Let's talk (budget) home recording setups!

[DSOP]

http://mixonline.com/recording/applicat ... ing_drums/

[Rhythmatist]

A really nice budget overhead is the AKG Perception 170...When I got mine new they were around 180 ea...you can get 'em new at Sweetwater for 99 bucks. I use them live and I tried them on a couple recordings and they reproduce quite faithfully.

[Morgenthaler]

For cheap desktop speakers I recommend the Audioengine A2s which are simply stunning as far a low budget
desktop speakers go. They go for $200 a pair. They are probably the best buy I've done in 5 years. I've had them for
a year now, and I still absolutely love them.

[Steve Holmes]

That fast track ultra has 6 inputs but only 4 have pre-amps. Can you plug mics into non pre-amp inputs?
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/P ... Ultra.html

[Josiah]

Unfortunately not, both condenser and dynamic mics require some kind of pre-amplification.

The 2 channels without them are probably design to be used for instrument level line, IE Guitar/Bass DI

[DSOP]

The simplicity of this unit is ideal for drummers (and great for recording live shows and capturing the whole band). I kid you not. Recorded tracks can be exported for further tweaking, but the internal control is great too.

[Josiah]

That unit is well over $1,000 on it's own. The idea is a full recording setup, mics, cables, stands for UNDER $1,000.

Mic stands and cables will prob be $100 on their own if you buy the cheapest. Double that for quality gear.

[Steve Holmes]

I'm kinda bummed there's only 4 mic inputs on that thing, having 8 would be sweet. I would have fun geeking out and tweaking tom sounds I think.
Hmmmmm....

[DSOP]

That unit is well over $1,000 on it's own.

Tons of used ones in great condition are available for $500 to $600. I may buy another one as a backup. I was hoping that a newer version would turn up, but it looks like the days of the dedicated recording workstation with 8 XLR inputs may be numbered. I'm hoping to see something new turn up at NAMM.

[Josiah]

It's because stand alone units just can't touch what a digital recording interface and a computer can do. Stand alone units will probably cease to be made shortly. The number of units manufactured now has dropped pretty significantly as is.

Ah ha.. never looked at USB interfaces.


http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i- ... dium=feed&

You could always get a plain old powered mixer and just run your L/R to your laptop. You wouldn't have the advantage of recording each track individually, but it would be cheaper.