how to configure a recording studio rig


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Studio Rigs

Rig #1 Entry Level Budget Firewire

Rig #2 Ultra Flexible and Sonically Inventive

Analog/Firewire Mixer Based

iMac Rig

Rig #3 Entry-Level PC-Mixer- based Home

Studio

System that can Get the Job Done with a

minimum of cash

Rig #4 Dream Home "Mixerless" Software

Studio- -Mac Platform

Rig #5 Project Mix System

Rig #6 Old School Hip Hop Studio

Rig #7 Classic Computer Based All-Purpose

Analog Mixer Rig

Rig #8 Sonar V-Studio 700 Rig (PC-based)

Rig #9 Goin' Mobile Mac System

Rig #10 Reasonably Priced Mixerless Laptop

system with plenty of features

Rig #11 Pro Tools MBox 2 Rig

Rig #12 Pro Tools LE Studio by Digidesign

Rig #13 Electronika Superior

Rig #14 Sound Developer's Hi End

Workbench Studio (Mac or PC)

Rig #15 Software based Home Mastering Rig

Rig #16 The "It's Gotta Be Digital" Large

Multi-track and DAW Rig

Rig #17 Large Computer based or Multi-track

based Analog Installation

Rig #18 Dual Purpose Full Band Gig/

Recording Rig

Rig #19 Acoustic/Electric Songwriter's Studio

Rig #20 It's got to be simple keyboard/

guitar/vocal /Studio--No Computer!

Rig #21 Cassette Tape Based Studio

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TweakTweakTweakTweak''''ssssGuideGuideGuideGuidetotototoRecordingRecordingRecordingRecordingSuccessSuccessSuccessSuccess

Introduction

For Noobs

MIDI Basics

Audio Basics

Studio Rigs

Studio Pics

Past Studios

Signal Flow

System Guide

Mac vs. PC

Audio Interfaces

Latency

Install Issues

Buy Gear

Writing Music

Inspiration

Recorders

Keyboards

Controllers

CC Events

MIDI Routing

Mixers

Understanding

your Mixer

Digital Mixers

Analog Mixers

Mixer Hookup

Control Surface

Microphones

Mic Preamps

Converters

Monitors

MIDI Modules

Effects

Sequencers

VST, AU, RTAS

Soft Samplers

Soft Synths

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MIDI to Audio

Cables

Impedance

Patchbays

Studio Setup

Room Acoustics

War on Hum

Quiet Room

Dual Monitors

DJ studio

Networking

16 vs 24 bit

Word Clock

Timecode

Build a DAW

Tracking

Record VocalSession Tips

Vocal Editing

AutoTune etc

Using EQ

Harmonizers

Guitar Tracks

21212121 wayswayswaysways totototo AssembleAssembleAssembleAssemble aaaaHomeHomeHomeHome RecordingRecordingRecordingRecording RIGRIGRIGRIG

A Tour through the Diverse Home Studio

options available Today

by Tweak

page 1 Page 1 2 3 4 5 6

Let me take you on a walk through our favoritemusic store. I'll point out what works with what , nudge you in a fewdirections when I know something is o, so-cool, and give you a sense ofthe options you have for recording. On this page you will hopefully find astudio that may best meet your musical vision. There is indeed a homestudio solution for everyone who wants to record music . It's just amatter of knowing what's out there and how the pieces fit together.That's the information you are about to receive.

There are so manyproducts in the home studio arena that it can be achallenge to figure out which items you want for your studio. Below yousee some suggestions I have come to after years of helping people put

together their rigs. I did a fair amount of research on these rigs . Thatdoes not mean that I tried them all. As always do your own research andconsider these suggestions as a starting point on what to researchfurther.

What is a rig? Its the term I use for "the basic studio componentsworking together as a system". There are many ways to put together arecording rig correctly. There are more ways to do it wrong. By studyingmy rigs you can get a good sense of what works and what does not.Use the info towards building the ideal rig for your projects and yourbudget.

All rigs contain:

1. various input devices (microphones, midicontrollers, keyboard synthesizers, controlsurfaces)

2. an audio i /o system (audio interface orsoundcard, or mixer)

3. a recorder ( i.e., Sequencer, multi trackrecorder, MPC, etc) and processors

4. monitoring system (i.e., active or passivespeakers)

First lets go low in price, bang for the buck.

RigRigRigRig ####1111 EntryEntryEntryEntry LevelLevelLevelLevel BudgetBudgetBudgetBudget FirewireFirewireFirewireFirewire MixerlessMixerlessMixerlessMixerless RigRigRigRig

Discuss This Rig This rig can be discussed here: Rig #1 Entry Level Budget Firewire

PC (or Mac) Mixerless HomeStudio for Desktop or Laptop

Who its for: Ideal for the solo composer recording him or her self one track at atime; or for the recording of a small small ensemble overdubbing the parts, oneor two mics at a time. Good for Hip hop and all forms of electronica and dance,as well as acoustic guitarists, synthesists, vocalists and songwriters.

The Firestudio Mobile will work with Macs or PCs You can plug in your guitarand mic on the front panel and connect a synth in the back. This interface is richin inputs (8 analog, stereo s/pdif digital) but only has 2 outputs, which is nearly


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Guitar Tone

Drum Tips

Drum Patterns

Hip Hop Beats

Cymbals

Sampling

Samplers

Compressors

Pan, Vol, FX

Mixing 101

Mix Methods

Mastering

Field Recorders

Archiving Songs

Make Money

Sound Dev Tips

Surround

Audio for Film

Podcasting

Publishing

Congratulations!

Final Exam

Reviews

Forums

JukeBox

Guitar Gallery

StoreStoreStoreStore LinksLinksLinksLinks

Recording

MultitrackRecordersMicrophonesMixersSignalProcessorsMonitorsAccessoriesStudio Racks

ComputerMusic

Audio InterfacesPCIUSBFirewireComputers

SoftwareSequencersSoft Synths/SamplersPlugins and FXMIDI InterfacesControlSurfacesDSP Cards

Keyboards

KeyboardSynthsSamplersKeyboardAccessoriesMIDI ModulesGroove BoxesSoundsKeyboard

ControllersKeyboard AmpsExpansionBoards

Guitars, Amps,and Effects

perfect for a mixerless approach. Finally , you're going to be recording at 24 bits,just like many pros do.

Hooking up this rig: Utter simplicity. Firewire cable from firebox to computer.Mic to XLR input. Keyboard controller to any USB input. Active Monitors on themain outs. Done. Done. Done! So easy a caveman could.. I mean, ugh, evenyour drummercould do it. If you have a keyboard or module with sounds thenit connects to the firebox line inputs 3 and 4 on the back. If you have akeyboard with no USB use the onboard 5 pin MIDI jacks.

PreSonus FireStudio Mobile FireWire AudioInterface

Finally, a new-generation, studio -quality FireWire interfacethat you can use anywhere! The PreSonus FireStudio(TM)

Mobile combines the superior analog-circuit design andadvanced platform technology of our acclaimed FireStudiorack-mount interfaces with the ability to run on bus power in

field applications. Now you can have enhanced audioperformance for music recording and creation anywhere you

can lug your laptop!

Alternate: Motu UltraliteMk3, Inspire,

Other option for PC: Emu 0404 USB 2

Studio

Projects B 1

LargeDiaphragm

CondenserMicrophone

Mackie MR5 or KRK RP5G2add your PC or Mac

Sony MDR

7506 or

less,depending

what youcan afford

M-Audio Oxygen 25 v3 25-Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller

Choice ofMac/PC

Sequencer

Apple

Logic Pro

studio(Macintosh)

or Cubaseor Sonar

on the PC

DiscussionDiscussionDiscussionDiscussion ofofofof RigRigRigRig ####1111

Its amazing how little it takes when you really get down to it. The cool thingabout this rig is great sound in a tiny easy to set-up system. You can operatewith a minimum of wires and use it on a laptop or a desktop. Because both the

firebox and Xboard are bus powered, take along some phones and you couldrecord on a road trip. Of course you want to make sure you have a highperforming laptop with a fast hard disk, or just use it with you home firewireequipped desktop.

The Studio projects B1 is currently winning our poll at studio- central for bestcondenser around $100.


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Electric GuitarsGuitar EffectsGuitar AmpsAcoustic GuitarsAccessoriesClassicalGuitarsFolk

Drums

ElectronicAcousticDrum MachinesDrum HardwareCymbalsAccessoriesOther Drums

Accessories

CablesBass Guitars ,Live Sound/PADJ

This system is upgradeable at any time. You can add premium Mic preampsbetter monitors and AD\DA converters when major cash comes in if you need tosound as professional as possible. But this system gets you off the ground withexcellent sound.

Alternatives to theFirestudio Mobile:

For most Macs or PCs with Firewire, the Firebox will do fine.

For a higher quality alternative to the firestudio mobile for Mac systems, Irecommend you substitute a MOTU Ultralite. Yep, these will cost more.Remember now m -m-m-m -Mac and m-m-m- m-Motu are good! That is ageneralization. Its fairly safe when talking about MOTU's recent audiointerfaces. Did I say PC? No I did not. (Be wary any time you find yourself, or agear salesman, or someone on a forum generalizing). Go a page dedicated toaudio interfaces for your Mac. Likewise, you should not try to get an Emu audiointerface working on your Mac. That' s a PC thing.

Another alternative if you are strapped for cash is the Presonus Inspire instead ofthe the firestudio mobile. The inspire has the advantage that it comes withCubase LE software. This means you don't have to buy a software package toget started. I have detailed a rig for the Inspire in this article: how to build abudget studio. In fact, if you are into hip hop and sampling off vinyl, the Inspiresaves you money as it includes on onboard phono preamp for your turntable.There is no MIDI i/o on the Inspire though so make sure you have a keyboardthat has a built in USB midi interface. (See there is always a tradeoff!). Aquick note--beware of dynamic mics that require a lot of gain like the classicShure SM57. You'll have to boost the gain massively, which will add somenoise. Condenser mics will be fine as they typically require less gain.

There are also low cost USB 2.0 interfaces hitting the market, like the TascamUS122L and the Tascam US144 Mk 2. Other valid audio interfaces can be foundon my comparison pages.

Now lets go to the higher end (but not the highest) in price .

Discuss This Rig This rig can be discussed here: Rig #1 Entry Level BudgetFirewire

RigRigRigRig ####2222 QualityQualityQualityQuality HomeHomeHomeHome StudioStudioStudioStudio forforforfor BandsBandsBandsBands,,,, composerscomposerscomposerscomposers ,,,, drummersdrummersdrummersdrummers

Discuss This Rig This rig can be discussed here: Rig #2 Quality Home Studio for Bands, composers, drummersRack Rig

Who its for:

Ideal for bands, the advanced home composer, studios that need a lot of micsand those who demand flexibility and superb quality to do whatever they want.Dummers will like the rig, and so will the studio that hosts bands. Its good for

multi- room operations where you have a control room (say a bedroom) and astudio room ( where people perform) say the living room. It will also do arespectable hardware electronica studio where you need hi power instrumentinputs for vintage gear. In both cases the ADAT expandability is there when youneed it, with an extra 16 channels with inexpensive converters.

Hooking up this Rig:

Note that with the MOTU 896 mk3, you get into an audio interface that has all thebasics for recording a 4pc band (8 mic preamps) , yet offers amazing expansionoptions that will allow you to grow with this interface. The 896 mk3 has dualADAT i/o, can be turned into an addition 16 ins and outs if you record at asample rate of 44.1 (and you should!) This gives you a 24x24 system whenexpanded, not counting the additional s/pdif and AES/ EBU digital i /o. The M3 inour example above would have its audio outs connected to the 896mk3'sinstrument inputs or via ADAT through the line inputs of a Behringer ADA8000converter.

For MIDI the M3 could connect by USB, However, remember the 896mk3 has noMIDI i/o so if you want to use older synths you need a MIDI interface. That iswhere MOTU midi express 128 ( or other) MIDI interface comes in. It just

connects to a USB port. You connect all your 5-pin Standard MIDI cables to it.Your sequencer will see all those MOTU midi ins and outs and all the audio insan outs of the 896mk3. Pretty amazingly simple for a huge system that can dofull bands! The rest you do with the mouse inside the application.

Keep in mind that a non-gigging studio- only musician does not need a keyboardwith sounds. You can get by with a keyboard controller and use software synthsexclusively.


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Motu 896 audio Interface

Choice of Mac/PC

Sequencer (if going withthe iMac try Logic Pro)

Apple Logic Pro studio(Macintosh) or Cubase or

Sonar on the PC

Korg M361 61-Key Synth Workstation Sampler

Apple iMac or Dell or HP

Pc

Behringer ADA8000 Ultragain Pro 8-Channel A /D D/A Converter

Mark of the Unicorn (MOTU) MIDI Express 128 8x8 Bus Powered

Interface

Akai MPD26 USB/MIDI PadController

BLUE Baby Bottle Studio Condenser Microphone with Case

Shure SM57 Microphone

Rode NT5 Condenser Microphones

ElectroVoice RE20 Classic Cardioid Dynamic Microphone

Headphonesof choice

Adam A7X Powered Studio Monitor



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This is not a budget rig, but one of solid sound, amazing flexibility, and in all hireliability. Of course it costs much more than Rig #1, but you get capability andthe flexibility to do lots more things.

Connect the 896mk3 to your computer with a single firewire cable. Theadvantage of this system is that it is flexible. You can use external gear as wellas the software instruments in your sequencer.

Lets go back to expanding the 896mk3. You can, if you have a strong Applecomputer, add up to 3 more MOTU firewire interfaces by daisy chaining them.See my review on the 896mk3 for more. You can also connect up to two 8channel ADAT light pipe expanders to the optical ports. The most inexpensive ofthese are the Behringer ADA8000. Two expanders and an 896mk3 with give you24 analog ins and outs.

The new Adam A7x is an outstanding choice for a nearfield monitor, getting greatreviews. There are a lot of possibilities in this $1000- 1200 a pair range.

I selected the Korg M3 for its sheer sonic inventiveness with the Karma IIprocessing inside . But any keyboard, even a soundless controller will work here ,because Logic has all the soft synths you will need inside. An alternative hi endsynth is the Yamaha S90XS, which has the entire Motif Sound set and a fantasticpiano. This is the choice for someone who wants the full 88 keys. I've selectedthe MOTU MIDI Express 128 to give you plenty if MIDI ins and outs forconnecting external gear. Add your entire rack of MIDI modules and effectsfrom years past. As a nice touch, I add an MPD24. Its keeps with the smallfootprint, but gives those big MPC style drum pads popularized by hip hop beatmakers.

A computer with Firewire is required. This gear will work with PCs or Macs, but Isuggest a late model Mac, like the iMac pictured above and Logic Studio, or afast Dell or HP and Cubase. It will give the studio a small footprint with thecapability of doing very large projects, just right for many rooms we have in ourhomes. Add the mics you need and you have a extremely classy rig that you willenjoy for years.

On the Cheap

The less expensive way to get most of the capabilities of this type of rig is tosubstitute a MOTU 8 pre instead of the 896mk3 and a keyboard like theYamaha MM6 instead of the M3. Of course if your computer is fast enough torun multiple soft synths you could just get a soundless controller.

Discuss This Rig This rig can be discussed here: Rig #2 Quality Home Studio for Bands, composers, drummers

RigRigRigRig ####3333 EntryEntryEntryEntry----LevelLevelLevelLevel PCPCPCPC----MixerMixerMixerMixer---- basedbasedbasedbased HomeHomeHomeHome StudioStudioStudioStudioSystemSystemSystemSystem thatthatthatthat cancancancan GetGetGetGet thethethethe JobJobJobJob DoneDoneDoneDone withwithwithwith aaaa minimumminimumminimumminimum ofofofof cashcashcashcash

Discuss This Rig This rig can be discussed here: Rig #3 Entry-Level PC-Mixer- based Home Studio

Who its for:

Ideal for solo composers and small ensembles, especially for those with oldcomputers and little cash. You can record up to two tracks at once easily.

Hooking it up:

With a desktop computer just take the alt 3-4 outs of the Xenyx and connectthem to the 2496 line in jacks. The 2496 line out jacks can go back to any 2unused line inputs on the Xenyx, such as the Tape ins or 2 unused channels.The keyboard's audio outs have to go to the mixer's line inputs plus MIDI mustalso be connected, in and out, to the 2496 breakout cable. Mics, of course, gointo the XLR mic preamps on the mixer . Active Monitors go on the mixer's controlroom outs. If you are using the passive monitors I listed, then you connect thecontrol room outs to your stereo amp or receiver. See our member nmodi'ssetup pic of the UB1204 connections.


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Headphones

of choice

Behringer XENYX 1204USB

12- Channel Mixer withUSB or more upscale the

Yamaha MG124CX Stereo

Mixer with Effects

AKG Perception 120 Studio

Condenser Microphone

ShureSM57 Microphone

SonarHome

Studio or

CubaseStudio

Behringer

Di-100

Direct Boxfor guitar

and bass

Just add a desktop computer, even

this one! But if your computer lookslike this best to slow down on those

plugins, Jack!MAudio Audiophile 2496

Yamaha MM 6 61-Key Synthesizer or similar

keyboard with sounds

AlesisMonitor One MK2 Studio

Monitors (connect to Hi Fi)


The advantage of this system is low cost for high performance. The M-Audio

2496 has well-tweaked fast drivers that put it ahead of consumer cards. It cando software synths quite well and with low latencies. It also has a MIDI port,which is a money saver as you don 't need a midi interface. Its also been arounda long time so it's compatible with a wide range of computers, new and not sonew.

The Behringer XENYX 1204 has the ALT 3-4 bus which makes it a breeze to sendany channel (or channels) of the mixer to the soundcard while you monitor theother channels--great for recording. The mic preamps are good and "airy"which will give your vocals a crisp sound. You can add condenser mics to thissystem. Though it' s not a condenser, I include the Shure SM57 here for it's lowcost and the fact that it can record almost anything. This is the most popularrecording studio mic in the world. I have chosen the AKG Perception as a good allaround condenser mic, which has a crisp sound and is good for both vocals andacoustic guitars. The system will record electric guitar plugged in direct , but youcan improve the sound considerably by adding a simple direct box like theBehringer DI-100.

Any keyboard with a MIDI out will work if you are just controlling soft synths andsamplers. I picked the Yamaha MM6 due to its low cost and that it has soundsof its own. I think its great for electronica, hip hop and RnB. For a little more

look at the Korg X-50, which is smooth and ambient. Also Consider the Juno Dby Roland. By using a hardware synth you don't have to always use cpu-intensive softsynths on every track. Working this way, this system can get goodresults even on older, average desktop PCs. A strength of this system is itsability to add hardware like synth modules, a compressor, hardware effects boxesand up to 4 mics.


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To keep the cost down I included a passive speaker system as most people dohave a hi fi receiver they can use. The Alesis Monitor One is really a value.Before active monitors hit the world many studios used these as their nearfieldmonitors. Active Monitors will also work with this system.

This rig can be extended in many ways. A DJ would want to add a phonopreamp so they could connect their turntables. Hip hop beat makers would towell to add the inexpensive MPD16 which will work great with the MM6 drum kits(which are excellent for hip hop and electronica ).

Working with a low grade laptop? No prob. Take the soundcard off the list andplug the alt 3-4 out of the Xenyx directly to the audio line input and take the lineoutput back to the Tape in. Or, if you want you can use the USB interface thatcomes with the Xenyx, which allows you to use the Xenyx as your audiointerface. Because this system has a hardware mixer and hardware midi synthyou'll have no latency like all the mixerless dudes have. The drawback of this rigis that you have a maximum of 2 tracks that can be recorded at one time using

analog inputs. Its not for jamming or big sessions. But for you and a friendworking together it will work.

You're going to hear a lot of people slam this rig due to the inexpensive mixer.Keep in mind, I am keeping costs to a minimum--you can always get a bettermixer. I can tell you I have used every piece in that rig and have got excellentsound.

Discuss This Rig This rig can be discussed here: Rig #3 Entry-Level PC -Mixer- based Home Studio

RigRigRigRig ####4444 DreamDreamDreamDream HomeHomeHomeHome """"MixerlessMixerlessMixerlessMixerless """" SoftwareSoftwareSoftwareSoftware StudioStudioStudioStudio--------MacMacMacMac PlatformPlatformPlatformPlatform

Discuss This Rig This rig can be discussed here: Rig #4 Dream Home "Mixerless" Software Studio- -MacPlatform

Who it is For:

Ideal for the Mac based home composer who want a completely softwaredriven studio for electronica, film scores, small ensembles and other bigprojects with a minimum of hardware and wires.

Hookup example:

Simple really. The 828mk3 hooks up to your Mac's firewire port (1 cable). TheMackie Control Pro will take a USB port. You mics, synths, and monitors connectto the MOTU. You can plug a guitar into the MOTU's combo jack input (2) andflick the switch to instrument. If you want to connect turntables you will need aseparate phono preamp and connect that to any pair of MOTU line inputs.

Mackie ControlUniversal Pro 8-

Channel Master

Controller withUSB

Mackie

HR824mkII


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Apple Mac Pro Eight-Core

2.8GHz Xeon DesktopComputer

Apple 30 Inch Cinema HD Display (there are manyalternatives with a Mac Pro )

Logic Studio

MOTU 828Mk3, or MOTU Ultralite , 8pre Traveler, 896mk3 or more

upscale, the RME Fireface 800 or 400 or an Apogee Ensemble.

Native Instruments

Komplete Software Suite

TweakTweakTweakTweak'''' ssss StandardStandardStandardStandard ClassicClassicClassicClassic MicMicMicMic PicksPicksPicksPicks

Rode NT2a (or alternate Large condenser)

Shure SM81 ( or alternate small condenser)(get two if you record drummers)

Sennheiser MD421, Re20 or SM7b (pick 1)

Shure SM57 ( at least 1)

You can add premium preamps to upgrade this rig and Irecommend supplementing the onboard preamps of the

828mk2 with some really good ones.

Any MIDI keyboard, sounds

or not. ( Logic haseverything most people

need.)

Bias Peak

Mark of theUnicorn Digital

Performer

Sony MD7506 Headphones or

Headphones of choice


The Mac Pro is now the standard for Mac based studios. One great thing aboutthem is you can connect many video monitors and hard drives to the system,ensuring a maximum of eye candy (consider 3, 4 or 8!-- 23" or even 30"monitors side by side--awesome!) and enough storage options to store years andyears of projects. MOTU interfaces and Apple computers have a great history ofcompatibility . I can verify my MOTU 828mk2 works great on the latest Mac pro.Logic, of course, is Apple's own and it works well. NI's Komplete bundle is also


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working well as is the UAD2 cards and plugins from Universal Audio. Wait till youhear the FM8, Akoustik Piano, Absynth, Reaktor and other heavy soft synths on asystem that can slice through them easily .

Logic pro is my preferred way to go here, though you could run Digital Performeror run Pro Tools LE (if you get an digi 002 system). The MOTU 828mk3 is asuper value as an interface with preamps, 10x10 analog i/o and dual ADATlightpipe i/ o. If you need 8 preamps, go with the MOTU 8 pre. If you are on aMac you really can't go wrong with a MOTU interface. Just make sure it has thepreamps and i/o you need. Add the Mackie Control as a control surface if youwant hardware to control your software mixer. Mackie control software wasdeveloped with Emagic ( the company that originally made Logic) and it fits Logiclike a glove.

Expandability: You can daisy chain up to 4 MOTU firewire interfaces. By creatingan aggregate device in the Apple Audio/Midi utility along with daisy chaining youcan create a monster interface with MOTU devices . This, I believe, give MOTU

the edge when it comes to expandability.

At the high end of the audio interfaces for the Mac Pro is the ApogeeEnsemble. It boasts the superior sounding Apogee converters which pro's knowand love. The Ensemble can be expanded by ADAT like many audio interfaces .It can also be expanded with other Apogee hardware through firewire or throughits PCIe card, Symphony.

On Apogee's " lower" end, if there is such a thing, is the basic Apogee Duet ,which just has 2x2 analog i/o , but also has the great apogee converters. Ishould point out that the Ensemble and Duet only work with Apple computersthat have firewire and support is built in directly in Logic Pro.

There are low end audio interface that work with Apple computers. But it pays toresearch those. make sure they are up to speed with the Nahalem processorsbefore you pull the trigger.

Waves and Native Instruments fully support Apple's Core Audio. The Komplete5gives you nearly all the great NI softsynths and soft samplers to augment Logic'simpressive array. Waves Platinum is used by the pros. Note that the latest Macsare PCIe based. If you want to go with UAD systems for plugins, I suggest toget the PCIe version of the UAD-2 card, which is available now. I personallyprefer the sound of the Universal Audio plugins.

A MacPro desktop system is not cheap, but you already knew that. Any MIDIkeyboard will work, but I am a believer that you need at least one device thatmakes sounds outside of software. But its not necessary to get a full keyboard"workstation". If you get Logic and Komplete 4 you will have plenty of

samplers. A Korg M3 88, with its 88keys, would really be the dream keyboardfor the dream rig.

You can add an external processor to the MOTU 828mk3 or Apogee Ensemble viaits hardware outputs on the back. You can also add more MOTU interfaces to the828mk3 system or get an ADAT 8x8 AD/DA to extend either the ApogeeEnsemble or Motu 828 systems system to 16-18 analog i/o if you are interfacinga hardware analog mixer or a lot of hardware processors. One way to do this isto add a MOTU 8-Pre to the 828mk3. You can also add more preamps to the828mk3 using the ADAT protocol, for example , with a Focusrite Octopre LE andADAT card or a Presonus DigiMAX FS or a Mackie Onyx 800R.

But you don't need a mixer with this system. Inside Logic you can make asmany mixer channels as you want and with the Power of the Mac Pro you canadd processors and softsynths thinking only of their artistic merits, and not onhow much CPU power you have left . Its truly a rig for the creative professional.

Discuss This Rig This rig can be discussed here: Rig #4 Dream Home"Mixerless" Software Studio--Mac Platform

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