ABSTRACT
Pro Tools systems do not include monitor speakers or microphones, and professional Digidesign hardware interfaces don’t incorporate microphone preamplifiers – they typically have line level analog or digital inputs – so you will need to use additional Digidesign or third-party equipment in most recording situations. Digidesign does offer the PRE, which is a high-quality 8-channel remotely controllable microphone preamplifier unit. However, many recording engineers and producers prefer to use established designs from third-party manufacturers. So, most studios will want to add at least a couple of high-quality microphone preamplifiers to the equipment list, along with at least one or two (or even a cupboard full of) high-quality studio microphones if they plan to record vocals, guitars, or other acoustic instruments. Another option, especially for larger studios, is to use a professional mixing console from Neve, SSL, API, or other quality manufacturers. These mixing consoles usually have extremely high-quality microphone preamplifiers and plenty of signal processors, such as equalizers or compressors, built-in. A recent trend from third-party manufacturers is to produce mixing consoles that are designed especially to interface with Pro Tools systems, such as the
SSL AWS 900 series, which also functions as a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) controller, or the small format API 1608, which provides 16 vintage-style analog mic pres and along with 16 equalizers. An external mixer also provides latency-free monitoring while recording, usually has additional connections for playback equipment, and typically provides volume controls, dim, mono and mute switches, talkback features, and switching for control room and studio monitor systems. Headphone amplifiers with suitable sets of headphones, such as the BeyerDynamic DT100 models, will be needed for the musicians while they record. The recording engineer or producer will be more interested in the super high-quality BeyerDynamic DT48 headphones, which are much more expensive to buy, but which produce sound quality similar to professional studio monitors. For the engineer and producer in the control room, Digidesign offers its Reference Monitor Series of powered nearfield monitors, which nicely complement Pro Tools systems. Of course, there are plenty of alternatives from companies such as ATC or PMC at the high end, Genelec or KRK in the midground, and more affordable models from Mackie and others at entry level.
