Tips are seriously appreciated, home studio-redundant I know

I've spent a few hours browsing the forums, getting some valuable information, but still I gotta ask (even though it's been more or less covered I know).

Here's my current setup:
mpc 2000xl,
crappy gemini dj mixer
a pc with a ewx 24/96 soundcard (only two ins&outs)
a bunch of records
a four-track
a couple of mics
about 600$+ to spend (absolute max. approx. $1000)

Here's what I wanna do:
release my album which has been in the works for some years now

Obviously I understand I won't be making professional sounding records any time soon, but considering the time and effort I've put into my beats (and rhymes) , I'd like my sh*t to sound at the very least decent.

The next thing I'm about to cop is the 8-outs for the MPC, after that though, I'm not sure. Here come the questions: I've been thinking about (a) getting a Spirit Folio Notepad just to replace my old mixer, and maybe buy a soundcard with 8-outs to record my beats into. (b) getting a more complex mixer that I would then run into my PC. (c) buying something like an akai dps12 (seems pretty pricey for my budget) or a roland vs-880. (Software is cool, but there's something about hardware I prefer.) (d) welcoming any other ideas.

One thing I don't want is spending x amount of cash and finding out that I what I got isn't enough for my needs (that's why I'm willing to muster up some extra cash if needed).

I'm grateful for any assistance you can provide.

Mackie onyx. Good preamps for your mics, and optional firewirecard make it a perfect interface for those who really prefer hardware.

If you get that and the 8-outs for your mpc, and maybe some software you can make decent sounding stuff. Good enough to put on a records even if you get it mastered.

Good luck with the album but you should take your time get your setup tight. You can't go into battle with no armor.

stinktank wrote:I've spent a few hours browsing the forums, getting some valuable information, but still I gotta ask (even though it's been more or less covered I know).

Here's my current setup:
mpc 2000xl,
crappy gemini dj mixer
a pc with a ewx 24/96 soundcard (only two ins&outs)
a bunch of records
a four-track
a couple of mics
about 600$+ to spend (absolute max. approx. $1000)

Here's what I wanna do:
release my album which has been in the works for some years now

Obviously I understand I won't be making professional sounding records any time soon, but considering the time and effort I've put into my beats (and rhymes) , I'd like my sh*t to sound at the very least decent.

The next thing I'm about to cop is the 8-outs for the MPC, after that though, I'm not sure. Here come the questions: I've been thinking about (a) getting a Spirit Folio Notepad just to replace my old mixer, and maybe buy a soundcard with 8-outs to record my beats into. (b) getting a more complex mixer that I would then run into my PC. (c) buying something like an akai dps12 (seems pretty pricey for my budget) or a roland vs-880. (Software is cool, but there's something about hardware I prefer.) (d) welcoming any other ideas.

One thing I don't want is spending x amount of cash and finding out that I what I got isn't enough for my needs (that's why I'm willing to muster up some extra cash if needed).

I'm grateful for any assistance you can provide.

get a delta 1010, its like 399. sounds great and it has 10 inputs. you cant go wrong wit that. n get the 8outs for your mpc.

jinx wrote:Good luck with the album but you should take your time get your setup tight. You can't go into battle with no armor.

I second that

Thanks for the responses. I'm probably going with the Delta 1010LT, 8-outs and I already got me some monitors. And I'll buy a new mixer (+ a decent mic preamp) once I get some extra cash.

As for taking my time to get my setup tight-- that's what I'm doing, no? After all, I could've put some half-assed four-track boss drum machine shit out five years ago. But I'm anxious to get something out, not my magnum opus, but a decent quality album/ EP.

A Goood CD Burner and Some Loop Tools and FX..............


A Editor- Wavelab / Soundforge / Cool Edit

Decent Graphic and Label System

Master What Ya Already GOT

Dig into them Manuals

ONE

Oh yeah,

The Best Audio Interface and Studio Monitors .........


you Do want to Step UP Your sound Quality

I know everyone's already answered the ?'s but I just wanted to give a little advice . F#ck a DPS or a VS . I had a DPS16 for 4 years and I got a lot of work done w/ it (2 LP's , a couple EP's , and more than my fare share of mixtapes) . But . . . now that I have a computer program w/ unlimited tracks I'm doing things that I could never have accomplished on the DPS and it's cheaper & less tedious . The only reason I never got a comp & a program 'til now was because I wanted "real faders" . And now I see I traded convenience for quality .