Help on upgrading my audio interface

[Marrs]

Right now Im using a Lexicon Omega that I purchased 4 years ago and Im running sonar with it. Its done a great job, but Im looking for something a little nicer now. I've purchased some other interfaces but they dont work they way I intend to use them. I record a three piece band and the way my setup is done, it records us on seperet channels so I can add effects or eq from with sonar. My lexicon seperates the inputs into 3 audio devices with 2 channels each, which I love and is what Im looking for in an upgrade. Having returned 2 previous mixers Im tired of trial and error and Im sure musicians friend is also. Can anyone recommend an Interface that will work this way?

 

[suprstar]

It looks like you already figured out you don't want a mixer, mixers mix all the inputs down to 2 channels, L and R. You want to keep all channels distinct, you need a multi-channel interface.

You have firewire? Presonus Firestudio is a great interface. 8 channels all with pre's, 8 outputs, midi, 2 inserts, and more. MOTU makes similar units, either are very good imo. If you like having a hardware mixer, you could get a Mackie Onyx, and buy the optional firewire card, but that'll cost at least twice as much as a presonus or motu.

 

[jdier]

Right now Im using a Lexicon Omega that I purchased 4 years ago and Im running sonar with it. Its done a great job, but Im looking for something a little nicer now. I've purchased some other interfaces but they dont work they way I intend to use them. I record a three piece band and the way my setup is done, it records us on seperet channels so I can add effects or eq from with sonar. My lexicon seperates the inputs into 3 audio devices with 2 channels each, which I love and is what Im looking for in an upgrade. Having returned 2 previous mixers Im tired of trial and error and Im sure musicians friend is also. Can anyone recommend an Interface that will work this way?

I have an RME FireFace 800 and I am able to record 8 mono tracks at one time.

The other poster who suggested the Firestudio is onto it too. I have used a firestudio a couple times and it would do what you are asking.

 

[Marrs]

Thanks for the help guys

 

[TimOBrien]

Good guide and 'you cant go wrong with any of these' suggestions:

http://www.tweakheadz.com/soundcards_and_audio_interfaces.htm

(You should bookmark and read through ALL of Tweak's Guide...)