Computer based multitrack

[mungo]

I am looking to throw together a complete computer based multitrack recording system for someone on a budget of around $3000.

This means everything, I can get the computer part of it fairly cheap. Lets say around $1500 - $2000 for all the stuff.

I was thinking Tascam US428

Any suggestions ?

[phunkdust]

Tascam US428... thats that thing that looks like a mixer, runs off USB?

Sounds like a great plan, not sure what the inputs are like on the Tascam and the quality of the circuitry. As an ex-owner of a few porta-studios in the past I'm pretty pleased with Tascam's quality.

Whats the simultaneous I/O like? Should be like 4 inputs/1 monitor @ 44.1 if it's on USB1.1

Yeah, sounds like a plan.

[mungo]

It does 4x4416 ins and 2x4416 out, but I was more interested in the control surface.

Now all I need is suggestions for cheap mic's

behringer XM8500's ?

[phunkdust]

the XM8500 is a good SM58 clone, they go for like $60?

Leem LM600 is another SM58 clone, they're about $70

the LM600 is unidirectional wheras the XM8500 is cardioid

[mungo]

I was looking deeper at these systems (U8 too) and they don't seem to be able to record more than two tracks simultaneously. The setup should really be able to record 8 tracks, or at worst 4. Any ideas on other hardware/software combos

[mungo]

Ended up going with a delta 44 and behringer MX1604 with its 3/4 outs for the four channels of recording. ended up getting it for $1000 which was cheaper than the US428 anyway.

[phunkdust]

nice choice... i'd kinda want to trust a PCI system rather than USB anyway... 8-)

4in/4out should do it for the moment i guess. of course if you need any more channels then you can slap on the Omni I/O which gives you 8 ins and 2 mic preamps, various aux ins and outs as well... ;D

the 1604 is a good mixer, altho a little cramped, makes for very portable sound tho...

[Hydra]

Yeah, USB unfortunately just won't record more than 2 channels at any one time, so don't believe any USB multitrack interfaces. It's just not possible

[driload]

as you know im a devout Delta44 fan... even though we've got everything from Protools/digi001 to that tascam system in our family of studios (and omni's, and maya's, and darla's etc etc)


for me ive had the 44's for a long time, they are solid work-horses and to be ultra-honest... i hate USB audio interfaces. dont dont sit well in my mind as far as reliability and quality goes. give me a fat shielded cable over a pissy usb any day. give me big chunky converters and breakout boxes!!


ditch the behringer when you can, down the line though. they get noisy quickly. make sure you Normal it when you turn it off, the pre-amps go to shit if left up all the time.

also dont fuck around with "clone" microphones. theres a reason SM58's are used for vocals and 57's are ENDLESSLY useful instrument mics (and vox if you like their sound).

sure go with what sounds good to you but i wouldnt bother, i work with a stable of 58's and 57's in the studios alondside all the "usual" condensors so at home i want the same quality and reliability.

a 57 should be the first mic you ever buy i swear. indestructible and they have an unusually nice sound when you overload them too. plus of course they handle a TONNE of SPL and beg for more!

dont skimp on your cables man! you CAN hear the difference in quality.

[phunkdust]

i broke a couple of SM58's... shitty cast magnesium body decided to be ultra brittle and snapped around the thread...

my solution? Leem LM600... same size as a SM58, cept with a steel body, much tougher, and the SM58's that broke - well I put their pickups inside the leem body... so I guess now I have a hybrid - SM58 sound without the breakages.

[mungo]

We stayed with the behringer mic's (3x2000 plus one 8500) only due to price issues the mic's came to $350 total. I know we should really use SM58's and 57's I have done lots of recording with 4 SM58's and they really do sound that much better but on a shoestring we had to settle for something crummy.

[mungo]

We stayed with the behringer mic's (3x2000 plus one 8500) only due to price issues the mic's came to $350 total. I know we should really use SM58's and 57's I have done lots of recording with 4 SM58's and they really do sound that much better but on a shoestring we had to settle for something crummy.

We had a brand new 58 stolen at our last concert, what a pain.