I know there's probably a lot of threads out there regarding this, but I am looking for the best way to expand my recording setup for not much money. I currently have a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 audio interface, and I record using the Reaper DAW. The 2i2 is fine for recording acoustic stuff with vocals, but I now play in a band with drums, and I need to find out the best way to record 6 separate microphones. What is the best way to do this without spending too much money? Should I sell the 2i2 and get an audio interface with more mic preamps? Should I get a mic preamp unit and plug it into the 2i2? Or should I get a mixing board with more preamps? I'm sorry if I seem like an idiot, but I am very confused. Please help!
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Good simple recording setup?
- Thread starter apkbass
- Start date
It depends on your goal.
I record the band's practice setup with a tascam US-1800, with 4 or 5 drum mics, two guitar amp mics, three vocal mics, and direct in for bass and keys. This allows me to manipulate everything in Reaper quite easily. Note that I use a couple of mic splitters to feed both the audio interface and PA at the same time.
For simple stereo recordings at a gig, a stereo mic into a simple two-channel unit works great, even using Audacity as the only recording software. This gives a stereo record of activity, but doesn't result in multiple tracks to work from.
The Tascam is a great, relatively inexpensive, way to get a large number of input channels.
I record the band's practice setup with a tascam US-1800, with 4 or 5 drum mics, two guitar amp mics, three vocal mics, and direct in for bass and keys. This allows me to manipulate everything in Reaper quite easily. Note that I use a couple of mic splitters to feed both the audio interface and PA at the same time.
For simple stereo recordings at a gig, a stereo mic into a simple two-channel unit works great, even using Audacity as the only recording software. This gives a stereo record of activity, but doesn't result in multiple tracks to work from.
The Tascam is a great, relatively inexpensive, way to get a large number of input channels.
I use an IBM laptop with Pro-Tools and a Mackie Blackbird. Simple and very effective. I'm expanding with more outboard preamps and some real tasty compressors (LA's and Drawmers) but my basic rig is the best I've had so far.
I know I have enough money for the 18i6 and two Alesis MicTube Duo preamps. That sounds very flexible because I could choose between using solid state or tube preamps. But I'm more of a solid state kinda guy...is there any good interface for under $400 with 6 or more XLR inputs with preamps?
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/presonus-firestudio-project-recording-interface
Mine has been awesome for many years now. I live track a 5-man band for practices, and have used it for more "polished" projects, too. I use reaper as well and it's never had any compatibility issues.
Before switching to bass a couple of years ago I played drums for 10 years. You can actually record a drumset with just two mics. Do a Google search. There are websites that outline the technique. Also, recording an acoustic kit is an art form in itself. You might be better off getting a hold of an electronic kit and recording that or use it to trigger a drum program.
you can get a decent 1/2" tape machine for 500 bucks these days. Paired with a mackie mixer, and you have a really decent easy to use system that won't run out of memory, freeze up on you, or "crash."
I tried all that pro-tools stuff for a few years, and it just seems more trouble than it is worth. Sold my mac & digi rack, bought a tape machine and a couple decent mics.
I save my money and buy real compressors instead of plugins that will need to be upgraded in a year or two.
I tried all that pro-tools stuff for a few years, and it just seems more trouble than it is worth. Sold my mac & digi rack, bought a tape machine and a couple decent mics.
I save my money and buy real compressors instead of plugins that will need to be upgraded in a year or two.
The US-1800 works fine. It's convenient, has a goodly number of inputs and seems to run reliably. I use an old Dell laptop with a fast external disk to record onto. There's no problem.
wanted to get clarification on this idea. I have a Scarlett 18i6 (like it a a lot, pre's are very sweet sounding), but I have been struggling a bit with how to get more inputs w/o kicking down the dough for the Focusrite OctoPre. So, the idea of using one or more Alesis MicTube Duo units (under $100!) is very interesting.
Don't want to sound like a total noob (although I am pretty close to that when it comes to home recording) but would you just run unbalanced out of the Alesis unit into one of the 18i6's line inputs ? (I'm sure that's the only way). Is there any downside to doing this rather than say, just getting a Scarlett 18i8 with 4 pre's ?
You've got the right idea. That's what the extra 1/4" inputs are for on any of these interface units.
The spec shows that the 1/4" inputs on the Scarlett are balanced, as in 3-conductor TRS. This means you could go from the XLR out of the Alesis and into the Scarlett with a simple adapter cable that is XLR F -> 1/4" TRS. Of course you could do it from the unbalanced outs also, if you don't have the means or desire to get the extra cables.
