Upgrading studio equipment...any suggestions?

Hello all, I'm getting ready to upgrade a lot of my studio equipment, as I've been working with small interfaces (Like the Lexicon Lambda) and the progressive versions of Music Creator for the longest time. They've been great for acoustic stuff and for demos, but it's long been time to get serious. So, I've upgraded to Sonar X2 (Essential), along with a new desktop computer and a new Laptop computer. However, only having 2 mic inputs on the Lambda is severely limiting, for obvious reasons, as I'm moving beyond the acoustic stuff and am going to be working on a full hard rock album this summer (obviously creating the need to be able to properly mic a drum kit). I was wondering what USB interfaces (with multiple phantom powered mic inputs) you guys run that are Windows/Sonar compatible that you haven't run into many issues with? Obviously, the go-to option here seems to be the Tascam US-1800, based on available simultaneous inputs combined with a really low price. I've seen some pretty good reviews, but I have also seen some horror stories from multiple people about the unit abruptly no longer working, and TASCAM customer service doesn't seem to be very good. I try to take really bad reviews with a grain of salt, considering that sometimes people simply don't know what they're doing and don't belong anywhere near a recording interface, but meh. Any thoughts around here? Also, looking at maybe trying some different monitors (currently using a couple of older NS-10s that are starting to get pretty beat up), what do you guys use? I appreciate the time guys, thanks. Matthew

Congradulations.  You don't say how much you have to spend, so with that in mind...  You don't need a large in/out system for drums unless you have a lot of money to throw at the problem.  1st, room - you ideally need a high ceiling and treated room.  If you don't have those, your drums will most likely not sound great.  I can get a pretty good sound even tho I have a 9 foot ceiling, but I do it w/ 3 mics.  Two Oktava's SDCs for overheads and an old crown pzm equidistance on a wood floor.  A good drummer can sound good.  A thrasher, not so well.  There is the John Glyn's method, using 3 mics.  If you plan on using individual mics on all the drums, that adds up.  Just not in mic/preamp/convertor costs, but in headaches.  Set up (unless you leave the drums/mics set up all the time), moving the mics for the best capture, phase issues, etc.  If you plan on using a grab back of cheap mics you are probably not going to sound like John Bonham - unless you have John Bonham ... and Gynn Johns.  A few well-placed mics will probably work better since there is less chance of things going wrong.

And even an 8 input interface ain't going to have enough ins to individual mic.  You need something like the TC Konneck 48 or an interface w/ ADAT that you can add 8 channels or more (beheringer makes a good and cheap 8 channel in/out).

As far as what interface runs well - that has more to do w/ your system than the interface.  Most USB interfaces work well w/ most computers, so it is important to be able to return an interface and pick your 2nd choice if it ain't your lucky day.  The Focusrite seem to work for most people on this forum, along w/ the Cake Roland line.  I don't know about tascam's stuff, although some "mixer-like"  interfaces only provide stereo into the computer.  You have to be wary about "reviews" since the only time I've bothered to post stuff on hardware is when it doesn't work.  When it does, I don't take the time to post about how easy it was to get working.

As far as monitors, the NS 10s are a classic for a reason.  You probably do want to add a second,  bigger consumer rig w/ to check the bass.  But to replace them w/ something of similiar quality will cost big dinero.  As far as beat up - I'm still using the big brothers to the ns 10 and I bought them 35 years ago.  They still work, and well. 

before you start throwing money around sit down and think about what you want to do and record, read, think, take opinions w/ a grain of salt before you start spending.  A good interface is probably the best place to start.  8 ins/outs and preamps will get you started and you can build upon that.  A lynx or RME interface would be nice if you can swing it and add to it as you go along.

@

For a good value, check out the OCTA Capture... has 8 mic pre's and you can find an in depth review by our own Craig Anderton (search the internet).

Monitors are important but the space you mix in is even more important... no sense in getting big buck monitors for an badly tuned room.

Jim

+1 for the RME UFX.  I went through alot of nearfield comparisons when upgrading my old set - I really liked the Adam A7x's for the money, but as others have said above - ensuring your room is tuned / treated is something to seriously consider before spending money on new monitors.

Easy....buy this!
 
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