I am now Pro Tools capable (well kit wise anyway!) as my Mbox2 arrived last night. took ages to get the software working on my PC - loads of little niggles that Pro Tools had to have just right. Working now though and looks great. I dont know how to use it yet so Im trying to watch the training DVD at work - Ive only really used Cubase in the past (although I  have loads of VST plugins for the midi side of things).

Hopefully should be able to start recording the first Blades of Angels EP - its going to be different to the Project Valkyrie songs - a lot more acoustic based and ambient.

looks sweet, i would have gone with an m-audio one as im quite familiar with their stuff. all you need now is a few standard shure sm-57s and youll be set

M-audio are good and I did look at them - but Pro Tools is the industry standard and for a good reason. Bonus was I got it for M audio prices not pro tools prices so couldnt lose.


Mic wise Ive got SM58s and Rode NT3 condensers for the instruments and vocals, a POD for guitar work, and a keyboard and drum controller for midi (and a stupid amount of plugins).

Should be pretty sweet when Ive learnt how to use it!!

haha just remember the pod is only as good as the models youve stolen/bought. i really would look into a zvex nano head and a good mic so you can get a good tube overdriven sound without having to pay about 3 grand for the mic to cope with teh volume of a 50 watt tube amp. a zvex head does around 2 watts and remarkably is awesome.
http://media.zvex.com/nano.mov
http://zvexamps.com/amp_view.html

True - but Ive worked with some pretty big producers in the past (e.g. Gavin Monaghan - Editors, Nizlopi, Miss Black America, The Smiths etc..) and the majority of them have used pods from time to time, especially for bass work and lead (which will be primarlily what its for). Not sure what you mean about needing a £3k mic to record amplification though - weve recorded with my Marshall TSL602 through SM57s, 58s and condensers in the past (and a beyer once for some reason?) and the results have been damned impressive. At the end of the day your not going to get professional studio results without going to a professional studio (I am a big believer in this) so Im not even going to kid myself. As long as its not messy and its clean Ill be happy with that for now.


Edit -

having read the article on the amp head I see what your getting at - but the general sound I use doesnt require huge volumes to get good tone. Ive got plenty of boss pedals that allow you to get what your after without angry neighbours or blown condenser mics!

a perfect circles mer de noms was recorded in billy howerdells garage ffs, its all about the mics your only as good as your input. pods are alright but not fantastic

Nah dont agree with you there. For a start the room your in is more important than the mic. Mics are really important Im not saying you can get by on any old junk but put a great mic in an acoustically bad room and see how far you get. An average mic in a great room will still give you a good sound. Any sound engineer in the world will tell you that the main thing is knowing how to use what youve got instead of buying a load of expensive kit. a £3k mic in a room that hasnt had a fortune spent on it to make it a dedicated recording studio will be totally wasted.

Pods arent fantastic I agree- but theyre not bad. If I was doing a big metal album or a guitar heavy piece I wouldnt even consider it but for the low key bits I need it will be fine.

i thought you were doing metal?

or have you gone soft

lol yeah Ive gone soft!

Nah whats happened is Project Valkyrie split up (wed have never recorded outside of a proper studio) so Im doing an acoustic project. Its still dark and ambient but its slower and acoustic. I still want full instrumentation drums, bass, keys etc.. but because everythings a lot more low key I can get away with a hell of a lot more. Thats why I think the POD will be ok (well I know it will Ive already tested it).

A big part of it will be the midi to be honest - Ive got be be drummer and orchestra conductor now lol!!
 

 

QuoteProject Valkyrie split up

 :shock:  I bought a shirt as well.

No idea what youre on about, but the pics look good.  :mrgreen:

well then i would offer my ovation applause if you need a good semi acoustic. it has celebrity pickups and eq in it now

tbh i think a good bedded in applause is a bit better than a celebrity.

Here in our rack at home were using a Motu 2408 (mk 3) box along with a few nice tube preamps and a couple of cheap behringer converters through  ADAT

Then theres a G5 running Logic pro with a pair of powered KRK RK8 monitors

the rooms been sorted out in regards to its acoustics with alot of sound deadening

youll be amazed at the sound you can grab from a few shure sm57 / sm57 beta instrument mics once your setup is tweaked just right

its as much about learning to use your gear and working out how to get the best sound from your enviroment more than going out and buying the best quality kit you can

forget ever purchasing a decent mic if youve not got a few grands worth of preamp and D/A converters to run it through... grab that sm58 and a pop guard and fire away

A chain is only as strong as its weakest link (or something like that)!