|
|
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 5567
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Anyone here have any experience with the Lexicon Omega w/Cubase...the price is right and the reviews look good. My budget is strained so this seems a good solution. Comments? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2005
Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | Mike, BEWARE!!!!
You are about to step off on a very slippery slope. Yes, the Omega/Cubase is a fine package. Followed shortly by your realisation that you need/want a nice pair of powered studio monitors, then better cables, a break out box, a large diaphram mic, some guitar condensor mics, an outboard mixer to feed the Lexicon, high quality headphones, a new/faster computer with widescreen monitor, a digital control surface, sound treatment for the walls, a chair that does not squeek ...
Trust me, my friend. I have been down this road. Thousands and thousands of dollars spent on what looked like a "must have" in the glossy magazine ads. In the end I've managed to turn out one lousy Peanuts song.
From what I know/read the Omega/Cubase is a fine package. I use something else, no better or worse, just different. If anyone will put it to good use, I'm sure you will. Just be prepared $$$ for what you are about to get into.
Dave |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | Mike, with all the gear you`ve got, is n`t there a PA and a recording device amongst it..??..why do you want to use a computer, I`ve got a KORG D3200, 32 ch., mixer with built-in hard-drive, CD recorder-player, and a "session drummer", gathering from what Dave says (and others), and considering that you`re a true musician, why not stick to professional stuff, the D3200 is a neat and sturdy package, it can be used as a "live" mixer, and it`s much easier to work with than a computer, it can make a First-Class recording while performing, sure, it may take a while to get used to, but it WILL give you OUTSTANDING results (the pre-amps and FX are of very high quality), using it for both "live" and "home" applications will enable you to build a routine, thereby avoiding headaches, like, "how was that again ?? ", really, such a stand-alone can save a lot of hassle, and is, in the end more economical, couple it to a PA, use your regular gear,mic`s., cables, whatever, and you`re all set, ...and that "session drummer" is real Nice !! :)
http://www.korg.com/gear/info.asp?a_prod_no=D3200&category_id=3
Vic
..a dented, paint peeling off SM58 can sound surprisingly good through that one.. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Hey, Dave!!
You're not gonna be in NYC next weekend by any chance, are ya??
The AES(AudioEngineeringSociety) Show is town the 5th thru the 8th.
Some R-E-A-L-L-Y COOL toys t'drool over!!
(Some of this stuff you'd have to sell the house & pimp the wife just to pay for the installation . . .) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Brian has that Cubase set-up. We recorded our submissions for the OFC disc on it. I borrowed it for a couple months and had a chance for a test drive.
For my needs it just too much. I’d describe it as being very “sound engineer” friendly and not very “guitar playing guy” friendly. Lots of procedural details to keep track of. Lots of bells & whistles I’ll never use. It’s one of those things that you have to dedicate time to on a regular basis to stay proficient at it.
When I can shake loose some cash I might look for a used Tascam unit on e-bay. Like Vic suggested, a stand alone unit might be more what I'm looking for.
About the mics. Brian has the 2 mic set you see in the Guitar Center catalog for $99. They work plenty fine for what I want to do. (I can just see Al rolling his eyes back and Master Templeman reaching for a stiff drink at just the thought of using a $50 microphone.)
Dave… I know you have the talent for more recordings but it’s my guess that like me, it’s hard to find the time to do it.
A couple months ago I put together a picture / slide-show DVD for some friends. Your “Peanuts” song fit perfectly for the soundtrack. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Originally posted by Solid Top aka Enfant Terrible:
why not stick to professional stuff, This sounds like you are saying a DAW setup is not professional :eek: :eek: :eek:
I believe that a DAW will ultimately give you much more versatility than a stand alone unit can ever imagine.....but like Dave says....buyer beware as you start to get a new type of GAS. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Mike, that is a great little setup. It is not that difficult to figure out and Cubase in one of the DAW standards so there are plenty of knowledgeable folks and books to help you through any tough spots. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | Digitally Audio Work station, that is just what the D3200 actually is, Mobile at that, in Utmost Quality...and a Musician Friendly one.. :)
Vic
..and affordable.. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | I don't know Lexicon/Omega, but I use Cubase at home, and I really like it.
It IS a bit daunting at the beginning, but (like everything ELSE) the more y'use it, the easier it gets . . .
I use a pair of MXL condensors and a small Behringer mixer. After the end of '07 and there's more "gaps" in the gig schedule, I'll try using the Yamaha 16-channel mixer. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | I had written a long post, then thought,..when Dave`s post is Invisible, and Brad`s post ditto, then why would I bother...
Vic
..playing guitar on a keyboard could be fun I suppose.. :) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Originally posted by Solid Top aka Enfant Terrible:
..playing guitar on a keyboard could be fun I suppose.. :) Sigh.......... :(
Obviously you know very little about recording through a computer. :rolleyes: To each is own and I respect your choice of recording media. The Korg is a fine unit and I actually owned one for quite a while until I decided I wanted more versatility and control. YMMV ;) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | ..and here I was...convinced that the D3200 was a Computer, Optimized for Digital Audio Processing..
Vic
..I knew there was a reason why that keyboard would n`t fit.. :) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | The biggest drawbacks to units like the Korg are their inability to edit. If I happened to play a lead track that was 95% perfect, with the computer I just snip out the bad notes and insert the good notes. With a Korg, I would have to replay the entire track (unless things have changed a LOT since I last looked!)
Same with vocals,bass, keys, etc. The editing capabilities is what makes the computer DAW so nice.
Also the ability to add/remove effects/compression/EQ after previewing them without altering the original recording.
Course if you always play your parts perfect, then forget everything I just said and enjoy! :D |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | Now, you would not, by any chance, insinuate that I play any good notes would you..
Vic
..I am in Dis-chord with Consonants as it is already.. :) :D |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 4081
Location: Utah | Mike, I have the little brother to the Omega, the Alpha. The sound is good and it works well through the USB port. No phantom power on the Alpha, but IIRC the Omega has it. The preamps are decently clean and they boost even a weak signal without noise.
I run Guitar Tracks Pro recording software. As a generalization, recording on the computer is pretty easy and fun. Editing is pretty easy.
However, there are two caveats. First, even a fairly new and powerful desktop can get bogged down with crap running in the background. The kids' iTunes is a big problem, as is Norton AntiVirus. We have to shut down most of the background processes to avoid problems. You can create a clean startup which runs nothing but your recording software, or you can manually shut stuff down.
The second problem is that there is a vocabulary used in the manuals and online forums that can be foreign. The concepts aren't difficult, but sometimes I have no idea what a particular word means. So there is a learning curve a few curse words in your future. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | Until now I thought that I had to learn to play correctly before I recorded something and the recordings I heard from you guys were examples of why I shouldn't record anything. I suspected that these computer programs could fix mistakes, but I prefer to hold onto my perception that you are just really good musicians. Please don't put any disclaimers on the next OFC CD to the effect that it has been digitally altered.
Next thing you know, someone will digitally enhance the wearers of the cocoanut bras. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | Next thing you know, someone will digitally enhance the wearers of the cocoanut bras.
----------------------------------------
...trust maître to pour gas on the fire..
Vic
...he he he.. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2005
Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by cliff:
Hey, Dave!!
You're not gonna be in NYC next weekend by any chance, are ya??
Unfortunately I can't be there next weekend. I'm stuck in the left half until end of Oct.
Dave |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 5567
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Hey group, thanks for all the help and advice; opinions and pitfall bewares...I really do appreciate it...I have an older setup:
From the top: RackRider RR-15-Plus Power conditioner and Light Module; Korg Toneworks DTR-1 Digital Tuner; Echo Mona 24/96 Digital Studio w/pc card and interface; Rocktron Intellifex Processor; Nady Audio CL-5000 Dual Channel Compressor Limiter w/gate; Apxex 104 Aural Exciter Type C2 w/Big Bottom; Sony cassette deck.
I also have a Rode NT2 large diaphram condenser Mic (Austrailia) as well as an old version of Cakewalk Pro Audio (1999). My computer is a Dell XPS 600, P-4 3.6ghz; 2 gigs of ram. 80 gig Raptor hard drive, Creative Audio X-Fi sound card, etc, DVD R/RW Dual Layer, etc.
I had planned on creating a home studio 6 years ago but kids, seminary, and job took a toll...but now I want to get back into it; just not sure if my ECHO Mona is outdated or obsolete...There for I am thinking of going smaller and more compact...also I don't know if the software is still current. I want to take advantage of the computer and the DVD RW drive it has to make copies etc. So again, any help or ideas anyone has is helpful and is appreciated!
;) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | Mike,
I assume that you have read the discussion ( incl. the match between "killer Stephen" and "feisty Vic" ), so let me ask you, how do you want to tackle this,....
A) Recording VooDoo = very costly
B) HomeHobby = costly
C) LazyMusicianRealLifeApproach = affordable
Vic
---------------------------------
...No stop signs...speed limit..
..Nobody`s gonna slow me down..
..Like a wheel, gonna spin it..
..Nobody`s gonna mess me around..
--------------------- AC/DC -- |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Mike, if you decide to go the Cubase route, I have a couple or three really good instructional books that I can send your way. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 5567
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Hey Vic: I choose C....for now...
Stephen: I am leaning that route and later when funds pick up, I'll rethink with a all in one DWS. BTW, I also have an Alesis Fusion 6HD w/a complete sound library from Hollow Sun downloaded and installed...it is fantastic...I just need some time to play with the toys...
:confused:
"Time, Time, Time, See what's become of me...." |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 5567
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | BTW, DAVE, my man, I hear you loud and clear...Thanks for the concern and understanding...I appreciate it!
;) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 4081
Location: Utah | The Cubase that is packaged with the Omega is the LE version. Don't know if it is a full-up version or not. You might want to check into that before planning on using it. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Mike, just let me know and I will send the books your way. Cubase LE is a nice stable program to work with. I think it is an LE version of SX3 but I am not 100% sure. |
|
| |
Computer Recording
