audio interface: Lexicon vs M-audio

[question444]

M-Audio MobilePre USB Portable Audio Interface

Lexicon Alpha USB Desktop Recording Studio

Both appear to have 2 fundamental channels, though the m-audio has an extra xlr input. (Could you get around that limitation on the lexicon by just using an xlr>trs cable?) Which brand is better known for quality? You guys have any adviceon which to buy? Thanks. -p

 

[dgatwood]

Both appear to have 2 fundamental channels, though the m-audio has an extra xlr input. (Could you get around that limitation on the lexicon by just using an xlr>trs cable?) Which brand is better known for quality? You guys have any adviceon which to buy? Thanks. -p

Is "neither" an option?

 

[Shadow_7]

I have the MobilePre. I prefer the quality of sound I get from my DMP3 into my Delta 44 when recording. But the mobile pre has it's uses. Always nice to tie the laptop into it and play games out the studio monitors. And it does do a decent job of recording rehearsals. But I don't think it's good enough to cut a cd from any recorded tracks. Aside from maybe a demo. Not that it's bad, it's just not very transparent sounding. The line in(stereo mic port) is nice when using ultra cheap 1/8" mics.

I actually looked at the lexicons when I was looking for linux compatible soundcards. They seemed nice, but just didn't have the specs I wanted. Not that the mobile pre has the specs I wanted, but for $80 off of craigslist, I'm not complaining. It certianly has enough options to be useful.

HTH

 

[question444]

hmm. Well, I guess I'll need to reconsider, as I was just about to purchase the m-audio. All I'm looking for is a clean, noiseless recording solution so I can make decent demos.

 

[dickiefunk]

hmm. Well, I guess I'll need to reconsider, as I was just about to purchase the m-audio. All I'm looking for is a clean, noiseless recording solution so I can make decent demos.

How many preamps do you need? Do you need midi? What's your budget? Does it have to be USB, could you go firewire or PCI?

 

[warble2]

Not knowing your answers to the questions Dickiefunk asked, I'd recommend the Echo Audio Fire 4.

If you're stuck around a $100 budget, not sure what to recommend.

 

[Shadow_7]

It's not that the mobile pre is noisy. It's more of a colored / non-transparent thing. All devices are noisy, some more so than others. And as said, $80 for two fair preamps and a USB soundcard. I can't complain much on that. And I probably shouldn't expect neve, grace, ua, focusrite, earthworks, or other high end-ish preamp sounds out of it.

I would recommend something other than USB, if that's an option. The bus speed of USB is very limiting. I went that route because my laptop only has usb ports. Which seem a bit more durable than the mic/headphone jacks on the laptop. And it was too good of a deal to pass on.

 

[dickiefunk]

Not knowing your answers to the questions Dickiefunk asked, I'd recommend the Echo Audio Fire 4.

If you're stuck around a $100 budget, not sure what to recommend.

Yeah the Echo Audiofire 4 is a step up from the M-Audio and Lexicon ones you mentioned.
If you don't need midi, the Mackie Onyx Satellite is another good option.

 

[warble2]

...All devices are noisy, some more so than others.

My Layla 3G isn't noisy at all. Pretty much dead quiet. I would hazzard a guess that other interfaces around the same range as the Layla and higher, wouldn't really exhibit much noise.

 

[dickiefunk]

My Layla 3G isn't noisy at all. Pretty much dead quiet. I would hazzard a guess that other interfaces around the same range as the Layla and higher, wouldn't really exhibit much noise.

Neither is my Layla 3G

 

[Shadow_7]

By all are noisey, I don't mean that it sounds like a tape deck or dusty record. If you crank up the volume as loud as thunder and put your ear close to the speaker while the device is "idle", you'll hear something. For my laptop, that's about the same as the interference you get while talking on a cell phone in proximity of a stereo. For my mobile pre it's more like a dusty record if you put your ear really close to the speaker. For my Delta 44 it's hardly anything, but there is something there other than complete silence.

BTW that Layla 3G looks like a nice device.

 

[kojdogg]

the mobile pre is limited to 16 bit 44.1khz, which is a significant limitation. i definitely second the audiofire4 suggestion if you have firewire. another possibility i would consider is the centrance mic port pro. it's only one channel, but has a headphone output, is usb compatible, does 24 bit 96khz recording, has a nice, clean and surprisingly good sounding preamp, and costs about $125. you can just add another one when you have the money too and they'll work together.

 

[warble2]

By all are noisey, I don't mean that it sounds like a tape deck or dusty record. If you crank up the volume as loud as thunder and put your ear close to the speaker while the device is "idle", you'll hear something. For my laptop, that's about the same as the interference you get while talking on a cell phone in proximity of a stereo. For my mobile pre it's more like a dusty record if you put your ear really close to the speaker. For my Delta 44 it's hardly anything, but there is something there other than complete silence.

BTW that Layla 3G looks like a nice device.

Well yeah, if you crank it all the way up you'll get some noise. Point is, if you're mixing at good a dB sound level, that noise that occurs when it's "cranked" really won't matter. Cheaper interfaces...don't know as I haven't used something like the two mentioned here so far.

I usually don't test interfaces for noise with my ear right up on the speaker either Probably not a good practice if some audio somehow decided to come through.

I've enjoyed my Layla 3G - it's been one of the best purchases I've made in the last few years.

Also, I try to keep things running balanced as well. Either balanced ins/outs or digital.

 

[Shadow_7]

The Mobile Pre is limited to two channels of input at 16 bit and 48kHz. As are MOST of the USB style devices. Although I beleive it's full duplex, so that's two channels in and two channels out in realtime on a relatively slow bus. Obviously not the best solution to be had.

Having an external device has advantages. I end up using my Mobile Pre more than my Delta 44, if only because it's mobile. Or at least works with my laptop, that doesn't have any PCI or Firewire ports. I still like my Delta 44 better. It has a cleaner and more transparent sound. And boy do my CDs sound good going through the Delta. I just spend most of my time away from the corner that is the desktop with that card in it.

 

[fraserhutch]

But his point that all interfaces have some degree of noise is a valid one, and furthermore it's an important one, because all that noise is accumulative when multitracking. One of the major reason why gain staging is so important.

Now, the Echo Layla is relatively noiseless, but I promise you, it is not the quietest interface on the block, having owned/iused Ginas and Laylas. That said, they're good solid interfaces, and I'm not knocking them, just don't get fooled into thinking that they're noiseless.

And, more importantly, it DOES matter.

Well yeah, if you crank it all the way up you'll get some noise. Point is, if you're mixing at good a dB sound level, that noise that occurs when it's "cranked" really won't matter. Cheaper interfaces...don't know as I haven't used something like the two mentioned here so far.

I usually don't test interfaces for noise with my ear right up on the speaker either Probably not a good practice if some audio somehow decided to come through.

I've enjoyed my Layla 3G - it's been one of the best purchases I've made in the last few years.

Also, I try to keep things running balanced as well. Either balanced ins/outs or digital.

 

[kojdogg]

The Mobile Pre is limited to two channels of input at 16 bit and 48kHz. As are MOST of the USB style devices.

that's just not true-- most usb devices these days can do 24 bit recording-- sample rate limits vary.

 

[Shadow_7]

that's just not true-- most usb devices these days can do 24 bit recording-- sample rate limits vary.

The best I've seen is 24 bit @ 96kHz for USB. I was looking for 2 channels, 24 bit @ 96kHz when I was looking for a USB device with linux support. It was probably one in five that actually spec'd that high in their specifications. And reviews on those were not promising. Various issues, like not full duplex, or limited to one input channel at the higher rates. Most of the USB devices I found wouldn't even indicate if they were 1.1 or 2.0.

 

[warble2]

But his point that all interfaces have some degree of noise is a valid one, and furthermore it's an important one, because all that noise is accumulative when multitracking. One of the major reason why gain staging is so important.

Now, the Echo Layla is relatively noiseless, but I promise you, it is not the quietest interface on the block, having owned/iused Ginas and Laylas. That said, they're good solid interfaces, and I'm not knocking them, just don't get fooled into thinking that they're noiseless.

And, more importantly, it DOES matter.

Guess I left out a good point about gain staging. One of the things I pay attention to. Haven't had noise issues with my Layla that made me say "boy, this is noisy", so I guess I came off the wrong way about noise - especially considering what interfaces the OP is interested in.

 

[question444]

Now I am considering "neither" as an option.

I have not defined a budget. So far, I've just looked for the cheapest thing available that would do the job I want it to do. (im posting here for help to find it, ). I don't need midi. My computer does not have firewire capability. I don't know how many preamps I need. I will usually only record one track at a time; but i want at least two channels for stereo keyboard recording and guitar/vocal recording.

Thanks for the tips guys; I'm looking into the devices mentioned.

 

[Shadow_7]

My next preamp/interface purchase will likely be a Fostex FR2LE. 8 hours of batter life, and an 8GB CF card option. All the mobility without the computer or power/tether requirements. And rumored to have good and quiet pre's. In the meantime the laptop plus mobile pre and all the tethers will suffice for now. But once I start venturing outdoors, I will need the Fostex. I already have a decent indoor rig. Delta 44 + DMP3. 4x inputs and outputs. But it does require an external preamp.

The mobile pre isn't all that bad. It's just that USB interfaces are limited by default. Which means that not much R&D will be put into evolving those devices. And most current models seem a bit behind the times. I'm actually looking at getting a 2nd mobile pre if I can talk the guy down to $80. Hopefully I can use them both on the same bus. Two dynamics and two phantom powered LDC's to record rehearsals with. Or with current equipment, two electret omnis, and one LDC.

Not a fair comparison. Different dates, different locations, different mics. But here's the mobile pre with an AT4033a and some giant squid stereo omni's with fully loaded battery box. A short 7 second clip. I might not consider the Mobile Pre Top of the Line, but it is respectable to a degree.

AT 4033a. Small bandroom at elevation.

Larger cafeteria at chest height.