New audio Rig Dillemma

[Blode]

So, recently I've been putting in a lot of money saving for a new Audio Rig in my home studio. (everything WAS spec'd out if anyone was interested)

However, I'm entering sound Design at university this year and just found out today that the studios on campus use an eMac/pro tools/Mbox system which is just about the complete opposite to the rig I had written up. (intel pc/Cubase4/presonus/dynaudio) ..

I used pro tools and digidesign hardware a few years ago, and wasn't a huge fan. I don't want to be limited in my choice of hardwares and stuck with a graphic interface I'm not totally happy with.. But if this is what I'm using on campus, it really makes sense that I should be using it, right? not necessarily the same interface (NO WAY would I use the Mbox if I had a choice) but, the digidesign hardware and pt.

I don't know.. what does anybody else think?

[ares]

You should build your rig to your specs. That way you have experience on two platforms, rather than only one.

I'm personally not a fan of pro tools and it's hardware ties (which is why i use logic), but it makes sense if that you'll have access to one system to use, then you shouldn't limit yourself by having that same system at home, although it could be more convenient in that you could work on school stuff from home in your own studio.

[Fraggy]

build it how you want to use it, not to the specs of the crappy school set up.

presonus firepod im guessing? thats good, was going to get it but me and a friend decided on the 002 simply for the purpose of having protools... its good but in my opinion but it costs more.

[Blode]

Firestudio, Dynaudio BM5A + Upgraded Cubase + monster pc + all the software I already use..

I looked into a LOAD of interfaces before settling on the presonus. It seems pretty stable.. Keep me going for a while at least.

I'll manage. Masters I'll end up doing at home anyway.. It IS possible to shift sessions between DAWs, but it's just a pain in the ***. oh well.. Hopefully it works out for the best :)

[Motleyguy]

One point I'd like to add. For ease of moving sessions back and forth, not only to school, but also other studios, Pro Tools may be a good option. I know the majority of major studios use Pro Tools as their DAW, if not their main recording program. Just thought I'd add that, but if you really dislike the interface, you'll manage with Cubase.

[Moseph]

Firestudio, Dynaudio BM5A + Upgraded Cubase + monster pc + all the software I already use..

I looked into a LOAD of interfaces before settling on the presonus. It seems pretty stable.. Keep me going for a while at least.

I'll manage. Masters I'll end up doing at home anyway.. It IS possible to shift sessions between DAWs, but it's just a pain in the ***. oh well.. Hopefully it works out for the best :)

Here's the thing: Media programs didn't just develop this year. And it was only recently that Pro Tools became available at a price college students could afford. Meaning they didn't have it at home to work with.

I would bet good money that the school has some sort of system to make sure you have a decent amount of lab access to work on your projects. So you're probably worrying over relatively small details.

The real question should be, which is more important: having compatibility with other studios, or using the system that you've already determined is the best option for you?

[Blode]

Here's the thing: Media programs didn't just develop this year. And it was only recently that Pro Tools became available at a price college students could afford. Meaning they didn't have it at home to work with.

I would bet good money that the school has some sort of system to make sure you have a decent amount of lab access to work on your projects. So you're probably worrying over relatively small details.

The real question should be, which is more important: having compatibility with other studios, or using the system that you've already determined is the best option for you?


I have unlimited, 24/7 access to the computer studios and recording facilities at my Campus.

One of the reasons, other than not liking the software (and OS) are the fact that I'm seriously morally disinclined to purchase a digidesign or Apple product, based on the feelings I have about the way they run their companies (microsoft aren't any better, but I don't endorse them either.)

I've been using my software for quite a while and the idea of having to purchase something that in my opinion isn't worth the slice of the market in owns, simply because it's an industry standard - it really doesn't appeal to me. I'd rather learn to use TWO digital audio workstations than have to hand my own money over to digidesign.

[Moseph]

I have unlimited, 24/7 access to the computer studios and recording facilities at my Campus.

Does your school have one computer lab and one recording studio for every student in the program with access? If not, do you have the authority to remove other users from the facility you need? If not, then that's something to think about it.

One of the reasons, other than not liking the software (and OS) are the fact that I'm seriously morally disinclined to purchase a digidesign or Apple product, based on the feelings I have about the way they run their companies (microsoft aren't any better, but I don't endorse them either.)

I've been using my software for quite a while and the idea of having to purchase something that in my opinion isn't worth the slice of the market in owns, simply because it's an industry standard - it really doesn't appeal to me. I'd rather learn to use TWO digital audio workstations than have to hand my own money over to digidesign.

Sounds to me that you've already made your decision.

[The Chemist]

Skip the Firestudio.

If you have the money for Dynaudios, Buy some KRK V8s or Tannoys and get an RME Fireface 800.

[Seafroggys]

Meh, I love my Firestudio :D

[Moseph]

Skip the Firestudio.

If you have the money for Dynaudios, Buy some KRK V8s or Tannoys and get an RME Fireface 800.

Meh, I love my Firestudio :D

Just to chime in on this: I think everything listed here is a good product.

However, I disagree with the Chemist. I think you're much more apt to notice the difference in monitors than the difference in converters. I also think that investing more up front in monitoring will have a greater benefit on your work, especially in the short term, but also down the road.

[Blode]

Does your school have one computer lab and one recording studio for every student in the program with access? If not, do you have the authority to remove other users from the facility you need? If not, then that's something to think about it.

There are about 10 computer labs on my campus. each have about 20 eMacs in them. Swipe card entry at any time of the day.

I can't kick people out of classes, but seeing as there's barely a two figure number of sound design students currently attending, I don't really need to.

If you have the money for Dynaudios, Buy some KRK V8s or Tannoys and get an RME Fireface 800

I need more I/O than that. Also, I don't like KRK monitors and the only Tannoys I'd buy would require that I purchase a poweramp. What's the deal with the fireface series anyway, is their D/A REALLY worth the money?

[The Chemist]

Wait, 53 Channels I/O isn't enough?

Wow. Just wow.

Yes, their A/D is that good. I use RME ADI-4 A/D-D/A converters at work. So clean and crisp (the good kind of crisp), with lots of headroom and no smear.

[Moseph]

Wait, 53 Channels I/O isn't enough?

That's for a daisy-chained setup.

A single RME Fireface 800 has a max of 10 analog ins, 2 channels of S/PDIF, and 16 channels of ADAT Lightpipe (at lower sampling rates). If you actually add all that up, you get 28 inputs, not 53.

Regardless, the unit itself only has 4 preamps, which is likely what he's actually most concerned with.

For those who are interested, there is a certain subversive gag among audio folks that only the most genuinely tech-obsessed nerds will worry about the specs of their converters before they worry about the mics or the monitors.

[The Chemist]

I never said that.

I Value the quality of ALL my gear. I think people overlook good A/D in favour of massive mic collections, speakers more powerful and expensive then they need, brands, etc.

But, Mos, don't forget that he's looking for a Home Studio Set-up. Most Home Studios need pre-amps. That's why I suggested the FF800. I also would have continued to tell him to get some pre-amps. I'd go for 2 2-channel units, like the ART TPSII, which I own and use regularly, and 2 channels of solid-state pres. With the 4 on the box, 2 Tube and 2 Solid-State, he'd have a massive tonal spread to work in. I also suggested the FF800 for the ability to expand. Word Clock, Daisey Chaining, etc. where all considerations.

[Moseph]

I never said that.

... I think people overlook good A/D in favour of massive mic collections, speakers more powerful and expensive then they need, brands, etc.


Maybe, but go back and re-read your posts. What you basically said was "don't spend so much on monitors, and don't get this thing with 8 preamps: use the money you save on monitors to instead get this thing with less preamps but better converters." Also, the BM5a's are by no means "overpowered" in terms of output. With that particular model, the money was spent on frequency response, not high-volume output.

I'm not saying you're wrong. The FF800 is a great product for the very reasons you suggested it. What I am saying is that RME is focused more toward the pro-market rather than the home market. This is very much in-line with your thought process, since you would be advising that he goes on to spend another $350-500 on preamps. That's above and beyond the savings of investing in less expensive monitors.

More to the point, I'm advocating that the home user should aim for getting something "very solid" that has the right features, rather than something that's "the best" but maybe requires a lot of extra money to be spent to make up for feature mismatch.

For anyone who's curious, when I think about buying stuff for my home studio, I first try to find products that are "adequate" to "good" in all areas. Then I emphasize the features/signal chain in this order:

Mics
Monitors
I/O options (more is better)
Mic Pres (including number)
Converters
Size/weight/heat
Cables


One more thing, if you do a little bit of reading, you'll find that the Firestudio is every bit as expandable as the FF800.

[The Chemist]

I suppose so.

Ah well, that's why it's good tohave varied opinion.

But don't forget, the Studio has driver issues. It's a well known fact. Check any engineering forum, and you'll see where Pre-Sonus lacks driver support, wheras RME has excellent driver support, and they update almost every week.

You have a point about money. I'm thinking from the more pro perspective. That's my main downfall. I'm used to talking to professionals, so all my suggestions are geared towards professionals.

TS, another good box is the Mackie Onyx 800. Pricier than the PreSonus, but, IMHO, the preamps are way cleaner, but the A/D is on par with the PreSonus box.

Some good companies to look at are:

PreSonus
Tascam
Mark of the Unicorn
RME
Mackie
E-Mu
TC Electronics

Mos, add some to the list if you could.

[Moseph]

I wouldn't put much faith in the consensus on an Internet message board about a product being unstable. Many message forums are directed to support guidance amongst users, so by their very nature they will tend to generate a lot of problematic responses.

In addition to those brands, there's also Lynx (high-end) and M-Audio (low-mid end). Focusrite also started making their Saffire line of recording interfaces. If you're in the right place at the right time, you'll occasionally see Aardvark, which even though the company has been gone for a number of years, the products are still doing quite well based on accounts I've heard from users (some are even on Vista).

In the interest of full-disclosure, I'm intending to purchase either a Firestudio or a Saffire Pro within the next 2 years or so. Therefore my opinion may have that sort of bias. However, the natural selection in this department is incredibly fast-acting. Tascam in particular has been hosed numerous times in the last couple of years (FW Series, US-2400) based on what is essentially price/feature comparisons and negative word-of-mouth. In my opinion, whatever isn't eliminated from the market within about 8 months is a solid product.

[Seafroggys]

Yeah the Firestudio has lightpipes in. You could buy, say, a Digimax FS to add another 8 channels, or even a second one (at the cost of being limited to 48 khz recordings). 24 ain't too bad for being around $2000.