Advice on home studio please.

[BAG]

Hi All,

I've got a decent little home rehearsal studio and want to be able to record rehearsals a bit better.
Generally we just have the small PA using a Soundcraft Ui12 for vocals, cajon (two channels for his EC 10-m processor) and acoustic guitars. In the past i'd just record rehearsals using the Ui12 but it doesn't have multi-track ability.... it only records the master output.

I'm looking at upgrading my old M-Audio 4ch interface to something like the Focusrite Scarlett 18120 with 8 XLR inputs.

What would be the best way to have signal going to the interface as well as the PA?
Is it possible to have everything go in to the interface and then use its' outputs to the PA? Would this create some latency?
Would I be better using splitter cables or would this create noise or a drop in signal quality?
Could I simply use the interface as a mixer and forget about the Ui12?

I realise this isn't the best way to record as such but I just want to be able to capture rehearsals with the ability to adjust levels after the fact.

My budget won't stretch past the cost of the Focusrite.

 

[bholder]

Thinking similar thoughts here, no answers, but subbed for learnin'!

 

[RoketRdr]

Hi All,

I've got a decent little home rehearsal studio and want to be able to record rehearsals a bit better.
Generally we just have the small PA using a Soundcraft Ui12 for vocals, cajon (two channels for his EC 10-m processor) and acoustic guitars. In the past i'd just record rehearsals using the Ui12 but it doesn't have multi-track ability.... it only records the master output.

I'm looking at upgrading my old M-Audio 4ch interface to something like the Focusrite Scarlett 18120 with 8 XLR inputs.

What would be the best way to have signal going to the interface as well as the PA?
Is it possible to have everything go in to the interface and then use its' outputs to the PA? Would this create some latency?
Would I be better using splitter cables or would this create noise or a drop in signal quality?
Could I simply use the interface as a mixer and forget about the Ui12?

I realise this isn't the best way to record as such but I just want to be able to capture rehearsals with the ability to adjust levels after the fact.

My budget won't stretch past the cost of the Focusrite.

The Scarlett 18i20 would be perfect for what you’re wanting to accomplish.

 

[BAG]

So I could just go into the interface and out to the PA or can the Scarlett be used as a mixer?

 

[JKos]

The Scarlett has monitor mix capabilities. Check out page 18 of the user's manual.

- John

 

[RoketRdr]

So I could just go into the interface and out to the PA or can the Scarlett be used as a mixer?

Like Jkos said it has mixing capabilities but it also comes with a fairly robust software package. So for the money you’re getting a whole lotta bang for the buck especially for home or small studio.

 

[Frank Tuesday]

Another option would be the Behringer XR18. 18 input digital mixer, with 18 channels of digial I/O to your computer. Do you want an interface that you can make work as a mixer, or a mixer that works really well as an interface? The XR18 will only record at 44.1k, but if you want to record practice as opposed to making a studio quality album, I'd take that trade off.

 

[BAG]

Another option would be the Behringer XR18. 18 input digital mixer, with 18 channels of digial I/O to your computer. Do you want an interface that you can make work as a mixer, or a mixer that works really well as an interface? The XR18 will only record at 44.1k, but if you want to record practice as opposed to making a studio quality album, I'd take that trade off.

I had thought of that or the Soundcraft Ui24 however they are considerably more expensive than the interface option here in NZ and if I do go down the hole of more serious recording the interface would be a better proposition.

 

[BAG]

The Scarlett has monitor mix capabilities. Check out page 18 of the user's manual.

- John

Like Jkos said it has mixing capabilities but it also comes with a fairly robust software package. So for the money you’re getting a whole lotta bang for the buck especially for home or small studio.

So if read the manual correctly, I can use the monitor mix outputs with zero latency? Is this correct?
If so that is pretty much what I was hoping to achieve as I can then have the vocal mics, guitars and cajon going through the interface then out of the monitor mixes into the PA while the bass can be DI-ed without any need to go into the PA and any electric guitars can be mic-ed up into the interface and also not need to go into the PA.

If the software capability is good enough (being able to add reverb, EQ etc) then I may be able to simply do away with the Ui mixer.

 

[crazyBassClown]

So if read the manual correctly, I can use the monitor mix outputs with zero latency? Is this correct?
If so that is pretty much what I was hoping to achieve as I can then have the vocal mics, guitars and cajon going through the interface then out of the monitor mixes into the PA while the bass can be DI-ed without any need to go into the PA and any electric guitars can be mic-ed up into the interface and also not need to go into the PA.

If the software capability is good enough (being able to add reverb, EQ etc) then I may be able to simply do away with the Ui mixer.

If you want to add software effects then you will get latency. Zero latency is possible because the signal doesn't pass through the computer, but is simply mixed straight to the output.
If it's enough latency to matter or not depends, on how powerful the pc is, how sensitive you are, and i'm sure a heap of other things.

 

[JRA]

I had thought of that or the Soundcraft Ui24 however they are considerably more expensive than the interface option here in NZ and if I do go down the hole of more serious recording the interface would be a better proposition.

the interface will get you there, but the XR18, or better = the Ui24R is a great interface for DAW work...and of course: for rehearsals/gigs recordings the Ui24R puts your multi-tracks and/or a 2-trk on a flash drive!

i bought one of my Ui24Rs as B-stock for half price. good luck!

 

[Spent]

We do this with a Tascam US200 and SoundCraft U12. Any audio interface with enough ins and outs should work just fine. The tascam has enough mic channels that I can put five mics on the drums in addition to the vocal mics. We use Reaper as our DAW and have been getting some very nice recordings at rehearsal (I’m listening to one right now). We’re actually surprised at the quality of the recordings and have decided to record our demo ourselves. The Scarlett 18i20 looks like it had 8 mic inputs, that’s pretty good at that price point. If that’s enough mics the Scarlet should work very well.

 

[semiprohooker]

For the same price as the Scarlett, this would price much more useful for you.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Ui16--soundcraft-ui16-remote-controlled-digital-mixer

More inputs, more outs, easy to use effects. Mix from the computer or iPad's.

 

[Jon McBass]

I had thought of that or the Soundcraft Ui24 however they are considerably more expensive than the interface option here in NZ and if I do go down the hole of more serious recording the interface would be a better proposition.

We settled on the Soundcraft UI24. You’re correct that it costs a lot more than the UI12 or 16 (~1000 USD street price) but man, it’s a great improvement over the 12 and 16, redesigned from the geound up, and can send 22 tracks to a DAW.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Hi All,

I've got a decent little home rehearsal studio and want to be able to record rehearsals a bit better.
Generally we just have the small PA using a Soundcraft Ui12 for vocals, cajon (two channels for his EC 10-m processor) and acoustic guitars. In the past i'd just record rehearsals using the Ui12 but it doesn't have multi-track ability.... it only records the master output.

I'm looking at upgrading my old M-Audio 4ch interface to something like the Focusrite Scarlett 18120 with 8 XLR inputs.

What would be the best way to have signal going to the interface as well as the PA?
Is it possible to have everything go in to the interface and then use its' outputs to the PA? Would this create some latency?
Would I be better using splitter cables or would this create noise or a drop in signal quality?
Could I simply use the interface as a mixer and forget about the Ui12?

I realise this isn't the best way to record as such but I just want to be able to capture rehearsals with the ability to adjust levels after the fact.

My budget won't stretch past the cost of the Focusrite.

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My guitarist has one. We use it every practice. Just arm what you have plugged in, get your mix right, push record, and jam. It comes out like a finished piece all at once.

 

[ThinCrappyTone]

Hi All,

I've got a decent little home rehearsal studio and want to be able to record rehearsals a bit better.
Generally we just have the small PA using a Soundcraft Ui12 for vocals, cajon (two channels for his EC 10-m processor) and acoustic guitars. In the past i'd just record rehearsals using the Ui12 but it doesn't have multi-track ability.... it only records the master output.

I'm looking at upgrading my old M-Audio 4ch interface to something like the Focusrite Scarlett 18120 with 8 XLR inputs.

What would be the best way to have signal going to the interface as well as the PA?
Is it possible to have everything go in to the interface and then use its' outputs to the PA? Would this create some latency?
Would I be better using splitter cables or would this create noise or a drop in signal quality?
Could I simply use the interface as a mixer and forget about the Ui12?

I realise this isn't the best way to record as such but I just want to be able to capture rehearsals with the ability to adjust levels after the fact.

My budget won't stretch past the cost of the Focusrite.

Mackie DL 16s is a perfect choice for this application.

It has 16 mixer inputs, and you can record everything separately to individual tracks in your daw (logic or whatever you use) while having a completely different mix coming through your pa.

It also lets you send a different headphone/monitor mix to each player if you like, and they can control it with a smartphone or tablet.

Its also rack mountable.

I use mine all the time and it works great.

For comparison, I also have an apogee element 88, which is on paper technically higher quality pres and converters (though i honestly can’t tell the diff) but i never use it any more, because the mackie does great and its way more flexible for doing the simultaneous live/multitrack thing.

If you are curious about the sound quality, here is a recording using it. This was a live jam at first, then more layers were removed/added later.



Whatever you decide, best of luck!

 

[Frank Tuesday]

For the same price as the Scarlett, this would price much more useful for you.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Ui16--soundcraft-ui16-remote-controlled-digital-mixer

More inputs, more outs, easy to use effects. Mix from the computer or iPad's.

I don't think the Ui16 works as a DAW interface. Great mixer, but not for multitrack recording.

 

[herndonbassist]

@BAG FWIW, I recently picked up the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 primarily for use in my little teeny home studio, but I like the fact that there are optical links to expand the number of inputs, and there are MANY outs to send to different monitor/mains arrangements. I was also using the M-Audio and upgraded, and couldn't be happier with the Focusrite. I'm planning to use it in rehearsals soon(ish) to see if it would work the way you're describing. I use Reaper as my DAW, and here it is mounted with my pre and tuner...

 

[Mr. Pickles]

A better way to isolate sound and record would be to use headphones instead of monitoring through your PA via the monitor mix capabilities of your chosen interface. You may need a few headphone splitter cables so that each band member can listen on a set of cans.

If you were to monitor live on the PA as you were recording, you would be introducing sound bleed, and potential phasing and feedback issues through any open mics.

Your sound quality would be greatly improved, and mixing down will be infinitely easier if you avoid the PA.

 

[DanGroove]

Hi All,

I've got a decent little home rehearsal studio and want to be able to record rehearsals a bit better.
Generally we just have the small PA using a Soundcraft Ui12 for vocals, cajon (two channels for his EC 10-m processor) and acoustic guitars. In the past i'd just record rehearsals using the Ui12 but it doesn't have multi-track ability.... it only records the master output.

I'm looking at upgrading my old M-Audio 4ch interface to something like the Focusrite Scarlett 18120 with 8 XLR inputs.

What would be the best way to have signal going to the interface as well as the PA?
Is it possible to have everything go in to the interface and then use its' outputs to the PA? Would this create some latency?
Would I be better using splitter cables or would this create noise or a drop in signal quality?
Could I simply use the interface as a mixer and forget about the Ui12?

I realise this isn't the best way to record as such but I just want to be able to capture rehearsals with the ability to adjust levels after the fact.

My budget won't stretch past the cost of the Focusrite.

Check out the ui24r. Under $1000, 20 channels with mic pre, 8 auxes, and they added multitrack recording to USB Flash drive.

Ugh and then i finish reading and see your budget doesnt go past $500. Could you sell the ui12?