1. Digi 001 (PCI) $100 – $300

By now, everyone should know about the DIGI-001, but I’m sure there are some newbies out there that came up in the M-Box or even M-Box 2 Era. Well, welcome to the DIGI-001. This is the original home studio Pro-Tools Rig. It’s PCI, so that means you laptop users won’t be able to enjoy this one. What makes the DIGI-001 so special?

The ability to get 8-ins and 8-outs with Midi and SPDIF and 2 xlr inputs w/ quality preamps for $100 – $300. I purchased mine YEARS ago for $150 and haven’t looked back. It has some limitations including:

• Only compatible up to PT 6.4 (which you can download online anywhere)
• Uses PCI so you need an open PCI slot on your Desktop
• 1 Midi in and 1 Midi out

These problems are easily overcome. If you’re looking for a budget DAW then you are not likely to be mixing outside projects, so the 6.4 limitation shouldn’t bother you since any new PT can import your sessions. I used to mix sessions on this though, it’s more than capable.

2. MOTU 828 Firewire $100 – $400

There are a lot of different versions of the MOTU 828, MKII, MKIII, whatever… Just get one. This is firewire alternative for those of you who are mixing on a laptop. MOTU has been known for it’s expertise in Digital Audio, and the 828 is no exception. There are a lot of positivies to this piece if you can find it. One is on ebay right now at about $100 with 12 hours left.

• 8 inputs and 8 outputs including 2 XLR w/ preamps
• Optical and SPDIF and ADAT
• NO MIDI, that’s the biggest downfall, but if you’re using something else for MIDI (like a USB midi controller) than it’s great for the price

3. TC Electronics Konnekt 8 $300 (NEW!)

If you’re not a big fan of buying second-hand, then you’re obviously on the wrong site…but we’ve got something for you anyway. This is the new Firewire Audio Interface from TC Electronics. It has a ton of input options especially in the digital department. Not as extensive as the others, but with TC Electronics you can’t really go wrong for $300 new. Still I’d recommend going with one of the other 2, but if you’re looking for something new that is much more portable, then this is your choice.

• Digital Inputs including SPDIF, ADAT, and OPTICAL
• Midi In / Midi Out
• 2 Headphone jacks
• Multiple Inputs including XLR
• Lightweight and Portable

There you have it. 3 great audio interfaces that can help you get a much better sound than you’re getting from your M-Audio or Edirol piece of sh–I mean interface.  It’s all about preference, if you’re a Pro-Tools user or want to be, then grab the Digi 001 if you’re on a limited budget. If you’re more into Logic or Ableton or something like that, pick up one of the other 2. If you’re looking for portable, then go with the TC Electronics.

Until next time, keep looking for those deals.

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Ensoniq Mirage

The mirage is a classic 8-bit beast with VERY limited sampling time. 2 seconds in full 33khz mode, or 6.5 seconds in 10 khz mode. If you want GRIMEY dirty drums, it doesn’t get much dirtier than the Mirage. You can find it locally for about $50, expect to pay about $70 on eBay.

More info on the Mirage:  http://www.syntaur.com/tech-mir.html

Cazio RZ-1

This is another 8-bit beast, but it might be a little bit more fun than the mirage since it’s already a drum machine.  You are given 4 0.2 second banks to work with, or one .8 second bank. That means kick, snare, hat, hat2 if you’re lucky.

Obviously the RZ-1 is not meant to be your centerpiece in the 21st century but a cool little toy none the less. It’s HUGE for circuit benders who like to make it do really crazy stuff.  You should be able to pick one up for about $50 – $75 eBay or local.

More info on the Casio RZ-1:  http://www.vintagesynth.com/casio/rz1.php

Roland S-330

Probably THE BEST option on this list due to it’s sound, resolution, storage, and sampling time. The S-330 gives you about 29 seconds total sampling time in crisp 12-bit 30khz resolution. It’s like a little S-50 in a box and not many people know about it.

You can pick up one up for dirt cheap. I saw a set of 2 w/ a controller go on eBay recently for only $40, that’s a real deal right there. Harder to find, but cheap and worth it.

More info on the Roland S-330:  http://www.vintagesynth.com/roland/s330.php

Yamaha TX16w

The Yamaha tx16w is a NIGHTMARE function-wise unless you get the Typhoon OS (free) and install it via floppy drive. Once you get the new OS it’s a pretty sweet machine.

12-bit 33.3 khz, expandable up to 6mb ram so you get well over 60 seconds sampling time, and a 3.5″ floppy drive! Another great option for a 12-bit crunch on a budget. These have been going on eBay for about $50 – $75 lately, and at that price, it’s a steal, just make sure the drive works so you can install the Typhoon OS.

More info on the Yamaha TX16w:  http://www.vintagesynth.com/yamaha/tx16w.php

Korg DSM-1

The Korg DSM1 is one of the harder 12-bit samplers to find, but if you can, get it. It’s the rack version of the more expensive and bulkier Korg DSS1.

It features 8-outputs standard, about 1mb of built-in ram, optional 8-bit or 12-bit sampler, and a 3.5″ floppy drive to save everything. One of the few pure samplers from Korg, this thing is well known (as is it’s keyed brother the DSS-1) for having a great deep sound.

These are going for close to $100, but you might have to take your time and keep an eye out since it’s not as common as a Mirage or TX16w.

More info on the Korg DSM-1:  http://www.sonicstate.com/synth/korgdsm1.cfm

That concludes another edition of Recession Gear, next up will be 16-bit samplers under $100.

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Does the SP-1200 price tag have you giving up on E-mu dreams? Help is on the way.

Ever since the SP-1200 burst onto the scene it’s been a hiphop staple, and it’s price has never really slid over the past 20 years. Any SP-1200, regardless of condition, is hard to find below $1000 and sometimes go upwards of $1500 – $2000. Now that’s simply too out of reach for most of us since it’s primarily going to be just for drums. Not quite affordable in anyway. There are a few options out there that can give you almost the EXACT sound at a fraction of the price. You may have to give up some functionality or some features, but the sound is essentially the same.

E-Mu SP-12 (Turbo)

I purchased one of these second hand for about $300 a good 10 years ago, the price today? About the same. Anywhere from $300 – $600 should get you a nice SP-12 Turbo. What’s the difference between this and the SP-1200?

Well, only 5 seconds of sample time and oh yeah, it uses a Commodore 5.25″ drive, that is if you can find one.  The 5 seconds is really a limitation since it’s for drums anyway, should be plenty (no long crashes!), the drive however can be a deal-breaker. One cool thing is that it has a battery backup so it will keep your sounds last sampled when you turn it off, just track out your drum track to your DAW and who needs a friggin disk drive right? That’s what I used to do.

If the lack of a 3.5″ disk drive is enough to turn you away from the beautiful beast, there’s a cheaper option available.

E-mu Emax (SE/HD/Keyboard/Rack)

The Emax was one of my favorite rack samplers of all time. The sound is undistinguishable from the SP-12/1200 and the only difference is no sequencer and more sample time. Essentially it’s a rack or keyboard version of the SP-1200.  The price tag reflects this as you can pick up any of the Emax models from about $150 – $250. Watch out for busted disk drives, but if it’s cheap enough, screw it, pick it up!

The Emax features a 3.5″ Disk Drive and some units even have a small Hard-Drive inside. This is definitely the budget option when looking to get that EXACT SP-1200 sound.

Note: Stay away from the Emax II if you want 12-bit, the E-max II is a great sampler, but 16 bit.

Classic Price: E-Mu SP-1200 $1000+

Budget Option: E-Mu SP-12/Turbo $300 – $600

Recession Gear: E-mu Emax (I) (SE/HD/Keyboard/Rack) $150 – $250

There are a few other cheaper 12-bit sample options if you’re looking for the sub $100 machines, but you’ll have to wait until the next Recession Gear for that.

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So the economic crisis is no doubt affecting just about everyone, especially all the gear junkies worldwide. Some prices have fallen on gear, but not really on anything that is in high demand. So if you’re looking to get that crunchy 12-bit sound at a fraction of the price, there are a few options available.

An MPC-60, even with the stock OS and ram will run you between $400 and $600 if you can find one. So what else is there?

Budget Gear

Well, most people by now probably already know all about the Akai S-950, but it’s worth mentioning, as well as it’s less popular red-headed step-dad, the Akai S-900.

The s-900 goes for as little as $50 on ebay, but more likely somewhere in the $100 – $250 range, an s-950 goes for around $150 – $300 on ebay. Either way, you can’t beat it for the price. You get a beautiful 12-bit sound, with tons of sample time at a fraction of the price. The s-900 could hold up to 63 seconds of sample time which is more than enough. Most likely you’ll need a good 10 seconds just for drums…which brings us to your REAL budget options.

RECESSION GEAR

Akai S-700 and Akai S-612

Each has about 8 seconds of sampling time maximum, and each uses the impossible to find quick disk (QD). The S-612 had an external QD drive that I’ve always seen attached. These machines are more for sampling into and then back out into your main sampler. If you happen to find a stockpile of QD’s, then you may be in business.

These things are TRUE 12-bit samplers. A gritty sound that the MPC-60 would be envious of. These are by far the most economical units to get that famous MPC-60 crunch to your drums, and they could cost you anywhere between $0 and $100. Just keep your eyes peeled to eBay and your local craigslist for them.

Let’s review, when you want to get that classic sound, here are your pay grades:

Classic Sound with a Classic Price: Akai MPC-60 / II  $400 – $800

Budget and functionality: Akai S-950 / S-900 $100 – $300

Recession Gear: Akai S-700 / Akai S-612 $0 – $100

That’s it for this version of recession gear, next up:  E-mu’s SP-1200

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