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Updating Recording set up

peterpalmieri

peterpalmieri

Supporting Member
Apr 19, 2005
7,887
5,603
Babylon, NY
#1
I currently have a Mac, and use an A&H Zed10 FX into garage band. Which gives me 4 inputs. The Zed also functions as my default audio output when I want to listen to YouTube or anything else.

I don’t need anymore then 4 channels of input at a time although the idea of additional with a dedicated pre is nice, I use my Monique as a bass DI and have mics c414, c1000 and SM57 and 58.

the whole set up meets my needs in a number of ways. Default audio output for the computer if I want to listen on studio speakers or headphones. When interfacing with GarageBand it’s pretty simple. No software for routing just pick an input channel and record. I don’t want to get to complicated.

I would like a better mic pre for recording vocals, I’d like two headphone mixes when I track vocals. I’d like better software for mix downs but not to complicated. And better A/D converters although I’m not sure it’s really a need.

I’m considering upgrading GarageBand to Logic. I’m considering arturia audio fuse interface maybe a apogee quartet and a solo/610 for a tube mic pre, open to other suggestions.

I also like to create scratch guitar tracks and have a really old 1930s acoustic that barely stays in tune and am considering a godin A6 ultra to get both electric and acoustic sounds. I’m not much of a guitar player. Only play chords.

I’m sure I’m leaving something out but I would appreciate any input. I’ve researched other options and m happy to hear other suggestions.

I’d prefer replacing one item at a time to not disrupt my current work flow and create to many variables and learning curves. But also replacing everything together is within my budget.
 
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#2
I just read the A&H Mixer has a sample up to 48KHz. An Apogee Quartet would have a far better AD/DA converter with a sample rate up to 192kHz. The 610 is a one heck of a tube mic pre, maybe a better alternative would be a channel strip with a mic pre, compressor, and EQ. A external channel strip would be great for recording vocals. I like Logic Pro X, it's got everything. The c414 has a good reputation. Maybe a Neumann U87 clone would a good addition, something like a Warm Audio WA87. Couple of others are Rodes NTK tube mic, Shure SH7B, Neumann TLM102. I'm currently trying to work how I'm going to upgrade my recoding setup. I've come to the conclusion that if I'm going to upgrade, maybe I should make it my last and go all out. All the best!
 
#5
To my understanding, Arturia are primarily a synth maker who make a couple audio interfaces and an 8 ch mic pre. Apogee on the other hand specialise in audio interfaces, AD/DA converters, and other I/O devices. Their Symphony range of I/O devices are commercial level stuff. I always see good reviews on Apogee at Sweetwater and Amazon. The Apogee Quartet will be a 10+ year investment IMO.

If you've got an iPhone or iPad, you can get the Logic Remote free download.

‎Logic Remote

peterpalmieri said:
Thank you for sharing your thoughts I appreciate it.

Any thoughts on this vs a quartet?

Arturia AudioFuse Studio USB Audio Interface

I think I will upgrade to Logic Pro X tonight and continue researching a mic pre or channel strip.
Click to expand...
 
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#6
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#7
Krisfield said:
To my understanding, Arturia are primarily a synth maker who make a couple audio interfaces and an 8 ch mic pre. Apogee on the other hand specialise in audio interfaces, AD/DA converters, and other I/O devices. Their Symphony range of I/O devices are commercial level stuff. I always see good reviews on Apogee at Sweetwater and Amazon. The Apogee Quartet will be a 10+ year investment IMO.

If you've got an iPhone or iPad, you can get the Logic Remote free download.

‎Logic Remote
Click to expand...

Got it. Great addition
 
#9
peterpalmieri said:
You are making me rethink my priorities for an audio interface.
Click to expand...
I have their Digi9652 PCI cards from the late '90s. They still work great, but only with 32Bit Win7 and earlier. I use them for tracking live bands, but another interface for mixing so I can run 64bit. At some point I'll have to upgrade, and will buy RME to replace. Their customer service is great, too.
 
#11
image.jpg
 
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#12
I really like the idea of the Apogee Symphony, high quality conversion, great preamps and integration with logic.

I really don’t like the idea with some interfaces that I have to run a separate app to control them and get the most out of their features.

While two mic Pres are sufficient most of the time it does limit what I can do like record a drum kit or do a live recording.

Can I get away with just a Symphony Desktop and not have a need for a high quality outboard preamp?
 
#13
peterpalmieri said:
I really like the idea of the Apogee Symphony, high quality conversion, great preamps and integration with logic.

I really don’t like the idea with some interfaces that I have to run a separate app to control them and get the most out of their features.

While two mic Pres are sufficient most of the time it does limit what I can do like record a drum kit or do a live recording.

Can I get away with just a Symphony Desktop and not have a need for a high quality outboard preamp?
Click to expand...

I was looking at Symphony Desktop the other day. Like the look of the specs, touch screen, hardware DSP, optical I/O. I shouldn't imagine you'd need an external mic pre, the Symphony Desktop comes with mic pre and channel strip plugins. I don't believe there's much in it between quality plugins and analog hardware. I have a Focusrite Clarett 2pre. It has 2 mic pres that sound ok, and a pretty good AD/DA converter from what I can tell. But it has no hardware DSP for plugins, so I would benefit from using a really good external mic pre or channel strip. Another desktop audio interface that's similar to the Apollo Twin and Symphony Desktop, is the Antelope Zen Tour Synergy Core. It has 4 inst/line, 4 mic/line inputs and hardware DSP for plugins among other stuff. Antelope have a good reputation for making quality audio interfaces and AD/DA converters.

Antelope Zen Tour.png
 
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#14
Krisfield said:
I was looking at Symphony Desktop the other day. Like the look of the specs, touch screen, hardware DSP, optical I/O. I shouldn't imagine you'd need an external mic pre, the Symphony Desktop comes with mic pre and channel strip plugins. I don't believe there's much in it between quality plugins and analog hardware. I have a Focusrite Clarett 2pre. It has 2 mic pres that sound ok, and a pretty good AD/DA converter from what I can tell. But it has no hardware DSP for plugins, so I would benefit from using a really good external mic pre or channel strip. Another desktop audio interface that's similar to the Apollo Twin and Symphony Desktop, is the Antelope Zen Tour Synergy Core. It has 4 inst/line, 4 mic/line inputs and hardware DSP for plugins among other stuff. Antelope have a good reputation for making quality audio interfaces and AD/DA converters.

View attachment 3827214
Click to expand...

Do you think the Symphony Desktop is good enough to not need a quality tube channel strip? If I can skip purchasing a mic pre the cost of this is very reasonable.

I don’t want to spend $1200 plus on an audio interface and still need a $1000 channel strip
 
#16
I just spotted the Symphony Desktop doesn't have phantom power supply. So you'd need a external phantom power supply to power condenser mics

peterpalmieri said:
Do you think the Symphony Desktop is good enough to not need a quality tube channel strip? If I can skip purchasing a mic pre the cost of this is very reasonable.

I don’t want to spend $1200 plus on an audio interface and still need a $1000 channel strip
Click to expand...
 
#19
Loving Logic, for years I used a Digital 008 console and protools. It always seemed complicated and every step was a learning curve. I sold off a lot of my mic Pres and the 008 when my kids were born.

been using GarageBand for a while, 3 or 4 years and pushed the limits especially when it comes to mix downs. Logic is great, it’s like flipping a switch and all the stuff I needed is now there. Very happy.

it seems like Symphony Desktop is the way to go for me. No need for outboard Pres and integrated into Logic. It’s still not shipping from Sweetwater so I have time to think it over and consider other options.
 

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