Can anyone recommend a firewire audio interface for recording?

[mikebw]

I actually just found for a great price on eBay, so I might try to bid on that. (don't steal it please!!)

Anyway, I am still reading about it. I'm not sure what benefits the M-Audio NRV10 might have over the MOTU 8pre. I can see the NRV10 is setup like a traditional analog mixer, but I'm not sure if I need that. I already have a 16-channel analog mixer (albeit not a very good one) that we use for live sound, and it's nice because it has 8 XLR inputs.

Thinking out loud here-
If I got the 8pre, I would still need and use the mixer I have for live audio since I don't need a computer to do that. The only reason I need a Firewire interface is so that I can record to a computer, not for live sound. I don't foresee ever needing to integrate my computer in a live audio situation, (say for real-time DSP) except perhaps to record, which would rarely do, if ever.

Actually, I guess I could use the 8pre as a live mixer with the pre-outs sent to my power amps, but there are no monitor1 / monitor 2 ouputs, so that would really limit the functionality in a live setting. The NRV10 would give me some flexibility in both areas, but overall would be more limiting that what I have now.

I guess I should really look into the MOTU 8pre. Seems like a quality product that really suits my needs at this time. It must work with garageband right? I mean that seems like an unlikely program to use for such a piece of equipment, but Garageband is so easy I would like to use it for basic recording, then do all my mixing and editing in Logic.

Thanks for the suggestions.

[clay]

mikebw,

check out a great forum for both MOTU gear as well as some great advice on recording in general: http://unicornation.com/

It's been helpful for me as I've started doing more of this type of thing.

good luck

[mikebw]

Thanks, I'll check it out.

I was just looking at the MOTU 896HD, and it seems to be the ultimate solution since it also had XLR outputs along with the inputs, that way I could pass through the unit (record to the computer) then send onto the live mixer and amps from there. Probably a lot more expensive though.

[Fritz]

the MotU stuff is very good.
I've been using a Traveler for a number of years with great success.
They can be found used often enough.
4 XLR mics w/48vts and 4 Line ins. You could submix the drums (say) to the line ins and direct the bass to one, and pre fade Aux send from your mixer to the last input.

Good Luck!

[mikebw]

Interesting. The traveler looks good as well, but current auctions show it as being more expensive than the 8pre. I'll keep an eye on it. I could use my existing mixer as you say to do a submix.

[The Grim Ninja]

I would recommend the 896, first version. You should be able to get one for $450-600 on ebay. The first version has some limitations, you can't use it as a stand-alone mixer as you can the HD version, but it's not exactly an in-demand feature. With the 896 though, you could do monitor outputs via software through the main or any of the 8 channel outputs.


Does your mixer have direct outputs/line outputs for each channel or does it have multiple bus outputs? If so, you might consider the 828 or 828 MKII. The 828 can be had as low as $200 on ebay, but you need to have your own preamps as it has mostly 1/4" line inputs.

[mikebw]

My current mixer does not have direct outputs. Everything mixes down into the Main 1, Main 2, or monitor outputs.

I see an 896 on eBay now, the non-HD version, for pretty cheap...

I'm not sure I understand what the differences between the original 896 and the 8pre are, besides the XLR outputs. Can you explain the differences?

[The Grim Ninja]

The 896 is almost identical to the 896HD but it missing a few features like the ability to do mixing/routing without a computer attached. I'm not sure what else, I can't find specs for the plain 896 at the moment. For the most part, you can just look at the 896HD to compare with the 8pre.

The main thing is that the 8pre has 2 channel outputs where the 896 has 10 XLR Outputs.

(It should be mentioned that both interfaces can be hooked up to an ADAT converter to allow for an additional 8 channels in/out, you can also us the AES/EBU for 2 more in/out on the 896).

Which brings me to another option. You could get an original 828 and the behringer ADA8000, then have an interface with 8 XLR in/out with preamps, 2 more XLR on the 828, and 6 or 8 line inputs as well (I don't recall). This is what a friend of mine did, he was pleased with the results.

http://www.behringer.com/ADA8000/index.cfm?lang=eng

[mikebw]

So on the 8pre and the original 896, you would need to use the computer to control the mix in the headphones and/or main outs. But I suppose you wouldn't be using either one unless you had a computer hooked up, so that's a moot point.

I'm sure either one would work fine at the moment. I am a little torn however on which one to bid on since the 896 is cheaper right now, but it shouldn't be by the end of the auction.

[mikebw]

For the same price, I think I would rather have the 896, so hopefully I can get that.