Newbie - Non-midi Stereo Recording Hw, Ready to by laptop for live recording Options

[jetset]

Hi. I am a long time musician and mac user, but need to finally do both. I'm ready to upgrade to a G4 laptop and would like a system that I could also use to record live stereo classical music to do a CD for my brass quintet.

I assume a new ibook would be fine for this, but need advice on an input device. I would like to go as simple as possible- I don't need MIDI or more than two simultaneous tracks. I have read about the iMic and the Edirol UA-20.

I basically need just a two mic input unit with a quality A/D converter that will support 24 bit 44khz. I also assume USB is fine, or is a firewire connection necessary?

What would you folks recommend?

Thanks,

John

This post has been edited by jetset: Wed 14 Jan 2004, 16:43

[Presto]

Hey, just seen your request. Nobody answered you!!! Doesn't anybody in the English side of the macmusic team know anything about audio recording???!!

It seems very few people actually do stereo recording. I suppose they're into multi-mono recording. That explains why they need G5s, loads of mics, tracks and plugins. Probably also explains why they go for desktop power instead of getting a lower end but nice, quiet laptop that you can carry around.

I use an mbox with a G3 ibook. A couple of tiny DPA 4060 mics would do fine for brass (xy is ok).

If you record a band, orchestra, choir, or anything live with multi-mono, even with an enormous budget, you'll never get as good a sound as with simple stereo. If anybody disagrees I'd love to hear from them.

Best place for the mics is where the conductor would like to have his ears. For a big orchestra that would probably be a couple of yards over the conductor's head. If you haven't got a mic stand you could always use fine string.

For a band with amps the best place for me seems to be on the third angle of an equilateral triangle where the two other angles are the extreme left and right of the sound source. With a wider source you can be a bit nearer.

A couple of extra mics could be used to the left and right of the middle of the concert room if you like what it does for your band's sound.

Ah, well, I suppose you found something already. I'd like to know what

This post has been edited by Presto: Mon 30 Aug 2004, 22:12