#509427 - 02/28/04 02:36 AM
Which Audio I/O ?
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GreyMantle
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Registered: 02/27/04
Posts: 80
Loc: MidAtlantic Mountains
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I'm completing the final bits in a project studio.
I've been using the computers' built in audio for some time now. Everything is working great but I need to select an audio card/interface of some kind. I don't need a whole lot but I don't want to undershoot either. If it falls in line with the rest of the gear it should be adequate.
I'm running a G5 1.6, a G4 1Gig and a G3 800, OS 10.3.2. A couple of Firewire Direct external 120 GB drives. A Korg X5 (general MIDI and Synth), a Yamaha QY100 which is a very cool little GM and song composition/sequencer. I run the audio from these, various mics and guitars, etc. into a Peavy 14 channel analog with pre and phantom power. As well I run the MIDI gear, a Mackie Control Universal - into a MOTU Micro Express 4x6.
I have good amplification and monitors. I track/mix in DP4 and I use Reason 2.0 (mostly for percussion). I also do my own mastering.
I'm mostly a guitar player ('54 strat... Mmmmmmmm) but I generally lay down all the tracks except when I can get a good conga or timbale player to come in. I end up mixing around 24 to 36 tracks.
I don't perform or produce professionally anymore but I still compose and record. I've learned not to bother with cheap gear because even some expensive gear can be crappy enough.
Latency is of course a concern, I put up with almost none right now. 96k is desirable. I think something like the 2408 is overkill for me but I am quite willing to learn and would be very honoured by the shared expertise of members of this forum.
Thanks,
Grey
_________________________
I perform to live...
I live to compose.
—Mahler
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#509428 - 02/29/04 05:45 PM
Re: Which Audio I/O ?
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edmann
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Registered: 08/26/03
Posts: 314
Loc: MA
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it may also be worth posting this question over on
http://www.osxaudio.com
_________________________
Ed Mann
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#509429 - 02/29/04 08:09 PM
Re: Which Audio I/O ?
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Throatsinger
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Registered: 12/22/00
Posts: 442
Loc: Minneapolis,MN,UNITED STATES
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Grey,
I really dig my MOTU 828. The current one does 96k: http://motu.com/english/motuaudio/828/body.html It's FireWire, no PCI cards or other stuff to install. My original model works very well (24/48k). Since you're running some FW gear already, you may need an FW box of some sort if you don't have another jack handy.
Good luck,
Steve Sklar
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#509430 - 03/01/04 01:13 AM
Re: Which Audio I/O ?
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GreyMantle
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Registered: 02/27/04
Posts: 80
Loc: MidAtlantic Mountains
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Thanks Guys,
I will cross post, thanks Ed.
The 828 looks great!
Just got back in town so I haven't looked very deep into 828's portage yet. Will it completely obviate the need for my MOTU Micro Express 4x6 MIDI interface?
Right now, my two MIDI's and the Mackie connect to the computer through it (USB, 12 MBs)
I'm hoping I can employ both the 828 and the Micro to a greater advantage. Yes?
Really, Thanks again,
Grey
_________________________
I perform to live...
I live to compose.
—Mahler
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#509431 - 03/03/04 01:24 AM
Re: Which Audio I/O ?
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natpub
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Registered: 11/25/03
Posts: 96
Loc: Austin, TX
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Hi Grey,
After an enormous amount of bad luck with such consumer grade interfaces, I gave up. However, I have a nice pile of them, MOTU, Ardvark, M-Audio, etc., that I never use. They are all somewhat noisy, and after stacking 10 or 20 tracks, you get a nice haze of noise goin :-)
Their specs are not very informative.
Among that price range though, I might suggest RME, which I felt was some pretty good stuff.
maybe check here:
http://www.rme-audio.com/
http://www.atlasproaudio.com/rme.html
If you want something more intense, perhaps consider the new Benchmark thingy coming out, the 2 channel AD with 2 pre-s built in. I think it is gonna be like $1500 or whatever, and I bet it is really sweet.
Take care,
Kurt T.
Aus,TX
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#509432 - 03/03/04 01:38 AM
Re: Which Audio I/O ?
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natpub
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Registered: 11/25/03
Posts: 96
Loc: Austin, TX
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btw, this may be of interest:
http://gearslutz.com/board/showthread.php3?s=&threadid=12237
Looks like several think Lynx is good too, as far as sound card kinda things. I havent tried them.
KT
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#509433 - 03/04/04 11:38 AM
Re: Which Audio I/O ?
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GreyMantle
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Registered: 02/27/04
Posts: 80
Loc: MidAtlantic Mountains
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Big Thanks.
Got some research to do now.
Grey
_________________________
I perform to live...
I live to compose.
—Mahler
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#509434 - 03/04/04 12:18 PM
Re: Which Audio I/O ?
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edmann
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Registered: 08/26/03
Posts: 314
Loc: MA
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Originally posted by natpub:
After an enormous amount of bad luck with such consumer grade interfaces, I gave up. However, I have a nice pile of them, MOTU, Ardvark, M-Audio, etc., that I never use. They are all somewhat noisy, and after stacking 10 or 20 tracks, you get a nice haze of noise goin :-)
Their specs are not very informative.
_________________________
Ed Mann
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#509435 - 03/17/04 11:18 PM
Re: Which Audio I/O ?
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GreyMantle
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Registered: 02/27/04
Posts: 80
Loc: MidAtlantic Mountains
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I'd like to reiterate this question from above post to all.
thanks
Grey
"Will the MOTU 828 mkII completely replace the need for my MOTU Micro Express 4x6 MIDI interface?"
_________________________
I perform to live...
I live to compose.
—Mahler
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#509436 - 03/18/04 07:25 PM
Re: Which Audio I/O ?
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X-Facta
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Registered: 10/16/01
Posts: 414
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Check out Metric Halo:
http://www.mhlabs.com/index2.html
The ULN-2 and 2882 firewire audio interfaces.
2 channel & 8 channel respectively.
Their stuff sounds great & has clever features.
No midi though.
It has been a tad 'work in progress' thus far but seems set to change to rock solid in the very near future with upgraded drivers.
Supposedly latency will be a thing of the past w automatic compensation implemented by the MH interface. Gotta love it.
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#509437 - 03/19/04 01:54 AM
Re: Which Audio I/O ?
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Duardo
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Registered: 04/05/02
Posts: 241
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Will the MOTU 828 mkII completely replace the need for my MOTU Micro Express 4x6 MIDI interface?
-Duardo
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#509438 - 03/19/04 02:24 AM
Re: Which Audio I/O ?
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GreyMantle
Senior Member
Registered: 02/27/04
Posts: 80
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Thanks guys,
Thanks Duardo, a nice crisp straight answer!
Just what I was looking for. I'll need the express.
cheers
Grey
_________________________
I perform to live...
I live to compose.
—Mahler
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#509439 - 03/19/04 07:46 AM
Re: Which Audio I/O ?
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Rog
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 10/05/01
Posts: 3974
Loc: Hull, Ingerland
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Originally posted by Ryonik: Check out Metric Halo:
http://www.mhlabs.com/index2.html
The ULN-2 and 2882 firewire audio interfaces.
2 channel & 8 channel respectively.
Their stuff sounds great & has clever features.
No midi though.
It has been a tad 'work in progress' thus far but seems set to change to rock solid in the very near future with upgraded drivers.
Supposedly latency will be a thing of the past w automatic compensation implemented by the MH interface. Gotta love it.
_________________________
"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." - Banky Edwards.
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