Topic: What might I need to change in my rig?

[bobs23]

First off newb to the site, and have been reading the forum for a few weeks.
Gear:
Recording: M1 with sonic studios mod2 preamp, sonic studios DSM6/L
Mastering: hardware DA60>AES>yamaha O3D>audigy2 SPDIF
               software Sound Forge 7 w/NR package
Tracking: CDWave

I mainly record loud rock (Dream Theater, Godsmack, etc.) stealth.

I am presently getting pretty good recordings, but am looking to improve. This is the first site I have found I think I can get an honest educated answer.

In looking through the forums it appears that my soundcard may be the weakest link. I see many people endorse the audiophile 2496 card, is this a big improvement over what I have?

I use the O3D mixer to knock down the bass initially(usually -8db shelf @120hz), these mics seem to record quite fathfully the bottom end of a show but is way too heavy for CD listening, I seem to have better results to do it at this stage rather than doing it in software. I also use the mixer for balancing, again better at this stage.

My general technique is once it's on HD is to use multiband comp. to tighten up the bottom, a bit of eq to bring out vocals, then normalize to pull the whole mix up.

Another device I was thinking of adding is the sonic studios bass roll off box (PA6LC3B) this does the roll off of -10 @ 130hz

I'm not "married" to any of the gear, it was just the best I could find.
Suggestions?
Thank you,
Bob S.

[jpschust]

bob, if you are focusing on two track recordings why not get an active 7pin from your dat and go straight digi in to your soundcard, hence not needing to go a>d>a>d, just go a>d once and leave it at that.

you can do the basic eq you want in good software and get the same results as with the gear you are currently using.