Two (seemingly) Great Boards: Korg D32XD and Roland VS-2480 (Your Opinions...)

[nupe1911lox]

We know that there is little known about the Korg D32XD because it has only recently been released, but for those of you who have had experience with Korg multitracks and Roland multitracks, what do you think will be some advantages or disadvantages to having one or the other of these products (perhaps the Korg D32XD or the Roland VS2480)?

Suggested Topics: Ease of Use, Integration with Other Equipment, Sound
Quality, Effects Quality, and Expansion

[Byll]

A quick point, if I may. The heading of this post may not get the results you wish, as neither unit mentioned is a 'board', per se, but both are actually stand-alone DAWs, with mastering capabilities. My studio uses Yamaha architecture in the form of an AW2816 (soon to be two of them, cascaded), so I can be of no help to you in your Korg/Roland questions, but a change of heading might bring more usable posts your way.

Good luck in your choice.
Best.
Byll
Underground Sound Productions

[xstatic]

I have no experience with the Korg, but all of my experiences with the Roland have been awful. Or any other all-in-one DAW for that matter. In fact, the only digital mixer so far that I have liked the sound of is the Yamaha DM or the Sony DMX (not including higher end digital consoles). The biggest problem in my opinion is the sound of the mic preamps and the EQ's. AS a mixer for prerecorded tracks they seem to be pretty nice, and some of the FX settings are useful (especially on the Yamaha's). However, to get into anything any nicer sounding it is also going to cost more. Its the endless battle of budget vs. sound quality. I have some experience with the yamaha AW line, the Rolands, and even the Fostex. I would never use those preamps, EQ's, or the mastering settings for any product I would want others to hear. What I do find them useful for is for bands to use to make some of their own mock up recordings so that when they do come into the studio they have a more intimate knowledge of their material so that we can use their time perfecting their material, rather than trying to rewrite, rearrange, and basically just get passable tracks. Just my 2 cents:)

[Byll]

On a positive note...

As I stated before, I use the Yamaha 2816. Our mics range from vintage tubes, through modern tubes, KSM-quality devices, etc...Nothing fancy or horrendously expensive...

Most of the time we bypass the mic pres in the Yamaha and use tube pre-amps, but on occasion, we do use the internal pres. While we do editing and mastering on DP software, external to the Yamaha, we do use the Yamaha's internal FX, EQ, and Dynamics...They are acceptable to both our studio and our clients. I agree with my colleague that it comes down to the battle of budget vs. sound quality. For us, that battle has been won by the Yamaha 2816. It does the job.
Best.
Byll

[nupe1911lox]

My thing is this; I've wanted to move into the DAW area for quite some time now, but I just don't know which way to go. I tried the Korg D1600 and found myself using Cubase and Nuendo more. So, i ended up selling the D1600. Now, I am trying to decide whether I should get the Korg (because I figure that since I have a Korg Triton, they'd probably work together better- I would guess that Korg makes its products to best communicate with each other), or some other DAW. At the same time, I don't want to spend a "couple of grand" on something that is not going to improve my sound quality. So...OK.... let's lay it all on the line: Here is what I have so far:

Production: (Keyboard=Korg Triton, Soft Synths=Reason & Project 5,
some VST instruments)

Mic: Studio Pro M2 by Peavey

Prossesors: DSP Effects Processor (can't remember the model), Bellari
RP282 Compressor, Antares ATR-1a Vocal Processor

SoundCard: Sound Blaster Extigy (Not the oe that is installed into the
computer itself, but the one that is an independant unit [24-
bit/96kHZ capabilities]

Recording Software: Steinberg Nuendo & Cubase SX

PreAmp: ART Tube MP Studio V3

Mic & Line mixer: Peavey (can't remember the model) (has 6-channels)

Midi: Midi Man & SoundBlaster Extigy both capable of midi

Plugins: Waves


**What are some suggestions as to where I need upgrades? I have a $4500 budget and want to know if I should replace computer recording with a DAW like the D32XD, the VS-2480, or one of the Yamahas, or do I keep what I've got and add to or upgrade something else?

[xstatic]

Honestly, spend $2500 on a used analog console of high quality (not a mackie, behringer etc...), and then spend $400 on a used MOTU 2408, buy 2 channels of decent compression and spend the rest on mics. Or bag the mics and drop $1000 on a used Empirical Labs Distressor (you will be amazed at what this box will do to your tracks). The EQ, FX, and compression built into Cubase SX will exceed the quality of either the Roland or the Korg. The console will tighten, clarify and fatten all your tracks up at the same time. Also get some decent monitors. If you look carefully out there, all this is achievable in your price range. Good luck:)

[TASCAM Jace]

Both are good units and have their place. They both have weaknesses that the other does not. So you'll have to see what features are more important to you.
Never assume that items made by the same manufacturer will work well together. You need to know what features you require and make sure that the piece you're looking at has them.
Considering the equipment you already own, I'd stick with Cubase or Nuendo. The next thing you need to think about is how many tracks you need to record at once and how many musicians you'll be dealing with at one time. Tracking a standard rock band is going to require at least 12 to 16 mic pres. They will also need separate cue mixes with at least effects for the vocalist. So you'll need 4 to 6 aux sends and a headphone amp. You'll also need an audio interface that will allow you to record these 12 to 16 inputs.
The combination of the MOTU 2408III interface $949, the TASCAM DM-24 digital mixer $2399 and the Behringer POWERPLAY PRO-8 HA8000 headphone amp for $149 can't be beat. These are all MAP prices on new items. You may be able to get a better deal or buy them used. Check EBAY.
The DM-24 will allow you mix 24 tracks digitally through the board and send the stereo mix back to the DAW mix. The DM-24 has tons of DSP(EQ, Compressors, Gates and two effects processors) and it takes a huge load off of your CPU. The DM-24 is also a great control surface.
http://www.tascam.com/products/digital_mixers/dm24/index.php
If you're more of a solo artist, and don't need those features, then you may not need a console at all.
You may want to take a look at the new TASCAM FW-1884.
http://www.tascam.com/products/computer_recording/fw1884/index.php
This gives you 8 good mic pres, 4 MIDI I/O and a great control surface for both Cubase and Nuendo. All audio and MIDI communicates with your computer via Firewire.
You also get S/PDIF and ADAT I/O. So you could add a Presonus Digimax LT mic pre later for 8 more great mic pres and an effect processor with digital I/O for instance.
This sells at Sweetwater for only $1299.
Good mics and monitors are a given.
If you're recording bands on a budget:
Audix DP-2 drum pack
* (1) D-1 Snare
* (2) D-2 Toms
* (1) D-4 Kick Drum
* (4) Dflex
* (1) Sturdy Road Case
(two of these are perfect for larger double bass drum kits)
Hi Hat Shure SM-849
Over heads matched pair of CAD E-100
The tom mics are clip on, but be sure to invest in GOOD mic stands
for everything else. Good cables and good mic stands are the best
money you'll ever spend.
Shure SM-57 for electric guitars.
Bass-Get a good direct box.
Shure SM-58 for scratch vocals
The CAD E-100s will be great for vocal overdubs and acoustic instruments later.

If you're going solo:
MIDI instruments will be doing your drums.
An AKG 414 is one of the best sounding most versitle mics you can buy.
You can use it on a kick drum, a sax or a lead vocal. A matched pair is magic
on a piano.
Senhiser 421 and 441 are great electric guitar mics.
The Shure SM-57 is also a great electric guitar mic.
There's nothing you can't do with multiple SM-57s and 414sThat beings said, you may just want to look in to a
Line 6 POD XT and record you're guitar parts digitally.
As far as monitors go, a pair of Audix 1As with a Hafler P150 poweramp
are very warm and flat.
None of this makes any difference if your control room hasn't been acoustically
treated. If your room is filled with a bunch of standing waves, you'll never hear
anything properly and it's all for not. I'd rather have 20 year old gear in a great
sounding control room, then state of the art gear in the average bedroom.
Well, there's a bunch of info for you.
Cheers,
Jace

[nupe1911lox]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I also have this other minute problem; in some of my recordings, I can hear a slight hum in the vocals. However, it is not audible to the point where the customer will notice. It's something that takes a mixing ear to hear, but it bothers the heck out of me. I took a one of my closets and I fully padded all of the walls and it helped a lot; it got me to the point where I am now. Any suggestions as to what I can do to get rid of the rest?