Multitrack studio decision

Okay, I need some sort of multitrack recording system for my studio.

Right now my "studio" consists of the following:

- MPC1000
- Behringer Eurorack 1622FX or something
- Techie 1200s and Vestax 07


What I want now is some multitrack recording system so I can start recording my beats, edit them and add scratches. I have to admit that I really really like the feel of hardware (i like touching buttons and faders), but I am also very experienced with using computers.

My budget is pretty limited, like 2000$ absolute max.

So, hardware or software multitracker, and in that case - which recording system?

Thanks for reading, all help is appreciated!

I use an AW16G I haven't used any of the others, but I have browwed mine to a few people with more exp and I'm amazed buy what they can do with it. I hear the Roland VS series is pretty good, but they have some type of compression that a lot of people don't care for. Just go and try them out. I got my AW pretty cheap and I can plug tables right into them and it records fine

Yep, I've seen a few people using this.. I dont need the function to build drum grooves in the box tho.

What I need is a multitrack solution that has a sound quality high enough to be released on a CD and distributed nationally.

Since I dont need the drum groove effect, will I still be off to a good start with the AWG16? How about a PC multitrack solution then?

Do you have a fairly new/fast computer already?

I use a motu 828mkII (around US $750 I think) firewire card with Cubase SL ($200 perhaps?) and it works flawlessly on my system. Very little noise and can be used with a laptop as well as a desktop computer.

digi 002 with protools

The AW does have drum pads even with a time stretch on it, but I think thats more gear towards gutiarits who don't want to carry around a drum machine with them. I haven't even bother with that freature, you can make some amazing tracks with it, once you learned it and masterd it. CPU's are easier, but the AW doen't crash as often it loads up in 5 secs.

How about Pro Tools?

The Mbox is pretty sweet for the $, plus you can learn the software that is used in most studios.

Even though I'm a hardware man where sampling, synths and FX are concerned, I prefer a computer DAW for tracking. It's more flexible, especially for editing - once the audio is in the computer you can do anything you want to it, re-arrange, edit, remix, apply fx... Plus it's nice for archiving, backing up, burning CD's, making MP3s etc.

If you already have a computer, use that. If not, get one cheap. You DO NOT need a G5 if you just want to track your beats and edit them. I just sold someone my old G3 with monitor, software and midi interface for $100,- and that's perfectly usable for tracking beats, so don't get carried away by all the flashy computers you see in ads and stuff.

Something like a s/h angle-poise iMac, eMac or PowerBook will be more than sufficient for tracking, editing and using a handful of plugins. That will leave you some cash for good software and a decent audio interface. If you're a PC-man, I'll leave it to others to recommend a machine as I know nothing about PCs/windows.

Software-wise my vote's with either Logic Express or ProTools LE. You don't really need Logic Pro, although it IS a sweet package.

If you want to use ProTools, the Mbox package is great value. I saw Cut Chemist working with that and a PowerBook in Rome and it looked very quick, portable and efficient.
If you choose Logic, you can choose which audio interface you want. An 8 or 10 input interface might be convenient for tracking the 10 outputs of the MPC simultaneously (without even going through the Behringer), but even though I have the 828mkII, I track my beats one stereo track at a time, so I can get it just right with compression and fx and stuff. On that note, you might as well save some money and get a 2-input i/f. M-audio makes a few good ones that use FireWire. You can sync the MPC to logic via Midi Clock and everything you track will line up perfectly.

Oh, reliable rumours have it that Apple are putting a tiny, sub-$500 monitorless 1.25 ghz G4 on the market at next week's Apple Expo...

I will be using a PC, i have a 2,8 Ghz one.

Is pro tools compatible with Windows, and which Pro Tools solution should i invest in for an EP or major mixtape project?

Yeah...! pro tools is compatiable with windows.......I run pro tools le on windows xp with an external hard drive and it runs smooths as a baby bottom......And when its time to go to the studio, the only thing I take with me is the external hard drive....hook it up there and presto!..... My session is ready for some action.......!