Audio Interface and Mic Pre?

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JMPGuitars

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Howdy everyone. I'm an experienced musician/producer looking to get into the higher end of digital recording. I've already ordered an SAC-2.2 to use as my control surface and a Rode K2 tube mic. My computer system is a P4 3.0HT with 1gig of ram and plenty of HDD space. I currently have an Audigy2ZS Platinum which has been fine until now, but it's time to step up the quality. The Radikal SAC-2.2 claims it will work with just about any audio software failly seemlessly. Until now I've mostly used acid pro, sound forge, and the like. Now I'm looking into Cubase, Nuendo, ProTools, and Logic. In my studio we have a digi 002 board with protools, but for my home I want a different setup.

I've been looking at products such as the Mbox, E-Mu 1820m, Motu 828mkII, M-Audio Firewire 1814 and the PreSonus Firepod. As far as these audio interfaces goes, which is best in your opinions? Why? I'm planning on most likely using protools or cubase. I'd like some opinions on that as well.

I'm also wondering if I should purchase a voice processor of some sort. I've heard that the Focusrite VoiceMaster Pro is pretty nice. But, given that I'll be using a high end tube mic, I don't know that it is all that necessary.

Yell at me folks! I'd love to hear what y'all suggest.

-Josh
 
yell. who me ? never.
my only comment is ive been years round the recording rat race, and one thing ive found is spending lots on gear is not as important as good engineering skills and good songs and players. i'm still not a good engineer - but i try hard and have fun. an audio interface a lot of pro's like - but pricey is RME. i would check it out carefully. RME have built a tremendous reputation for solidly working with good drivers. but i dont know about the control surface issue. also - if you want to be surprised/embarassed how good cheap multitrack software has become for under 100 bucks. go ahead and demo the expensive ones - then try the ones i like. powertracks (that i use), and also try multitrackstudio.com as well as ntrack and traktion..
if you really feel happy spending big money...at the high end i would recommend you try samplitude or sawstudio. both impress me highly (expensive)..but lack some midi features to the package i use.
 
...

I'm not worried about the prices. I work in retail so I get discounts on a lot of that stuff and I know where to find it used/or just cheaper. My biggest concern right now is for what audio interface to use. I'm leaning towards the E-Mu 1820m... It's got the same pre's as the 192 I/O from digidesign and supposed to be very clean. The only limitation I've read is that it can't convert 44.1 to higher than 48k. But if I record higher it shouldn't matter.
 
my two bits. if you are thinking of cubase, then at least give the sonar demo a try. they are both actually very similar but just have different ways of getting things done. the benefit of sonar over cubase is the support. as far as hardware, if you have the cash i would consider the MOTU, crankz uses it and seems to love it. i have heard good things as well. you may be paying for the benefit of it being firewire when you may not need that though. Myself, i plan to get a GINA 3G when i get funds together, you need something more than that, check out the layla 3G at www.echoaudio.com
 
Another question...

Which will give lower latency, PCI or Firewire?
 
jmp. i'm a computer engineer with my own studio.. the amd 64 processor architecture is reporting some very low latency timings. (check around the net).
but you shouild still do good with what you have.
as to pci or firewire. really it depends on individual sound product implementations. its just moving too fast for me to comment.
i KNOW one thing , people are very happy with RME as i said.
you should at least check it out. firewire is fine in theory. just check with the manufacturer of the firewire solution that its compatible with your system and its firewire interface chip. there have been some issues.
frankly pci is very proven. it would help me comment if you could list what you have in your pci slots and point out potential issues to you.
peace.
 
Stuff

I'm also a computer engineer, been building computers for 15 years. I'm not worried about my system's performance, really just interested in getting the cleanest and best bang for the buck. ;)
 
great. you know your stuff then.
re...cleanest. you might want to also ask the heavies that populate gearslutz.com. some heavy duty convertor experts hang out there.
also try google groups rec.audio.pro forum.
without spending a fortune though RME seems to be the common consensus
for affordability.
lynx are also very vgood. the emu - is viewed as a good budget card.
lavry is viewed as very high end. i think apogee have some interesting
stuff as well. it all changes too fast.
hey - as your a computer engineer - get adventurous try linux.
and some of the linux multitrack software.
peace.
ps - if you want a very nice windows development compiler.
pyxia.com. compile your programs to standalone windows exe's.
without needing to distribute MS dll's. check it out sometime.
 
How many tracks are you planning on recording at once?
 
...

The inputs I'll be using anything from 2 to 8. Not toooo concerned about that because it's a home studio and I won't ever use real drums ;) 828mkII is definitely high on the list. Is it compatible with protools and cubase?

Cheers
 
Protools would require a Digidesign interface.
You can, however, use a Digidesign interface with other programs.
 
Frustration!

I keep hearing different things. From the rediculous amount of reviews I've read it's basically come down to a choice between:

E-Mu 1820M
M-Audio FireWire 1814
Aardvark Direct Pro Q10
Presonus FIREPOD

I spoke to a friend who has the Q10 running Nuendo and he swears by it, so this is the route I will probably take. Any opinions?

Thanks
 
I have the EMU 1820 (not the M version) I love it. I use it with Cubse SX and i have no problems at all. I am actually thinking of upgrading to the M Version just because of the better pres and the sync card. For the price I think the 1820M is the best bang for the buck. It has great features, DSP core effects (saves on some CPU), Lots of inputs (18 in total) 8 analog in, 8 Adat in, 2 SPDIF in 2 channels of MIDI I/O and it comes with Cubase VST. I hope this helps.

my setup
P4 1.9 ghz
512 RAM
40gig & 60 gig HD 7200 RPM
EMU 1820
Behringer ADA 8000
SM Pro Audio PR8
 
thomas1831 said:
I have the EMU 1820 (not the M version) I love it. I use it with Cubse SX and i have no problems at all. I am actually thinking of upgrading to the M Version just because of the better pres and the sync card. For the price I think the 1820M is the best bang for the buck. It has great features, DSP core effects (saves on some CPU), Lots of inputs (18 in total) 8 analog in, 8 Adat in, 2 SPDIF in 2 channels of MIDI I/O and it comes with Cubase VST. I hope this helps.
Click to expand...

I'm with you on this - I have the 1820M and have never regretted it. Nice clean signals from the inputs, and decent pres.
 
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