• SONAR
  • Recording Drums Into Producer X3e
2015/04/20 13:52:03
berlymahn
Hey - a beautiful day out! 
I am looking into purchasing a used interface for recording drums in Sonar X3e.  Guessing about 7 mics total.  Seeing PreSonus FP10's for $150.
Anyone had good success with those?  Other recommendations? (Zoom r16, etc.)
Many Thanks.
Jim
 
Windows 7 i7-970 yada yada yada
2015/04/24 12:26:18
MondoArt
Never used one but bear in mind it's Firewire, which can be tricky.  You're probably better off with a USB interface unless you're sure you can get the firewire working well.
 
I personally like Focusrite, but I can only vouche for the 2-channel version of this:
http://global.focusrite.com/usb-audio-interfaces/scarlett-18i20
 
2015/04/24 12:32:25
Cactus Music
Best bang for the buck for drums is the Tascam interfaces. I have the old us1641 which became the us1800 and now is called the us16x08 
http://tascam.com/product/us-16x08/
 
The 2 older units can be picked up on e bay cheaper than dirt. 
They updated all the drivers and my old unit is working without flaw now. The drivers where terrible in the past. The hardware is excellent for the price point. 
2015/04/24 12:39:14
AT
The FP 10 is the old Firepod updated, but it is a bit long in the tooth.  However, even on dual core machines and less I never had a problem w/ it.  Sounds OK, but realize it is 10 year old tech.  Preamps esp. have gotten much better on such interfaces.
 
The new Tascam units are well priced.
 
@
2015/04/24 12:55:47
Beepster
I may be biased (and I am certainly not familiar with a lot of gear) but My Focusrite interface has been great and it is capable of recording a multi drum set up. I however own the Scarlett 18i6 which runs about $300.
 
The good thing is it runs via USB 2.0 so that avoids potential problems with Firewire (before buying anything firewire for audio be SURE your firewire chipset is the preferred Texas Instruments chipset... there is tons on the web about this) or be prepared to invest in a decent firewire card and have a free PCIe slot on your MOBO to toss it into. FW cards aren't that expensive but still... it's an extra component to worry about. You will get more throughput and possible speed but AFAIK USB 2.0 is actually capable of handling everything FW does unless you are recording a RIDICULOUS amount of tracks at once. A multi drum setup does not fall under "ridiculous" track count.
 
With the 18i6 you are going to need a mixer to run your mic's into and then into the line ins on the back to access all 8 inputs (two multis on the front and 6 1/4" line ins on the back). You can also add an extra 4-8 tracks via the ADAT input connection on the back by using another interface or expansion box (like the Focusrite Octopre or really any other interface with ADAT out). You can get 8 extra ins via that ADAT in at 48khz samplerate or 4 at (I think) 96khz.
 
These units are NOT the lowest latency units out there but with a half decent system you can get down to 12ms roundtrip in Sonar or less without problems (at least in my experience) which really noticeable to MOST musicians while tracking.
 
That said the PreSonus boxes are supposedly quite nice and a good price. It was between Presonus and Focusrite when I was looking to update my interface (I used to use an Echo Layla 3G but my new system unfortunately used bridged legacy PCI which I was unaware of and it was causing problems... you want Native PCI which many newer boards do not have... the more modern PCIe is fine but obvioulsy old cards don't fit in those slots).
 
I am however a little skeptical about a $150 interface that can handle that many inputs. Most of the $150 range stuff only handles 2-4 line ins. Maybe you have found a deal but be sure to check all that out, scour the net for reviews and most importantly check to see if they are keeping the drivers for the unit updated.
 
Focusrite, aside from a very minor blip about a year before I bought my interface, seem to be VERY good at providing solid and timely drivers for their stuff. Also their mic pre's are legendary so those multi ins are likely going to sound better than most other gear in the same price range. That of course only applies to when you are using an XLR connection to hook up to those multins (as far as I know). I also think their Hi-Z/Instrument setting on the multi ins sounds pretty darned good too (but not as ideal as more proper preamp stuff for guits but that's another topic).
 
So yeah... Presonus and Focusrite seem to be the two companies that give the most bang for the buck, the most solid devices with the best drivers and the most happy customers in that price range. To get anything better (or even as good) you are likely going to pay much more. Because I actually OWN a Focusrite product though that has made me very happy I can safely recommend their stuff.
 
Cheers.
2015/04/24 13:01:24
Beepster
And not to trash Tascam but I personally wouldn't touch them as far as interfaces until we see what they can put out under the Gibson umbrella. They make good stuff but I've seen quite a bit of not so good reviews as far as their interfaces and support. I'm guessing it will all improve but I am not a gambling man and many people here use FR stuff successfully with Sonar. I don't see very many using Tascam stuff... there are some though who seem reasonably happy so yanno, don't flame me, bros.
 
Cheers.
 
2015/04/24 17:21:21
Cactus Music
Hey Beep, this has changed,  Tascam has defiantly stepped up to the plate since the takeover. They are now writing the drivers in house according to Craig A.
 
It will take a while but I bet you see their sales climbing as the word gets around.
I put my us1641 aside for a couple of years because of the cruddy drivers. They just released new drivers for most of the older products in December 2014. This was not expected by most of us. I have dusted it off and since have used it on a few larger sessions without issues. I believe they are now an equal to the Focusrite line up. Not RME , but for the price points they serve the purpose.
I would also back up your recommendation as long as the OP has some sort of mixer. 
But I mentioned the older Tascam's for the OP who stated they where looking at second hand. 
 
 
2015/04/25 10:49:20
CJaysMusic
Any semi pro to pro sound card can achieve great drum recording. Its not the sound card, but your mic choice, the room you are in, and the placement of the microphones that will be your greatest obstacle.
 
That said, Stay away from sound cards that need a Dice II Firewire Chipset.
 
CJ
2015/04/25 11:29:18
Geo524
Another happy Focusrite user here. I have the 18i20 USB. It has been exceptional for me in both sound and stability. There's certainly lots of choices these days and most will bring great results. Good luck.
2015/06/24 16:30:20
berlymahn
You guys are great!
 
Many thanks!
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