Roland Clan Forums

What would be a good addition to my small 'studio'.

I have a computer running ableton 5.03
us-122
bass guitar
electric guitar
fantom x8
microkorg
accustic guitar

I make mainly electronic music/ambient. I've got about 500 to spend on something new. I was considering a drum machine, sampler, monitor speakers or another synth (maybe a vintage one). What do you guys think?


__________________
Fantomx8

Hi google, I just added an Alesis SR-16 drum machine to my little home studio and I like it quite a bit. I also picked up two foot switches for the SR-16 so I can perform the on/off, tap-tempo, and A/B pattern switching functions with my left foot. I have the SR-16 connected to everything else (Fantom X8, personal computer, FM stereo, CD player, MP3 player, Yamaha PSR arranger keyboard, 2 vocal mic's.) thru my Alesis mixer.

As to a good addition for your studio, my recommendations include:

1) an Audio Mixer (Alesis, Mackie, Yamaha, Behringer, etc.) My favorite right now is the Alesis MultiMix 8USB shown below I know you mentioned that you have the TASCAM US-122 USB Audio/MIDI Interface, but a nice audio mixer is a must for most home studios.

2) a good pair of Studio Monitors (if you don't already have a good pair). Personally I've got a pair of Event TR5's that I like a lot. Bassman has a set of Event TR8's that he likes quite a lot.

3) an acoustic pickup for your acoustic guitar (I play my acoustic-electric guitar into my X8 and I love it)

4) Roland O.S. 2.0 Audio Upgrade (again, if you don't already have it)

Keep us posted as to what you purchase to cure your GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) attack!!!!

---------------------------
Learning to play like Sponge Bob !

haha GAS! I love it!

I need a drum machine so that is what I think i'm going to go with. An Electribe SX to be exact - I also need a standalone sampler. I want to use it as a pre-production tool so I can just sit down with it and work on the beginning of a song - then take it into the workshop.

How much does that alesis mixer go for? That looks pretty nice. Maybe it's next for my GAS


__________________
Fantomx8

$150.00 (U.S. dollars) at Musicians Friend or Sweetwater http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=630166

You can get $10.00 of that back from Sweetwater http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MultiMix8USB/

---------------------------
Learning to play like Sponge Bob !

wow thats a good price, definatley going to have to get one


__________________
Fantomx8

Amazingly clean, quiet, and versatile, I absolutely LOVE my Behringer Eurorack UB1202, and it was very nicely priced at $110 Canadian!! You will notice that it is very similar to the Alesis, only with a slightly thinner profile.

http://www.piaknow.com

I've got to make me one of those COOL clear expansion bay covers for my X8!!

---------------------------
Learning to play like Sponge Bob !

Hey Allan, you need to update your webpage with a new view of your Fantom with the clear expansion bay cover!!

And I'm glad you're not dancing around on your webpage anymore, it was kind of spooky seeing you moving around like that!!

---------------------------
Learning to play like Sponge Bob !

Allan, one more: How do you keep your mixer so clean looking? I must have 16 cables and 2 mic inputs dangling off of mine! It looks like a volcano erupting! (and don't even look behind my computer, my wife thinks all those cables are a fire hazard!)

---------------------------
Learning to play like Sponge Bob !

Hey Still!

This is in my crawl space!



I don't dance anymore, but I kept the nice white socks!!

By the way, the tranparent cover is a piece of Lexan plastic I easily cut with a scroll saw. I then used the original cover as a template to position the screw holes. Lights are on the way!! :>)

http://www.piaknow.com

Do you use the USB interface on the Alesis mixer? I recommended that for a friend a few months ago as a nice budget mixer/interface also and noticed it has some noise/hum on the usb inputs/outputs going to Cubase.

Aside from just the mixer/drivers I was thinking maybe it was just his usb ports (new dell pc however) and was going to try a usb PCIe card or other.

hi-tech, I presently own the Alesis MultiMix 6FX (the non-USB version) shown here: I don't have and experience/knowledge on the digital audio signal quality on Alesis mixers, sorry. anyone else notice noise/hum on the USB ins/outs of their Alesis mixers?

---------------------------
Learning to play like Sponge Bob !

Oh sorry! didnt realize it was the non usb version.

i've not heard good stuff about the behringer mixers generally. Most opinions i had talked me out of it.. reliability i think it was. But they are bargainous. I have a Soundcraft Compact 4. it's not got many INs but it is a lovely little mixer. V quiet indeed. the compact 10 is the more logical choice but it's more money. Don't be fooled into going for a mixer with built in FX IMO unless you're spending a whole lot more.

just my two pennies..

Regards,
Rob
-------------------------------
http://www.lotb.co.uk
Motif ES8
Roland F(***ing) X(cellent) R(ack)
Roland MVS-1 (Vintage Synth Rack)