Time to upgrade/reconfigure here...

[Bassomatic]

The wife and i are moving, selling the house, and will be renting a much smaller place for a spell while we figure out the next big move.

Downside: my studio will be tiny

Upside: I've been running a "downsized" version of my studio for a few weeks in preparation, and quite like the stealthier approach. Hell, i hadn't even turned on most of my outboard gear in months if not years.

More upside: I'll have the cash for a few tasty purchases. I want to replace my increasingly unattractive old MOTU 2408 Mk II with a kickass interface. Leaning toward Lynx, but not sure I "get" the lack of a breakout unit, hardware metering, etc. Feedback and advice would be appreciated. I think Scott, for one, is running Lynx.

Also looking at my options in a stereo pre, Vintech and Universal Audio units are both speaking to me right now, but I've yet to demo either. Thoughts?

Also looking for a lean, mean, SMALL compute workstation. Tips appreciated.

Whatever solution i go with for an interface, real-time/flexible monitoring is desirable so i can pack up my Mackie SR 24 (which has basically been an oversized monitoring station for years here).

Whatever i end up with, i'm looking forward to generating better audio in less space, and digging the challenge.

 

[flicker180]

ModEdit: Please refrain from posting business solicitations outside the Dealer's Emporium. E-mail or PM your proposals or solicitations to the intended receiver, please. --chiba

 

[Bassomatic]

(EDIT : my bad - i really meant workstation as in desk!)

Thanks, but i'm set for the moment. I may take the plunge later this year, in which case i'll drop a line.

Can you compete with Sweetwater's new DAWs?

(i'd only need the machine, as i'm fully loaded on the software front).

 

[tonefreak]

Vintech or Universal... how about both! They are both great units. Look into Avalon and Summit Audio as well!

 

[flicker180]

Originally posted by Bassomatic
(EDIT : my bad - i really meant workstation as in desk!)

Thanks, but i'm set for the moment. I may take the plunge later this year, in which case i'll drop a line.

Can you compete with Sweetwater's new DAWs?

(i'd only need the machine, as i'm fully loaded on the software front).

sweetwater's machines are ok....not terribly impressed by them and the pricing is a little insane.

dave

 

[flicker180]

LOL...i just took a look at sweetwater's site again and...wow, they are KILLING you on the price. (not only that, they've also somehow managed to mount the CPU cooling system wrong...you should NEVER pipe the CPU heat into the power supply...exhaust RIGHT out the back...

dumb, dumb...

ModEdit: Same as above, take it to e-mail or PM. --chiba

 

[Bassomatic]

Intriguing to say the least, dave.

I'll definitely give you a hout before i make a move in that department.

 

[flicker180]

Originally posted by Bassomatic
Intriguing to say the least, dave.

I'll definitely give you a hout before i make a move in that department.

bassomatic,

np, dude...I really do it for fun, so i can keep my margins slim. I've got 2 jobs that pay really, really, well and this enables me to utilize my distributor accounts for hooking people up.

LOL...

dave

 

[MichaelK]

>> I want to replace my increasingly unattractive old MOTU 2408 Mk II with a kickass interface.

I wish I could remember the brand splatt mentioned he likes so much... not M-Audio, but something like that. One that he said has terrific customer support and frequent driver updates. Arrggghhh, I hate getting old.

>> Also looking for a lean, mean, SMALL compute workstation. Tips appreciated.

My son has been using an iMac G-5 with his Digi 002 rig. Very quiet and a small footprint. I know you're not nuts about Macs, but it's one suggestion.

If you do consider a platform switch, you might want to look into Logic. For the kind of stuff you do it might be perfect.

 

[Bassomatic]

MK-

thought i clarified above? I need a table/desk type thingy for my computer and maybe a small midi keyboard and/or mixer - that kind of work station. As to Macs, i'm totally cool with them (less so their cultish acolytes), just fairly heavily vested in PC land at this point). Bigger question is the soundcard/interface and preamp.

As to Torn, i think Matte sed he's on Hammerfall, which i'm also investigating. Heard great things for years now.

 

[loudboy]

I know some people like the Vintech a lot, but the 1272 clone is VERY colored, and the main complaint I've heard is that it's more of a special purpose pre, not an all-rounder.

The UA is split about 70/30 towards folks who don't like/like them. Another "color" unit, they don't have a ton of headroom, and according to people I trust, their 1176 doesn't really have the same thing happening as the old ones.

I've got a Great River MP-1NV, and it's a very nice unit. The tonality changes as you drive it harder, so you can get a lot of sounds out of it. I've yet to hear from anyone who doesn't love it, which is why I bought it. Same w/the Distressor and the Royer R-121. I research HEAVILY before I buy, and try to just get stuff which best fulfills my recording needs and has as close to zero negative reviews.

I recently picked up a Great River MP-2H, which is along the lines of a Hardy or Millennia - God's honest truth on OH's and acoustic instruments. We also just got an API 3124+, which rocks on about everything you put through it.

Loudboy

 

[LSchefman]

I like loudboy's advice on the mic pre...going with just a few outboard pieces, you need the basics to be clean. On a personal note, I like the Focusrite Red and Blue pieces, which are perhaps a tiny bit more colored, but have tremendous built in flexibility if you get something like the ISA series.

I'm not moving yet...though my kids are now officially pretty much gone and I'm rattling around here in empty spaces...but I like the idea of going with something like the Grace summing buss, and ditching the console I have now. The only trouble is, I actually like its sound and flexibility, even though it's not truly needed.

 

[Bassomatic]

Thanks for the posts, guys. On the subject of clean vs. colored, how about the Milennia twin topology stuff? Never worked with it.

 

[MichaelK]

Originally posted by Bassomatic
MK-

thought i clarified above?

Yeah you did, but I didn't read it.

 

[MichaelK]

Originally posted by Bassomatic
On the subject of clean vs. colored, how about the Milennia twin topology stuff?

Great piece of kit, as the Brits say. I've only used it twice, once on grand piano, once on kick, so I'm ill equipped to comment on character vs. clean. It sounded great on both, but on everything...? Maybe. I messed a bit with the tube vs. SS and it seemed pretty versatile.

I'm also a big fan of API pres, but not their EQs so much. I would be happy tracking anything through API pres.

I'm also a Focusrite red fan; very clean pres, very nice compressors and EQs. XTC used a Focusrite red EQ when tracking Wasp Star, which I use as a reference disk... if that means anything.

It's so hard to comment meaningfully on something as subtle as preamp or EQ character. I feel so inarticulate... it just boils down to "me not like it as much for this drum, but me like it more for that horn..."

 

[gearitis]

Originally posted by MichaelK
>> I want to replace my increasingly unattractive old MOTU 2408 Mk II with a kickass interface.

I wish I could remember the brand splatt mentioned he likes so much... not M-Audio, but something like that. One that he said has terrific customer support and frequent driver updates. Arrggghhh, I hate getting old.

I've been looking into buying a new interface myself, and I recently read a bunch of old threads on the topic.

splatt recommended this one...

RME Fireface 800


Original Thread

 

[MichaelK]

Originally posted by gearitis
splatt recommended this one...

RME Fireface 800

Original Thread

That's the thread - thanks.