Home Studio 828MK3

[ChiantiM]

Greetings,
I have been running a MOTU 828MK3 for my home studio. Right now the only thing attached is an Alesis SR18 drum machine (Analog Channels 3 &4). Other than that I utilize the In1 and In2 for recording guitar and bass. Would anyone mind sharing a tip on expanding around this unit for a best setup in home recording?

What I mean is ... should I think about bringing and Outboard mixer into the other analog channels for best routing of outboard effect. And/Or I own a SansAmp ParaDrive DI box which I could patch into one of the Analog channels and then run both a direct and Mic'd guitar. Lastly ... would the analog channel be best served if I put a an external Mic PreAmp on the front? This way I don't over-drive it ... as In1 and In2 have a buffer but the Analog channels do not.

Just trying to sort out how to make best use of the additional channels and the MOTU 828MK3 in general. Seems a shame that I have this wonderful unit and it's only hooked up to be most active with In1, In2 and a couple of analog inputs for the Alesis.

Thanks in advance for your responses,
.....ChiantiM

[HCMarkus]

Just think of the 828 as a mixer and use it like you would any mixer. Just make sure your gain-staging is within reason. I've got a mkII, and I manage to use most of the inputs and outputs between synthesizers and external FX devices. You can label the inputs and outputs to make it easier to keep track of what's going on. You may not need that external mixer, unless you will need more than the two mic pres the 828 provides.

[ChiantiM]

Thank you for the reply --- this is helpful, as I will consider the 828MK3 now as the center of my recording studio