I've had no problems with
the Helix. It has worked for me right out of the box, but I don't try to get it to do anything but get sound into the computer.
The only thing that board controls as far as firewire input is done by the gain control on the mic channel preamps. After that, it's all computer......but I just mix in the box if need be and have no problems with that.
I bought it because of the price for the amount of firewire ins and outs, keeping in mind that for my purposes.....all I need audio on the video for is to help me sync the lips to the sound later in the studio anyway. So, I was looking for something inexpensive that I could put in a case and drag out when I need it that won't break my bank if it gets killed in the field. I also use it as an on stage monitor mixer occasionally for little country club playing jobs, etc. so I was "killing two birds with one stone" when I bought it.
I do also own
a Tascam FW 1082 in the studio that is connected to one of my desktops and the automation is really nice there. With what I'm doing........I do almost all of my audio in the studio and then sync it with the video in Premiere at the finishing stage anyway.
So, I guess it really depends on how you are going to work with it. Don't know what your video intentions are. If you don't mind hooking and unhooking a Tascam to use both in house and in the field....it would be a good way to go.
As for the
the Gina 3G.......I have 4 computers in the studio, plus an older Fostex D160. I do this stuff for a living as well as an old, old hobby. I teach guitar, keyboards, drums, voice, etc. I have some high school and college age students who are also learning to do some sequencing and arranging, etc. So.......my place is kind of like a studio for lab work for the students too. Alot of the music video work that I do is with the students. They write and produce a song as a project and then we make a music video of it. I have a Masters in Music and got tired of teaching school years ago, so I combined an old music studio hobby with a teaching job that's fun and creates an income at the same time.
Probably more info than you wanted, but explains what I do.