firewire or soundcard

[Shadowdog]

Ok, I'll try this here, didn't get too much help on the other post.

I am just getting into digital recording, have been using an old Tascam 424. So far, I have been considering 2 possible routes (cause they have seemed to be the best 2 i was exposed to.)

Option 1: I was going to purchase the M-Audio Delta 1010 Soundcard and the Octane Preamp since both had 8-10 In/Outs and 8 preamps

but then I wa hearing a lot of people buying...

Option 2: The Presonus Firepod which also has the 8 preamps, but uses fire wire instead of sound card.

Which is a "better" way to go, firewire or thru a sound card? What do you all think about my 2 choices, i'd appreciate any suggestions on ways to go.

 

[Dack]

This is possibly a dumb question, but - doesnt that M-Audio 1010 already have preamps? Why would you need another preamp?

 

[Tifstorey]

It all depends which soundcard you need, what will you be recording with it? If you will be moving around a lot etc the firewire is a good choice because its all external and you can just unplug it and move. The Delta 1010 is a good choice if its there to stay because its a decent soundcard with enough ins/outs to record a full band if necessary. Both are very good soundcards you list, but in my case, it would come down to the above.

Good luck!

Peace

 

[Kevin Deschwazi]

This is possibly a dumb question, but - doesnt that M-Audio 1010 already have preamps? Why would you need another preamp?

No it doesn't. The 1010LT does have pres on 2 of the inputs though.

Shadowdog, I'd bear in mind the ability to upgrade pres in the future and the ability to use a few different 'flavours' of mic preamp in your recordings.

With the 1010 you'll have more flexibility in this respect. In time you might decide you want a 'gold channel' to record vocals and you could patch this in to your setup with the 1010 no problem.

With the firepod you will be tied to those same 8 pres.

As Tifstorey says though if portability is really important to you then the firepod could be a better choice.

 

[NYMorningstar]

I'd go with the 1010. As far as the portability, it's no big deal to move a computer case. Hang onto that old Tascam too, someday you'll be glad you did.

 

[apl]

I'd go for the FirePod because it seems to have good pres and thus is good bang for the buck.

 

[SPINSTERWUN]

Shadowdog, I would suggest the Delta 1010.

BTW... What's your budget???

 

[estring]

I'm with the 1010 consensus. PCI cards are still probably the best choice for home studio setups. Price, sound and stability.

 

[Shadowdog]

My set up will most likely never move. With the Delta 1010 i was thinking of using the M-Adio Octane (just cause they were the same brand and seemed to match.)

But then I came across the Firepod which seemed to have pretty much the same inputs, but used firewire which I thought was just "helping" to eliminate the need for the expesive soundcard. SO what you are suggesting is that by using firewire you are comitting your self to using that interface, where as using the Delta 1010 I could use different interfaces, a scalablilty issue?

 

[NYMorningstar]

SO what you are suggesting is that by using firewire you are comitting your self to using that interface, where as using the Delta 1010 I could use different interfaces, a scalablilty issue?

Ya kinda. You'll be stuck using the firepods pre's plus there is also a latency issue.