Fantom Recording Recommendations

My opinion is go with the best VS series you can afford. You won't be dissappointed. JMIO

I recommend a software instead of hardware. That's much easier and more expandable. I'm using Nuendo and it works great for me, but you wont go wrong with protools.

You'll also need either a sound card with about 8 audio and 8 midi I/O s or a 8 channel midi interface (eg. http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/MIDISPORT8x8s-main.html) in addtion to a 8/8 sound card.

Sam

March 14th 1984
Music student at Dalhousie
Fantom-X 7

Hey solutionsagent, I am in a similar situation to you as I have several Keyboards I am recording wih at the same time, so I like to share my experiences with you.

I tried Logic, Yamaha AW2816, Roland 880, MD8's etc, but nothing was quite 'right'. I think finding your 'perfect recording equipment' depends very much on who you are as recording artist. I personally prefer Audio recording as opposed to laying down MIDI tracks initially to select the sounds later. I like to work the old 'tape-way' of recording - to me this is more real, satisfactory and creative (human feel vs computerized perfection).

So I had to find a system that was more suitable for Audio recording, which inevitably led me to 'Pro-Tools' - and I must say that since I use 'Pro-Tools' I have found the perfect recording set-up. I am using Digi002 as it gives me a hardware interface to plug in my 4 Keyboards and I am using the G5 as a 'host' for the ProTools.

In case you are more MIDI orientated I suggest to have a look at Logic Pro 7. However, I had Logic in the Past and I found it to be soo much more complicated than Pro-Tools. With Pro-Tools I recorded the moment it was installed on my computer and from than on it grew on me by constantly discovering new depths, applications and surprises.

Nice setup Jost! Thanks for your posts. I have thought about the VS series because I am very pleased with the Roland recording/sequencing experiences I have had in the past and I am sure the VS series would just come naturally. I will still research and listen to your responses. Pianodick, I am assuming you have a VS series? Which model is the one that you have such a high regard for? I would like to look into it. I don't want to make a premature decision on something so important.

I have recently been researching... the Digi002 Mixer for $2000. I am curious if I would need the factory bundle. I am hoping that the additional plug-ins are not that important since most of my synths have their own effects. One reason I am possibly opting ProTools is the Ableton Live software that is included. I really enjoy the way work flows in Live.

If I go the ProTools route I also plan on getting the iMac G5 for $1299. Digidesign actually supports this system for use with the Digi002 Mixer.

And just for completing the studio, maybe a set of Roland V-Tour drums for $1220!

v/r

solutionsagent

solutionsagent, no unfortunately I don't have a VS yet I just have a BR8 but, my guitar player has an old vs 880, or is it 840?, and it is an amazing machine even with it's limitations. I hope to get a 16 series VS soon but I spent enough money lately on gear. I personally prefer the hardware over the software. I might feel differently if I had a laptop however, I don't so I prefer the real machine over the virtual. Especially any of the machines with the COSM. I must admit I have been a die hard Roland fan since Phil Collins started using their junk yearssssss ago. Just something about that Roland sound. (Admittedly, Roland did dissappoint me with the Fantom S vs X business). But, I have learned to work around the issues I had with my S88. In other words I bought a Mac rather than updating from win98se. JMIO. Let us know what you opt for please. JMIO

i suggest you go with a mackie 1402VLZ pro or a 1202VLZ pro mixer and a sound card of somesort echo mia E-mu or others. and do recording like that not only could you hook up all your synths but your left with 4 or 6 high quality mic preamps and expandability the mixer is a really good qaulity mixer and all you have to do is get a program like sonar, cubase or protools to start laying down some really serious tracks..

Fantom X6
EMU 1212m
Sonar 4 Producers Edition

I currently have a Yamaha 01x mixer (check www.01xray.com) that I use with Cubase SX3 (www.steinberg.net). I have only just got my 01x, but before that I used a Yamaha 01v mixer... which I still have, and once Yamaha UK have done some lab tests for me, should be linked to my 01x by mLan. Since Yamaha are in the process of buying Steinberg, there should be some excellent tight integration between the 01x and Cubase. The 01x can be expanded with up to 2 I88x units giving 24 inputs, and other manufacturers are starting to release mLan compatible hardware. If you aren't aware, mLan is an audio and MIDI protocol than runs over a Firewire cable, so the only connection between an 01x (for example) and your computer is one firewire cable, but it carries up to 32 audio and 80 MIDI channels each way.

As always, it is a case of trying out the different solutions and buying the one that suits you, be that a standalone HD recorder or computer and software sequencer. I'd suggest you try some out in a large store that has a decent demo suite. When choosing your final equipment, don't forget to allow for the smaller items you don't already have: decent balanced cables, near fields, studio amp, quality speaker wire, microphones, stands etc...

Dave.

http://www.drstudio.demon.co.uk/"Some musicians have a physical block, some have a mental block, while others have a wooden block". Unfortunately, I'm in the 1st category!

If it is at all possible I would get the VS2400 or 2480 they have the option to connect a monitor, mouse and keyboard. I'd also recommend getting a pc/mac for editting, software synths, arranging, their limits are endless.

I don't have the chunk of change you have, but I'm working with a local label, trying to get the VS2400 hundred from them or a VS1880 to run in my setup, PC based. Using the PC to arrange, edit and mix/master.

just thought i'd share my 2 clams.