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DMB_fan_87 · Unread post by **DMB_fan_87** » Mon Jan 13, 2003 1:13 am

lets see....i need some type of interface for my computer for recording....right now i have a computer mic right into my sound card but the quality sucks ass.....something kinda like the tascam us-428 except larger....preferably USB or i suppose another PCI card or sumthin to plug in...any ideas would be greatly appreciated...thanks

Brock · Unread post by **Brock** » Mon Jan 13, 2003 1:26 am

if you've got the dinero, go for the mbox:
http://www.digidesign.com/index.cfm?body=/products/mbox

ticohans · Unread post by **ticohans** » Mon Jan 13, 2003 1:28 am

most definitely go for the mbox. you'll still need a mic, too. but the mbox gives you a top notch portable interface that also comes with the best recording software in the business.

Brock · Unread post by **Brock** » Mon Jan 13, 2003 1:34 am

tico knows the power of the mbox...

Xoosh · Unread post by **Xoosh** » Mon Jan 13, 2003 10:02 am

explain this mysterious mbox

KevinGTArch · Unread post by **KevinGTArch** » Mon Jan 13, 2003 10:15 am

As cool as the mbox seems at first glance the price is a major bummer...unless the actual street price varies considerably from the suggested retail price. The other thing that would bug me is it only has two tracks.

Last summer I bought a Sound Blaster Extigy (100db S/N ratio) which has several different connection types. When Mars was going out of business last fall I managed to get my hands on a Behringer Eurorack (MX602A) which serves as a 4 track mixer which I input into my Sound Blaster. I also picked up a couple of Shure microphones and stands that were on sale. All of this ends up being recorded on to my computer in multiple tracks using Cakewalk and sometimes Cool Edit. The equipment all together only cost me around $250 and of course the software is always compliments of Kazaa.

My setup isn't quite as glamorous as the mbox (which I also wouldn't mind owning) but I figure it's a less expensive alternative.

Kev

ticohans · Unread post by **ticohans** » Mon Jan 13, 2003 10:26 am

Mbox only lets you record two channels at a time, but it's hardly restricted to two tracks. I think there are 32 tracks in total, along with more midi tracks than you can shake a stick at. And all are recorded at in a wonderful 24-bit stereo. The box comes with two built in Focusrite mic preamps (focusrites are top notch). It is USB powered, which is terribly convenient, and wonderfully portable. It totally bypasses your soundcard, which, unless you have like a $300 one, is a blessing. If you've got a good mic, it's a top notch recording studio that you can take on the road, which is exactly what I'll be doing once I get the cash for a laptop and the box. The box also comes with the bar-none BEST recording software out there, ProTools. It's the undisputed industry leader basically. The version you recieve with the mbox is somewhat watered down, in that you can only do the 32 tracks, as opposed to as many tracks as your computer can handle. All I know is that I'm not going to need more than 32 non-midi tracks any time soon. The mbox is a beautiful, gorgeous thing. It isn't as cheap as Kevin's setup, but I'd take the mbox any day of the week, as you get a better recording interface, better software, and total portability.

Brock · Unread post by **Brock** » Mon Jan 13, 2003 6:14 pm

Tico's right on the money here. The person who referred me to the mbox is a music major and works in a recording studio in Nashville. I told him of my intentions to buy a Sound Blaster Audigy, and he said not to. The mbox, while a little expensive, gives you 100% professional-quality sound with 32 non-midi tracks (in ProTools LE, the editing software package that comes with it). In case you aren't familiar with ProTools, it is manufactured by Digidesign (a subsidiary of Avid, which is the world leader in video production on Macs). The person who told me about the mbox also told me that about 97% of the CD's you listen to are recorded using and/or mixed with ProTools. The ability to use that kind of high-quality shit on MY computer is what attracted me to the mbox.

Eh, just my $0.02

DMB_fan_87 · Unread post by **DMB_fan_87** » Mon Jan 13, 2003 7:27 pm

i need the ability to record drums with my interface.....at least 5 mics....is the mbox goin to give me the capability to do that....via a mixer plugged into it perhaps?

firedancer86 · Unread post by **firedancer86** » Mon Jan 13, 2003 7:46 pm

Boss BR-8

$750 and not on your computer, but with this you can record up to 64 tracks (8 stacked). It is what I have, and while it functions withought a computer, you can take it anywhere. Unlimites effect editing with a real easy interface. I can record 2 tracks at a time, but you can put whatever instrument with it...buy a mic, (sure58 or somthing like it) and you can record both playing and singing...run synth or piano through it and have THE BEST quality. It goes onto a "zip disk" and then into your cpu (buy a zip drive)...from zip to MP3, further edititing can be done via another sound editing program, but mixers, scrubs, tap tempo on any kind of basic drums (any time sig)...worth the money!!!

Midi, stereo surround, EVERYTHING IS IN THIS!!!

You can listen to some of the MP3s i have put up to here some of the sound qaulity and effects it has...

worth a though...

DMB_fan_87 · Unread post by **DMB_fan_87** » Mon Jan 13, 2003 8:01 pm

but would the mbox do wut i needed?--give me the capability to record 5-6 mics at the same time into multiple or i suppose one single track?

Brock · Unread post by **Brock** » Mon Jan 13, 2003 8:07 pm

DMB_fan_87 wrote:i need the ability to record drums with my interface.....at least 5 mics....is the mbox goin to give me the capability to do that....via a mixer plugged into it perhaps?

You probably could with a mixer. Depending on how good the mixer is, who knows whether you will lose quality or not. Also, since the mixer would put it all on one input, your recording would be all one track. The Boss doesn't allow you to record more than 2 tracks at a time either, so it doesn't solve this problem either.

DMB_fan_87 · Unread post by **DMB_fan_87** » Mon Jan 13, 2003 8:15 pm

thanks.....and is the pro tools LE software any good?

ticohans · Unread post by **ticohans** » Mon Jan 13, 2003 8:16 pm

Yeah, neither the mbox nor the thing that firedancer mentions will do the trick, unless you use a lot of y cables and work the mikes into a single track. Or as Bill mentions, a mixer would do the trick. In order to do 5 tracks at a time, that will require some pretty serious investment. I'm sure there are all-in-one digital recording hardware things that let you do that, but you'll be paying a pretty penny for them.

And yes, the ProTools LE software is VERY good.

Brock · Unread post by **Brock** » Mon Jan 13, 2003 8:18 pm

ticohans wrote:And yes, the ProTools LE software is VERY good.

Best in the business. Period.

DMBTabs.com

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