Mike, it all started with API, you might have of heard of the "lunchbox". They also have a 200 series which I have, but only API makes modules to fit it. The rack is essentially the chassis containing the power supply and in/outs, each slot can hold 1 module, it just slides in and plugs in and you screw the module to the chassis like a rack. It allows you to purchase console quality components for a cheaper price because once you purchase the rack or lunchbox, you aren't buying a power supply and chassis for every module. The other advantage is that you buy only what you want or need, if you only want 1 mic pre instead of 2, you can mix and match. Let's say you only ever needed 1 mic pre and a compressor for recording vocals. You would need a 2 slot rack. The versatility is that you could buy an API pre, a Neve pre, SSL pre... and interchange them. A few modules take up 2 slots, beware of that. A 4 rack might be more practical if your chain was mic pre, eq, compressor?
This is all analog, balanced in/out connectors, does not come with an a/d converter, headphone jack, etc., that is where you would continue using your Steinberg or digi 002 interface. You could purchase the other items, but not necessary. It depends on how many channels you are going to record at once, and I presume if your current interfaces meet your needs for that, they still will.
There are so many possibilities now from when I bought my setup. There wasn't any usb connections for one, it used to be just pc cards.
Which model would I recommend? I have API and an Oram Octasonic and Octamix, and the only other thing I had to compare was an Amek Neve 9098EQ (mic pre and eq). That particular Neve couldn't hold a candle to the API pre imo. Rarely in audio have I found something that I was so satisfied with, I was never tempted to try anything else, and the API gear is one of those rarities. To be fair, the Oram is really good also, I just prefer the API. The press has praised and then crucified Oram, and I've never seen nothing but praise for API. API has mostly if not always been the same design and components and Neve has had numerous models. For me, since I haven't had much experience with anything other than API, I could just tell when I sing through my API chain, it just sounds like what I think it should sound. I've read that it is colored or has punch or for rock and roll, but I have no idea what that means.
To me it sounds natural,lol! The Neve I had sounded small in comparison, maybe it was lacking punch??
If I would have had choices at the time, I might not have bought API, because words like colored, punch and rock and roll might have prejudiced me against it in favor of warm and neutral.
I should also say that the only way I can evaluate anything is by singing through it, whether it's mics, pres, compressors, eq... Once it's recorded and played back, I honestly can't tell a whole lot of difference, well, amongst the better gear anyway.
For the single, over dubber in a home studio, that isn't recording a whole band at once, just one thing at a time, really just 1 or 2 for stereo channels is all a person needs, so why not have one or two really high quality chains to record? A really good mic, and
a 500 series console quality chain, (along with a descent a/d, d/a, headphone amp). The d/a and headphone amp isn't as critical because that's not what is recorded.
An alternative is a channel strip. The disadvantage is that you are locked in with one mfg. and one chain, unless there are inserts, but when you figure the cost, your probably still better off with the flexibility of the lunchbox 500 series. It just depends on your needs and preferences and if there is something that meets those needs.
