Need Advice on All-in-one Recording Interface for MPC2000XL

Hello guys, I've been searching for a while to try to find the best setup on a budget for my 2000XL.

Basically, I've been creating beats on my XL for a while and would like to track out to a DAW (i have logic now, but am thinking of switching to protools). As of now, I was just using the main outs into a dj mixer and to a stereo receiver. I just purchased an 8-out expansion card and this is where I need some advice.

I could purchase an 8 channel mixer, and send the mains to an audio interface. But I would like to simply my equipment. So, I'm wondering if instead of using a DJ mixer for vinyl/recording ins to mpc, 8 channel mixer for the outs on my mpc, which then runs to an audio interface, and then to my midisport, if there is something more simple.

For example, instead of buying all of the above separately, I could sell the dj mixer and usb midisport, which would lessen the burden or purchasing something like a Digi 002. I'm not sure if something comprable to the Digi 002 exists for cheaper, or if that would even meet all my needs, and works with other DAWs than ProTools.

So, I'm trying to simplify my equipment as space and simplicity is an issue. I'm hoping to find one piece that will do mixing for my 8 outs, track out to DAW, act and MIDI interface, and possibly with preamp for vinyl? Am I insane? Curious what other are doing for a simplified setup.

Thanks so much!

well maybe look into presonus or motu... they have some pretty decent bang for buck 8 channel interfaces...

the thing with presonus or motu interfaces is that unless you go with studio live for $1,300, i can't find one with EQ.

so, that kinda defeats the point. i'm looking for a multi-channel audio interface with EQ for the channels (this is why i purchased the 8-out expansion for the mpc) with midi and preamp.

I can't find a model for presonus or motu that offers this for a decent price. again, i may be looking for something that doesn't exist, or this may be why everyone just buys a $40 mixer and runs that into an m-box, but i wanted to simplify all this equipment...

yeah but what you would do is... record the 8 tracks into the DAW... then when you have your 8 audio tracks in that daw, you add VST effects and you will be running each one into it's own DAW track that you can do your EQing in... or else you can buy a mixer or what have you and adjust your EQing before recording which is cool.... but if you want to make a change later (IE: after you added more instrumentation in the DAW and now you want to fit it in with the mix) you wont be able to because that EQing is already in the recording.

I see, I didn't think about it that way. If that's the case, what's the point of the 8 outs? Couldn't I just use the mains? Thanks guys!

Lampdog wrote:There are also freeware daws available.

Nice! Could you recommend any good free daws? Ones with good documentation would be nice too.

AoyamaJPN wrote:I see, I didn't think about it that way. If that's the case, what's the point of the 8 outs? Couldn't I just use the mains? Thanks guys!

you could just use the mains... the mains in my setup go right to the monitors and the extra outs go to different things like... 1/2 go to one mpc.. 3/4 go to another mpc... 5/6 sometimes goes to different gear like the mv... 7/8 sometimes I might use as a send/return for external fx like a kaoss pad or hardware EQs...

the motu I have is basically like a mixer and it has a window on the computer with the faders to control the volume and gain of incoming signals. That control comes before the daw because it's actually controlling the params built into the interface. I believe the new 828 hybrid has built in effects too if you demand that as a feature.

as for free daws.. I cant recall any specific ones that are freeware (ie: not pirated) but look into reaper, because I am not sure but I think you can run the latest one for free with no restrictions but they have the ability to buy it if you want... not sure of their exact business model. Check around google for freeware daws.

Personally, I would get a card reader for your XL and the MPC Studio. Once you load your beats into the studio you can export everything to individual .WAV files and dump that into whatever DAW you like. Pro-Tools is the only DAW that requires an audio interface (I don't know about version 9 or 10) so if you avoid pro-tools you won't need to buy one. It literally takes seconds to export an MPC sequence to .WAV!

roxstar wrote:Personally, I would get a card reader for your XL and the MPC Studio. Once you load your beats into the studio you can export everything to individual .WAV files and dump that into whatever DAW you like. Pro-Tools is the only DAW that requires an audio interface (I don't know about version 9 or 10) so if you avoid pro-tools you won't need to buy one. It literally takes seconds to export an MPC sequence to .WAV!

Not until they make the legacy support up to par, right now it's all over the place. You'd be reconstructing programs and tracks all day..

But this is another reason why I think they should release the software for sale standalone, so legacy users can go this route if they want.

so is there any consensus on an audio interface/mixer all-in-one unit?

or, should i forget about any pre mixing and just use the mains to the interface?

also, are the 8 outs helpful to record more than one track at a time in the daw?

thanks

AoyamaJPN wrote:so is there any consensus on an audio interface/mixer all-in-one unit?

or, should i forget about any pre mixing and just use the mains to the interface?

also, are the 8 outs helpful to record more than one track at a time in the daw?

thanks

Yeah that's basically the advantage of the 8 outs. Like with drums you could have the kick, hat, snare and percussion separated to for example only put verb on snare. You still could just mute stuff and use the main outs.

The Presonus units mentioned earlier keep coming up in threads here.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ ... 4AodgjQAzg

http://www.guitarcenter.com/PreSonus-Fi ... agpspn=pla

The first link is a USB model and the second is a firewire one.

These are about the cheapest yet quality 8 in interfaces I've seen in the sub $500 range. I've used 3 Presonus interfaces in the past and they are good. The latency is very low too for when you run any instruments inside the computer. And like Lamp broke down you won't really see EQ's on most interfaces save for the ones that are hybrids and have a mixer built in (Mackie, Alesis and some others)

Probably compare any other interfaces you look at with these as a "bang for buck" value baseline. There's also a nice MOTU unit in the $500-$550 range.

Thanks Metatron72,

After much debating, I picked up an m-audio fast track pro 4x4 for $109 at guitar center, they were $259 or so, but they were closing them out because of the m-audio/avid buy/sell. Sounded like a good deal.

I then spent the next 6 hours troubleshooting pro tools SE errors before switching to Logic. *sigh*

I'm using the main outs, it's going to be a pain for each track. Haven't figured out how to record both inputs at the same time to do double the work, also haven't figured out why my bass drum is popping at the start of the bar when recording, it's like any sound that starts right on the bar i'm recording has issues... i'll post this question in a daw forum.

thanks again guys.