Interface Recommendation for Sonar

Is there a 16 channel interface out there, under $1000, that will record 16 inputs with 16 outputs to 16 tracks at once? It is just to record a basement band for rehearsels and I understand quality won't be there but it will still be helpful for our purposes.
 
I have started researching the many interfaces online but thought this might help narrow the field.
 
Using a P4 with 4gb memory and plenty of HD. Don't care if it is USB or Firewire. Combinaton XLR and 1/4" inputs would be good.
 
Thanks!

You really need to give a price range.  On the lower end, check out Beagle's site - he has a lot of recomendations.  the cheapest way to go is either ganging two Echo units together, the Mackie, or using a cheap behringer ADAT 8x8 unit with a FW/USB unit like the stienberg mr816 or Octo-capture.  Those would all be less than $1000.

At the other end you can get Lynx ($3500) or SSL ($3000) on up to RADAR ($20,000).

Decide how much you have to spend and then look through the dealer sites.  Most interfaces come w/ 8 in/outs.  The sound quality won't be the difference except at the high end - it is the driver quality so you can record 16 tracks at once w/o glitching.  W/ a dedicated hard drive, you should be able to do it, but I don't know about mixing w/ any effects.

@

What equipment is the basement band using?  PA? mixer? mics?  If a PA are you miking all the instruments into the PA via its mixer?

The Roland Octa-Capture has 8 inputs and you can link another one to make 16 inputs.

You're problem is going to be the P4 computer if it isn't already.  Disk space doesn't matter.  Processing power and RAM does.  Even with 4GB of RAM, your P4 mobo bus speed will be the bottleneck accessing the memory.  Recording 8 tracks at once will definitely tax the system beyond all consideration.

If you are seriously considering this I wouldn't consider getting an audio I/F but a new computer and audio I/F.  Nothing less than a Core 2 Duo system is recommended and then it has to be optimized for audio and dedicated to just being a DAW.

You want this for band rehearsals? Are you running everyone through a PA? If you are then all you really need is a portable recorder like a Zoom H2 or H4n. Even if you are not running it through a PA you can just use a portable recorder setup on a mic stand in the middle of the basement.  On the H2 I would set it to record through the four built-in mics.  You'll get a much better recording than spending a $1,000 on an audio I/F and it failing to do the job because of the P4 computer.

laptop,
Phonic helix 24 universal in a toploaded rack.
Second disk.
The Phonic comes with software. But since you are here I assume you have/will use Sonar.
Helix has an USB & firewire connection wich will transfer 16 tracks to the laptop. those tracks can be recorded on a second USB external disk. And if every bandmember brings their own, copying afterwards is fast and easy.
 
two 8 channel snakes
Superlux drumkit (micro's)
two SM58's and three SM57's.
Some clipon stands on the cabs.
Some xlr cabling.
I assume all this will be around 1500 euro's.

Thanks to all for the info. The P4 was a BC (Beofre Coffee) fubar. It's an Intel Core Duo. I don't even know why I put that. But if that is not enough I will buy another CPU.

We have 3 guitars (2 electric, one acoustic), Bass, and I wanted to a couple mics on the drums, and we have 3 vocals. SO eight owuld not quite be enough but we could easily add the vocals afterward if necessary to save cpu, tracks, and hardware costs.

I've used CW at home for about 15 years now and in this case am using X1. But I haven't done much in trying to record a live performance. I still use what is today an antiquated Event One GINA 24 and for me at home still does the job.

I just checked out the Phonic Helix as recommended. Based on a quick review that is exactly what we need. If the system gets bogged as I said, I will upgrade the CPU.

Thanks much, and I am open to other suggestions as well.

Joe..

I work at a club that has a http://tascam.com/product/us-2000/, It has worked very well for me. We have music 7 nights a week and record full shows very often. For 400 dollars its nice. But you will need a mixer with direct outs to get into the channels above 8.

What audio interface are you using now?  Depending on what you want to do after recording the live band can help determine if you really need to go all out with a new computer audio interface.

I'm thinking for recording a basement band you could get away with a 16-ch USB mixer like one of these from Sweetwater or something from Musician's Friend.  You have to remember that mixers have stereo channels that can be used as mono inputs.  In reality a 12-ch mixer is commonly 8 mono channels or 4 mono and 4 stereo.  So a 12-ch mixer would not work being 8 mono inputs.  A 16-ch mixer is commonly 12 mono channels or 8 mono channel and 4 stereo.  This Behringer XENYX X2442USB USB Mixer with Effects for about $380 looks like it would have all the channels you would need plus a few extra.

If you are not looking to mix each individual instrument after the fact then something like this can work.  You set the mix on the board, press record on whatever device you're recording with (USB to computer or maybe to a portable digital recorder) and then review and adjust as necessary.

I've used a Behringer 12-channel mixer that I've hooked a Zoom H2 to and have had some excellent live recordings.

If you are absolutely married to recording each individual instrument to its own track to do mixing in the box then something like the PreSonus digital mixer would work as well as 2 Roland Octa-Capture audio I/Fs (16-channels total).

John

John - those behringer usb mixers only give the mains to the DAW.  they use the UCA202/222 as a soundcard.  those are 2 in / 2 out only.

for 1,000 you can get two focusrite pro 40s, or for 1,100 you can get two motu 8pre. If you can get by with 8 mic pre amps and use the line level inputs for synths and such I would recommend the tascam us 2000. 

TASCAM US-1641 its a more than a great choice...
You can also use a DIGI 001(or 002,003) like I have ,with Behringer ADA 8000
IO can record 16 analogs track and 2 digital, plus MIDI


http://tascam.com/product/us-1641/

Is anyone familiar with the Mackie Blackbird 16x16 Firewire Recording Interface? For $500 it looks like it would do exactly what I would like.

States that it is compatible with Sonar. I am not sure though if that means I can split any number of outputs to any number of tracks.

Thanks

Starise


  You could get two of these these  MF has used ones for sale too. You can still get warranty on them from presonus.

The  jet pll dice technology developed by TC electronic does make a noted difference in sound IMO(has to do with more accurate digital clocking).

You would be nudgeing the limit of your budget, however you would have 16 really nice inputs.

The presonus gear is finicky with firewire. You should check their website to see if you have the recommended FW chipset/card. If you don't its not a big deal to order a FW card with the necessary TI chipset.

I use a firetube studio and it is a great interface. I think you said you had a core 2 duo instead of a p4? Should handle the load. Agundrum had some very good suggestions on how to eliminate the unecessary stuff in a computer and make it a smoother better recording machine.

The presonus firestudio is the recording brains of the 16.4.2 without the mixing section or effects.

I like the Presonus gear too - I use a StudioLive 16.  That is  out of your budget, but they are releasing the 16.0.2 which is much closer (I think $1400 initially), and does a whole lot more.


http://www.presonus.com/products/Detail.aspx?ProductId=62


Just a thought - if your budget allowed anything for "other" gear - this has it .


Cheers..Grif

The project and pod are good units.  I used a Pod for years.  Solid unit.

have fun.

@

For recording our live gigs as well as garage practices I use two Zoom R16s linked together. They are cheap, indestructible, no moving parts and can even run off batteries if needed.  After the gig plug them in via USB and they basically show up as jump drives. Import everything into Sonar and done.  About 6 yrs ago I spent about $2000 on a Mackie MDR for remote recording..now it's just a door block in the studio. These little jump drive recording boxes do everything I need.

The A&E ZED-R16 is great, my buddy got one and I fell in love with it. If i had 2,000 for a new interface/board that is the route I would go without question.