[Swing]

I plan to use a new 12" PB for recording piano, violin, saxophone and seek opinions as to appropriate gear (other than the 12" PB). This is the first time I am recording direct to a computer, as opposed to using more 'old fashioned' media including at one point an odd arrangement of a RCA 44-BX to Telefunken V76M to Alesis ML9600.

Quality expectations are high, though the budget is not nearly as high as the mention of equipment indicated above may indicate.

Any recommendations for necessary equipment (mic, preamp &/or ADC etc.) in the following price ranges (I suppose recording w/only 1 mic for the moment is ok and portability is a priority):

1) to $500;
2) to $800;
3) to $1200;
4) to $2000.

Grazie!

[Bryson]

What about:
A small but decent mixer: eg:Spirit Notepad
And a reasonable condensor mic: eg: AKG C2000

You can add other mics etc later.

Dont forget some decent headphones to monitor the lot on: HD250s

[Mac+]

Hi Swing,

For a preamp/mixer/interface - look no further: MOTU Traveler (about $849 US street price I believe) + nice picture - too large to post inline here + Sound on Sound review

I noticed from another thread that you were also after a MIDI to USB adaptor ... well, this thing has a MIDI port in it as well, so you may be able to transfer it all via Firewire.

Btw - it is portable and should fit snugly underneath a PB.

Originally Posted by Swing Grazie!

é niente.

DISCLAIMER: I am just about to order one of these myself ... but, believe me, I have done a fair amount of research on this unit and it seems to fit my requirements (and maybe yours?) admirably.

[Mac+]

One more thing - you should also post your question on these forums too: OSX Audio.

Hope this helps.

[Swing]

Bryson & Mac+,

Thanks much. I'll check out the MOTU Traveler, Spirit Notepad, and AKG C2000.

The MOTU may be exactly what I seek. Does anyone know whether in the field it actually exhibits the spec'd 73dB gain, so as to allow use of ribbon mics? Also, do any PB users have word on the quality of its converters?

The AKG C2000 may also be on point. I'll check it out and/or search for something with even better lower level performance.

Grazie infinite!!!

[intlplby]

get Sennheiser HD595's instead.... much better choice, about $190 new if you shop around...... you can probably pick up a good used pair at www.head-fi.org