Firewire Audio Interfaces.

[Stansfield03]

Hi,

I'm looking to upgrade my home studio so that I can record much more tracks simultaneously most likely using logic Pro. But importantly I want to have a minimum of 8 tracks available to record together into logic, so that I can be free to edit them separately.

 

Which really rules out any USB mixers I have found, seeing as usually only 2 stereo tracks can be exported via USB. Since a lot of fire wire mixing desks are somewhat out of my price range. I have been looking at some fire wire audio interfaces, alongside which I could then have a relatively cheap mixer for any monitoring and headphone leveling, etc if needed. seeing as pretty much all my mixing can be done in logic. (Or I could record into a decent mixer and link that to the computer via an interface using the direct ins and outs...)

either way..

My price limits for interface (and mixer if needed) is about £300-400 from which I obviosly want to squeeze the best out of in terms of recording quality.

 

so far my best find is the Alesis I/O 26.

 

Just looking for opinions and guidance! on this product and alternatives. and some advice on the mixers side.

or even any other completely different possible recording setups.

 

many Thanks.

[paulears]

Firewire

Presonus Firestudio Project

Focusrite Saffire

M-Audio Profire - a touch over, but rather nice.

 

USB

Tascam US-1641

 

All have 8 mic inputs - hope this helps.

 

I'm about to buy one of the Tascams for an up and coming project myself - mainly because Firewire for video is on the wane - and USB2 seems better implemented on many new computers without having to add firewire cards.

Moderation: The duplicate post you made has been zapped - we don't post the same request in different areas on the BR -most members use the view new posts function, so see both at the same time!

[Dan Gruner]

Check out the MOTU 8Pre. It's a 1U Firewire interface with 8 mic/line inputs, ADAT I/O and MIDI.

 

http://www.motu.com/products/motuaudio/8pre/

 

Fits into your price range and importantly, it sounds very good! I have used it for several small projects with excellent results.

 

PM if I can be of further help.

 

Dan

 

Loud Audio Ltd.

[Stansfield03]

Brilliant, thank you!

 

Definitely alot more options for me to consider now, really helpful stuff, THANKYOU!

[bassnote]

With something like the Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 or any of the others listed, you have zero latency monitoring through the soundcard software for headphone mixes etc

[Mr Steve]

I picked up an Echo Audiofire 12 for approx £400 online. 1u, FireWire 12 in/out

[paulears]

you have zero latency monitoring through the soundcard software for headphone mixes etc

 

Does anyone find this feature useful? I tend to use the features within the software to provide mixes - I've found the occasional use for the knob on the unit but it's not a major feature I would use much. I have to own up to using it to let me route a MD player through to the monitor amp without having to turn on the PC, for simply playing music - but during a recording session it's a bit kind of obsolete?

[mike7172]

I use an m-audio 1814 which has 2 pre-amps and 8 line ins, and I expand it via the optical input, theres a range of products that you can use, I think the cheapest out there is the behringer ultragain 8 (not that I strongly recommend it) but this gives you 10 pre-ins and 8 line ins on a great budget, hope this helps.

 

M

:)

[Newport2610]

Hi I would also recommend Focusrite. I have a Saffire pro 26 I/o it is a 1u rack mount firewire interface, 8 analogue, 2 SPDIF, and 16 ADAT in and out. It cost me £350ish nearly 2 years ago, very reliable.

 

Newport

[chatterbox]

Have used the Roland edirol 101 and found that very good.

ALso used an ESI QUATAFIRE - that was okay too.....