Can't Decide wich Audio Interface and Mic

  • Thread starter Thread starter demetriomagno
  • Start date Start date
D

demetriomagno

New member
Hello Everyone!

I am just starting at home recording and I am building my home studio one step at a time. I want to do record 1 Vocal Mic + an Acoustic Guitars + an eletric Piano and I, of course, I would like to get a really good sound from it, since I have a limited budget.

I already own a MacBook Pro, so now I need an Audio Interface (with enough inputs to plug everything I said before) and a Condenser Mic.

So far, I decided to go with the Rode NT1-A (I was thinking about the AKG Perception 220 as well) as the Condenser Mic, but I really can't decide about my Audio Interface.

I am, now, between the M-Audio ProFire 610 and the Focusrite Saffire Pro 14.

I read that the pres of the Focusrite are better than the M-Audio's ones, but I have used a M-Audio Fast Track before and really liked it.

Which one do you guys think is the best one?
 
Careful what you read man. I can't actually give first hand advice as to the quality of those two units, but I have heard a bunch of hype about the Focusrite pres, that is just not accurate. Nobody uses the interface because the preamps make recordings better. At that price range, you are getting 'hopefully' a clean, high gain, low noise pre. That can be had by almost any manufacturer in your price range. Most important, at this point, is an interfaces ability to work well with your Mac. I do recall hearing that the Fast Track (one of the models) has low preamp gain. This is less important when using condensers. Way more important if you wish to use a mic with a lower output level, like a ribbon or dynamic like the SM7.

Keep in mind, that you may want to upgrade to other options in the future, and this may just be a stepping stone, finding an interface for now.

Having personal experience with the NT1a, I am not such a fan really. But then, you haven't said what it is you feel you need the condenser mic for.


Hey, welcome to the forum dtm! :)
 
I honestly don't think you'd find much difference in audio quality between the Focusrite and the M Audio. I've never compared the two directly but both are reputable and well thought of bits of gear. I assume you've done your research into the features you need--on both you're paying for MIDI, S/PDIF and possibly more line outs than you may need (depending on how you'll be working). One thing you may wish to consider--both are Firewire devices. The next time you upgrade your Macbook, you may find that the replacement has dumped Firewire for Thunderbolt meaning you'd need to find and use some kind of adaptor. This isn't a disaster--but I'd be tempted to see what I could find in terms of USB2 instead of the on-the-way-out Firewire.

On the mic, I have to agree with Jimmy that the Rode NT1A isn't my favourite for the money. There are lots of others but, if it was me, I'd be looking at the sE Electronics X1 (a bit cheaper than the Road but a more natural sound to my ear) or the sE 2200A Cardioid (slightly more expensive than the Rode but a mic that, to my ear, punches way ahead of its cost, up with things like a Neumann. (I own a couple of Neumanns and 3 2200A mics and use the sE offerings more often than the expensive stuff these days.)
 
First of all, thank you for your help, and, yeah, I do know that if I realy move forward with this, I'll have to get better equipments, but for now, these equips will do, I guess...

Well, I was thinking about using the condenser mic to record the acoustic guitar and the vocals. I've never used a sE mic before, but I'll definitely take a look at it. Is there any other mics you'd suggest?

About the Firewire vs USB2 stuff, there is the M-Audio Fast Track C600, that has even more inputs and it's an USB2 device. I was considering this one either... So, do you think that this one can be better than the other two?
 
That would seem like a sound decision, considering the info you have learned here already. Sorry, I don't mean to sound facetious, but yeah, USB2.0 is the format available, with future useability at this point in time. I am curious why, or what you have heard about the M-audio gear, that appeals to you? I personally have no experience first hand, though I have never heard any great comments about them either. In fact, some bad taste in my mouth from some friends experiences.

Have you done your research here? There are many other interfaces that may or may not suit your needs. I would suggest digging in deeper, before you make any purchase.

As far as a suitable mic, well, that is more of a guessing game at this price point. You will inevitably buy one, based on recommendations, and hopefully it works, but likely, you will need time and experience to know what works for you personally. We all go through this. It is never an easy, nor cheap decision. Sucks actually...
 
My thing with M-Audio is just a price thing, actually. I was thinking about getting an Audio Interface around $200 ˜ $250, and for the number of Inputs, the M-Audio gear fits this, but it's not an exclusive thing... In fact, I was looking for some more advice on other Interfaces.

I reasearched about the Tascam US-600, and a PreSonus one as well, but I have no experience first hand with neither of them, so, I was sticking to these ones I mentioned before. But, like I said, it's not an exclusive thing.
 
Just to put in a pro M-Audio word, I've owned several items of their gear (and currently still have a Mobile Pre and a Profire Lightbridge) and they've all performed flawlessly. As I told somebody yesterday, the Mobile Pre is good enough that, coupled with measurement mics, I can do calibrated acoustic measurements using SMAART.
 
I have three LDC mics, an SE2200a, a Rode NT-1A and an AT4033a. In my room with my voice, the NT1-A gives me the best results for vocal.

I guess my point is that while others find the Rode doesn't deliver, some will find it does and you'll just have to try some out to find what works for you in your recording space. I have used the SE2200a for acoustic guitar with good results (haven't tried the NT1-A for this).

I don't like the AT4033a much, but others on this forum get great results from the AT2020 (a much cheaper mic) - might be worth a look.
 
jonny deep said:
I have three LDC mics, an SE2200a, a Rode NT-1A and an AT4033a. In my room with my voice, the NT1-A gives me the best results for vocal.

I guess my point is that while others find the Rode doesn't deliver, some will find it does and you'll just have to try some out to find what works for you in your recording space. I have used the SE2200a for acoustic guitar with good results (haven't tried the NT1-A for this).

I don't like the AT4033a much, but others on this forum get great results from the AT2020 (a much cheaper mic) - might be worth a look.
Click to expand...

I will agree, that the NT1a does work very well in some situations. I still use mine for a room mic, acoustic guitar, gang vocals, and recently for a female vocalist. It is not always good for everything however. I had a male singer in studio, with curiously strong midrange tone in his voice. The mic seemed to give an unpleasant harshness in the same range where his voice was strong, and had to move to an SM7b.

Every mic seems to have it's limitations, or better said, its own usefulness for a particular source. Trial and error for a user.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top