Is an Audiofire 2 good for a rode k2 + Grace m101

[t-rash]

I am a total beginner at recording, although ive been doing vocals live for years. Ive been researching heavily on recording gear for strictly vocals. Ive purchased a Rode K2 and a Grace M101 (both are coming in the mail) thus far, but now i have to decide what interface to use for these guys. I own a PC - so that cuts out the Apogee Duet or whatever its called. I only need something small - 2 ins 2 outs.

Ive read pretty good things about the Audiofire 2 but had a question of compatibility with the Grace m101 - since im ignorant to Tech Jargon.

under the Audiofire 2's product description, i see this - "You're given an extra FireWire port for daisy-chaining devices, and an included widget can be attached to the back of the unit to provide MIDI and S/PDIF I/O."

The Grace has "Analog Inputs 1 x XLR, 1 x 1/4" (Hi-Z).
Analog Outputs 1 x XLR, 1 x 1/4" (Balanced), 1 x 1/4" (Unbalanced)"

Does this work? I dont know what s/pdif or Hi-Z means, so please any response needs to be written to a foreigner to tech terms. Also, is that "widget" important to this configuration in case of a used purchase?

I Prefer to hear about this set-up specifically, but if you think this is a bad interface for this set up (i can get a really good deal on this interface and read good reviews), what do you recommend instead without spending $500 bucks?

 

[Steenamaroo]

Spdif is digital, and hi-z is high impedance.
Short story....don't worry about them.


Your preamp (grace) has line level analog audio outputs, and the audiofire has line level analog audio inputs, so you're good to go.

Pretty much any usb/firewire interface will do the job fine, as long as it has line level inputs.
If your future is just single vocal tracks then cool, but if you think you might branch out into multi mic setups, band recordings, drums etc,
maybe look into an interface with some built in preamps too, or just more line inputs for future expansion.

 

[t-rash]

Spdif is digital, and hi-z is high impedance.
Short story....don't worry about them.


Your preamp (grace) has line level analog audio outputs, and the audiofire has line level analog audio inputs, so you're good to go.

Pretty much any usb/firewire interface will do the job fine, as long as it has line level inputs.
If your future is just single vocal tracks then cool, but if you think you might branch out into multi mic setups, band recordings, drums etc,
maybe look into an interface with some built in preamps too, or just more line inputs for future expansion.

Thanks dude. thats what i needed to know. Seems like i may have my first Chain completed! I think I can get this interface for so cheap that in the future if i need to use multiple mics or do more with it, that ill just buy a new one.

 

[Steenamaroo]

Alright, cool. Best of luck.

 

[Smatas]

I use a Rode K2 + Grace M101 for vocals and acoustic guitar tracks. I also have an NT1000 that I sometimes use for variety, but primarily I go with the K2. Earlier this year I had the K2 modded by John Bonnell, primarily because I bought the mic used and it only worked in figure-8, and Bonnell agreed to repair the problem at no additional charge. The Bonnell mod smoothed out the sound of the K2 and gave it a softer character overall. Now my NT1000 sounds harsh in comparison, and so I'm thinking of having it modded as well.

I go from the Grace directly into the Return jack on channel 1 of my Presonus FireStudio Project interface. That way I by-pass the Presonus pre-amp and just use the AD converter. The result is a very smooth, strong, and clear tone, which I enjoy a lot. IMO, the K2 has it's own signature sound that that mod didn't alter, and which reminds me of old recordings of the 1950's. I only wish that I had a voice to match the quality of my gear.