Looking at USB interfaces

  • Thread starter Thread starter TeyshaBlue
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TeyshaBlue

TeyshaBlue

It's the smell..
Yeah, I'm stuck in USB-land for the forseeable future. My lappy doesn't have a PCI card slot, so I'm stuck with USB 2.0. I'd like at least 6x4 functionality, and looking around there are a few players...MAudio Fast Track UltraR, 'bout $400 (8x8). Cakewalk's V100 (8x6 with control surface), bout $600:eek:, and the Lexicon Omega (6x4) for $149. WTF?:confused: Doing some research on the Omega shows it has a bit of a design flaw wherein a ribbon connector lies a bit close to a couple of power tab regulator IC's, gets hot and either melts or distorts the socket at the circuit board. Pretty easy to fix...and I'm not afraid of DIY stuff.

But why is this one so much cheaper? Anyone have any experience with the Omega?
Im running Sonar 8, on a cheap lappy with 3 gigs of ram and Vista Home Basic.

Thanks!
 
iv been trying to get the same kinda answers from these guys.. but it sounds like u basically have the same setup as me so im just gooin to see what they tell u lol.
 
I’ve been real happy with my M-Audio 2496 PCI card.
I upgraded to a new PC and am in a similar boat as you are with your laptop in that my new PC is the low profile design that takes the PCIe cards.
So I got the M-Audio Fast Track Pro USB interface.
It’s only a 2x2 but like the PCI card, the install was a snap and the sound is good.
So if all things be the same, I vote for the M-Audio.
 
I'm in this situation, as well. I plan to add a multi-channel (more than stereo) audio interface to my laptop

My Top 3 contenders ... all under $500 US MSRP. Can find 25% cheaper at top music stores
  • TASCAM M164-UF (analog mixer with FX + 16 channel USB 2.0 Input) * best of both worlds
  • ZOOM R16 (8 track at once standalone recorder with 16 total + 8 channel USB Audio Interface + USB Control Surface for a DAW ) Portable / Multi-purpose & cheapest price
  • Tascam US-2000 USB 2.0 Rackmount (no midi) Drawback .. can't be used as a traditional mixer
  • Tascam US-1641 <was considered + MIDI I/O.>
 
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johnnymegabyte said:
I'm in this situation, as well. I plan to add a multi-channel (more than stereo) audio interface to my laptop

My Top 3 contenders ... all under $500 US MSRP. Can find 25% cheaper at top music stores
  • TASCAM M164-UF (analog mixer with FX + 16 channel USB 2.0 Input) * best of both worlds
  • ZOOM R16 (8 track at once standalone recorder with 16 total + 8 channel USB Audio Interface + USB Control Surface for a DAW ) Portable / Multi-purpose & cheapest price
  • Tascam US-2000 USB 2.0 Rackmount (no midi) Drawback .. can't be used as a traditional mixer
  • Tascam US-1641 <was considered + MIDI I/O.>
Click to expand...

I really like the ZOOM R16. 8x8 with control surface. Outstanding pricing at about 400 bones. This might be my choice.

I was leaning towards a Lexicon Omega with a Behringer BCF control surface..which would give me 6x4 plus a motorized control surface. Total package was bout $325.

The ZOOM R16 gives me 8x8, a control surface (minus the automation:() at $400. Seems like a hell of a deal.

Thanks all for your help!:cool:
 
I picked up an omega at a pawn shop maybe a year ago for I think $60 - I gave it to my son, hoping he'd figure it out - it collected dust until a few weeks ago, when we figured we'd try to get it working on his Vista desktop.

It uses either ASIO or "WDM" driver mode - not knowing much about windows sound, we quickly discovered that WDM mode seemed to be required to get it visible to the system and mp3 player software and stuff. That much (playback) is working.

We installed Reaper and, I have to confess, have still not been able to get a recorded track - admittedly, we haven't put on our scientist coats yet, but it's far from intuitive, I'll say that. First, I *think* it's USB 1.1 (!!!), and to compensate for that, they limited the number of simultaneous tracks you could push through to maybe one or two stereo tracks - there's a confusing (to us) set of switches on the front where you select device 1/2 or 3/4 or something like that - we can never be sure we've got that part right. The WDM driver exposes, on our system, 3 poorly named audio devices, none of which seem to piping through audio from a mic, no matter which combination of switches we try. Perhaps the ASIO driver would be easier - we'll try that next.

Anyway - I've been at this confused, ineffectual stage with equipment before, and then quietly discovered what I was doing wrong, moved on, and forgot about it, so maybe that's what's going on, but I have to say, it has not been easy so far.
 
antichef said:
I picked up an omega at a pawn shop maybe a year ago for I think $60 - I gave it to my son, hoping he'd figure it out - it collected dust until a few weeks ago, when we figured we'd try to get it working on his Vista desktop.

It uses either ASIO or "WDM" driver mode - not knowing much about windows sound, we quickly discovered that WDM mode seemed to be required to get it visible to the system and mp3 player software and stuff. That much (playback) is working.

We installed Reaper and, I have to confess, have still not been able to get a recorded track - admittedly, we haven't put on our scientist coats yet, but it's far from intuitive, I'll say that. First, I *think* it's USB 1.1 (!!!), and to compensate for that, they limited the number of simultaneous tracks you could push through to maybe one or two stereo tracks - there's a confusing (to us) set of switches on the front where you select device 1/2 or 3/4 or something like that - we can never be sure we've got that part right. The WDM driver exposes, on our system, 3 poorly named audio devices, none of which seem to piping through audio from a mic, no matter which combination of switches we try. Perhaps the ASIO driver would be easier - we'll try that next.

Anyway - I've been at this confused, ineffectual stage with equipment before, and then quietly discovered what I was doing wrong, moved on, and forgot about it, so maybe that's what's going on, but I have to say, it has not been easy so far.
Click to expand...

I think it pretty much has to run ASIO in order for the 4 outputs to be seen in Reaper. The earlier versions (which have SV stamped on the bottom) seem to be more prone to the over-heating problem than the later units, according to what I've read. And yeah, they use a 2.0 port, but run USB 1.1 architecture. Still should be able to pass 4 tracks without much problem tho.
 
TeyshaBlue said:
I really like the ZOOM R16. 8x8 with control surface. Outstanding pricing at about 400 bones. This might be my choice.

I was leaning towards a Lexicon Omega with a Behringer BCF control surface..which would give me 6x4 plus a motorized control surface. Total package was bout $325.

The ZOOM R16 gives me 8x8, a control surface (minus the automation:() at $400. Seems like a hell of a deal.

Thanks all for your help!:cool:
Click to expand...

The ZOOM R16 does not support 8x8 to DAW. It's 16x8 to it's internal flash drive, but 8x2 via USB. Damnit!:mad: The search continues.....
 
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TeyshaBlue said:
The ZOOM R16 does not support 8x8 to DAW. It's 16x8 to it's internal flash drive, but 16x2 via USB. Damnit!:mad: The search continues.....
Click to expand...

READ THIS .... looks like it's a 8 Input USB

Doubles as a USB audio interface for professional studio recording
You can use the Zoom R16's computer connectivity in a couple of ways. First, you can connect it up to your computer and use it as a standard USB storage device, so you can quickly transfer your SD-recorded tracks straight to your computer for mixdown, archiving, e-mailing, or posting online. But, the cool this is, the R16 also doubles as a USB audio interface. Just load up your favorite DAW and you can record eight tracks at time, using the R16's onboard inputs.

video demo ---> http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/R16/
 
I have the Tascam Us-1641. I haven't used it, but a friend recorded my band with his. We tracked the whole band live and it seemed to work fine. He had Vista, 1G of RAM, and about 1.7GHz. I bought mine for $300.
 
johnnymegabyte said:
READ THIS .... looks like it's a 8 Input USB

Doubles as a USB audio interface for professional studio recording
You can use the Zoom R16's computer connectivity in a couple of ways. First, you can connect it up to your computer and use it as a standard USB storage device, so you can quickly transfer your SD-recorded tracks straight to your computer for mixdown, archiving, e-mailing, or posting online. But, the cool this is, the R16 also doubles as a USB audio interface. Just load up your favorite DAW and you can record eight tracks at time, using the R16's onboard inputs.

video demo ---> http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/R16/
Click to expand...

Ahhhh...you can record 8 tracks at 16 bit 44.1! Only 2 tracks at 24/96. That's cool. I can certainly live with the 16 bit limitation if I can get a true 8x8 interface. Awesome news!
You have to dig really deep in the manual to find this little tidbit..and it's mentioned almost in passing. Weird! Thanks for the tip, man.:cool:
Sounds like this is the deal I've been looking for.:)
 
Did some more reading and research last night. I still considered the MAudio Fast Track Ultra and the Lexicon Omega + Behringer BCF 2000 combo.

I ordered the Zoom R16 this morning. I don't have alot of use for a stand alone recorder, so that functionality will get little use from me. But the combination of a true 8x8 interface (16/44.1) and a control surface sold the deal for me. It should be here in a few days.:cool:
 
Manslick said:
Can't wait to hear your opine.

But I'm curous why you panned the US-1641?
Click to expand...

If possible, I would've liked more than 4 outputs. The Fast Track Ultra offered 8x8 at the same price point as the Tascam and I really don't need the extra inputs that the 1641 offered.

I liked the Zoom because it offers 8x8 flowthru to DAW + 8 combo XLR and 1/4" jacks. More XLR's than I'll need for what I'm doing these days, but the addition of control surface functionality sealed the deal.:cool:
 
TeyshaBlue said:
I liked the Zoom because it offers 8x8 flowthru to DAW + 8 combo XLR and 1/4" jacks. More XLR's than I'll need for what I'm doing these days, but the addition of control surface functionality sealed the deal.:cool:
Click to expand...
Keep us posted when you get it.

I have a Zoom G7 guitar processor with USB (16/48). So, I'd also be interested to see how the R16 FX for a guitar compare.
I downloaded the brochure a few weeks ago, and have read it several times.
I should look at the manual and get familiarized with it's operation, especially using the FX, and whether they are written to the track or "used by".

Question: Do you know if you can use it as a Mixer (sans recording) ?
 
johnnymegabyte said:
Keep us posted when you get it.

I have a Zoom G7 guitar processor with USB (16/48). So, I'd also be interested to see how the R16 FX for a guitar compare.
I downloaded the brochure a few weeks ago, and have read it several times.
I should look at the manual and get familiarized with it's operation, especially using the FX, and whether they are written to the track or "used by".

Question: Do you know if you can use it as a Mixer (sans recording) ?
Click to expand...

According to the manual, all functionality is availble in monitoring mode as well as recording, so yeah, it can be pressed into use as a mixer.

You can write the FX to the track, or just use it in the monitor chain and record dry. Very cool.:cool:
 
I am looking at this unit as well but I am concerned by the lack of Midi I/O connections. Isn't that a potential problem?
I am VERY new to all this, just trying to keep things straight and learn.
 
You can connect your midi directly to the PC, it doesn't have to go into the interface. Some have it some don't, no big deal as long as you have another way to do midi.

My firewire interface is not midi capable, but I have a yamaha keyboard with midi ins/outs, connects to my PC via USB. If you have no other midi, then that might be a consideration.
 
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