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Starting a small Mac based home studio: advice needed!

michele

michele

Apr 2, 2004
1,431
343
59
Italy
#1
Guys, I’m trying to make a little rehearsal/studio space at home. I’m currently working with my brother to make a kind of drum ‘n bass/experimental thing goin’on. We are goin’ to play our instruments interacting with sounds programmed on the computer.
Here’s what I have:

Macbook Pro 2,2GHz GB RAM running Tiger
Ableton Live 6

First, I need your advice/opinions about interface . It’s still to be decided if the drum set will be an acoustic or an electronic one. In case it’ll be the electronic one I guess that something like a Firebox will cover our needs but, however, I don’t want to buy something limited as far as number of inputs because there will occasionally be a guitar or a horn player (or both) involved. So far it’s between a Firepod or a Motu Ultralite but other suggestions are welcome.

Then, since I also need microphones and monitor speakers, I’d like to know what do you think of these packages (if I decide to go the Firepod way):

Link Removed

Link Removed

Are they any good (and by the way what’s the difference between the two) or I’d better buy microphones and speakers separately?

Thanks in advance.
 
#4
I'm leaning towards the firepod as it seems that it's easier to find it used at fair prices on the 'bay...
do you think it's a good match with the macbook pro?
also some suggestions about mics and speakers?
 
#5
The package will get the job done for now for sure; especially at under $700.

This is an upgraded version, but probably around 2000 instead of 700.

Firepod. 400

Stands and cables. 100

Midrange Headphones 100

KRK Monitors seem popular. 300

SM57 and SM58s are industry standard mics for all sorts of stuff. 250 for 3

Studio Monitor C4s were recommended to me as small diaphram condensers for fairly cheap. 350

If you find a quality Large Diaphram condensor for cheap thats good... let me know :hiding:

...seriously though...
 
#6
You can get a used Motu 896 in the $400-$500 range now days. I have used one for about five years with great results. I have a friend with the Firebox and while he has used it with professional results I do remember lots of drivers issues at first (may have been an isolated experience). He also borrowed my 896 when he inevitably need to mic drums. Just a thought.
 
#7
The Motu 896 is a good option if you're looking more for an interface and not preamps. I'm fairly happy w/ my outboard pres, so I've been thinking about an 896 to add more channels as needed to my Ultralite. If I wanted to add more channels w/ onboard preamps, I'd go for the Motu 8Pre.
 
#11
The thing about Cubase LE is that it only allows you to record one stereo track at a time.

Regarding mics: for accoustic drums, it's better to use several cheap mics than one high quality one. Would also recommend the AKG Perception 200 over the MXL.
 
#12
Presonus is a great company to work with, and I will never give my money to MOTU again (can they not afford phones after all those interfaces sold???). Anyway, liked my Firepod, got good results from it, LOVE my Firestudio/Digimax FS combo...

The KRK RP series is good bang for the buck, but in that price range you might wanna check out the Yamaha HS series (the pair with the 8" woofers is down under $700, the smaller ones significantly less than that).

SM57's are staples (although don't pass over a good deal on an Audix i5, they kick arse), and for an inexpensive condensor, check out Audio Technica (AT2020, or preferably the AT3035).

Anyway, just some opinions... hope they help.

PS-By the way, the songs on my myspace page (myspace.com/bambooneedle) are older ones done on a Firepod with the KRK RP8's....
 

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