Audio Interfaces; MegaNoob needs help

[chrissm]

Hi, Help!,We are a covers band and want to record some of our songs live for a demo.

However I cant seem to get concrete information about inputs and outputs on some of the better known AI's out there.

Kit: MAcbook Pro running logic, We also have an 8 channel analog Behringer mixer - so no USB output.

Our requirements: I need to route 6 live inputs - 2x guitar, bass guitar, Roland digi drums, 2 vocals into Logic via USB and record 6 simultaneous tracks in Logic. We do not need effects built into the AI as we already run Line6 modelling amps.

Questions:
Which AI's can handle these 6 inputs?
Will USB handle 6 simultaneous channels into Logic - each assigned to a different track?
Are there AI's that don't have effects or is there some other form of interface that could pick up outputs say from our mixer and output via USB into Logic?

This is a bit of a basic set of questions but we would really appreciate any recommendations or comments.

Thanks!

 

[guitaristic]

Questions:
Which AI's can handle these 6 inputs?
Will USB handle 6 simultaneous channels into Logic - each assigned to a different track?
Are there AI's that don't have effects or is there some other form of interface that could pick up outputs say from our mixer and output via USB into Logic?

This is a bit of a basic set of questions but we would really appreciate any recommendations or comments.

Thanks!

1) ....Yes.

2) No, I don't think so. I've never used a usb interface (I've got usb 2.0) but I think they can only handle like 2 channels (correct me if I'm wrong!)

3) There are AIs without effects.

From the questions you've asked, I'd say a bit more reading up on the subject would do you well. Good luck!

 

[TetraFish]

Check this out for everything you wanted to know about interfaces.

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

I also thought that you could only do 2 out on USB but I was corrected that it is possible to do 8. If you have other USB devices it can create problems. You may have to disable some of those devices. Firewire can also have it's issues with different chipsets. You want to make sure it's a Texas Instrument chipset. I can almost guarantee that your onboard firewire is not TI. So budget another $50 for a firewire card.

 

[RobbieL]

Questions:
Which AI's can handle these 6 inputs?
Will USB handle 6 simultaneous channels into Logic - each assigned to a different track?
Are there AI's that don't have effects or is there some other form of interface that could pick up outputs say from our mixer and output via USB into Logic?

This is a bit of a basic set of questions but we would really appreciate any recommendations or comments.

Thanks!

question 1: I would actually recommend using something like a motu 8pre or a presonus firestudio project. I've used both and they both sound pretty good. im in a cover band and i used the project a few times for demo work and it handled all eight channels with ease. which brings me to my answer for question 2.

question 2: Based on my experience w/ usb, it should perform quite nicely with six channels simultaneously (of course, that depends on the specs. for ur macbook but u should be fine). Firewire would also be a good option (the presounus firestudio project is firewire based) and might actually perform better than USB (especially on a mac).

question 3: u do not need a mixer if you are using an audio interface. most of them have pretty good built-in mic preamps.

good luck and happy recording.

 

[chrissm]

Thanks for all your information guys - i'll digest and start spending - - and no doubt come back with more questions!

 

[IndustrialOkie]

Look into Presonus Firebox. It sounds great and has no latencey. Downside is only 2 inputs at a time.