On drums...

Wondering if your recording rigs have changed since last time we all discussed this. Mine has managed to grow quietly but I am looking to expand it with either a new mixer or some rack preamps, wondering what you guys think about all this preamp buzz. We all learned on mixers but they really don't apply so much in a home environment anymore,you can get just as good sounds with a smaller rig.

Right now mine is
motu 828 mk 2
tascam m312 mixer that i hate
beyer m88
audix15
oktava 012's
oktava219's

Looking at either a sytek preamp or a soundcraft m8 mixer for more inputs/better sound than the 312 dumpster.
I ended up going with the m88 after reading a bunch of great articles about it, not necessarily a kick mic but all around great dynamic.

Whats in your basement/rec room?

I have a full blown PA in my basement. I have been through several different setups, sizes and brands over the years. I have not entered into the world of home recording, my stuff has always been used for live bands. I think it will be something I will get serious about when I am in a more serious band. (I don't have much interest in just recording myself)
Here is where I am with it.
Preamp's has always been the grey area for me but I have started to delve into it. I understand them, see their worth, I mean if you really are going to start moving into professional sound the very first thing any pro I have run into will bring up is preamps.
I just sold my 32 x 8 Mackie board that I was completely addicted to because the preamps in it are well known to be very poor. I opted for a different board with known decent preamps.
Of course most pro's have seperate preamps anyway but looking into them I really want good ones and THEY ARE PRICEY.

I think I would agree with you Tim in that people are putting out professional sounding recordings right out of their bedrooms with nothing but the basics.
Expensive preamps doesn't seem to be a big issue anymore with all the crazy gear/computer programs out there now for home use.
I mean I have gotten demo stuff sent to me that has been recorded in a bedroom by one guy that has absolutely blown my mind.

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Cliff

River City Trio

What if we did all have the same opinions?

My setup is so good, it hasn't changed much.

H4n recorder on a tripod.

I move it around the room looking for the best spot.

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Gregory

Greg, out of those pre's you list do you have a favorite?

I have had about 4 of those 32 x 8 Mackies. What a piece of equipment those are. Love them.
I've been using this Allen&Heath 16:2 Mix wizard for about 6 months now. Seems to do very well with a full live band. Haven't done anything else with it yet. It came with a hardcase that acts as a stand and has wheels. You can drop the board down into it, put on the lid, pull out the handle and roll away. Pretty cool.

Good question Kelly, that's like asking me who is my favorite kid.
The Daking's are very similar to the classic old Neve's very warm and fat sounding. Great for Kick and Toms.
The API is VERY strong in the high mids, which is ideal for snare and hi hats.
The BIZ is the best for Overheads. It has a slight boost in the highs and lows, with a dip in the mids. So beautiful.
I love the Mackie 8 bus analog mixers. The preamps are average at best IMO. But the Eq is great as long as you don't boost too much. It gets very edgy after about a 4 db boost.
Allen and Heath make great mixers, you've got a winner there.