Dug out my RACK

[Sizzler]

I would pop you with a pic but there's really nothing to it right now lol.

Basically I am gearing up to record my band and decided to dig my small SKB recording rack out - which basically only has a Furman Power Conditioner, a Focusrite Saffire Pro40, and a Saffire Pro26 velcroed to an open tray - I have used the two Saffires as a dual unit setup in the past giving me 12 mic preamps.

I currently mix in the box with preamp/compression/effects/etc (and use a cloudlifter for the lower volume dynamics to get a stronger signal going).


So...

I have 3 rack spaces open and waiting for whatever

Some thoughts on what I would shove in there... course I would have to buy anything else as I sold all my major stuff a while back - kind of wish I didn't


Preamps
Warm Audio TB12 (really interested in one of these)
Great River (ME-NV1 or ME-NV2) - had the NV2 before and it was awesome
what else?

Compressors?

Rack Effects? - actually thought about picking up a cheap Alesis Midiverb 4 to patch in for zero latency effects on tracking


What would you fill 'er up with?

[Markdude]

Since you said you mix in the box, does that mean you're opposed to using some outboard gear for mixing and you just want to use it on the way in? If not, I'd snag a Warm Audio WA76!

[Sizzler]

Since you said you mix in the box, does that mean you're opposed to using some outboard gear for mixing and you just want to use it on the way in? If not, I'd snag a Warm Audio WA76!

Definitely not opposed although I am more focused on the way in stuff - there are some units out there (like the WA76 ) which I wouldn't mind giving a shot.

[Sizzler]

Also would love to fill one of those slots with an API 3124

Also always wanted to try an SSL Alpha VHD


either would knock out my mic preamp thing in one shot


Course they are expensive as hell.

[fretless]

you can't have to many pres

[Sizzler]

you can't have to many pres

indeed.... I want to try out all of them.

[fretless]

I'd go Demeter and fill some space up . I did just get a Joe Meek VC1 and it's killer , these run about 300 bucks and sound thick , punchy and colorful .

[newholland]

my rack's a furman, my pro26, and a focusrite twintrak pro. don't go that route (i.e. the twintrak).. it sounds basically like a focusrite 26 pre with a little more girth and flexibility. it was cheap.. but it works okay for recording some vocalists with compression in. a tb12 would be a GREAT choice-- i have a wa12, and love the doggone thing.. SO much more grip on whatever you're recording! personally though, i'd go for a stereo unit if you can pull it. i always try to get mics and pres in twos if i possibly can, 'cause a) stereo. b) even if you're in mono-- two channels is better than one.. especially if you record live peoples. and c) multimic capacity.. 'cause why put up one mic when two is also good. and d) MIXDOWN... dump that mix through 'em..

why not look at something like an ISA two or mebbe a pair or wa12s in a rack shelf? two comps is painful expensive... even the warm audio ones.. but a lotta guys like recording vocals and guitars through comps too.. so that's a possibility. warm's also making a pultec-ish eq now (!). so that's another option.

insofar as a 'verb unit-- that's probably not bad-- but i guess it depends on how you use it. if yer mostly tracking guitars-- that might work nicely, fo sho.

do you want it for general purpose stuff, or primarily guitar recording only?

EDIT: OH... i also recently got myself a really beastly heavy duty headphone amp, and the difference is phenomenal... totally recommend THAT for use with the saffires.. holy shit what a difference in terms of volume and clarity in the cans...

[Sizzler]

my rack's a furman, my pro26, and a focusrite twintrak pro. don't go that route (i.e. the twintrak).. it sounds basically like a focusrite 26 pre with a little more girth and flexibility. it was cheap.. but it works okay for recording some vocalists with compression in. a tb12 would be a GREAT choice-- i have a wa12, and love the doggone thing.. SO much more grip on whatever you're recording! personally though, i'd go for a stereo unit if you can pull it. i always try to get mics and pres in twos if i possibly can, 'cause a) stereo. b) even if you're in mono-- two channels is better than one.. especially if you record live peoples. and c) multimic capacity.. 'cause why put up one mic when two is also good. and d) MIXDOWN... dump that mix through 'em..

why not look at something like an ISA two or mebbe a pair or wa12s in a rack shelf? two comps is painful expensive... even the warm audio ones.. but a lotta guys like recording vocals and guitars through comps too.. so that's a possibility. warm's also making a pultec-ish eq now (!). so that's another option.

insofar as a 'verb unit-- that's probably not bad-- but i guess it depends on how you use it. if yer mostly tracking guitars-- that might work nicely, fo sho.

do you want it for general purpose stuff, or primarily guitar recording only?

EDIT: OH... i also recently got myself a really beastly heavy duty headphone amp, and the difference is phenomenal... totally recommend THAT for use with the saffires.. holy shit what a difference in terms of volume and clarity in the cans...

The rack will be multipurpose - drums, vox, bass, etc.

That ISA two or the two wa12s might be a good call

I have tried an ISA one and it was pretty darn good.

Also I have a 2 channel cloud lifter that I will use for now with my old sm7b and re20 (at least until I decide on preamps). I have it velcro'd in next to the pro26


fretless - the joemeek stuff also has my interest. the twinQ2 looks killer