Complete newbie in recording

[papageno]

Hello,
I am a composer and singer (specialized in early music- gregorian to barocque, everything in between + contemporary stuff), so far I have been using DP mainly for AU hosting and for recording demos played by AU instruments. My main software tool is Finale.

I have also done some projects with acoustic instruments and electronics combined (mainly processing vocals with melodyne). I have an idea haunting me that instead booking time in a studio, I could record some vocals myself.

For further processing in Melodyne I need as dry sound as I can get.

I have done some research (recording pros I know + net) and I have come to a conclusion that I could start with EV RE27 mic (almost no proximity effect) and a mobile audio interface with good preamps.

Of course I am drooling when I hear the abbreviation ULN2 but that would get me a bit off budget.
Focusrite has just released Saffire Pro 24, which has features that are close to my needs. Seems that it might have the same preamps/conversion as Saffire Pro 40, at least specs indicate so.

Any comments in Saffire Pro 40 preamps / converters?

Or... should I just drop the whole idea... the main reason for all this is that sometimes a good idea hits me and booking a time in studio does involve some waiting, I cannot just pop in "here I am guys, get stuff ready for me".

[jlaudon]

I had a Saffire Pro 26 before which sounded great, but found the driver software wasn't totally up to snuff, and ended up buying a MOTU interface, which interacts with DP much nicer (the direct hardware playthrough is great for tracking vocals- no latency), so I would recommend a MOTU Ultralite - the preamps sound comparable to the saffire range IMO. In the end you might end up buying an external mic preamp anyways.

[papageno]

In the end you might end up buying an external mic preamp anyways.

Yes, that is possible.
Have been thinking about feeding UltraLite the coax. S/PDIF signal from Audient Mico preamp. I definitely never need 24/192, 24/96 is more than enough.

BTW, how is the quality of UltraLite heaphone output?

[jlaudon]

I think it should be the same as my 828mk3 headphone output, which sounds fine. Definitely plug in the Audient thru the Ultralite - a very nice pre.

[papageno]

I went ahead and ordered UltraLite and Audient Mico. Should be enough to feed Electro Voice RE27. So far I need only to record one person (myself). I plan to get some mics to make stereo recordings of rehearsals and demos (the mics for recording the final product in acoustic spaces like cathedrals are beyond my league).

Until I get studio space ready at home, I am stuck to monitoring headphones, I have Sennheiser open back and Beyerdynamic DT770pro closed back monitoring headphones.

After the studio & listening space is ready, I need active near-field monitors to connect to UltraLite. Any good ideas to match my setup?
I know the "weakest link theory", actually, the weakest link in the whole setup will be always... me, myself and I.

[nick danger]

I haven't used it myself, but you should search for other threads on this forum about this plugin--

http://www.112db.com/redline/monitor/

It emulates on headphones the sounds as heard on speakers.

[papageno]

I haven't used it myself, but you should search for other threads on this forum about this plugin--
http://www.112db.com/redline/monitor/
It emulates on headphones the sounds as heard on speakers.

Thanks for te tip, I will definitely try this out. They have 60-day demo too, this is enough time to check the plugin out thoroughly. 99EUR is not too much if the plugin is really as good as they state it is.

[papageno]

Definitely plug in the Audient thru the Ultralite - a very nice pre.

I finally got to play with my new gear. EV Re27 hooked to Mico, Mico hooked to UltraLite with S/PDIF cable and UL clock source set to S/PDIF. I think this should be the right way to connect things.

Studying Dp6 1000-page manual now. Have been using it for AU hosting past years, the last version of DP I used for some audio work was 2.4...