in need of a new firewire interface with 8 inputs, plus 8 or 16 additional inputs via

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TraceyStudios
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2011/04/08 14:49:33 (permalink)

in need of a new firewire interface with 8 inputs, plus 8 or 16 additional inputs via

I am in need of a new firewire interface with 8 inputs, plus 8 or 16 additional inputs via optical inputs.  I tried the PreSonus Firestudio 26, but was unable to get it to work in windows vista. there are a couple other units out there. However the current return policies prohibit a return if the item has software or there is a restocking fee. So I am hoping for some advice from the forum, so I feel confident of whatever I purchase will work in vista as well with sonar. Any suggestions ?
 
I have sonar PE 5, PE 6 and Sonar LE 8.5.1 ( I got with a roland juno keyboard, I may upgrade to PE 8.5  if I need to).
I use a dual core hp laptop.
 
budget is less than $1000
 
Thanks
Trace 

AMD FX-6100 six-core processor 3.3GHz
8 Gig RAM
SONAR X3 Producer
Tascam FW1884
Mackie Blackbird
Presonus Digimax
Avalon U5
BFD2
SL Trigger
Alesis DM8 Pro drums
KRK Rokit 8s
KRK 10s
ARC2

Folgers Dark Roast, a bit of crazy :)
& lots of help from the forums!
 
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    AT
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    Re:in need of a new firewire interface with 8 inputs, plus 8 or 16 additional inputs via 2011/04/08 15:37:42 (permalink)
    16-24 inputs?  You have a laptop and the FS 26 didn't work.  Sounds problematical if you couldn't get the FS to work and you did all the tweaks.  TI FW chipset is the most important factor there for the best chance, tho I've used a VIA w/ both presonus and TCKonnect.  But there are still a bunch out there, tho I would tell the store you'll order online if they won't give you a refund because the product they are selling doesn't work on your system.

    Candidates are the TCK 48.  It is about $1000 the last time I looked.  12 inputs (4 preamps/8 line) plus 8 digital ins (ADAT SMUX or optical x4) so you can plug your Digimax right in, I believe).  Great convertors, good preamps, OK drivers.

    MOTU has stuff that should work.

    Steinberg/Yamaha MR 816 has 8 preamps, ADAT in/out and good sound (or great, depending upon whom is telling).

    Focusrite.

    There are a ton of interfaces that should work out there, and the biggest difference between them (unless you want to spend more than a $1000) is the drivers.  so your best bet is to find a store willing to keep sending ones that fit your needs until it works on your system.

    https://soundcloud.com/a-pleasure-dome
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    there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head.
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    #2
    TraceyStudios
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    Re:in need of a new firewire interface with 8 inputs, plus 8 or 16 additional inputs via 2011/04/08 15:57:03 (permalink)
    When I had the FS 26, I researched the web and contacted presonus. I didn't find any "tweeks" on the web, or any information about the unit other than the typical marketing information. Presonus said it should work. So I contact the online store i purchased it from and told them I couldn't get it to work in windows vista. This was in late 2007- or early 2008 or so. The OLS told me to return it and gave me a refund. Now that I am researching, I have found seveal post regarding issues with presonus products in general. So I need something that has the "tweeks" documentented somewhere or...forgive me for being an idealist, but something that would work right out of the box!!!!  Expecting too much?

    Thanks for the post.   

    AMD FX-6100 six-core processor 3.3GHz
    8 Gig RAM
    SONAR X3 Producer
    Tascam FW1884
    Mackie Blackbird
    Presonus Digimax
    Avalon U5
    BFD2
    SL Trigger
    Alesis DM8 Pro drums
    KRK Rokit 8s
    KRK 10s
    ARC2

    Folgers Dark Roast, a bit of crazy :)
    & lots of help from the forums!
     
    http://www.reverbnation.com/blakkmire
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    daveny5
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    Re:in need of a new firewire interface with 8 inputs, plus 8 or 16 additional inputs via 2011/04/08 21:49:48 (permalink)
    Put a new computer on that shopping list too because you're going to need more than 3GB RAM for that many inputs. 

    Dave
    Computer: Intel i7, ASROCK H170M, 16GB/5TB+, Windows 10 Pro 64-bit, Sonar Platinum, TASCAM US-16x08, Cakewalk UM-3G MIDI I/F
    Instruments: SL-880 Keyboard controller, Korg 05R/W, Korg N1R, KORG Wavestation EX
    Axes: Fender Stratocaster, Line6 Variax 300, Ovation Acoustic, Takamine Nylon Acoustic, Behringer GX212 amp, Shure SM-58 mic, Rode NT1 condenser mic.
    Outboard: Mackie 1402-VLZ mixer, TC Helicon VoiceLive 2, Digitech Vocalist WS EX, PODXTLive, various stompboxes and stuff. 
    Controllers: Korg nanoKONTROL, Wacom Bamboo Touchpad
    #4
    AT
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    Re:in need of a new firewire interface with 8 inputs, plus 8 or 16 additional inputs via 2011/04/09 00:46:50 (permalink)
    Tracey,

    some things work w/ your configuration, and something won't.  People swear by RME drivers, you never hear bad things about them, except when you do.  Someone on this forum had problems w/ his RME a month or two ago.  I'm sure if you'll drop by their forums you'll hear plenty of horror stories.

    Even Apple has problems, and they spec out their stuff, none of this motherboard that and video card X.

    Presonus and Focusrite both jumped on the DiceII bandwagon for FW from TC Konnekt.  It took years to get that driver working and TC was the last.  And I never had a problem with my PreSonus.  Again, your best bet unless you have a lot of funds or time or computer knowledge is to be able to return a unit that won't work easily w/ your system.

    @

    https://soundcloud.com/a-pleasure-dome
    http://www.bnoir-film.com/  
     
    there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head.
    24 And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the Lord. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.
    #5
    WDI
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    Re:in need of a new firewire interface with 8 inputs, plus 8 or 16 additional inputs via 2011/04/09 03:10:25 (permalink)

    AMD 3400 64
    daveny5


    Put a new computer on that shopping list too because you're going to need more than 3GB RAM for that many inputs. 
    I don't think RAM would be the issue. More likely the 5400 RPM laptop hard drive. I'm running an AMD Althlon 64 3500+ with 2 GB ram and have recorded 24 channels using RME Fireface. Ram mostly gets used by samples for VSTi and loops.

    AMD Athlon 64 3400 is getting pretty old now so a new computer wouldn't be a bad idea either. I know I need to upgrade mine also.

    RME Fireface would meet your criteria Trace but slightly out of your budget. Perhaps Ebay? Also, if you were using a different interface with problems, there might be another issue. As mentioned above, firewire interfaces can have some problems with onboard chipsets that are not TI. I've witnessed this first hand. Easy remedy is to use a PCI firewire card with TI chipset.
    post edited by WDI - 2011/04/09 03:17:28

    Sonar 7 PE
    Windows XP Pofessional (SP3)
    MSI K8N Neo4-F
    AMD Athlon 64 3500+
    2 GB PC 3200 Ram
    RME Fireface 800
    Edirol FA-66
    CM Labs MotorMix

    Old stuff: ARJO
    #6
    WDI
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    Re:in need of a new firewire interface with 8 inputs, plus 8 or 16 additional inputs via 2011/04/09 03:12:14 (permalink)
    Forum software blows. I had to try editing the above post like 10 times to get formatting correct. LOL Hence a double post....
    post edited by WDI - 2011/04/09 03:18:44

    Sonar 7 PE
    Windows XP Pofessional (SP3)
    MSI K8N Neo4-F
    AMD Athlon 64 3500+
    2 GB PC 3200 Ram
    RME Fireface 800
    Edirol FA-66
    CM Labs MotorMix

    Old stuff: ARJO
    #7
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