guess what? another undecided audio interface buyer

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PMST

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Hello everyone,

I am in true Hamletic doubt about the next audio interface I should buy.
I don't like very much my tapco link.usb (i don't find it particularly silent and i can't tolerate tracktion software).

I think I'll go for an M-Audio (mainly cause it's the only pro-tools compatible with affordable prices).
The only problem is: fast track ultra or ultra 8r?
The latter does cost a bit more (every euro/pound -whatever- hurts) and it's meant to be rack mounted (I don't have any racks, for now), so it is for sure less portable.
On the other hand it's got 8 preamp in. which means possibility of recording drums properly or even your band rehearsing if you get content with miking your drumkit with 4 mics, which is a decent option anyway...
the downside to both is that they don't carry pro tools LE like m-box series... but I definitely need more then 2 preamp inputs.

What would you do if you were me? Any other options that may deserve consideration?
Thanks a lot.
 
Well I'm in the same boat, sort of. I've been using pt le for bout a year and a half. But I was using my church's mbox, now I'm getting my own stuff so I might be switching everything. The only thing I don't like about pt is the track count limits...I think it's 32. I like everything else tho. I was actually looking at the 8r earlier it looks good but I can't spend that much now with kids and Christmas coming up. In us$ its $499 then $249 for the m-powered pt that's about 750 usd where a 003 rack with le is about $1200. If I had the spare cash right now I would probably go that way...but I'm too impatient. :D
 
yep but if you already have LE what's the problem?
i mean, of course the m-powered version gives you more functions, but PT LE is one of the most complete LE out there... also... 32 tracks not enough? are you kidding me? if you need more there are many tricks to do... let's say your project starts at 1 hr in the timeline... you can record some new tracks at 2 hrs and then when you finished your editing on every track, you can merge some of the tracks at 1hr and get the new ones all together.
I used this trick on a radar 24 system and it worked fine. pt gives you a lot more editing freedom since it's a daw rather then analog system, it would be even easier to do!
 
I'll never understand why anyone would ever want to use a limited software that greatly limits their hardware choice.
 
well, maybe because they're confortable with it or because it's not a limitation for the use they make of it or because they can't afford buying a complete software! ;)
 
Hey, if it works for you then great. But obviously you are limited because of this simple statement:
mainly cause it's the only pro-tools compatible with affordable prices
Click to expand...
On topic though, I own a Fast Track Pro, and it's pretty nice. Definitely not something I'd even consider for doing decent recordings though. In general I wouldn't consider USB for anything you want to last for awhile and scale. USB has a ton of overhead and is slow when you get past 4 tracks in/out. If you can, spring for a firewire interface.
 
Just FWIW, all, if you buy PT now (either M-Powered or LE) you will soon have 48 stereo or mono tracks. PT8 is coming out within a month or so and expands the track count amongst several other upgrades. I'll be upgrading. :)

To be honest, IMO 48 tracks is more than enough for most home studio stuff. I try to be a minimalist, though. Some people don't.

As far as being limited to hardware, a real simple solution to this (for me, at least) is to get an M-Audio Firebridge. Then choose whatever ADAT converter/interface you'd like. Personally I plan on starting with a Presonus Digimax FS because it will do 8 channels of 24-bit/96k in and out at the same time. This gives me 8 pres to start on plus 8 outs for plenty of headphone feeds (4 stereo feeds if needed... I can monitor from the Lightbridge's 2 analog outs). From there I'll move up to a used Apogee AD-16 (not the newest one... the one before it) for about $1000 and have 16 great channels of A/D (still 24-bit, 96k) with the FS still serving as my outs for headphone feeds. :) If my outboard stuff gets good enough to use in mixes, I'll get a used Apogee DA-16 and call it a day. :)

Just a thought. Plus I wanted to make sure you guys knew PT will soon have a minimum of 48 tracks. If you buy the producer pack, I think it goes up to 72 tracks. They also have introduced a new expansion for LE (doesn't work with M-Powered) that will allow you to take your LE system up to 128 tracks.

Always, as a last resort, you can do the Re-Wire trick with Ableton Live.

Brandon

Brandon
 
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