I've been using the Roland VS-100 as my control surface, and audio interface, along with a Sennheiser MK4 mic. I've since added a Berhinger X-Touch (love it!) and wanted to get a different audio interface. I originally ordered a Tascam 20x20, but cancelled before Sweetwater shipped since I realized it just had too many inputs for my application. (I shouldn't pick out equipment when I'm doing my taxes!) Since I really want to upgrade my front end I would like comments on what I'm looking at purchasing
 
Microphone - Neumann TLM107
Preamp - Manley Core
Audio Interface - RME Fireface UCX
 
Any comments from the experts on the Sonar forum would be greatly appreciated.
 
Thanks,
 
Walt 

I have a couple TLM107s, a RME UFX and Babyface pro.  Fantastic equipment.   Though a little secret, the much cheaper TLM102 (better than the 103 in my humble opinion) has a very similar tone to the 107, and depending on your application, you may only need a cardioid microphone.  You could get a couple of them for stereo applications.  
 
 

My UFX has been very solid so far. Nothing to complain about at all.

The RME mic pres are actually good, low noise and neutral sounding. Unless you know you've a specific requirement for a certain preamp sound it might be worth your while holding off on a pre until you've tried the RME ones.

tlw
My UFX has been very solid so far. Nothing to complain about at all.

The RME mic pres are actually good, low noise and neutral sounding. Unless you know you've a specific requirement for a certain preamp sound it might be worth your while holding off on a pre until you've tried the RME ones.

I'm on the fence about the Manley Core and will listen to your advice. The specs for the RME are pretty impressive! I can always get the Manley later. Plus I don't have to worry about the heat from the "Fire Bottles" (12AX7s). :-)
 
Walt

rumleymusic
I have a couple TLM107s, a RME UFX and Babyface pro.  Fantastic equipment.   Though a little secret, the much cheaper TLM102 (better than the 103 in my humble opinion) has a very similar tone to the 107, and depending on your application, you may only need a cardioid microphone.  You could get a couple of them for stereo applications.  
 
 

Thanks Danile for your inputs. I was vacillating between the TLM 107 and the TLM67. When I was at the AES show a couple years back, I stopped at the Neumann booth, told him about my needs and he recommended the TLM 107. I'm selling all my Lab Test Equipment  (anyone need a Lecroy 4 channel Color 2GHz oscilliscope?), so I have some extra Play money for new music equipment.

 
Walt

I love my UCX.

gswitz
I love my UCX.

I've also seen a lot of good reviews from other sources. I was reading the manual last night and came upon something interesting. It states:
 
"We strongly recommend switching all system sounds off... Also Fireface should not be the Preferred Device for playback, as this could cause loss of synchronization and unwanted noises. If you feel you cannot do without system sounds, you should use on-board sound or any cheap sound card and select this one as Preferred Device in >Control Panel /Multimedia /Audio< or >Control Panel /Sound /Playback."
 
Fireface should not be used for playback? Huh? I hope they really mean JUST SYSTEM SOUNDS...
 
Walt
 
 

Since you were looking at TASCAM, the UH-7000 is a very high-class interface for a great price.  It is one of the "premium" interfaces that various manufacturers put out in the last few years.  Stereo via USB w/ 2 superb preamps and great conversion.  Latency is a bit high, esp. compared to RME, but the sound quality punches way above the weight class of its $400 price tag.  Combine that with a WARM pre gives you the best of the preamp world - I like transformers in my recording path to "round' out the edges of the digital medium.  Another $400.
 
I've heard that the 102 sounds better than the 107, too.  Never have messed with them enough to endorse that position, but I would check out both if possible.  Another contender that I can vouch for is the Microtech Geffel 930.  As much a Neumann as a Neumann.  $1000 for an LDC that sounds big as life, even and full-range.  Plenty of highs w/o a bothersome edge to them.  For an LDC it is tiny, but it sounds big.  For another C note you can step up to the 70 series w/ the original M-7 capsule.
 
For less than $2000 the above will give you a high quality and flexible inputs - and output you won't have any misgivings about.  If you want an improvement in sound, you will really have to step up your spending.  For a no-compromise input, check out the RND Portico II channel strip.
 
have fun
 
  

tlw
My UFX has been very solid so far. Nothing to complain about at all.

gswitz
I love my UCX.

+me

I do love you too, Bapu.
 
I use my UCX to listen to Netflix or any other sounds my computer makes that I want to hear.
 
I tend to use the Windows Volume Mixer to mute various applications.
 
Also, let's say I want to measure the loudness of a track using the RME DigiCheck EBU Meter (free with UCX/UFX/Babyface). You route Sonar out to say channels 5/6 and then Netflix to 7/8 and you have digicheck monitor 5/6. You don't have to listen while you take the measurement if you don't want to.