sakis_us
Max Output Level: -90 dBFS
- Total Posts : 20
- Joined: 2005/03/30 14:11:20
- Status: offline
Audio Interface question
Hi everybody! My EMU 1820 died a couple of weeks ago, so I am in a search for an upgrade. I am leaning towards the Mackie Onyx 1220i. Definitely a different "animal" than my 1820 but it has some features I like. My only worry is the drivers. I heard the best and the worst about this unit so I was wondering if anyone can share his/hers experience with it. What I do is, field recording on my old lap top and then work on the project on my main PC. I am also really intrested in the Focusrite Saffire Pro 40. Anyone can share any thoughts? I thank you all in advance!
Asus P5K Premium, Intel(R)Core 2 Quad Q9550 @ 3.80GHz, BIOS:AMI 1101, 4X Kingston KHX8500D21GN 1GB DIMM DDR2 PC2-8500U DDR2-1066 (5-5-5-18 3-23-6-3), GeForce 8800 GTS 320MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP, Seagate 250GB Serial ATA w/NCQ 7200/8MB/SATA-3G (OS drive), WDC WD1001FALS-00J7B0 (1TB, SATA150, 7200rpm, NCQ, 32MB Cache), WDC WD3200AAJS-00RYA0 (320GB, SATA150, 7200rpm, NCQ, 8MB Cache), ANTEC NEO HE550 (PSU), Scarlett 18i6, MBOX 2, SONAR X3P, ProTools 8.5
|
Beagle
Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
- Total Posts : 50621
- Joined: 2006/03/29 11:03:12
- Location: Fort Worth, TX
- Status: offline
Re:Audio Interface question
2011/11/09 13:25:58
(permalink)
☄ Helpful
I do not recommend Mackie soundcards because of the drivers. there have been way too many complaints on these forums and others regarding their drivers. I have never used one myself, but I never will!
the saffire pro seems to be OK and I have that one on my recommended list on my website. if you get that one (or any firewire soundcard) make sure you have or get a TI chipset firewire card for your computer. other firewire chipsets are "hit and miss" if they have problems or not. I personally had problems with a VIA firewire chipset with my MOTU until I got a good firewire card with TI chipset on it.
|
jcschild
Max Output Level: -41 dBFS
- Total Posts : 3409
- Joined: 2003/11/08 00:20:10
- Location: Kentucky y'all
- Status: offline
Re:Audio Interface question
2011/11/09 13:58:19
(permalink)
☄ Helpful
Scott ADK Home of the Kentucky Fried DAW!
|
mgh
Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
- Total Posts : 8594
- Joined: 2007/05/10 05:15:56
- Location: betwixt and between
- Status: offline
Re:Audio Interface question
2011/11/09 14:17:51
(permalink)
☄ Helpful
very interesting thread, Scott, and as an Echo user and recommender a bit disconcerting. however it turns out the Audiofire was reporting incorrectly in Cubase, and there's a new driver which i will be interested in the effect it has on latency...
|
sakis_us
Max Output Level: -90 dBFS
- Total Posts : 20
- Joined: 2005/03/30 14:11:20
- Status: offline
Re:Audio Interface question
2011/11/09 14:40:06
(permalink)
Thank you so much everybody! @ jcschild, thanks for the link, unfortunately I cant access it right now I ll check it as soon as I get home (I am at work shhhhhhh...) I was kind of hoping that the Mackie will get some "stars", now I am back to square one. I guess I ll be forward and ask the amateur question: What audio interface do you recommend (USB/Firewire)? What I am looking for is: - around $600.00 - 6 analog inputs at least - stable drivers (preferably with good history on updates) - works well with SONAR 8.5 (Pro tools compatible will be a plus, I know a sensitive subject here) Any input will be highly appreciated! Thank you all again!
Asus P5K Premium, Intel(R)Core 2 Quad Q9550 @ 3.80GHz, BIOS:AMI 1101, 4X Kingston KHX8500D21GN 1GB DIMM DDR2 PC2-8500U DDR2-1066 (5-5-5-18 3-23-6-3), GeForce 8800 GTS 320MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP, Seagate 250GB Serial ATA w/NCQ 7200/8MB/SATA-3G (OS drive), WDC WD1001FALS-00J7B0 (1TB, SATA150, 7200rpm, NCQ, 32MB Cache), WDC WD3200AAJS-00RYA0 (320GB, SATA150, 7200rpm, NCQ, 8MB Cache), ANTEC NEO HE550 (PSU), Scarlett 18i6, MBOX 2, SONAR X3P, ProTools 8.5
|
MarioD
Max Output Level: -72 dBFS
- Total Posts : 901
- Joined: 2006/04/15 15:59:50
- Status: offline
Re:Audio Interface question
2011/11/09 15:16:02
(permalink)
☄ Helpful
I have Roland’s Octa-Capture and I’m extremely happy with it. It has 10 in and outs, rock solid drivers, extremely quiet preamps and cost around $600. You might want to take a look at it.
|
sakis_us
Max Output Level: -90 dBFS
- Total Posts : 20
- Joined: 2005/03/30 14:11:20
- Status: offline
Re:Audio Interface question
2011/11/09 15:43:05
(permalink)
Thank you MarioD! The truth is that I have been reading about the Roland Octa-Capture for a while. Kind of expensive for me but I am guessing I am going to have to suck it up and put my hand deeper in my pocket if I want something to work as advertized. Have you ever tried to record all inputs simultaneously?
Asus P5K Premium, Intel(R)Core 2 Quad Q9550 @ 3.80GHz, BIOS:AMI 1101, 4X Kingston KHX8500D21GN 1GB DIMM DDR2 PC2-8500U DDR2-1066 (5-5-5-18 3-23-6-3), GeForce 8800 GTS 320MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP, Seagate 250GB Serial ATA w/NCQ 7200/8MB/SATA-3G (OS drive), WDC WD1001FALS-00J7B0 (1TB, SATA150, 7200rpm, NCQ, 32MB Cache), WDC WD3200AAJS-00RYA0 (320GB, SATA150, 7200rpm, NCQ, 8MB Cache), ANTEC NEO HE550 (PSU), Scarlett 18i6, MBOX 2, SONAR X3P, ProTools 8.5
|
MarioD
Max Output Level: -72 dBFS
- Total Posts : 901
- Joined: 2006/04/15 15:59:50
- Status: offline
Re:Audio Interface question
2011/11/09 20:55:55
(permalink)
I’m a little confused as you stated in the post just prior to mine that you were looking for an audio interface for around $600 and this is what the Octa-Capture cost. Search for it on google and you will find a number of on-line music stores sell it for that amount.
The most I’ve simultaneously recorded is one S/PDIF (guitar amp modeler), two mics, one line input (guitar amp) and one guitar directly in the Octa-Capture. There were no problems doing that.
|
sakis_us
Max Output Level: -90 dBFS
- Total Posts : 20
- Joined: 2005/03/30 14:11:20
- Status: offline
Re:Audio Interface question
2011/11/10 09:59:07
(permalink)
MarioD Thank you so much again for your help! I didnt mean to confuse you. I did find the unit for $600 and I think I am probably going to go with it. The one thing that bothers me a little is that I cant find anywhere any information on real time metering of the input gain. The soft mixer doesnt seem to have any and I dont know if the LCD is any helpful. I find it rather awkward. May be I can use SONAR's mixer as my main mixer in case I take the unit on a live gig. Thanks again for your insightful help and the time you took to respond. Have a nice day!
Asus P5K Premium, Intel(R)Core 2 Quad Q9550 @ 3.80GHz, BIOS:AMI 1101, 4X Kingston KHX8500D21GN 1GB DIMM DDR2 PC2-8500U DDR2-1066 (5-5-5-18 3-23-6-3), GeForce 8800 GTS 320MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP, Seagate 250GB Serial ATA w/NCQ 7200/8MB/SATA-3G (OS drive), WDC WD1001FALS-00J7B0 (1TB, SATA150, 7200rpm, NCQ, 32MB Cache), WDC WD3200AAJS-00RYA0 (320GB, SATA150, 7200rpm, NCQ, 8MB Cache), ANTEC NEO HE550 (PSU), Scarlett 18i6, MBOX 2, SONAR X3P, ProTools 8.5
|