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I Need better sound quality than my Firepod. Its just not going to cut it anymore. I was looking at a MOTU 8 pre and maybe a 896 HD if I could swing the cash.

Would you recommend these? I Wish I had the cash for apogee Gear, but cant afford it. I am slowly going for better quality, while my Home studio turns more into a real business.

I figure I have some OK mics. Not great, but OK. And the cash should be put into the converter and preamps... right?

I am Running DP 5.1 on a G4 duel 1.8 with 2 GB Ram. Added a SATA card as well. Its maxed out.

So what do you think?

Also as a note. What is you opinions of these:

BBE 882 or Kosmos V2 or Apex 204

Thanks in advance for you input.

what mics are you using?

based on the price, i can't imagine the motu 8pre sounding that much better than the firepod.

the firepod can handle line in as well as mic in right?

i'd suggest investing in standalone preamps. maybe an RNP or a hamptone.. or if you really want to splurge, a Sytek MPX-4Aii.

i recently switched from a tascam fw-1884 as my main interface to two presonus fireboxes with the sytek preamps, and my recordings sound a lot better.

I use a MOTU 896HD with a Sytek 4-channel mic-pre. It sounds great to my ears. The Motu mic pres are alright for most condenser mics- however, I like using the Sytek with ribbons and most dynamics.

We have a Presonus Firebox/Pod something or other at work, and rest assured the MOTU is an upgrade.

I have:

1 Rode NT1
2 AKG perception 200's
1 AKG CS1000
Blue Kick Ball
4 Joe Meek JM27
2 EV re 19
2 EV re 16
2 EV 664
1 SM57
1 SM58

A bunch of Astatic carbon mics and other no name POS mics.

G4 Duel 1.8 2 GB ram
Digital Performer 5.1
Presonus Firepod
Alesis Ra 100 Amp
2 JBL 4311 monitors.


Basically I want to start upgrading.... Where would you put your next grand if you were me?

And.... how much is too much for a used sytek 4aii pre? There is one on ebay right now....

sonicdeath wrote:I have:

1 Rode NT1
2 AKG perception 200's
1 AKG CS1000
Blue Kick Ball
4 Joe Meek JM27
2 EV re 19
2 EV re 16
2 EV 664
1 SM57
1 SM58

A bunch of Astatic carbon mics and other no name POS mics.

G4 Duel 1.8 2 GB ram
Digital Performer 5.1
Presonus Firepod
Alesis Ra 100 Amp
2 JBL 4311 monitors.


Basically I want to start upgrading.... Where would you put your next grand if you were me?

Perhaps a ribbon mic or two? an AKG D112 or RE 20 instead of the Blue Kick Ball? I mean, it might be a cool mic but I don't see it in other studios. I never heard it, but I'm not sure it's an awesome mic.
Beyer m201 instead of the SM58?

I'd spend the $1000 on making the room sound better.

Better room sound.... thats a given. i'm moving into a commercial space in March. I found a nice little spot to suit my budget... and I should make enough off of recording to pay for it and keep improving my gear.

One step at a time... I keep telling myself that.

Sorry, didn't mean to sound preachy with the bettering the room comment. It's where I would concentrate first, but...

Maybe somehow add to the inputs of your system. Does the presonus interface accept additional inputs via optical? I'm too lazy to look it up.

No It just has one SPDIF I/O...

This is why the 8 pre looked better. It has Optical I/O and would allow me to add a variety of units...

With the Firepod, one can add additional I/O via the one SPDIF or by adding up to two additional Firepods via daisy chaining...

The downside is that you can only daisy chain other Firepods...

On a side note....
I was not taking you as preachy... I may have come off wrong. I just wanted to inform you of my current status. I take everyones advice on here seriously... I will always keep an open mind and appreciate any input form anyone when it comes to my recording practices...

I realize help is something that no person has to give.. this is why I appreciate the actions and words of everyone on this forum...

Thanks.

i don't think the sonic maximizer is what you're after..

we have one at the studio at school (i'm not sure which model, but I'm pretty sure it's a BBE, and it's definitely not red) and it seems to sound ok when i run guitars through it, but i don't use it that much. i find it to be less useful than the aphex aural exciter unit we have, but i also find that to be somewhat circumstancial