Analog/Digital Recording - No computer - Suggestions?

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

I've been using all-in-one digital workstations for a couple of years. I've
used computer-based a little (N-Tracks, PT Free, Sonar), enough to know I
don't want it.

I'm looking for some recommendations -- if you could start from scratch and
pick analog processing with digital storage, what would you get? I'm mostly
recording small vocal/acoustic instrument groups.

I have fairly decent mic preamps, including Focusrite ISA 428 that I can
install an 8-ch AD board in. I have good enough mics for now, for our
music. My Klark-Teknik parametric eq will work for 2 channels, would you
get more? I have Focusrite Mixmaster for "mastering", it's pretty decent
for what it is, but alternative options are welcome.

I'd like some ideas on 12-to-24 channel mixers (analog or digital?), storage
devices for tracking and a 2-track of some kind if necessary (ADAT?
Masterlink?), compressors, etc. Effects processor. CDRW. Anything else
you know I'll need or want. Also suggestions on preferred routings/signal
flow for this type of system. All these < $5k (...or ?!... budget will be
an issue)

Sorry so vague, I'm just getting a feel for whether this is even possible or
reasonable. I'm using an Akai DPS24 that has all this, I want to consider
alternative recommendations for a really nice minimalist system, high
quality dedicated components, kind of an "artistic" recording system rather
than mass-production editing system.

Sorry if this has been discussed to death, maybe point me to some links?
Or, if you prefer, what might you pick as a complete basic system like this,
from mics to finished CD, using good-quality equipment? Just no
computers/plugins/samplers/etc. please. Thanks for any help,


Steve

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

Steve Scott wrote:

> I'd like some ideas on 12-to-24 channel mixers (analog or digital?), storage
> devices for tracking and a 2-track of some kind if necessary (ADAT?
> Masterlink?), compressors, etc. Effects processor. CDRW. Anything else
> you know I'll need or want. Also suggestions on preferred routings/signal
> flow for this type of system. All these < $5k (...or ?!... budget will be
> an issue)

I'd recommend taking a look at the Alesis ADAT-HD24 hard disk recorder.
You might even consider the the version with 96kHz converters. If you
96k, you'll only get 12 tracks, but it sound like you'd be ok with that.
You could also run it at 48k if you need more tracks. For a mixer,
you'll probably get the most bang for the buck from something digital.
Maybe a Yamaha 01V96.

As far as the Masterlink goes, I don't see the big deal about them. What
are they, $1000? I'd recommend just getting an HHB CDR recorder, or
something like that, unless you really like the idea of being able to
store your mixes on a hard drive and using Alesis' "mastering" effects.

I think that would be do-able, given your >$5k budget.

--
Eric

Practice Your Mixing Skills
Multi-Track Masters on CD-ROM
www.Raw-Tracks.com

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

"EricK" <eric@Raw-Tracks.com> wrote in message
news:2n0melFrrsg2U1@uni-berlin.de...
> Steve Scott wrote:
>
> > I'd like some ideas on 12-to-24 channel mixers (analog or digital?),
storage
> > devices for tracking and a 2-track of some kind if necessary (ADAT?
> > Masterlink?), compressors, etc. Effects processor. CDRW. Anything
else
> > you know I'll need or want. Also suggestions on preferred
routings/signal
> > flow for this type of system. All these < $5k (...or ?!... budget will
be
> > an issue)
>
> I'd recommend taking a look at the Alesis ADAT-HD24 hard disk recorder.
> You might even consider the the version with 96kHz converters. If you
> 96k, you'll only get 12 tracks, but it sound like you'd be ok with that.
> You could also run it at 48k if you need more tracks. For a mixer,
> you'll probably get the most bang for the buck from something digital.
> Maybe a Yamaha 01V96.
>
> As far as the Masterlink goes, I don't see the big deal about them. What
> are they, $1000? I'd recommend just getting an HHB CDR recorder, or
> something like that, unless you really like the idea of being able to
> store your mixes on a hard drive and using Alesis' "mastering" effects.
>
> I think that would be do-able, given your >$5k budget.
>
> --
> Eric


Excellent, thanks Eric. HHB is a good suggestion, also the HD24. 12 tracks
would be fine. I had sort of considered the 01V96, just wasn't sure I want
a digital mixer there. Seems like I'd be back to a similar setup as the
DPS24...

I use digital A&H for my live sound rig, wouldn't have anything else for
that. I guess the same advantages of being able to save setups could be
useful. Mainly I want to get away from nested menus, fader banks, and
limited direct-access controls. I'll check into the Yamaha some more.

So use the builtin 01V96 FX/dynamics/EQ/etc.? Do you have a feel for that
board's capabilities there, compared to outboard analog components?

Thanks

Steve

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

"Handywired" <handywired@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20040731033124.04194.00002155@mb-m15.aol.com...
>
> Find a decent used Neotek Series I, II, or III (OK, so it's a little more
> complicated than that); they sound amazing and I think can be had at
pretty
> reasonable prices considering what you get! On the II and III at least
you
> get, per channel strip, a pad, a good mic and line pre amp section, a
> powerful and musical-sounding 4-band parametric EQ and then the other
normal
> board stuff, FX sends and bussing etc. Anyway, they sound great; you
could do
> a very nice acoustic recond on one. The top end is real open and silky.
So on
> a 24-channel board you'd then have 24 good mic preamps and 24 good EQ's!
That
> covers a lot of bases though outboard preamps are always nice to have.
>
> For a recorder if it needs to be tape-based-digital I'd snag a D-38 or
two.
> You can get them cheap and they are good machines. For analog the Tascam
> MS-16 is a steal at what you can get them for. They can sound good and
are
> generally workhorses, though go into any reel to reel tape recorder with
your
> eyes open.
>
> I know personally that the above combos work fine; I've used them. You
can
> certainly do better but then, you have 5K to spend! These are things i
know
> have a good bang-to-buck ratio. Pro Tools 02 sounds good into the Neotek
too.
>
> Alternatively, that 5k would buy some serious time in a good studio where
some
> other person would be hustling his/her ass off to make you happy and
grease the
> wheels and free you to just play music... just a thought...
>
> -jeff


OK, good stuff Jeff. I don't know about Neotek, this is what I'm needing to
learn... Recorder doesn't have to be tape, I'm open to opinions. Those
sound like good choices though. I've considered getting an open reel just
for occasional "fun" experiments, I used to have an old (60's) Akai, don't
know if it was any good or not <g> I'll definitely check into the MS-16.
Other r2r recommendations, anyone?

$5k is an arbitrary number. I'd like to go less, but need to be realistic.
And for studios -- done that, but I'm not into professional recordings at
this time. It was fun though, someone else was paying the tab! I'm a
musician, and really more interested in setting up a "Craft" type system
that I can enjoy at my leisure, no real production volume.

The Akai DPS24 is a fantastic system for what it is, I just want to learn
more options as well. I can stay with this and make recordings easily, but
I'm always exploring... keep em coming

Steve

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

In article <2n0palFrtga2U1@uni-berlin.de> squeegybug@netspace1.com writes:

> Excellent, thanks Eric. HHB is a good suggestion, also the HD24. 12 tracks
> would be fine. I had sort of considered the 01V96, just wasn't sure I want
> a digital mixer there. Seems like I'd be back to a similar setup as the
> DPS24...

Well, if you're going to be recording multiple tracks, you need to mix
them somehow. You could just cop out and go with a DAW, but if you're
liking the Akai workstation you probably wouldn't be too happy with a
computer plus audio I/O.

A digital mixer is a good idea if you have digital tracks, as long as
it's a good sounding mixer - there are indeed as many differences of
opinion as to the "sound" of a digital mixer as there are about analog
mixers.


--
I'm really Mike Rivers (mrivers@d-and-d.com)
However, until the spam goes away or Hell freezes over,
lots of IP addresses are blocked from this system. If
you e-mail me and it bounces, use your secret decoder ring
and reach me here: double-m-eleven-double-zero at yahoo

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

<< I'll definitely check into the MS-16.
Other r2r recommendations, anyone? >>

Check out the Tascam ATR60-16, which is a higher end, heavier duty, better
sounding step up from the MS16.
I just happen to have one here for sale, should you decide to take the plunge.


Scott Fraser