$2200 for protools/xp rig. what do i get?

[Vomitorator]

I have around $2200 to spend. I'm going to build a studio in my basement. Nothing mega expensive just yet. I have a high powered xp computer that i'm building for PTle. I'm building a room with alot of sound proofing etc. I already have a nice condensor, an sm57, an audix i5 and a bunch of other mics. Leave that all out of the equation. I need to know what should, for this money, put between my music and the computer. I looked at the digi 003 but i heard the preamps were bad. I need a mixer also. If i bought a fire-pod/studio, how would that work in conjuntion with a mixer to control the faders in pt? Could i even get something like that? i dont think i really need the mixer to have auto fader, though it would be nice. I need at least 6-8 xlr ins because i will be micing drums. is there anything else i need?

[brandondrury]

I looked at the digi 003 but i heard the preamps were bad.

I'd be SHOCKED SHOCKED SHOCKED if you thought he preamps in the Digi 003 were bad. Cheap preamps don't add much to the signal, but they seldom take anything away. You need to be very careful when listening to guys with $500k in gear when your budget is only 4% of what their budget is.

Take a listen to the preamp shootouts in my Member's Only Guides section. See what you think.

i bought a fire-pod/studio, how would that work in conjuntion with a mixer to control the faders in pt?

I own a Presonus Firestudio. It is not a control surface and therefore all fader controls would have to be done with a mouse. You need to make sure that you can actually use a Firepod or Firestudio with Pro Tools. I've heard mixed messages about this one, but since I'm not a Pro Tools user I can't confirm one way or another.

Brandon

[Vomitorator]

cool, thanks for the info.

[ferguson66]

Originally Posted by brandondrury

You need to make sure that you can actually use a Firepod or Firestudio with Pro Tools. I've heard mixed messages about this one, but since I'm not a Pro Tools user I can't confirm one way or another.

Brandon

The Firepod and Firestudio do not work with Pro Tools either directly or indirectly in my experience. Pro Tools LE will definitely not work directly with these, have to be running Digidesign hardware like the 003.

I tried hooking up the Firestudio through ADAT to my 003 rack for the extra preamps and it did not work at all. I ended up adding the Presonus Digimax FS to my 003 to get the extra 8 preamps I needed.

As far as the quality of the preamps, I really couldn't say. I have pretty much been using the Digimax preamps on all of my recordings and I don't have enough experience to say if they are good, great or terrible. I just know I'm satisfied with the recordings I am doing.

[ferguson66]

Originally Posted by Vomitorator

I need at least 6-8 xlr ins because i will be micing drums. is there anything else i need?

I bought the 003 and the Presonus Digimax specifically to have enough inputs to record my drums. I am sure there are cheaper ways to go but I am very happy with the set-up. I also learned very quickly it isn't really about the gear but how you mic, how you play the drums, the room, etc.

After a year of messing around I think I am starting to get the feel of getting better recordings. But I also feel that I will be learning new things and getting better at it for the rest of my life. There are just so many variables that you just have to have experience to keep getting better.