JPF Home Page Forums Musician Gear and Techniques Recording Studio and Gear Forum USB/Firewire Interfaces

Hey

What kind of interfaces do you all use for recording? I have been thinking about picking up a new USB/Firewire/maybe thunderbolt interface. Though I am pretty sure there are no thunderbolt interfaces on the market yet.

I've been using my POD x3 live as an interface and it works well for me, but I want something more designated as a recording interface.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

Currently a Focusrite Saffire Pro 24. I really like it.

If I were to save a little better, I would probably go for most anything by RME, or UAD's new Apollo.

I've had my eyes on that Focustrite for a while. Good to know.

I have also actually read quite a bit of good things about RME's babyface..A little more than I am looking to spend though! I aim for under 500$

Mark, Are the tracks on your soundclick recorded through the Saffire? They sound good!

Thanks Nick! Yeah, most of that first page or so were recorded through the Saffire.

Prior to this one, I had a TC Electronics Konnekt24. I loved it, but it didn't play nice with my new Windows 7 operating system, and no more driver updates were forthcoming. I read and read and read about interfaces and went with the Saffire, and it has given me no problems at all. But if it craps out on me in the next couple years or so, I will be wishing I had just saved a little more for that Babyface--they are so well-regarded for being rock-solid, no issues, great sounding interfaces.

What's most important to me is that an interface stays out of my way and just WORKS. So far, so good.

I've used a Focusrite Saffire 6 for about two years. Started out with m-audio but it was noisy. The focusrite is clean and built like a tank. Metal, not plastic. I recommend it highly.

Stevie

If you want something reliable then RME is probably your best choice. I have a Focusrite Saffire Pro26 firewire interface and an RME 9636 card. The Focusrite rarely seems to work as expected whereas the RME always works.

James.

James have you used the RME babyface at all? I wish it wasn't so dang expensive.

Stevie, good to know the M-Audio is noisy..I have looked at a few of those..but leaning away from them because I am starting to collect to much M-Audio gear..lol need to change it up a bit. I have had my eye on the new C600 though.. Any thoughts on that one? http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/C600/

From what I've read from users, the C600 is a fine entry-level interface. Probably no better or worse than a Saffire. Those of us who balk at paying 4 figures for an interface have a lot of choices of the same basic quality in different packages. I think they all do the trick. But James is absolutely right when he says "If you want something reliable then RME is probably your best choice."

Well, it was too much for me too...but then again, after about five years of digital recording, I'm on my fourth interface.

Presonus Firebox - Worked great...sold it when I saw a deal that would get me a comparable interface along with Cubase Studio 4.

Yamaha GO46 - Worked great until it didn't.

TC Electronics Konnekt24 - Worked even better until it didn't.

Focusrite Saffire Pro 24 - Works great!

I guess you get my point...sometimes I feel like Charlie Brown and I buy interfaces from Lucy with the football. The trouble with saving twice as much money is that its easy to lose the resolve to spend it all on one truly high-quality piece. But I've ended up spending more money over time on these little pro-sumer timebombs. But yeah, I did it with eyes wide open every time...these days, they all sound good enough to create broadcast quality recordings. Good luck!

Firestudio mobile.
Seems to do the job for me.
Vic

Would anyone care to give a quick explanation of what they mean by DSP in the audio world?

I.E.

Avid's Fast Track C600 sports built-in MX Core DSP effects processing to give you reverb and delay on each headphone output, for low-latency recording with effects. And thanks to the MX Core software mixer, setting up sophisticated monitoring chains is quick and intuitive

Is it just a fancy way of saying on board effects?

Bingo. Like having plug-ins that are in your interface rather than your computer/DAW.

That's what I thought...is it worth the extra $? It seems like just a snazzy sales pitch.

NICK--

DSP=DIGITAL SIGNAL PROCESSING OR PROCESSOR--OUTBOARD INBOARD OR BOTH!

Mackie

The extra processing power can help if your computer can't keep up with all the effects you're running...but otherwise, yeah, kind of a snazzy sales pitch. But if you're talking about the VRM thing in the Saffire Pro DSP, that's a very cool thing--let's you hear how your mix sounds out of several different types of speakers. Very helpful.

I haven't used one - but I understand it is a decent unit from those who have used it.



My experience of M-Audio is limited, but the Mobile Pre worked well for me provided I was careful to avoid ground loops.

James.

I have an E-Mu 1820 that is installed in my pc with a PCI card, and a Focusrite Saffire Pro 14 in my mac that uses a firewire, and I can't tell any difference in speed or quality between them, except that I like the Focusrite mic pres better (though I don't use them for my primary pre, for that I use a Golden Age Pre-73 MK II). I recently installed a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 in a friend's laptop. It is a USB unit. It does the job well for her.

The new Motu 16 is great, Apogee Duet, I use a M Audio Profire 610, I use 192KHZ, 24 bit.You also get a great deal on pro Tools Mp9 with the purchase

Welcome to JPF Bobby! Introduce yourself on the new member board so folks know you're here!

Brian

I looked at all the usual Pci card makers and when I asked a simple technical question I didn't get a reply from any of them. At the same time I sent the same question to a German company Auzentech and got a same day response. They make a 24/192 similar to E-Mu's and decided to use their Pci card for my main audio card. It's been solid and works well interfacing with my Echo 12 firewire, which is also rock solid.

I would like to add that in todays world of Mp3 sales a lot of studios are using 24/48 to record. The recordings are far better than any MP3 playback. You can impress your friends with 24/192 but the consumer is at best going to listen to a 320 kbs Mp3 and 24/48 is still a lot better quality than a commercial CD. A thought to keep in mind.