New Firewire interface?

  • Thread starter Thread starter TelePaul
  • Start date Start date
TelePaul

TelePaul

J to the R O C
Okay, I'm ready to replace my audio interface after the flood. What I was using was very basic, a Tascam US 122 with two inputs.

I have since installed a Firewire card on my motherboard (for use with a Handycam). I'm now thinking that I should maybe go with a firewire for lower latency (I'm assuming lower latency than USB?) and the ability to record many tracks at once - for drums, let's say.

I was looking at the old reliable Firepod by Presonus - I've heard good things about those preamps or the Alesis I/O 26 (8 Pres, expandable to 26)

Where I get lost is when it comes to Outputs. Let's say I'm tracking 'live' with the Firepod - four mics on the drums (for arguments sake), a bass D.Is and two amps micd. Not an ideal situation, but let's just go with this for the sake of example. My question is, will everyone be able to lsten to the mix in their own heapdhones? Or how does that work?

I may have a few more questions in time, feel free to suggest anything else you might think relevant.
 
Now, Im not 100% sure myself but since I am looking into both units as well I have done some research, I think you will need a headphone amp to get everyone their own headphone.
I would love to be proved wrong however since it would make the whole thing cheaper and easier on me too.


Mike
 
there are both presonus/akg and art/akg(headphone amp/4 pair headphones)

One is 200 and one is 130.. don't know which is which, but they are at musicians friend, I can vouch for the ART amp set, I've used it and it's very loud and clear, and it have 1 in and four outs, so as long as everybody wants the same thing in the phones.. one of those will work.

But I'm pretty sure you'd need a headphone amp.

(Unless you are gonna use a monitor mix system like the Furman Person Mix Thingie and hook your direct outs to that, even though that too is also a headphone amp.. but yet - end ramble)

-Paul

EDIT: Looked on musiciansfriend and it is now Presonus/Audio Technica and its 150.. The ART is no longer available as a package deal.. just the amp, it's like 50 bucks though, neither are rack mount.. they are table top/floor...
 
I've been using a Behringer HA4700 ($100) headphone amp off my 828mkII for a year.
Good sound, LOUD as you want and zero problems.
You can hang up to 8 phones off it (4 in front, 4 in back)

It really is a good Berry product.
 
TimOBrien said:
I've been using a Behringer HA4700 ($100) headphone amp off my 828mkII for a year.
Good sound, LOUD as you want and zero problems.
You can hang up to 8 phones off it (4 in front, 4 in back)

It really is a good Berry product.
Click to expand...

Ditto (almost). I use the HA4700 with my TASCAM 1804. You're right--it's a good product.

TelePaul--yep, you'll need a headphone amp. But it's a good investment--even the cheapies will give you more options that just the outs of your interface. (Like instead of stereo, the two inputs on a channel can be the main mix, and "me" so someone can hear more of themselves).
 
WhiteStrat said:
(Like instead of stereo, the two inputs on a channel can be the main mix, and "me" so someone can hear more of themselves).
Click to expand...

I'm just a bit confused by this part...could you elaborate a little?
 
TelePaul said:
I'm just a bit confused by this part...could you elaborate a little?
Click to expand...

Sure. Each channel on the headphone amp has an aux in. So I might run a line out of my guitar amp into this aux in. (This is in addition to the line that's going into the interface and being recorded.) Now I can push a button on the headphone amp and it goes from being stereo to being 2 separate channels--the main mix, and my guitar only on that aux in. Now I can dial in more of my guitar in my own monitor mix.
 
Put this lollipop in your pipe

WhiteStrat said:
Sure. Each channel on the headphone amp has an aux in. So I might run a line out of my guitar amp into this aux in. (This is in addition to the line that's going into the interface and being recorded.) Now I can push a button on the headphone amp and it goes from being stereo to being 2 separate channels--the main mix, and my guitar only on that aux in. Now I can dial in more of my guitar in my own monitor mix.
Click to expand...


C'mon Telly. You just can't get enough of the sound of your own voice, right?

lol

<joke>
 
WhiteStrat said:
Sure. Each channel on the headphone amp has an aux in. So I might run a line out of my guitar amp into this aux in. (This is in addition to the line that's going into the interface and being recorded.) Now I can push a button on the headphone amp and it goes from being stereo to being 2 separate channels--the main mix, and my guitar only on that aux in. Now I can dial in more of my guitar in my own monitor mix.
Click to expand...

That's awesome, thanks!

I know this is a bit of a general question...but what's the general concensus on tracking live with a system like that? I know the Presonus Firestudio allows you to send individual mixes to different outputs, but I suppose you can get by with a headphone amp?
 
if you are using the firestudio and you want each person to have a diff mix, I'd say take the firestudios outputs and route them through the aux ins on the berry headphone amp.. that way each channel is a different mix for a different player.. though you would still have to control the mixes from your DAW...

but it should work in theory...

-paul
 
TelePaul said:
I was looking at the old reliable Firepod by Presonus - I've heard good things about those preamps or the Alesis I/O 26 (8 Pres, expandable to 26)
Click to expand...

I would say neither. The FIREPOD has a history of FireWire port failures, dead units after firmware updates, etc. The Alesis is a DICE II driver nightmare (as is the FireStudio). I'd steer you towards the FIREPOD a hundred times over the Alesis or the FireStudio, but you're better off with any number of other FireWire interfaces than you'd be with any of the ones mentioned in this thread thus far.

Just my $0.02.
 
dgatwood said:
I would say neither. The FIREPOD has a history of FireWire port failures, dead units after firmware updates, etc. The Alesis is a DICE II driver nightmare (as is the FireStudio). I'd steer you towards the FIREPOD a hundred times over the Alesis or the FireStudio, but you're better off with any number of other FireWire interfaces than you'd be with any of the ones mentioned in this thread thus far.

Just my $0.02.
Click to expand...

Wait, you said you'd recommend a Firepod over a Firestudio even after citing the issues with port failures etc?
 
Perhaps a MOTU Traveler or 8PRE would work for you. I own a traveler and it is a nice interface.

Also, check out the Echo Audio line of firewire interfaces. I have the Audiofire2 and it sounds very good.
 
TelePaul said:
Wait, you said you'd recommend a Firepod over a Firestudio even after citing the issues with port failures etc?
Click to expand...

Yes. At least the FIREPOD works reliably if you leave it in one place and don't regularly move it, disconnect it, or upgrade it.

  • Port failures are usually caused by FireWire connectors with too much play allowing the connector to short and not having sufficient protection to protect the port electronics. If you have it in a permanent install, that's not very likely to happen.
  • Upgrading the firmware is something that you as the user can always choose to never do.

The FireStudio's driver problems, by contrast, are so severe that many people give up trying to make them work and send them back. In general, it either works with a particular machine or it doesn't. If you get lucky with your particular chipset, it should work very well. If you don't, you'll be tearing your hair out and will probably eventually either buy a new computer or ship the unit back....
 
SonicAlbert said:
Perhaps a MOTU Traveler or 8PRE would work for you. I own a traveler and it is a nice interface.
Click to expand...

And the 1st generation Traveler will probably be discounted if anybody still has it in stock because they just announced a new Traveler Mk3 with 192kHz converters and a few new features for live mixing. (Why!?!)
 
Thanks for your suggestions everyone!! To be honest, the appealing thing about the firepod is that it's so cheap compared to those Motus. I can get it delivered for less than four hundred euros. So any other interface would have to compete with that price.

I wouldn't be moving the Firepod.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top