Recommendation for mixer and audio interface

[lemongonggong]

Hey guys...need your help here...

I m thinking of doing a multi-track recording for my band...

Can anyone recommend any audio interface that can allow around 16 tracks simultaneous recording??

Also, can anyone recommend any 24 channel mixers??

Do state the price and the place to get it too...thanks!!

 

[blueprintstudios]

1) 2 x Presonus FP10 ($640 each @ Resolution).
you'll need a powerful computer with stable firewire card to support this kinda operation.

2) 2 x Korg D888 ($1.something K +++ each @ Citymusic)
you don't need a computer for this. but likely to blow a hole in your wallet + another anus.

3) 1 x Korg D3200 ($1.7k around there @ Citymusic)
it's only 12 channels max, but you said "around" right..

there're more, but these are what I've came across so far.

---
> can anyone recommend any 24 channel mixers??
Mackie's great.

 

[cheekyfart]

I personally have found that Mackie Oynx 1640 with 24-bit/96kHz FireWire Option Card can give you one of the most comprehensive mixer and audio interface rolled into one.

Or you can consider MOTU 24I/O for a massive 24 analogue inputs/outputs with 24-bit, 96kHz converters on balanced/unbalanced 1/4" TRS connectors.

Hope the above helps.

 

[lemongonggong]

thank you so much for replying....

For the 24 channel mixer, i m thinking of getting the mackie onyx 24.4

Wad do u think abt it??

Btw, anybody know where to get mackie mixers??


As for the MOTU 24I/O, where can i get it??

 

[soft]

lemongonggong, I dont know if you have prior experience in recording and stuff but before you buy anything, please draw up a plan of what you want to do with the equipment.

Firstly, how are you going to get the whole band to play together? Are they going to be in the same space? Or will they be in different rooms?

What are the instrument that require microphones? Drumset need about 8 microphones to mic up. This will help you determine the number of microphone input you need on the audio interface.

Most important, what is the budget you have set aside for these stuff?

1. Computer
2. Audio interface
3. Monitor speakers
4. Microphones

 

[lemongonggong]

1) Yes, it's a jazz band that i'll be recording, so the whole band has to play together to capture the jam factor. Sadly, we have to play in the same place with no isolation room, no baffles and suffer leakage..

2)The instruments that i m recording are:
1) Vocal
2-5) Horns (Alto sax, Tenor Sax, Trumpet, Trombone)
6-7) Percussion
8-13) Drums ( I'll be buying the shure drum mic set, the one with 6 mics)
14) Guitar
15) Keyboard
16) Bass

oops...just realise not around 16 anymore...


3) As for budget for the other stuff,
Laptop - i will be using my mac laptop so dun need
Audio Interface - under 2k
Microphones - Under 1k(Have 10 sm57 mics, just need the 6 drum mics)
Monitors - Under 2k

Speaking about monitors, i m thinking of getting 2 mackie SRM 450, cos i will need them during performances too. Btw, anyone know where to get these speakers??

 

[blueprintstudios]

"Laptop - i will be using my mac laptop so dun need Audio Interface - under 2k"

if you need more than 16 inputs, well get 3 firepods and daisy chain them! provided make sure your laptop can handle it...

 

[cheekyfart]

thank you so much for replying....

For the 24 channel mixer, i m thinking of getting the mackie onyx 24.4

Wad do u think abt it??

Btw, anybody know where to get mackie mixers??


As for the MOTU 24I/O, where can i get it??

According to Mackie the following are the local distributors in Singapore.

ProAktiv Systems Pte. Ltd.
51 Changi Business Park Central 2,
#08-03, The Signature, Singapore 486066
Phone: +65 3125 2121
Fax: +65 3125 2131
Web: Untitled-1
Email: info@proaktivsys.com

Steinberg Media Technologies Asia
16 Jalan Kilang Timor, #02-06, Redhill Forum, Singapore 159308
Singapore
Phone: +65 6274 3577
Fax: +65 6274 6933
Email: jeffrey@steinbergasia.com

See Link to Mackie distributors here

As for Motu

IDEAS IN-FX
39 Stamford Road
Stamford House #03-16
Singapore 178885
Phone: +65 63368824
Fax: +65 63368566
drai@pacific.net.sg

Sinamex
35 Selegie Road #B1-34
Parklane Shopping Mall
Singapore 188307
Phone: +65-63388657
Fax: +65-63367835
Sinamex - Home
sinamex@pacific.net.sg

MultiMedia Studio Pte Ltd
1 Coleman Street #B1-44
The Adelphi
Singapore 179803
Phone: +65-63391835
Facsimile: +65-63392680
Default page
info@mmstudio.com.sg

See link to Motu distributors here.

However Motu 24 I/O connects to a PCI-424 audio card (up to four 24I/O units to one card) via Audiowire interface. Note, which means that you should be UNABLE to connect via the FireWire interface of your Mac laptop.

Let me do some research and I'll update you soon on a cost effective solution (that I would probably invest in too).

 

[cheekyfart]

You might want to consider Apogee Symphony Mobile as a DAW solution, it does seem to fit your requirements nicely. It is possible to configure the system to suit the number of I/O needs of your set up, here are some sample systems setups.

According to Apogee, the official local distributor in Singapore is as follows.

Team 108 Technical Services
33 TANNERY LANE, LEVEL 6
Singapore 347789
Tel: 011 +65 6748 9333
Fax: 011-65-6747 7273

See link to Apogee's distributors here.

However I have seen Apogee products sold in a few other stores in Singapore. Not too sure about the arrangements, pricing and level of support but I have never been disappointed by the good people of Team 108.

And lastly according to Mackie, you can hook up Mackie's Onyx 24.4 to a DAW in their web page. But personally I might route the signal slightly differently. Only you would know what is best for your own set up, ya?
(;-Þ

Hope the above helps.

 

[fareezo]

good luck

 

[lemongonggong]

For the Apogee thingy, is it a must to use macbook pro for it to work??...

For the mackie drawing, i must say it's a little confusing with all those lines running around.
is it ( instrument>mic>mixer>split into 4 grps> audio interface>DAW ) ??
correct me if i m wrong...

But if this is how is wired, wouldnt the audio interface/pc be recording 4 tracks simultaneously, which are the 4 grps..??

Btw, i just realise it would be 18 tracks now...due to the addition of a vibraphone...i pity the laptop...i hope it can take it man...

 

[soft]

lemongonggong, is this for personal or for school/work?

You need a more powerful computer/notebook to record 18 tracks.

What is the purpose for the recording? If it is for listening back your practise, I suggest just recording a 2 tracks. This is because if you do not have the proper isolation, it will be a challenge to control that many microphones.

If you are thinking of doing an album for your jazz band, I suggest recording at a studio where all the technical problem can be better solved. They have better microphones and room to capture the performance.

 

[lemongonggong]

for the jazz band....

it's more of the 2nd one...

wad's the maximum number of tracks recommended for a laptop?

 

[THOA]

Perhaps telling us the current specs for your laptop, as well as the software you are planning to record and mix it with?

 

[cheekyfart]

Apogee Symphony Mobile System can give you up to a staggering 32 channels of I/O. They achieve this by using the ExpressCard 34 connection (2.5Gbps differential serial link) and not the FireWire IEEE 1394 bus which is limited to 400 or 800 Mbps (depending on which version). ExpressCard 34 and 54 is the new expansion standard in the latest laptops, such as the MacBook Pro (which I assume that you are using).

Unfortunately I would believe that it is not for the faint of heart as most of us here don't such deep pockets.
;-(

As for the Mackie "recommended" wiring, you can connect the audio from the console via the Direct Out termination using a D-Sub 25 pin connector. I agree with you that the diagram looks like some modern art with noodles. Perhaps you might want to get the distributor/supplier to help you with a turnkey solution?

P.S. Remember to record on a fast Hard Disk Drive!

 

[lemongonggong]

i have a bad feeling about this...anyway, here it is..

1.83GHz processor speed
512MB of memory

Software is cubase SX

 

[utano]

Ideally, You need a hard-disk that is 7200rpm and firewire 400 if you're using the macbook or firewire 800 if you have the macbook pro. This combination will get you the max simultaneous track count performance.

 

[cheekyfart]

Like they say, “simple is safe”.

With that said, I would actually recommend that you use MOTU 828mkII as it features 8 channels of balanced analogue line inputs (NOTE: Not via mic with preamp input) that you can capture from your mixing console at line level.

However if you would foresee 24 channels of capturing in the very near future, I would recommend that you get Focusrite Saffire PRO 26 I/O. Which not only features 8 channels of balanced analogue line inputs (unfortunately on the front panel which I don't like from a aesthetic view) but also accepts 16 channels of ADAT.
You can connect the remaining channels from the mixing console “Direct Out” via the D-SUB 25pin connector (you may need to check pin configuration on both ends of the connector) to 2 units of Focusrite OctoPre upgraded with OctoPre ADAT ADC. This is a less resource-intensive solution as you would reduce the strain your laptop’s processor, operating system and FireWire chipset.

After all that is said, it really depends on how much money you can throw at the problem to get a viable solution ya?

 

[nextis]

I think you may want to reconsider ur budget for specs

HI..

I would like to chip in on your idea for budget placement for different products.You would like to record a jazz group and thats a wonderful thing to do actualli. Wish i have the opportunity to record your kinda band for my school final project.

Btw if u are planning on a budget, always go for these in mind. BUy the best front end you can buy for the moment. Meaning. Instruments (1) followed by microphones(2) a decent interface and if ur on a budget. get one with decent preamps like the presonus fp10

If you are recording drums. miking it all on sm 57s may be fine for a live setting..but ur not doing justice if you want it to sound more than average in recordings. if ur on a budget. Do the minimal miking technique of a dynamic mic on the snare with a pair of decent condesor overheards and a kick mic of course. u can do away with the direct snare mic if ur overhead sounds decent.

about leakage.dun worry bout that. use the technique of anaolog recordings of the heydays.they dun use headphones even. they all play the same room. BUT UR MIC techniques need to be up to standard. Treat leakage as a good fren and not ur enemy.
Lots of famous recordings has leakage all over the place. The downside is, it reduces ur options in post production. Thats y musicians in the heydays are dammn good because theres no second chances.

my advice is
spend more on MIcs. get one with multiple polar patten. u could mic ur instruements with various room stereo techniqe methods. if you cant get them to play all the same time.Dont fret. take the vital rythm sections first. then layer it with overdubs with the solo instruments.

if ur intending to use the mixer for live performance then thats great. but id rather u buy a multi channel interface with lots of pre amps and IO. a good buy is M-audio products.Motu is good too as u can daisy chain up to 4 interfaces if u wana expand.

Lastly think about not buying too expensive of a monitor. Because if u dunt have a good room to put it in. a 2k monitor will sound cheap because of the bad acoustics...invest in a pair of good headphones as a main reference and use a decent pair of monitors to mix.personally i use studiophile q40.theyre good at translating to other systems and i use a krk rp5 as a secondary reference.

Hope i shed sum light for u. Any enquiries or u need help to engineer ur project do email me at
rider_rage@hotmail.com

ill be glad to help out

 

[turbochicken]

alesis HD 24

lugging all the equipment out to record, if you are planning to, will be an uphill task.

HD24 allows you to simultaneously multitrack up to 24, afterward export to your DAW for post production. so everything just go straight into the HD24, rid the hassle of lugging comp laptop interface and the worry of insufficient ram etc.

http://www.alesis.com/hd24