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bom
member

Joined: 29/07/04
Posts: 40

Upgrading System - Advice appreciated
#78391 - 24/01/05 09:50 PM

Hi. I recorded an album with a Soundtracs Topaz 24-8-2 desk and an M-audio delta 1010LT. I wasn't crazy about the sound from it. The drums sounded massive in the room but became very small when recorded. (As if everything was miked 3 feet away). Someone I spoke to put it down to my desk not being very good. We are beginning recording again and I would like to upgrade my setup. The Onyx looked great with the firewire card but is it true that i have no outputs to send a channel from my DAW to an external effects unit. From what I gather the E.Q's are also not in operation when working with the firewire card? Does anyone have any other opinions on good desks and cards that would give me 16ins and some outs? Any help appreciated

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Chris Poulter
new member

Joined: 10/01/04
Posts: 380
Loc: Petersfield

Re: Upgrading System - Advice appreciated new

[Re: bom]
#78434 - 24/01/05 11:10 PM

Quote:

Someone I spoke to put it down to my desk not being very good

I'd say this is unlikely, as the Topaz is probably one of the better Project level 24 channel desks. The mic preamps on the desk will have the most influence on the sound, and I've always found Soundtracs preamps to be fairly impressive for the price bracket, pretty quiet too.

You mention the drums sounding small, in my opinion (although it sounds obvious!) its much more likely to be mic technique. I hope it doesnt sound patronising, but I'd say 75% of a drum sound is down to good mic technique and suitable microphones, with preamps and converters also playing a part. That is assuming of course that like you say, the drums sound good in the room! Having a good drum kit, a good room and most importantly a good drummer will make more difference to the sound that anything us engineers do!

It could be that you feel unhappy with the sound from your Delta1010's A/D and D/A converters. I'm not familiar with the Delta but I assume they are fairly standard consumer convertors. Maybe a good solution for you would be the MOTU 24I/O, although not comparible with some of the more expensive convertors (Apogee etc), I've always felt they offered an excellent balance between performance and value for money. Keeping the Topaz (Honestly theres nothing wrong with it!) would allow you to mix 24 channels from your PC at a time, and to record up to 24 sources.

Regards,

Chris

--------------------
Freelance Producer / Engineer | www.hernestudios.co.uk | FREE Listening sessions - see www.thelisteninggroup.org

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Doublehelix

Joined: 04/12/02
Posts: 4162
Loc: USA

Re: Upgrading System - Advice appreciated new

[Re: Chris Poulter]
#78460 - 24/01/05 11:58 PM

I agree with Chris on most of his comments.

I also own a Topaz Project 8 (32:8), and it should be fine. I also have some high-end outboard pres that I use, especially for the kick, snare and OHs, but the Topaz is perfectly sufficient.

Mic placement is huge as Chris mentions. I spend lots of time on getting the mics set right for each session. Good drum heads and tuning is absolutely essential. I make sure that everything sounds good going to tape, not just in the room. I do several test takes and then listen back critically and mke changes as appropriate. If things sound good in the room, you should be able to capture it tape as well, but remember that the sound you hear in the room is not necesarily the sound that is going to tape.

Best of luck!

--------------------
James
"Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake" ~Napoleon Bonaparte~

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bom
member

Joined: 29/07/04
Posts: 40

Re: Upgrading System - Advice appreciated new

[Re: bom]
#78709 - 25/01/05 02:14 PM

Thanks for the advice guys,
I may look into the MOTU. Did spend a lot of time with mike techniques. Using Rode stereo pair as overheads and 57's and AKG's as close miking. Maybe the convertors are letting me down. Either way I need the flexibility of getting more inputs into my computer. Thanks for your help

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Ricky Chilcott
new member

Joined: 11/11/03
Posts: 69
Loc: Ohio, USA

Re: Upgrading System - Advice appreciated new

[Re: bom]
#78800 - 25/01/05 04:43 PM

Just a comment. My drum teacher back home uses 2 Delta 1010's to record his bands. I'm not saying the the drum sound is phenominal, but it is damn good. It's all down to experimentation. Spend 10 hrs messing around with mics, instead of $2k in gear to get a good sound

~Ricky

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