ASIO - What do I need?

  • Thread starter Thread starter ziplock43
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ziplock43

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I'm about to buy a 4-piece Shure drum-micing kit.

My software has ASIO support.

I know I'm going to need to buy one of those USB devices that has like 6 inputs so that I can have each drum as a seperate track in my software.

The thing is though, where can I get a mixer with that many outputs? I would think it's simple enough to have one XLR input, with one 1/4th output. I don't know, I'm just so confused. can someone tell me what I need?
 
A firewire interface will normally provide a separate output for every input (they are all passed via the single firewire cable, but are seen as separate outputs in your software). Some of these audio interfaces will act as mixers too, or you could simply mix in your software.

Most USB audio interfaces will sum all of the the inputs into a single stereo pair as output (though I think there may be some that provide separate outputs somewhat like firewire).

If you wanted to use a mixer with one of these, you could output from your mixer into the USB device.

Alternatively, you could get a soundcard that is neither USB or firewire, but that has multiple "ins". You could then send the signal from separate output cables in your mixer to the separate "ins" on your sound card.

There are a lot of ways of cutting it, and it is confusing :(
 
Generally speaking Most USB Interfaces will not output seperate Tracks for every Input, They will usually mix all of the Inputs into a stereo Track the way a Mixer does so you won"t get a seperate track for every input.....

Firewire interfaces are generally the way to go for Multi-Tracking.....


Cheers
 
yeah, I would lean firewire over USB given a choice.... Regarding a mixer, you do not need one. Get the Firepod from presonus or the RME Fireface and plug your mics right into it.

Then run something like Reaper (www.reaper.fm) and it will be your virtual mixer.
 
Ok, so I need Firewire to get the multiple outputs, correct? How expensive would that be if I just need like 6 outputs for my 6 drum mics?

Then after I take care of the multiple outputs, I just get a soundcard w/ 6 inputs right?
 
ziplock43 said:
Ok, so I need Firewire to get the multiple outputs, correct? How expensive would that be if I just need like 6 outputs for my 6 drum mics?

Then after I take care of the multiple outputs, I just get a soundcard w/ 6 inputs right?
Click to expand...


A Firewire Interface is a Sound Card....It will have all of the Inputs and outputs you need....You will be able to Plug your Mics into it and record on to your PC.... a 8ch Firewire interface is going to run you about $500 or more depending on the Interface you get.....


:D
 
How would I go about converting my XLRs into the right inputs though? Wouldn't I still need a mixer?
 
The firewire interface will have inputs for you to plug in your mics. They will usually accept either XLR or TRS.

The interface then has a single cable that runs to your firewire interface on your PC. All of your outputs are carried on that one cable, and are recognised as separate inputs by your DAW software.

Examples:

http://www.studiospares.com/Product.aspx?code=385110#

http://www.studiospares.com/Product.aspx?code=385110#

A list of some (not all) possibles here: http://www.tweakheadz.com/audio_interface_fw_comparison_chart.htm

Better explanation here:

http://www.tweakheadz.com/soundcards_for_the_home_studio.htm
 
How do I know if my computer is able to handle Firewire? I think I understand how it works, but do I need to buy another soundcard for my computer that is firewire capable?

Also, this just acts as a mixer/preamp itself, right?
 
Your computer will be able to handle Firewire as long as you have a Firewire port on your PC, If not you can Pick one up pretty cheaply if your PC has a extra PCI Port......

The Firewire audio interface will also act as your Sound card and should also have outputs so you can connect Monitors (Powered Speakers).......

You won"t need a Mixer if you buy the correct interface as most Interfaces will have a all of the Inputs and outputs that you will need and some are also expandable through ADAT so you can connect another 8 channels......



:D
 
MOTU 828 is no longer in production, but you can probably get one for around $300.
The MOTU828 units offer--eight-channels of 24-bit optical ADAT or S/PDIF IN/OUT, ADAT sync, Firewire, two analog (XLR or 1/4") INs each with a mic pre-amp and 48V phantom power available, six analog gold-plated balanced TRS INs, eight 24-bit analog gold-plated balanced TRS OUTs. The analog INs have 24-bit, 64x oversampling A/D converters. The analog OUTs have 24-bit, 128x oversampling D/A converters. You can record and playback 16-bit or 24-bit audio at either 44.1KHz or 48KHz.
The "Firewire" is how your recording goes "straight" to your HD, so you don't even use a "sound-card".

Latest ebay bid for this motu828 is $275 (add $20 shipping).
http://cgi.ebay.com/MOTU-828-Firewi...ryZ41784QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
 
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