 8 channel monitor mixer, 8ch sound card and a control service. We are using it with Cubase SX and Nuendo. I don't know how much research you've done but the expansion capebilitys for this thing will hold you down until your ready to drop 10 to 20 Gs on pro gear. This thing is my first digital mixer / control service & I have'nt found it hard to program or use.


Check it out it would go well with your current set up and you would be able to being learning how to run and automate a mix.


PEACE

Wassup bro,

i've been reading about the fw1884 and it does seem very good, but someone told its not possible to connect the MPC to it. I thought it's a li'l strange that the 8 Outs wouldn't be able to hook into the 1884 but they seemed pretty sure. If u could shed light on it, that'd be great. Im heading to the local pro-audio store on monday morning so i got a couple more days to decide and weigh the options up

nah man the 8outs can connect into anything with audio inputs. theres no connection probs. Just make sure u got more then 4 imputs of similatinous recordin. I got a akai dps12 off ebay and its the sickist thing ive messed with.

just checked the specification for the 1884 and it has the following:

"8 analogue Mic (XLR) / Line (1/4 jack) balanced inputs with 48V Phantom power (switchable in blocks of 4-chs)
(Input source selector between MIC/LINE and Guitar on channel 8 )
8 analogue channel inserts
8 analogue 1/4 jack balanced line outputs (CH1-2: for Stereo outputs/CH1-8: for Surround monitoring)"

I googled up the Akai dps you mentioned and that thing looks juicy too

dps is the hot shit. the 12i. Ebay got em for under 400 usally. got mines for 350 with effects.
the tascam is hot
but peep the roland vs1680 or the vs1880. ebay is the way to go with that shit homie. u will be more then satisfied with one of these machines.

Audio linking the MPCs eight out. should be no problem. Eight 1/4 inch trs or XLR jack inputs no prob, but you would use all of your channels on the mixer. The great thing about 1884 is the expantion and compatability. Software works with sonar on up to protools. Hardware Expantion you can buy 4ch links for under a G or get a pre amp with digital lite-pipe and expand up to I belive 8 inputs.

247beatz wrote:

hoo wrote:Thanks for the reply

My PC's pretty healthy too, its got 1gig or RAM, 2.4 Processor and i bought a 200gig external hard-drive which i'd recommend to anyone for storage.

pretty healthy, lol. your computer must eat an apple a day.

can i get a gigabite?

thanks for the replies everyone, much appreciated