What to upgrade to after Mbox?

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HastyRichtardo

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So I've been using an Mbox 2 and Pro Tools for a few years now and it has done a good job of teaching me the basics of recording but now I'm ready to upgrade to something better. I've gotten very good results recording with it but I want an interface that will give me higher quality recordings and more importantly provide more inputs. Up until now I've mostly recorded single tracks at a time of guitar, bass, and keyboard however now I want to be able to record a drum set and possibly a live band. To do this I will most likely need at least 8 inputs. I'm hoping to buy an interface that will cost less than $1,000 but I have no problem buying one used if that gets it in my price range. I would also prefer to buy an interface that is compatible with Pro Tools LE 8 which I already have installed on my PC and have learned to use. I'm curious if the preamps are high quality on these interfaces or if I'm better off buying a separate preamp?

Gear I currently have:
- PC with 64 bit Windows 7, Intel i5 processor 2.7 GHz, 8 GB RAM (No Firewire input but I would be willing to buy a Firewire card if needed. Also could upgrade to new PC if needed.)
- Mbox 2 with Pro Tools LE 8
- Samson Resolv 80a monitors
- FMR RNP preamp
- Various mics (Shure beta 57A, 57, Rode NT1) and ready to buy more.


New Interfaces considered:
- Mbox 3 Pro (worried quality isn't much better than Mbox 2 and would probably need to buy a separate preamp due to lack of mic inputs/quality)
- Focusrite Scarlett 18i20, Saffire Pro 40, Liquid Saffire 56 (have enough inputs but not sure if they would be a big jump in quality from Mbox 2, not sure if will work with Pro Tools LE 8)
- RME? (very expensive but seems to be highest quality from reviews I've read)
- MOTU? (not very familiar with but appears to be in this price range. Not sure if they will work with Pro Tools LE 8)


I Appreciate any help!!
 
If you can afford RME, then do that. 100% worth it, and you probably won't ever need to buy another interface.

Othewise, the Focusrite Scarlett would be my next choice off that list :)
 
I agree with Katie's recommendations, however .... I think you may need to upgrade from PT LE to use non-MAudio devices (I'm not a PT user, but remember reading something about the new PT being compatible with other interfaces).
Assume you have already done some acoustical treatment in your tracking/mixing room ....
 
Thanks for the replies Katie and Mike!

From what I've read you can't go wrong with RME interfaces. If they are such high quality that I wouldn't need to upgrade again then I think it is worth the extra price. I will need to look through the various models. How are the preamps on the RME units? I'm wondering if I would also want to buy a separate preamp to use with an RME interface or if the built in pre's are sufficient?

If need be I will upgrade my PT software or use a different software. I have read that Pro Tools 9 will work with RME fireface (should work with any ASIO or CoreAudio compatible interface).
 
RME preamps are very good. Not considered boutique, but good clean low noise pres w good gain. I would suspect they will work very well for u, nd certainly try them out before planning on buying outboard pres.
U will be pleased with the upgrade for sure and the drivers are ROCK SOLID.
 
HastyRichtardo said:
If need be I will upgrade my PT software or use a different software. I have read that Pro Tools 9 will work with RME fireface (should work with any ASIO or CoreAudio compatible interface).
Click to expand...

Bingo.
PT8le is tied to the mbox and 00* interfaces.
If you want to use a different brand you'll have to switch to another DAW or upgrade to >/=Protools 9.
 
I would think the way to go about this is to choose the best interface for my needs and then choose recording software that is compatible, right? It probably doesn't make sense to choose an interface based on which software I will use. I'm assuming the interface has a much bigger impact on the recording results than the software? (I realize there are other variables such as microphones and recording, mixing, mastering techniques but lets assume all things being equal)

I've only ever used Pro Tools but I'm assuming that other software works similar to it? Does anybody know which recording software works with RME interfaces? It's probably a topic for another thread and forum but I'm curious as to the pro and cons of the popular software programs that are compatible with RME.
 
HastyRichtardo said:
I would think the way to go about this is to choose the best interface for my needs and then choose recording software that is compatible, right? It probably doesn't make sense to choose an interface based on which software I will use. I'm assuming the interface has a much bigger impact on the recording results than the software?
Click to expand...

Absolutely!

HastyRichtardo said:
I've only ever used Pro Tools but I'm assuming that other software works similar to it? Does anybody know which recording software works with RME interfaces? It's probably a topic for another thread and forum but I'm curious as to the pro and cons of the popular software programs that are compatible with RME.
Click to expand...

While what you said is true, interface/recording software compatibility generally isn't a thing.
PT8 is long out of date and is a throwback to the days when you were tied to digi hardware.
Avid (digidesign) have since changed their policy to fall in line with other DAWs and you no longer need their hardware to run current versions of their software.

So..If you know ProTools already it probably makes sense to upgrade to PT9 and upgrade your interface to whatever you want.
If you fancy a change or ProTools is too expensive, take a look at reaper instead.
 
Most software works with most everything else.... except Pro Tools, I believe. I have an RME UCX. Never a problem with the driver. Lots of good clean gain. Just what you'd expect from the Germans...
 
get Reaper or Cubase etc.......unless u are wedded to PT.
 
Thanks for all the comments. I'm going with the Fireface 800 and now I just need to decide on what software to use!
 
HastyRichtardo said:
Thanks for all the comments. I'm going with the Fireface 800 and now I just need to decide on what software to use!
Click to expand...

You said you do not presently have FW on the PC? I have only been able to find a PCI card that is both FW800 and TI chipped*.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/PCI-FIREWIRE-800-CARD-INSTRUMENTS/dp/B002UOWQQU

Ok if you have a spare PCI slot but even if the present incumbent has one you can bet your nuts the next PC you get won't! You might be lucky to even get PCIe!

Can you not stretch to the new Fireface 802? FW and USB. Would the UCX plus a good ADAT unit serve?

*I believe RME have the chipset problem sorted and you don't HAVE to have a TI in there but check with The Men!

AhA! found this...http://www.sonnettech.com/product/allegrofirewire800pcie.html

But I don't know them.

Ooo! They have a UK dealer and they seem decent on price.
http://cvp.com/index.php?t=product/sonnet_son-fw800-e

Dave.
 
You're making me nervous Dave! I already purchased the Fireface 800.

I have an open PCI Express slot on my PC. I just ordered the following Firewire card and cable from Newegg (forum won't let me post links):
SYBA Add-On Card Model SY-PEX30016
Belkin Model F3N405Q06-APL 6 ft. FireWire 800 Cable


This should work right?

I was not aware about needing a TI chipset? Hope this is not the case. If I upgrade to a new PC I should not have any issues as long as it has a firewire 800 input or open PCI slot to add firewire card, correct?
 
Specification
Package Detail
Software Requirement
Hardware Requirement
Download
Question
.
• Ports:
◦2x 1394b (9-pin, Bi-lingual)
◦1x 1394a (6-pin)
• Supports Data Transfer Rates of:
◦100Mbps
◦200Mbps
◦400Mbps
◦800Mbps
• TI Chipset
• No Driver required (plug-and-play)
• Simultaneous Operation of Multiple High-performance Devices
• Supports Hot-swapping and Plug-n-Play Connection of Peripheral Devices
• Works with Various Types of FireWire 800 (1394b) and 1394a Devices Including Portable Hard Disk, DV Camcorder, Digital Camera, CD-RW/DVD-ROM Drive and Other Audio/Video Devices
• 1-Lane (x1) PCI-Express with Transfer Rate 2.5Gb/s Full Duplex Channel
• Support Provisions of IEEE P1394b Revision 1.33+
• Compliant with PCI-Express Revision 1.0a
• Compliant with IEEE 1394 OpenHCI Specifications V1.0 and V1.1
• Compliant with IEEE 1394-1995 for a High Performance Serial Bus
• Compliant with IEEE 1394a-2000 Standard
• Fully Backward Compatible to 1394a Specification
• Fully Interoperable with FireWire, iLink, and SB1394 Implementation of IEEE 1394 Standard
•
•
• TI Chipset: XIO2213BZAY
Has TI chipset so you's cool! When I saw the price I did not think it could be FW800 but it seems so.

The "history" of FW audio and chipsets is, AFAIK the following...

Several years ago the forums were beset with guys having awful problems with PCs and FW interfaces. It transpired that the only chipset for the 1394 controller that would reliably work for most audio devices was the Texas Instruments one tho' some AI mnfctrs(MOTU?) suggested that other types should work as well.

This was not so bad for desktop bods, they could usually do as you have done and get a MOBO card. Worse served of course were laptop users. there was I believe a TI express card but by this time many laptops had done away with the slots!

I understand now however that those loverly RME people have grasped the TI nettle and their latest offerings are not fussy about the chipset?

Sorry about the scare! Pretty sure you will be fine.

Dave.
 
Good to know! Thanks for the info. I'll post back on here if I have any problems getting it to work.
 
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