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+--- Thread: Can anyone recommend a firewire audio interface for recording? (/showthread.php?tid=48107)
Can anyone recommend a firewire audio interface for recording? - mikebw - 01-26-2008
I am in the midst of doing a home-recording project with my band and I have realized that I need to step up my game a little bit. Previously we had just been recording all the mics mixed down into mono or stereo though an analog mixer, onto a G3. Good enough for reference purposes but there is pretty much zero mixing or editing that can be done on those files.
What I need to be able to do now is to record 4 or more discrete channels of audio, simultaneously to my G5. I would love to be able to do 8 channels, but I know that will cost more than 4.
So, can anyone here make a personal recommendation on what type of audio interface to buy? I know there are some USB options out there which I am open to as well. Basically all it needs to do is work with GarageBand and/or Logic Studio, give me at least 4 independent channels of audio, and have 4 XLR / 1/4" inputs. Must work with 10.4 on my G5.
Budget is kinda up in the air, obviously the cheaper the better.
I found this firewire one made by Alesis- http://www.alesis.com/product.php?id=95 for $200, also in 8-channels- http://www.alesis.com/product.php?id=96 for $500
Any suggestions?
Re: Can anyone recommend a firewire audio interface for recording? - onthedownlow - 01-26-2008
Alesis is good...also check out M-Audio and Mackie Onyx mixers. I had one model in particular that I just saw in a catalog last night, but I left it at my office and can't remember the company or the model.
Re: Can anyone recommend a firewire audio interface for recording? - Gareth - 01-26-2008
My friend, who's a theatrical sound designer, has a couple of Mobile I/O's:
http://www.mhlabs.com/metric_halo/products/mio/
Re: Can anyone recommend a firewire audio interface for recording? - Joseph C. - 01-26-2008
More towards the higher end of the budget, but worth it-
http://www.motu.com/products/motuaudio/828mk3/
Comes with Cue mix software and is compatible with Digital Performer and Logic Studio
Re: Can anyone recommend a firewire audio interface for recording? - clay - 01-26-2008
you could do as joseph C. recommends, or you can also look to Motu's other offering, the 8pre. I bought one last spring to use with my imac. Works great for recording. Any recording engineer will tell you that a $500 8-channel device is just "OK", but if that's your budget, than it should do the trick for you.
With my interface, I recorded 2 CDs for some groups, and they turned out well. I personally used Digital Performer as my software, but I'm sure you'd do fine with the others that you mention.
For the price, I don't think there's a better 8-channel interface out there. I had looked at the presonus fire box/pod (the 8 channel one) and was steered away from that to the 8pre, simply because of Motu's reputation for quality products.
Good luck.
Re: Can anyone recommend a firewire audio interface for recording? - mikebw - 01-26-2008
Those look nice, but hey, only $1500!
I think I need something with built-in level/mixing conrols, more like the M-Audio NRV10 maybe.
[quote Gareth]My friend, who's a theatrical sound designer, has a couple of Mobile I/O's:
http://www.mhlabs.com/metric_halo/products/mio/
Re: Can anyone recommend a firewire audio interface for recording? - OWC Larry - 01-26-2008
a couple options we've got... ignore the griffin...
http://eshop.macsales.com/Search/Search.cfm?Ne=5000&Ntt=firewire+audio&Ntk=Primary&Ns=P_Popularity%7c1&N=7193
Re: Can anyone recommend a firewire audio interface for recording? - mikebw - 01-26-2008
Yes, the MOTU 8pre looks perfect. Now I just wish it wasn't "only" $500, but I agree their reputation is good.
[quote clay]you could do as joseph C. recommends, or you can also look to Motu's other offering, the 8pre. I bought one last spring to use with my imac. Works great for recording. Any recording engineer will tell you that a $500 8-channel device is just "OK", but if that's your budget, than it should do the trick for you.
With my interface, I recorded 2 CDs for some groups, and they turned out well. I personally used Digital Performer as my software, but I'm sure you'd do fine with the others that you mention.
For the price, I don't think there's a better 8-channel interface out there. I had looked at the presonus fire box/pod (the 8 channel one) and was steered away from that to the 8pre, simply because of Motu's reputation for quality products.
Good luck.
Re: Can anyone recommend a firewire audio interface for recording? - mikebw - 01-26-2008
Unfortunately none of those offer (4) XLR inputs at the same time.
[quote OWC Larry]a couple options we've got... ignore the griffin...
http://eshop.macsales.com/Search/Search.cfm?Ne=5000&Ntt=firewire+audio&Ntk=Primary&Ns=P_Popularity%7c1&N=7193
Re: Can anyone recommend a firewire audio interface for recording? - clay - 01-26-2008
[quote mikebw]Yes, the MOTU 8pre looks perfect. Now I just wish it wasn't "only" $500, but I agree their reputation is good.
[quote clay]you could do as joseph C. recommends, or you can also look to Motu's other offering, the 8pre. I bought one last spring to use with my imac. Works great for recording. Any recording engineer will tell you that a $500 8-channel device is just "OK", but if that's your budget, than it should do the trick for you.
With my interface, I recorded 2 CDs for some groups, and they turned out well. I personally used Digital Performer as my software, but I'm sure you'd do fine with the others that you mention.
For the price, I don't think there's a better 8-channel interface out there. I had looked at the presonus fire box/pod (the 8 channel one) and was steered away from that to the 8pre, simply because of Motu's reputation for quality products.
Good luck.
mikebw, you could take a look at ebay for the 8pre. Looking at some completed auctions, looks like anywhere in the $400-$500 range is possible. I just checked retail price, and it looks like $549, so ebay might be an attractive route.
good luck