#1682334 - 06/22/05 05:59 PM
Another interface dilemma
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WaterMan
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Registered: 05/01/03
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Loc: Sacramento
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Assuming I don't want to spend $1500 for an RME, how do you feel about Echo's Layla, ultimately adding the Mackie controller. I just need 2 mic pres, plus instrument (guitar) input and midi in the simplest, cleanest configuration possible. Application is recording 1 to 2 tracks at a time (primarily audio), overdubbing up to 10 tracks including drum loops. Presonus also seems to fit the bill. Any thoughts? Thanks.
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#1682335 - 06/22/05 10:03 PM
Re: Another interface dilemma
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Sean Eldon
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Registered: 04/19/04
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you could always get the Tascam FW-1082 control surface/interface and save some bucks. i really can't justify getting the mackie controller for 999. sure, it's expandable, but that costs you 100 dollars less than the entire damn control surface did. i don't feel like it's a great value. is it cool, and does it look great? yep. is it worth a thousand bucks? nope.
as for the echo, i haven't used any of their products but have heard from customers many times that there's better sounding units for cheaper.
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#1682336 - 06/22/05 10:20 PM
Re: Another interface dilemma
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Bill@Welcome Home Studios
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There is more than one RME card. You might find an answer for you in their line, without spending $1500. If an RME is what you want, and their software is offering what you need, then you're unlikely tobe happy with something else.
Just as a point of reference, the Mackie controller is $700. With the RME, you don't need the controller. (I know, I've got one.) So....
Bill
_________________________
"...it's easier than hitting the kids, and almost as much fun..."
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#1682337 - 06/23/05 12:55 AM
Re: Another interface dilemma
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WaterMan
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Originally posted by bpark@prorec.com:
There is more than one RME card. You might find an answer for you in their line, without spending $1500. If an RME is what you want, and their software is offering what you need, then you're unlikely tobe happy with something else.
Just as a point of reference, the Mackie controller is $700. With the RME, you don't need the controller. (I know, I've got one.) So....
Bill
So, in the price range I'm considering ($1500 total for interface and controller) I'm down to Layla or Presonus, plus a Controller like the Mackie. The other option, as Sean points out, is the Tascam: however, I've heard the mic pres aren't as good as either the Layla or Presonus, and it is firewire, not PCI (perhaps not a big deal). Lastly, I can't get anyone at Mackie or Tascam to tell me if the Tascam 1082 supports Tracktion, the sequencer I'll be using.
So, what's the best solution: Layla or Presonus? Add Mackie or other controller later? Or just get the Tascam and hope it works with Tracktion, assume the mic pres are fine, and don't worry that it's not PCI????
Help!
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#1682338 - 06/23/05 09:35 AM
Re: Another interface dilemma
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Bill@Welcome Home Studios
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Originally posted by WaterMan:
[QUOTE]
I have one primary objective: good simple interface (2 quality mic pres, midi, instrument (guitar) input). Can't find an RME card with those features, other than the Fireface, which is $1500. Ultimately, I'd like to add a hardware controller with faders. I'm not sure what you meant by "with RME you won't need the controller."
...the Tascam:
Re: not needing a controller..... I have been using the RME HDSP line of products for a couple of years. Each product in this line comes with two pieces of free software. One is Digicheck, whihc is a pretty sweet and reasonably comprehensive utiliy package. The other is TotalMix, which works like a hardware mixer, in software, on the card. Assign multiple cue mixes, set levels, group channels, save mixer 'looks'... all sorts of stuff, at the click of a mouse. I own the Mackie controller, I may replace it with the Frontier Design Group Tranzport, because what I really need is the autolocator features. I work on 'big iron' consoles... typically a Midas XL4 or a Yamha 4k. So NO ONE could be more used to the console paradigm than I. But I seldom use the fader pack on the Mackie control, because of the power of TotalMix.
Re: your requirements: For under $1500, a used Multiface (what, $400? $450) covers 8x8 converters, MIDI, interface, and TotalMix, and leaves the option to add another 8 channels via lightpipe converters. Also has headphone outs and SPDIF, and word clock. This leaves you needing a mic pre. There are a bunch of choices, from the RNP, the 4 channel RME unit, and a bunch of others. What have I ignored? a direct instrument input for the guitar. I think that the RNP has one. Probably the other low budget mic pres have one. We have achieved your goal, for well under $1500, plus achieved mine of flexibility and upgradability. And you are into a company that offers unmatched support for it's customers.
Bill
_________________________
"...it's easier than hitting the kids, and almost as much fun..."
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#1682339 - 06/23/05 10:17 AM
Re: Another interface dilemma
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WaterMan
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Registered: 05/01/03
Posts: 435
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Originally posted by bpark@prorec.com: Originally posted by WaterMan:
[QUOTE]
I have one primary objective: good simple interface (2 quality mic pres, midi, instrument (guitar) input). Can't find an RME card with those features, other than the Fireface, which is $1500. Ultimately, I'd like to add a hardware controller with faders. I'm not sure what you meant by "with RME you won't need the controller."
...the Tascam:
Re: not needing a controller..... I have been using the RME HDSP line of products for a couple of years. Each product in this line comes with two pieces of free software. One is Digicheck, whihc is a pretty sweet and reasonably comprehensive utiliy package. The other is TotalMix, which works like a hardware mixer, in software, on the card. Assign multiple cue mixes, set levels, group channels, save mixer 'looks'... all sorts of stuff, at the click of a mouse. I own the Mackie controller, I may replace it with the Frontier Design Group Tranzport, because what I really need is the autolocator features. I work on 'big iron' consoles... typically a Midas XL4 or a Yamha 4k. So NO ONE could be more used to the console paradigm than I. But I seldom use the fader pack on the Mackie control, because of the power of TotalMix.
Re: your requirements: For under $1500, a used Multiface (what, $400? $450) covers 8x8 converters, MIDI, interface, and TotalMix, and leaves the option to add another 8 channels via lightpipe converters. Also has headphone outs and SPDIF, and word clock. This leaves you needing a mic pre. There are a bunch of choices, from the RNP, the 4 channel RME unit, and a bunch of others. What have I ignored? a direct instrument input for the guitar. I think that the RNP has one. Probably the other low budget mic pres have one. We have achieved your goal, for well under $1500, plus achieved mine of flexibility and upgradability. And you are into a company that offers unmatched support for it's customers.
Bill
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#1682340 - 06/23/05 10:44 AM
Re: Another interface dilemma
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Dylan
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Originally posted by WaterMan:
I just need 2 mic pres, plus instrument (guitar) input and midi in the simplest, cleanest configuration possible.
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#1682341 - 06/23/05 11:06 AM
Re: Another interface dilemma
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WaterMan
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Registered: 05/01/03
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Originally posted by Dylan: Originally posted by WaterMan:
I just need 2 mic pres, plus instrument (guitar) input and midi in the simplest, cleanest configuration possible.
Do you have experience with Layla or Gina? Positive? It's come down to the RME Fireface or Layla -- adding a controller later. Given the type of stuff I'll be recording and at CD quality, not sure the 3x cost of RME is justified. Always nice to have the best stuff though.
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#1682342 - 06/23/05 01:50 PM
Re: Another interface dilemma
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Robman2
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Registered: 02/19/04
Posts: 1994
Loc: Los Angeles
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The stand alone box from Lexicon, has a lot of bang for the buck.
http://www.lexiconpro.com/Omega/features.asp
IT's got XLR line inputs (mic's) and HIz instrument inputs, mixes etc.
Online at $300 or so.
R
_________________________
Label on the reverb, inside 1973 Ampeg G-212: "Folded Line Reverberation Unit" Manufactured by beautiful girls in Milton WIS. under controlled atmosphere conditions.
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#1682343 - 06/23/05 02:50 PM
Re: Another interface dilemma
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Dylan
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I hate to be the voice of dissent, but Lexicon has a horrible track record with drivers and support for audio cards. I'm sure that this box sounds good, however, considering their track record and the fact this is only a USB 1.0 device (low bandwidth) I personally wouldn't recommend one. But if it works for you, then more power to you!
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#1682344 - 06/23/05 02:53 PM
Re: Another interface dilemma
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Dylan
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Originally posted by WaterMan:
Do you have experience with Layla or Gina? Positive?
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