Recording to Powerbook

[ian lucero]

What are people using for this kind of set-up. My current set-up is Microphone --> MD --> Powerbook Line-in. Works fine BUT would like to make the "Line-in" part a digital connection. So maybe a Mic Pre that has USB or Firewire i/o.

The MD part of my set-up also records as a "backup" in case the powerbook crashes for some reason.

Any suggestions to better this set-up. For right now, because of $$, I'd like to stay away from getting another harddisc recorder.

Thanks

[ullanta]

For 2-channel recording I'd recommend a Digidesign Mbox; it has GREAT mic pres; capture to the powerbook and backup to MD from the Mbox's analog or digital outs.

There are a lot of other, and some cheaper, USB audio interfaces you could use... from M-Audio, Tascam, Edirol... but I'd recommend the Mbox.

Keep in mind that, with USB devices, if the computer crashes, everything "behind" the device may stop working... so output to a backup might be interrupted. So, you may want a mic pre, with output feeding both a computer interface and a backup device.

P.S.... the DVX100 makes a great recording/backup device if you can work with the cabling... you can record to the camera and backup through the line outs...

[ian lucero]

How good is the mic pres on the DVX? or did you mean go to the DVX after the mbox? Cabling might not be a problem. But then there's the event where you do a wedding. Then i guess i wouldn't use the DVX as backup but MD.

[ullanta]

How good is the mic pres on the DVX? or did you mean go to the DVX after the mbox? Cabling might not be a problem. But then there's the event where you do a wedding. Then i guess i wouldn't use the DVX as backup but MD.

Yes, I meant DVX after the Mbox... see my post in the recording devices poll (http://www.DVXuser.com/cgi-bin/DVX2/YaBB.pl?board=audio;action=display;num=1089055734) for some details and caveats...

[ian lucero]

Thanks again for that info. The Mbox might be the affordable way to go for me. Couple that with a new 12" PB and my audio recording is 1/2 way there. maybe. I'm still working on the research for microphones.

I was almost thinking of checking out the Mackie Onyx 1202 as it has firewire i/o. But that would be an extra $400 on top of the $500 for the mixer and it doesn't come with Pro Tools. The ProTools LE is kind of the selling point for me on the Mbox. I definitely could use something better than Sound Studio.

thanks again

[ullanta]

The Mackie can certainly handle more I/O than the Mbox, but I'm unfamiliar with it; and it's new (therefore, may need some "shaking out" of bugs)... if you want more channels and want to go to that price range, I'd suggest a Digi002 Rack if you want ProTools (or a full Digi002 if you want the control surface). If you want to use other software, tried and true solutions like the MOTU (828/896) units should be good; Tascam has a pretty cheap FireWire interface/control surface that looks promising, though I'd check reviews for software issues. Keep in mind that most firewire units need external power, while most USB (like the Mbox) don't.

So, I think the Mbox is a good starting point unless you anticipate a need to record more than 2 channels soon...

[ian lucero]

If I go the Mbox route I should be able to get away with 2 channels for now. At this point I only see the most microphones I would use are 2 lavs and shotgun or stereo. The Mbox/Powerbook can catch the lav set-up and the DVX can catch the stereo mic (used for ambient sounds) or shotgun for another sound thing happening (ie. musician at a wedding or some other detail).

One good thing is that I'll be taking a 'Sound for Video' class over at the local non-profit media places and also a 'Lighting for Video' class. So I look forward to learning the gear more that way too. I think I will wait to get the gear until after the classes have started so I have a sense of what I really need.

Thanks for all your help again

[Dave_Fisk]

Is this for location recording? If it is, I would advise against it, and would recommend a location recorder.

Dave

[fullcircle]

I also use an Mbox on my PB and if I require more I/O I just mix everything on a 1604 then feed the Mbox and ProTools (even though it's LE) makes it a steal for the power & versatility you'll get.

[ian lucero]

1202/1604 --> Mbox --> Powerbook was what i was thinking also in case of need for more channels. I can easily borrow a mixer from someone. As for it being a location shoot, I'm looking for something that can be good in both. I am compact. Have always been and don't want to weigh myself down. As far as amount of gear being the tell all of quality, I don't believe that has to be true. I'm not saying the person posting 2 above this post is saying that, but I'm just clarifying where i'm coming from as far as size of wealth and living quarters.

thanks

[ian lucero]

So the Audio Classes I signed up for had been cancelled. :-/ Due to low turnout. Hopefully the lighting class isn't the same way. So I'm loooking for a good book and a lot of practice and even more research as I won't be able to have hands-on with the gear before deciding what to buy for myself. Any suggestions where to go from here?

[ullanta]

One thing you may want to try is to sign up for some of the free classes floating around - Digidesign always seems to have some going. They usually don't cover recording too much, but you can try to talk them into lettingv you play with some mics. Maybe. At least, you can get a feel for the equipment.

Or, find some folks who're shooting near you and try to tag along as an observer or volunteer. Where're you located?

-Barry