For the love of GOD!

[PrettyMonster]

I've been doing a lot of research online and I think I'm more confused NOW than I was when I started. Please forgive the ranting.

Seems like every pro audio company has a plethora of ways to get a signal from mics/instruments/mixers/etc into a computer for recording. And it seems that you can choose from a number of different formats (usb, firewire, adat, spif, etc), sample rates (44.1, 48, 96, 192???) and bit depths (16, 18, 20, 24). Some have PCI cards and some don't. This is already confusing enough for a newbie but does not even get into all of the different arrays of ins, outs, these, those, that and the others.

And of course the price difference between two pieces of equipment that *seem* to do basically the same thing can be jaw-dropping.

Every company wants you to think that their product is the best, or at least the best in its price range, so you can't really trust them on their word. But if you ask 10 people on this forum (or any other for that matter) for their opinion on a piece of equipment you'll get 7 or 8 COMPLETELY different answers/opinions running the gammet from the highest praise to death threats against the manufacturer.

Then of course you get the guys who suggest that everyone should go out and get this or that piece of equipment because its a bargain at only $8000 (this is HOMErecording.com, right?) and without it your recordings will be garbage.

So with all of this said, how is anyone ever supposed to figure out what to get without making a lot of really expensive mistakes?

For instance I'm looking for something that will convert 8 channels of analog into 8 channels of digital. I've found probably two dozen interfaces that could accomplish this task and there are probably another two dozen more out there that I haven't even heard of.

I already have a mixer so I don't *think* I need preamps or phantom power or headphone jacks or XLR I/Os but maybe I do.

I need help.

 

[boogle]

You are exactly right, it is very frustrating and to make it worse they know it is confusing so they mix in some crap that they mark up 2000% knowing that a few *suckers* will buy it.

Converting to digital from analog is a complicated process. You will not find a great 8 channel converter for under 2-300 dollars. You are right in thinking you do not need pre-amps. You mixer will send its signal at line level, which means all you need is the converters.

There are 2 factors to take into account.
1, what software are you using. As long as it is not pro tools than this does not really matter. If you are using protools your most affordable option for 8 I/O is the 002 (Actually they just came out with the 003).

If you are not using pro-tools than this is not that important and just steer clear of digi.

Next do you want firewire or a device that connects via firewire. Now adays I would probably suggest firewire. It is easier, far more portable and less hassle.

The firepod has 2 pre's but I still think it is most likely the best bang for the buck. $500 (you really dont want much cheaper than that). It is firewire and it rocks. Other people may suggest something else and there is a good chance that their suggestions are very valuable too. There is not 1 good box and 50 bad ones. I can speak for presonus, its a good deal.

 

[zed32]

The firepod has 2 pre's but I still think it is most likely the best bang for the buck. $500 (you really dont want much cheaper than that). It is firewire and it rocks. Other people may suggest something else and there is a good chance that their suggestions are very valuable too. There is not 1 good box and 50 bad ones. I can speak for presonus, its a good deal.

might have been a typo, but the Firepod has 8 pres.

 

[PrettyMonster]

I believe Zed is right, the firepod as 8 pres.

Since I don't need pre's or seemingly anything other than A/D converters can anyone suggest a decent quality unit that is just the converters?

And if it makes a difference the band I'm in (and doing the recording for) is going for a pretty lo-fi sound so I'm not looking for anything "pro" level. I don't want a cheap piece of junk either but if its a choice between a $2000 unit or a $200 unit I'd take the latter. Maybe it won't sound "great" but some sound is better than no sound.

 

[NYMorningstar]

Hi, my name is Bob and I am an equipment slut... now all together -

HI BOB!

Before you buy anything you should hang here a bit and learn stuff. The equipment is only part of the equation and you have a right to an informed choice. You could buy the best converters there are and still come out with a crap recording. You need some recording, mixing and mastering skills to come out with a decent product, not to mention you need a good source to begin with too.

Usually what happens here is you start off with bargain basement equipment and then you hone your skills on it and discover what you have is crap and need to buy some better stuff to get a better sound and before you know it you become a gearslut, a lifelong addiction.

Obviously, if the research you have done has you more confused than when you started, you have only skimmed the surface and have years of learning ahead of you. This stuff isn't easy and just because it's home recording doesn't make it any easier.

Your best investment is to buy a couple different books on audio and recording, read them, read them again and again... Download some manuals on mixers, compressors, limiters etc.(free) and learn how they tick and how the manufacturers suggest using them. They always aren't 100% accurate but they get you going in the right direction. Read the Newbies, Recording Techniques and the Mixing/Mastering forums below and whatever else floats your boat everyday for a couple years to get started:

https://homerecording.com/bbs/forumdisplay.php?f=3
https://homerecording.com/bbs/forumdisplay.php?f=2
https://homerecording.com/bbs/forumdisplay.php?f=1

Consider renting a studio before you go and start to build your own. You may just find that you don't want to be bothered with all this shit and just let someone else deal with it, or not. This will make you a better musician or maybe even a non musician as you find that time is limited and you don't have enough of it to actually play music because you are so engulfed in learning audio

Anyhow, don't let anyone tell you what you need. Go figure it out for yourself and good luck with it.