What recording audio interface do you use and why?

[D.Z.]

Alesis Multimix 8 USB... does everything i need it to, and although i used to hate it, kind of love it now... i just wanna upgrade my mix to an AKG Perception 220 or 420...

but i use this cuz i always wanted a USB mixer (dont ask) and this was affordable with good quality, and onboard effects (had it for a year, just figured out how to use em today), the onboard EQ and Hi Pass Filter are good too (just figured out how to PROPERLY use them recently), and its got all the sends and returns and ins and outs ill ever need lmao

[drumjunkie]

I went with a Tascam US-1641 and the bundled Cubase 4LE, CAD DMTP7 Mic kit and a Shure SM57 mic. I wanted to be able to record my entire drumset so I needed the 8 channels. I have absolutly no idea what I'm doing and I'm sure there will be MANY choice words coming from my basement in the next few months/years.

[dtnjnq]

I've got a Behringer BCA2000. I got it because I needed an ADAT interface for my digital mixer and it was the best value for money at the time. I got it for about $250 Australian. I have a 32 input digital mixer connected to the ADAT input and outputs of the BCA2000. This means I can record 8 inputs at a time and also send 8 outputs back out to the mixer.

I've had it now for 3 years and it has worked without any problems.

[kr236rk]

hi newb

am using FastTrack USB 'guitar' interface from M-Audio which is great for electric guitar / mix to MixCraft software but giving me mic problems forever: help

can anyone recommend an interface for mic'ed vocals and mic'ed acoustic guitar please

possibly this can be done with the Fast Track - it has a mic-in - but balancing for mic audio with FT is something i find almost impossibly difficult to do, maybe also because this interface is primarily designed for electric guitar

what would be cool for a mic interface please?

i use a condenser mic which gives me excellent results on a digital recorder [wav, wma, mp3] but has me tearing what remains of my hair out whenever i plug it (amplified) into FT

thanks

kr

[Karno B]

I own an M-audio profire 2626 and an RME fireface 800. Im very happy with both, of course RME beats M-audio especially in the built in pre amps and the converters. a gr8 piece. but profire is also good.

[denmanjum]

I just bought a Focusrite Saffire Liquid 56.
This is a very stable unit and the preamps are very impressive.I've used several other audio interfaces, this is the best so far. It's very smooth, like a taking a drive in an expensive car verses driving a clunker or a cheap guitar verses a really nice one. There is a level of quality here you can see,feel and hear. It's also a lot of fun to play with.

[Chaz]

I record no more than two channels at a time- two if it's stereo. This meager requirement allowed me to purchase high quality converters. I got good used prices on a Mytek AD96 and a Benchmark DAC 1. Now I don't have to feel ashamed when guys on Gearslutz claim that inexpensive converters will ruin your audio, whether you can hear it or not. It's a big relief.
Using the same logic, I bought a used GR 1NV.
Now I have basic gear I don't have to worry about upgrading. (Except for the FMR RNP I use for stereo- though it's seems really quite satisfactory).
For someone like me who records one channel at a time, the only argument for more channels is mixing with outboard gear. My position is that it's better to stay digital all the way, and keep the digital math limited. After all, the music most of us prefer the sound of was recorded with the simplest and least equipment. Doesn't it seem that, in the history of recording, as equipment count rose, quality declined? How can you improve on the best jazz recordings of Rudy Van Gelder? Even in the 50's his sound was a benchmark that I don't believe has been surpassed.

[kr236rk]

Originally Posted by kr236rk

hi newb

am using FastTrack USB 'guitar' interface from M-Audio which is great for electric guitar / mix to MixCraft software but giving me mic problems forever: help

can anyone recommend an interface for mic'ed vocals and mic'ed acoustic guitar please

possibly this can be done with the Fast Track - it has a mic-in - but balancing for mic audio with FT is something i find almost impossibly difficult to do, maybe also because this interface is primarily designed for electric guitar

what would be cool for a mic interface please?

i use a condenser mic which gives me excellent results on a digital recorder [wav, wma, mp3] but has me tearing what remains of my hair out whenever i plug it (amplified) into FT

eventually shelled out for the M-Audio 'SoundCheck' mic because it is basically designed and balanced to work with FastTrack.

there is a great improvement in the overall audio

my basic criticism of FT is that it is so small - not a bad thing in being compact but - that the dials cannot be be calibrated because they are tiny, so i need to mark up the unit by hand

this said, i am getting some real cool results from FT just now

the golden rule is to check for driver updates regularly - there is no way round this - and it is probably the same for all pc-user digi products?

a nuisance but i could never afford or have the sheer room to set up analogue mixer units in my flat, so i am pleased with what i can achieve but always looking to improve on hardware / what i can do

thanks

kr

[garageband]

Originally Posted by Chaz

Now I don't have to feel ashamed when guys on Gearslutz claim that inexpensive converters will ruin your audio, whether you can hear it or not. It's a big relief.

Are those guys buying your music or even listening to it or care about anything but jockeying for position on the "I have the coolest toys" gerbil wheel? NO? F' 'em. I mean it.

[Phased]

Originally Posted by scooterlow

I recently posted about using control surface's that have audio ins and outs. Anyone use the Tascam Firewire 1082 or its big brother? I am using the M-audio firewire 410 and have the Alesis multimix8 firewire version.The M audio beats out the alesis for sure. But the concept of using just the one box instead of a mixer and another audio interface seems the simplest was coolest to me.
What do you think?

I have an FW 1884 it's rock steady, loads of I/Os, and good preamps , oh and reliable

The only caveat I'd offer to anyone buying one is to make absolutely sure your FW interface is totally compatible or you may get some very strange goings-on until you get one that is

With the above proviso I'd recommend them to anyone

HTH


Peace ...