First DAW: Audio Interface or Hardware Mixer?

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gvdv

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Hi,
I finally bought a Mac Pro (2.66) recently as the basis of my first DAW project studio and video editing platform.

I had originally intended to buy an RME Fireface 400 as the basis of the audio side of things, but worry about that choice for two reasons:
1. I think I'd like a mixer that I can reach out and touch, rather than a completely software based mixer

2. I would like at least 4 simultaneous mic. inputs, and the Fireface 400 has two (mics.).

So, what would people recommend in the way of a firewire or analogue based hardware mixer that has good pre's, and that can handle MIDI, too (or would I be looking at a separate MIDI interface for that?).

I'm new to computer recording, so my knowledge of various I/O capabilities is confused at times. Would I be O.K. with 'just' an analogue based mixer or should I go firewire?

Ideally, I would go with a Fireface 800, but I can't afford that given that I still have to buy a large diaphragm condenser microphone and a couple of other hard drives (for the video editing). And more RAM, too.

Feeling a bit overwhelmed but looking forward to your advice.

Thanks,

GVDV.
 
gvdv said:
1. I think I'd like a mixer that I can reach out and touch, rather than a completely software based mixer
Click to expand...

There's a bunch of stuff out there like the Alesis I/O26 or Multixmix, both $400
http://www.jrrshop.com/alesis-io26-24bit192khz-firewire-interface-p-7118.html
http://www.jrrshop.com/alesis-multimix-12-firewire-p-6813.html

The Multimix only samples up to 48KHz and has no midi or adat.

The I/O 26 does midi & adat so if you need more preamps/inputs in future it's easily expandable, e.g. with one of these for $250
http://www.jrrshop.com/behringer-ultragain-pro8-digital-ada8000-p-832.html

The Behringer unit can also be used with th M-Audio FW18/14
http://www.jrrshop.com/maudio-firewire-1814-p-2102.html

The Motu 8 pre is $550,and has adat & midi
http://www.jrrshop.com/motu-8pre-16-x-12-audio-interface-p-6427.html
However is only has 2 outputs which rather emasculates it

The firepod also has 8 pres & midi, but no adat. However it's got a whole mess of outputs for $400
http://www.jrrshop.com/presonus-firepod-p-7044.html

$600 will get you a Tascam FW1082 interface/control surface. 4 preamps & midi
http://www.jrrshop.com/tascam-fw1082-firewire-control-surfaceinterface-p-4937.html

In a home studio situation where you're at the mercy of your environment, any of the above units will give you results indistinguishable from an rme interface. At your stage the most important thing is to get something that works reliably without hassles in your particular setup
 
gvdv said:
Hi,
I finally bought a Mac Pro (2.66) recently as the basis of my first DAW project studio and video editing platform.

I had originally intended to buy an RME Fireface 400 as the basis of the audio side of things, but worry about that choice for two reasons:
1. I think I'd like a mixer that I can reach out and touch, rather than a completely software based mixer

2. I would like at least 4 simultaneous mic. inputs, and the Fireface 400 has two (mics.).

So, what would people recommend in the way of a firewire or analogue based hardware mixer that has good pre's, and that can handle MIDI, too (or would I be looking at a separate MIDI interface for that?).

I'm new to computer recording, so my knowledge of various I/O capabilities is confused at times. Would I be O.K. with 'just' an analogue based mixer or should I go firewire?

Ideally, I would go with a Fireface 800, but I can't afford that given that I still have to buy a large diaphragm condenser microphone and a couple of other hard drives (for the video editing). And more RAM, too.

Feeling a bit overwhelmed but looking forward to your advice.

Thanks,

GVDV.
Click to expand...

If your budget isn't $1500+ and you only need 4 inputs then consider the Yamaha N8. Stellar pres and outstanding conveters among many other great features for $1000. The RME FF800 was one of the units I looked at before I decided on the N12 and I am astounded by the sound quality.

http://www.yamahasynth.com/products/n8n12/index.html
 
Hi Bulls Hit and therage!,
Many thanks for your replies.

I can see from a quick perusal of the suggestions you made via your links that I'll have to do some looking around, as I was thinking of going 192 K, instead of 96 (hence consideration initially of the Fireface 400).

Perhaps it would be best to stick with the idea of the Fireface 400 or 800 after all.

Once again, many thanks for your replies,

GVDV
 
All 192 will get you is a bogged down computer. It won't give you a 'better sound'. Stick to 24/44 and you'll be a lot happier
 
Hi Bulls Hit,
Thanks for the reply.

I'll obviously bow to your superior knowledge here, but can you fill in the blanks a bit, viz., why do manufacturers make cards/interfaces that go to 96 and 192, and what kinds of things can happen to bog down a computer at these higher rates? (higher latency?).

Thanks,
GVDV
 
higher rates = much larger files, more information for your computer to process. 24/44.1 is ample
 
Yeah a 192 project would be fine if you're only mixing a couple of dozen tracks, but once your project gets big, and you're trying to stream several dozen tracks off disk, you're more likely to get audio glitches.

But if you do spend the money on a Fireface, you won't be disappointed
 
Hi Bulls Hit and LemonTree,
Thanks for the replies.

There's no way (and I know you'll probably say that these are famous last words) that I'll ever go above 20 tracks; in fact most projects I can think of will be 16 at the outside.

So, if that's the basis for you, Bulls Hit, recommending staying at 24/44.1, then I should be O.K.; also, if I do go for the Fireface 400 or 800 I'm sure I would use 192 at some point.

Still not decided, though, on whether or not to go for a hardware based mixer, although the more I think about it the more it makes sense to me to get the Fireface because it has the reputation of having good pre's, too, so that wouldn't be an 'extra' expense, given that I'd need a good mic., mixer, and mic preamp (I'm going to audition some rode multi-pattern condensers, and a shure multi-pattern condenser).

Bulls Hit - and others who may have the experience - is it difficult to navigate and use the Fireface in terms of making software (e.g., probably Logic in my case) work with the unit?

Thanks,
GVDV
 
gvdv said:
Hi Bulls Hit and LemonTree,
I'm sure I would use 192 at some point.
Click to expand...

I'm sure you will try, then you wont again. I can bet that if you recorded at 24/44 and 24/192 in your space (assuming you do not have a treated recording room) without some very serious analysis tools you will not hear any difference. Not to mention the process of dealing with those files is a pain in the ass and the results are usually identical or worse when you go back to a more common format. Now if you own a multi million dollar studio with professional pianist recording some vintage grand on a $100K worth of mics for sending to a professional mastering house, then HD192 is the way to go. For the rest of the world, it is just marketing blah blah
 
RME has some of the best drivers in the business. If not pulling your hair off of your head is important to you, choose VERY carefully that whatever interface you pick has well written drivers
 
Chose Presonus Firestudio

Hi,
Just thought I'd post and say that, for financial reasons and versatility in terms of I/O's, I chose the Presonus Firestudio as my audio interface.

Having about a Mac Pro, I've been using the Firestudio with Garage Band, the pared down, but very fun, sequencing software that comes with every Mac, and have been enjoying the Firestudio, and Garage Band.

I have yet to get to grips with the Firestudio's software Control Console, which one does not need to use with Garage Band. The Control Console is a bit intimidating, and initially crashed things (but then I downloaded recent drivers for the Firestudio, and everything is O.K. again).

Thanks for your help,
 
pipelineaudio said:
RME has some of the best drivers in the business. If not pulling your hair off of your head is important to you, choose VERY carefully that whatever interface you pick has well written drivers
Click to expand...

oh yes.. great advice.. I wish i woulda realized that before I got my delta 1010.. when I switched to vista because it made it pretty much unusable for me.. soo many bugs and soo many headaches
 
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