Re: OT Portable Recording Studio Purchasing Advice Sought

[andy butler <akbutler@tiscali.co.uk>]

Rick Walker wrote:
> Hi everyone,    Rick Walker here.
> 
> Happy New Years to you all!
> 
> I have a production client right now who wants to invest in a really good
> traveling recording studio.

ok, so they're not using it for live audio.

That removes the worries about latency.

> 
> He wants to be able to record on both Windows and Mac OSX
> 
> Right now we are deciding  about the purchase of items for a suitcase 
> recording studio
> that is really high quality  and
> I wondered if anyone can advise me on what to advise him.

Don't get more channels than you need.

As the mic requirement seems to be *one* then likely 
a 2 channel device will cover it.

> 
> Firstly,    We are looking at the RME Firewire 400 and the 800
> *1st Question:     Do you think the RME firewire 800 is too bulky for 
> international travel.

the Fireface UC would also be suitable,
it's USB2

> 
> 2nd Question:    Is there another firewire (or USB2)  breakout box that 
> you particularly
> like as an alternative?   Anything less expensive than the RME that is 
> comparable in quality?

I haven't checked out RME, so can't offer a comparison.

Focusrite stuff is worth checking out though.
Sound quality is great, and price is much less
than the RME (in Europe at least).

> *
> 
> His HP Pavillion DV5000 laptop doesn't have a Firewire interface but
> there is a firewire card that he and purchase for to connect this.
> 
> *3rd Question:   Is there any down size to using a firewire interface 
> for this particular computer?

no, possibly with the card though.
Check for compatibility.

http://www.rme-audio.de/en_support_techinfo.php

> 
> ********
> ********
> *Next,  we are looking at getting a pencil condenser microphone that 
> would be the equivalent
> of the Neumann KM184  or the KM150.
> 
> These are very pricey mics.  

the KM150 is part of a modular system, that's extra cost if you just
need a cardioid.

KM184 looks like very good value for money!
Neumann are claiming an uncoloured frequency response.  
That means no attempt to flatter the sound.
hmmm...if I had to buy "just one mic" that would be 
a strong contender at the price.


It's actually impossible to know whether that's the right 
mic for your client without info on the instruments likely to
be recorded, and the type of music,
...but if they really want *that* sound, something cheaper isn't
going to be worthwhile.



  
> *4th Question:  Are there any screaming deals in high quality pencil 
> condenser microphones
> that you know of that are not so pricey?     *I know that there are now 
> a plethora of good quality
> condensers on the market including a lot of really inexpensive ones made 
> in Russia and Eastern Europe.


the screaming deal is the SE Electronics SE1a.
It has a slight (rather flattering) presence peak at 10kHz, so it's not
an exact replacement for the KM184.
I have a pair...they sound great.

SE Electronics *is* a Chinese company, but their mics aren't
the typical cheaply made stuff from that country, 
their reputation for quality is very good indeed.


The Russian mic feeding frenzy is over, unfortunately,
Octava's are no longer going for give away prices.

Oktava MK012A  would be the Russian for the job, but
not so cheap these days, and as they aren't that consistent
I would only recommend stereo pairs (because the rest will 
be the ones that didn't match).


> 
> Lastly,   we have looked at this unit for a lighweight and compact 
> headphone distribution amplifier
> 
> 
>  Sound Devices HX-3 - 3 Channel Portable Headphone Amplifier      price  
> $379.00
> 
> *5th Question:    Does anyone know of an alternate to this headphone 
> amplifier that might be less expensive
> but do the trick?   It needs to be very portable and run on batteries.

dunnow, but what's the trick?
a) monitoring while tracking
b) using high quality phones for checking out the sound

Some audio interfaces have 2 built in headphone amps
(even with individual mix)


> 
> *Thanks so very much for your advice.  I sooo appreciate the level of 
> expertise on this list.

hi Rick :-)

andy butler

> 
> yours,   in the loop,
> 
> Rick Walker
> www.y2kloopfest.com
> 
>