Fusker Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 Hello! Okay, I have everything in my home studio going into my mixing board and am pleased with the results. I'm looking for basic interface options to plug a mixer out into my PC for recording purposes. I have Fire-wire and USB of course. Most the options out there seem to have a lot of redundancy with the mixing board functionality. Recommendations? Steinway L, Yamaha Motif XS-8, NE3 73, Casio PX-5S, iPad, EV ZLX 12-P ZZ(x2), bunch of PA stuff.
smanzella Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 How many tracks do you want to record at one time? Do you want to use Firewire, USB or PCI? Do you have a budget? What DAW software do you plan on using? .....You need to give a little more info, especially what you hope to accomplish. Yamaha CP-73, Hammond SK Pro 73, Yamaha MODX 7, Roland Fantom 06, Roland VK-8M, Yamaha FS1R
Fusker Posted February 10, 2011 Author Posted February 10, 2011 I want to send my out signal from my mixer to my computer. I already referenced I have USB and Firewire on my PC. Seems to me I only need one track at a time to the DAW. I'm not sure why which DAW I'm using matters as long as it can receive the output of the mixer...or am I missing something more complex here? Steinway L, Yamaha Motif XS-8, NE3 73, Casio PX-5S, iPad, EV ZLX 12-P ZZ(x2), bunch of PA stuff.
johnchop Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 I like the Firewire stuff. I've got too much other USB stuff connected and want to keep a fairly dedicated bus for audio (although it probably all bottlenecks in the same place, but oh well) Starting on the lower-end, pricewise: I use a Presonus Firebox... has been solid for me. This has been superceded by the FireStudio Mobile, better all around from what I've read. Echo AudioFire 4 would be another good option. Make sure your Firewire _chipset_ is tested and compatible with the interface you're considering, especially if it's the firewire built into the motherboard. Texas Instruments (TI) chipset is sort of the gold standard. My motherboard has an Agere chipset and works just fine. -John I make software noises.
Fusker Posted February 10, 2011 Author Posted February 10, 2011 That looks like a good unit and would provide a bit more flexibility over what I envisioned. The overwhelming number of times, this is purely going to be for me laying down tracks by myself at home. So I really only need one signal/track at a time. Steinway L, Yamaha Motif XS-8, NE3 73, Casio PX-5S, iPad, EV ZLX 12-P ZZ(x2), bunch of PA stuff.
Al Coda Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 Hello! Okay, I have everything in my home studio going into my mixing board and am pleased with the results. I'm looking for basic interface options to plug a mixer out into my PC for recording purposes. I have Fire-wire and USB of course. Most the options out there seem to have a lot of redundancy with the mixing board functionality. Recommendations? Your mixing board is analogue or digital ? If it´s analogue ... I have an anlogue 8-bus console and go straigt from the tape outs to a 8-channel AD/DA converter and back from the converter to the tape monitor ins. The converter is connected to the computer via ADAT and in the computer is a ASIO audio card w/ ADAT connectors. That´s the example. In your case, maybe using Firewire or USB2, you´d need a AD/DA converter offering Firewire/USB2 connectors to connect to the computer. If your console is digital, offers firewire and your computer offers firewire too,- you´re done,- unless the firewire chipset in your computer and upcoming converter isn´t compatible. Same rules for USB,- except the eventually occouring compatibility problem w/ firewire. USB is compatible always, but the lowest bandwidth connection too. A.C.
Sven Golly Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 So I really only need one signal/track at a time. What happens when you want to record stereo?
Fusker Posted February 10, 2011 Author Posted February 10, 2011 Good examples! I'm analogue as it were Steinway L, Yamaha Motif XS-8, NE3 73, Casio PX-5S, iPad, EV ZLX 12-P ZZ(x2), bunch of PA stuff.
Fusker Posted February 10, 2011 Author Posted February 10, 2011 lol, good question Sven. So I have Left and Right out from my mixer...looks like FireStudio still fits the bill. Steinway L, Yamaha Motif XS-8, NE3 73, Casio PX-5S, iPad, EV ZLX 12-P ZZ(x2), bunch of PA stuff.
Sven Golly Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 lol, good question Sven. So I have Left and Right out from my mixer...looks like FireStudio still fits the bill. Yes, it does, and very well! However, it's important to note that it's a 2-input interface (at minimum) that you'll need.
Fusker Posted February 10, 2011 Author Posted February 10, 2011 isn't it actually 8? Steinway L, Yamaha Motif XS-8, NE3 73, Casio PX-5S, iPad, EV ZLX 12-P ZZ(x2), bunch of PA stuff.
B3Nut Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 lol, good question Sven. So I have Left and Right out from my mixer...looks like FireStudio still fits the bill. Yes, it does, and very well! However, it's important to note that it's a 2-input interface. If you're talking about the current FireStudio Mobile with the 2 XLRs on the front, it has 1/4" inputs for inputs 3 through 8 on the back. It actually has 8 analog inputs. The FireBox has 4 analog inputs, but I think that one's being phased out in favor of the FireStudio Mobile and Inspire 1394, which has 4 analog inputs like the Firebox. TP --- Todd A. Phipps "...no, I'm not a Hammondoholic...I can stop anytime..." http://www.facebook.com/b3nut ** http://www.blueolives.com
Fusker Posted February 10, 2011 Author Posted February 10, 2011 Okay, slay me if this is stupid! But at the price point of the FireStudio, couldn't I just pick up a Mackie ProFX12 for less money? It has a USB out. Or would something like the FireStudio in conjunction with my analog 12 channel mixer give me more flexibility? Steinway L, Yamaha Motif XS-8, NE3 73, Casio PX-5S, iPad, EV ZLX 12-P ZZ(x2), bunch of PA stuff.
Sven Golly Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 isn't it actually 8? Sorry, check the edited version. My bad for not finishing the thought clearly.
Fusker Posted February 10, 2011 Author Posted February 10, 2011 You still rule! Steinway L, Yamaha Motif XS-8, NE3 73, Casio PX-5S, iPad, EV ZLX 12-P ZZ(x2), bunch of PA stuff.
Stormfront Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 Seems to me these days that it DOES matter what DAW software you are planning to use. I use a Presonus Firestudio Mobile with Presonus Studio One (Lite) software. Setup was dead simple, I think because the sw and hardware are from the same manuf. Read the forums for the particular hardware/software combination's to see what issues others are having. I picked Studio One and got the Firestudio. You could for example choose Cubase and get a Steinberg IF. Hope that helps Pete "all generalizations are false" ~Mark Twain Kurzweil K2000, ME-1 and (2)PC3, Casio PX-350 AND PX-360, EV sXa 360
Theo Verelst Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 I'm sure a Lexicon Omega will server the purpose of a good, flexible and quality interface well, and can be bought for what, $200 ? It is taken for granted that audio recording software will simply record, but that isn't sample for sample true at all times. Cubase comes with the Lexicon (I have one so I know it works good) for free, and works fine (if you have a windws PC) enough for a lot of purposes. In fact I found that new PC's sometimes have good built-in sound like the ALC889 which is actually quite a good AD/DA. And Linux can be downloaded for free, including recording software, but that isn't the same easy as on windows... In fact I found Theo Verelst
johnchop Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 Fusker, Check the http://www.echoaudio.com//Products/FireWire/AudioFire2/index.php if you really don't want more inputs than you think you need I may well pick one up myself I make software noises.
J. Dan Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 What about THIS little guy for half the price? Seems to be all you need. (for some reason the "buy used" tab pops up on that link. Just click "buy new" to seen the new price) Dan Acoustic/Electric stringed instruments ranging from 4 to 230 strings, hammered, picked, fingered, slapped, and plucked. Analog and Digital Electronic instruments, reeds, and throat/mouth.
davyyd Posted February 11, 2011 Posted February 11, 2011 Once you've selected something, try and dig up other people's experiences with your combination of interface and DAW. I've had no end of trouble with an Alesis firewire mixer and Sonar Home Studio 6. Based on specs, and my assumption firewire would be a good low latency interface, I thought I'd be good to go. I was wrong, and so were a lot of others as it were. davyyd
zephonic Posted February 11, 2011 Posted February 11, 2011 You can't go wrong with the entry-level Focusrite stuff. Rock solid and dependable and decent sound quality. local: Korg Nautilus 61 AT | Yamaha MODX8 away: GigPerformer | 16" MBP M1 Max home: Kawai RX-2 | Korg D1 | Roland Fantom X7
Griffinator Posted February 11, 2011 Posted February 11, 2011 Okay, slay me if this is stupid! But at the price point of the FireStudio, couldn't I just pick up a Mackie ProFX12 for less money? It has a USB out. Or would something like the FireStudio in conjunction with my analog 12 channel mixer give me more flexibility? It's not a stupid question at all. However, there are two reasons not to lean on a completely integrated system like that: 1) You may find, as you delve deeper into recording, that you want to do more of it, and maybe dabble in recording full band projects. Oops. That mixer is now useless to you, because the USB out on it is a 2-channel main bus out only. 2) You do ultimately get what you pay for. The SQ on a mixer with integrated USB out is going to be inferior to a mixer without it at the same price point, and that AD/DA and USB out are going to be inferior to an interface at the same price point, not only in features but also in SQ. Not only that, but if one thing goes wrong on it (usually the digital components), the whole thing is useless. That said, start out with a little 2-channel interface to go with your existing mixer for around $150-200. It'll suit your needs (all you have to do is move the plugs around when you're recording different channels) and it won't break your budget. Later on, you'll have the flexibility to move up if you have the desire and/or the budget. A bunch of loud, obnoxious music I USED to make with friends.
Fusker Posted February 11, 2011 Author Posted February 11, 2011 You guys deliver! Good stuff. Steinway L, Yamaha Motif XS-8, NE3 73, Casio PX-5S, iPad, EV ZLX 12-P ZZ(x2), bunch of PA stuff.
Seannn Posted February 11, 2011 Posted February 11, 2011 I use a FireStudio - it's my first interface, and pretty much the only one I've ever used. I adore it! ~ Sean Juno-60, Juno-G, MicroBrute, MS-20 Mini, PX-5S, R3, etc.
Mark Schmieder Posted February 12, 2011 Posted February 12, 2011 The new RME Fireface UF will be the most trouble-free device, as they write all their own drivers and develop custom FPGA chips vs. using stock Firewire and USB boards and drivers. They have the latency down to that of most PCIe interfaces. It's a bit pricier than US brands, but better quality all-around and thus more bang-for-buck. But this is an eight-channel interface (actually, 12 channels of analog input). AT similar quality but more issues with compatible Firewire chips, you could go for the Audiofire models instead (from Echo). $600 max. Eugenio Upright, 60th Anniversary P-Bass, USA Geddy Lee J-Bass, Yamaha BBP35, D'angelico SS Bari, EXL1, Select Strat, 70th Anniversary Esquire, LP 57, Eastman T486, T64, Ibanez PM2, Hammond XK4, Moog Voyager
Griffinator Posted February 12, 2011 Posted February 12, 2011 The new RME Fireface UF will be the most trouble-free device, as they write all their own drivers and develop custom FPGA chips vs. using stock Firewire and USB boards and drivers. They have the latency down to that of most PCIe interfaces. It's a bit pricier than US brands, but better quality all-around and thus more bang-for-buck. But this is an eight-channel interface (actually, 12 channels of analog input). AT similar quality but more issues with compatible Firewire chips, you could go for the Audiofire models instead (from Echo). $600 max. You're referring to the UFX, I'm guessing? (12 analog ins, labeled as 30 in/out) $2100 is more than a "bit" pricier for what they're giving you. $2100 buys me an Allen and Heath ZED-R16 with 16 preamps, 2 additional stereo pairs, and 16 channels of ADAT I/O on a full-featured mixer with Firewire out for all 36 input channels discretely - oh - and I still have a C-note in my pocket after my purchase... Maybe it's just the fallout from Bernanke's Quantitative Easing, but that's a hell of a lot of money for a severely limited interface (by limited, I mean only 4 mic preamps)... A bunch of loud, obnoxious music I USED to make with friends.
vicsant Posted February 13, 2011 Posted February 13, 2011 Whatever interface you decide on, make sure it has MIDI I/O!
Sven Golly Posted February 13, 2011 Posted February 13, 2011 Whatever interface you decide on, make sure it has MIDI I/O! Please explain why.
Jim Alfredson Posted February 14, 2011 Posted February 14, 2011 RME stuff is over-priced, imo. Keep it greazy! B3tles - Soul Jazz THEO - Prog Rock
livestagekid Posted February 14, 2011 Posted February 14, 2011 You could look at the focusrite interfaces like the Saffire 6 USB or Pro 24. Both have inputs for XLR or jack from your mixer and would offer a a good quality of sound. You could look at the RME Fireface as well but that would be the more expensive option. Nord Stage EX Compact, Yamaha Motif 8, 79 Rhodes Suitcase 73
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.