FireWire Recorder

[fskupc]

Hello all,

I've recently decided to try and start recording, and now that I've researched fairly well and got most of my ducks in a row just looking for some final opinions.

For starters, I'm planning on recording my drum tracks to my laptop. Its a midrange model, would probably be wiser to record on something better but I'm not for spending loads of money. It doesnt have a firewire port, however I'm looking at buying something like this: http://www.firewire-1394.com/firewire-3-port-cardbus-card-gpf113.htm
Was wondering if anyone has experiences with FireWire CardBus's and if so could you give me some pointers.

If thats all i need to run a FireWire interface into my computer (with a recording software of course), my next step is to loook at recorders. I plan on having about 6 drum mics when its all said and done (1 snare, 2 tom, 1 kick, 2 overhead) so 6 total. Some recorders I've been looking at:
- Presonus FireStudio FireWire Recording Interface
- M-Audio Fast Track Ultra 8R
- Echo AudioFire 12 12-Channel FireWire Audio Interface
- Tascam US-1641 10-channel Audio/MIDI USB 2.0
Now I know some of these are USB and not FireWire, but, A) I'm wondering if these are the right type of equipment I need to plug my mics in and send to computer, and B) Whether or not they are good buys. I'm looking for something in the 0-400$ range, if anyone could give me feedback on those or any other suggestion that would be awesome!

Thanks in advance

 

[dastrick]

I would recommend checking on the manufacturers website or email them to check with compatability issues. I know that Presonus lists which PCMCIA firewire cards that they've tested. Here's a link. I have a Firestudio and am very happy with it. I don't know about the others, but the Firestudio has 8 mic preamps which woud be fine for you. You and add 8 channels using ADAT later, if you need them.