Portastudio or audio interface?

  • Thread starter Thread starter RetroMan
  • Start date Start date
RetroMan

RetroMan

King Of The 80s
I'm collaborating on a recording project with other members of my band - When we record stuff, we have to organize sessions and have each person ship their gear to my studio at home all the time. We're a pretty busy bunch of musicians with creativity killing day jobs so it makes it hard to do this all the time.

To fix this problem, I've been thinking of buying a portable studio of sorts so I can give that to each musician to work on their tracks in their own time - then I can import it into my studio computer which is running Cubase (that I do everything on)

As an alternative, most of the musicians have laptops so another option would to buy an audio interface such as those made by M-Audio or Tascam and get them to record their tracks on their laptops. This would also be a cheaper option.

I am currently swinging towards the interface option as it would be the easiest to work with for me - and the other members of my band.

The thing is, I am a newbie when it comes to these things. Do they actually act as a soundcard? most laptops have appallingly bad soundcards for recording - do these audio interface boxes overide the internal soundcard and fix all that?

Any suggestions as to what interface I should be looking at? I just want something that has both inputs (cannon & jack) and can record two tracks simultaneously if need be. Ive been looking at the Tascam US144 and the M-Audio Fast Track Pro. Both interesting little pieces of hardware.

Other than that, I could go back to plan A and lay down my cash on a portable studio, but that seems a pretty expensive way around it - having one of these interface things and a laptop - isn't that pretty my what a portastudio is? I've cut my teeth on Cubase and I like working with it - not a tiny little screen on a portable studio.

If there's anyone who can give me some advice on this, it would be greatly appreciated.
 
Jim Lad said:
Amen't I clever? :)
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Jim Lad you are very clever, this is exactly what I was looking for - I can even take this baby with me if even I happen to be away from home -it's even made for Cubase! this thing is amazing

If you can answer this question, i will buy one of these tomorrow - does it replace / bi-pass the slave computer's soundcard when it's being used as an interface? for example, plugging it into a laptop via USB?
 
It's an "Audio Interface" thus it becomes your soundcard when plugged in via USB.
 
Jim Lad said:
Let us know how it goes for you. :drunk:
Hallelujah!
Click to expand...

Certainly ;) It should turn up in the next couple of days. Do you have one of these yourself? this little beast is going to really get the ball rolling! :cool:
 
No.
I have the Korg D3200.
The previous model of the Zoom is one that peaked my interest but it's only 16 bit.
The one you've ordered will do 8 channels at 24 bit when it's hooked up as an audio interface. (something like that)
Teyeshablue has one and posted one of the songs he did on it. Really impressive, both himself and the gear.
 
Jim Lad said:
The one you've ordered will do 8 channels at 24 bit when it's hooked up as an audio interface. (something like that)
Click to expand...

That's a bonus because Cubase just happens to be 24bit by default. This just keeps getting better and better ;)

Jim Lad said:
Teyeshablue has one and posted one of the songs he did on it. Really impressive, both himself and the gear.
Click to expand...

Wow, as a stand alone unit? magnificent! I'll have to hunt this down - is the post still active?
 
Jim Lad - I got my R16 :) It is without a doubt the greatest piece of hardware I have ever bought! - so much has changed since the big old Tascam 4 track that I used to use in high school!

Using it as a stand alone multi track recorder is amazing - at the moment i'm nutting out how to get it working with Cubase - as you can imagine it's not just a case of plug it in and away you go - i have to re route my old setting and it's a little bit daunting but i'll work it out.

Thank you so much for the suggestion - It's exactly what I was looking for!!!!!
 
I may buy one yet, just as a soundcard.
If it's Cubase LE4, go into
"Device Set Up" and choose the "Generic" setting.
Also hit "Synch" on the transport bar and you should be up and running as a surface controller. At least, that's what I do with my Korg.
As far as recording, mixing and applying effects with Cubase though, that's a much steeper learning curve than the old Portastudio.

Interesting way to choose a P.M., by the way.
I was living in Australia when Sir John Kerr ousted P.M. Gough Whitlam.
 
Holy bejeezus, the Zoom R16 is the most awesome thing I've ever seen!!! :eek:

Now I know what I'm spending my next available $400 on...sorry, new guitar....
 
Jim Lad said:
I may buy one yet, just as a soundcard.
If it's Cubase LE4, go into
"Device Set Up" and choose the "Generic" setting.
Also hit "Synch" on the transport bar and you should be up and running as a surface controller. At least, that's what I do with my Korg.
As far as recording, mixing and applying effects with Cubase though, that's a much steeper learning curve than the old Portastudio.
Click to expand...

Hey thanks Jim Lad, I'll try that - I'm using Cubase 5 but it should be exactly the same a LE4 in that aspect

Jim Lad said:
Interesting way to choose a P.M., by the way.
I was living in Australia when Sir John Kerr ousted P.M. Gough Whitlam.
Click to expand...

Ha! it was surreal! I woke up that morning and suddenly we had our first female P.M.!?!!? everyone was like "uh, ok" I guess we have always had interesting ways of sorting out our politics. You've certainly been around the traps haven't you!!
 
Went down under when I was 19.
Stayed for 4 years, mostly in Burwood (Western Suburbs of Sydney) and North Melbourne for a short time.
 
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