What recording audio interface do you use and why?

[Strangedogs]

I use Tracktion 3 more and more lately (usually using Logic Studio on my Mac) and actually am starting to like it. At first it looked sorta "cheap" but the more I use it the more I like it's SIMPLICITY.

[SomeAudioGuy]

Well depends on the gig, but usually a Firewire 410 or MobilePre USB.
I want to get a Zoom H4 or Microtrack II soon also.

[doof]

Just got a FocusRite Saffire Pro 10. I wanted 8 mic preamps and the ability to multitrack 8 vocal tracks at once. And the guy at Sweetwater highly recommended it. Currently using N-track Studio for software - looking for something better. I used to have a Sound Blaster sound card that came with a very stripped version of Steinberg Cubase (it was called Cubasis VST). Even though it was quite limited, I really liked it and learned to use it well. But it dosen't work unless you use Creative hardware. I'd like to find a low priced copy of Cubase that isn't limited to multitracking 4 tracks at once. That's actually the only reason I didn't buy a Presonus Firestudio. The version of Cubase it is bundled with is limited to 4 tracks at once. Like I said, I wanted 8. N-track Studio is amazing for the cost ($64), but I'm having some hardware/software conflict that I haven't been able to figure out yet.

[davidjohannes]

Started with various Creative Lab cards and eventually to the SB Audigy Platinum. It got me going, but eventually moved up to a Presonus Firepod which was a dramatic increase in sound quality for audio recording. Recently I took the plunge to an RME Fireface 800 which seems to be another order of improvement in functionality and in sound quality. I am very pleased with it and at the moment my Presonus is on standby ... just in case I need it.

Have not had a single problem since I got my firewire card issue resolved. Caveat emptor ... when buying a firewire interface ... do your best to ensure your firewire card is fully compatible. I ended up using a SIIG firewire card with TI chip, and only 400M ports (my previous card on a new computer had an 800M + 400M and caused me issues with both my Firepod and Fireface). This is all running on a Windows XP dual core intel machine. And running very sweetly I may add. Having my audio interface fail on a computer upgrade was a very enlightening experience as to the need for a good reliable interface.

David

[Hunter33]

Well I just bought an M-Audio Delta 1010.
Having not had much time to use it yet, I can only comment on the reasons behind choosing this over the other options that were available at the time.

• I wanted a multiple in/out device (this has 8/8 or 10/10 including spdif).

• Portability was not an issue (though I may regret this later).

• Rack-mountable breakout-box so will fit nicely into my rack of other studio gear.

• Price budget of upto 400 pounds ($800). It cost me 369 pounds.

• Hi Quality converters according to some reviews I googled and found.

• Don't need additional Pre-amps (for now) as I will use the ones on my Mixer if neccessary (Soundcraft Spirit Folio).

• Solid interface to my machine via internal soundcard and sturdy cable. Firewire interface cables just seem too flimsy and (I thought) may become prone to a dodgy connection/port after a while.

All the above coupled with the fact that I have little experience of audio interfaces (have always just used a simple soundcard uptill now) led me to my purchase. The other options available at the time were:
1> Presonus Firepod.
2> Focusrite Sapphire 10i

These were actually cheaper (300 pounds/$600) then the 1010 but seemed more focussed on pre-amps but its still not too late to change my mind should I wish to exchange for one of the above. I did almost go for the Focusrite purely down to it being a known pro-studio brand but in the end the dealer convinced me to go for the 1010.

Still testing out my 1010 and you can probably read about my issues somewhere on this forum at some point later for more details.

[bobay9]

I use mbox2 pro b/c I want to use protools

[bilco]

Digi002 Rack coupled with an RNP and a Behringer ADA8000

This rig with PT LE 7.3 gets used with my ibook to record 3 different bands I play in. I needed multiple inputs, although I think the most inputs I have used so far is 11. This rig is really overkill for what my most common recording needs are. Since I have only used it 4 times, I will probably sell this stuff.

Mbox 1

This is my songwriting demo rig with PT LE 7.3, easy to setup, easy to use, good solid recording quality. Pbass plugged straight in sounds okay, enough gain (barely) to use an SM7b on my vocals and a Shure SM81 on acoustic guitar. I have recorded drums with a kick mic and an overhead and it sounded okay. This also gets used with my ibook. I have overdubbed bass tracks sitting in bed. It is easy to haul anywhere to get a track recorded. If I want to actually go record a CD project in a real studio, it will be easy to transfer the sessions and use them as a tempo map with scratch vocal and scratch instrument tracks. This is my desert island recording rig. No complaints at all. Best $150 I ever spent on Craigslist!

Digi001

This rig is still sitting around, tried to sell it and the G4 Sawtooth on Craigslist, but didn't really get any takers. I will probably give it to one of my co-writing partners. It is rock solid stable, very low latency with 2 so so mic preamps.

bilco

[offtheblvdrecords]

I'm wondering, and maybe one of you could help... whats the essential difference between something like the alesis multimix and an audio interface like the motu pre 8, saffire pro etc.?

I need at least 8 if not 8+ in outs that can record simultaneously. I'll be running vocals, drums, bass etc. live into whatever i get and then using a macbook pro to take the audio and edit/remix/sample the live players.

I'm looking for something hopefully lower then 600$ but with 8+ in/outs, the multimix seems closer to what i want but the fact that it is so much cheaper then the other motu etc. models i don't know if it'll do what i think it'll do.

Also, will i need to get an additional soundcard for the mac or does the device itself act as a soundcard over firewire/usb?

I'm really confused by all of this! Please help!

[jdaug]

I looked at both units, and they are both essentially firewire interfaces. Im not sure why there is such a huge price difference for the same amount of inputs/preamps, but Im guessing its quality and features. I didnt see any MIDI I/O on the multimix. The converters on the multimix only go up to 48, whereas the MOTU goes to 96. The multimix doesnt look like it has a software utility where you can create separate submixes, the MOTU probably does. No ADAT connections on the multimix. But for the price, it seems like a really good deal for the amount of inputs and preamps, plus you get a control surface that you dont get with the MOTU.

you dont need an additional soundcard with either device. They are the soundcard.

What are you trying to do that you dont think the multimix will do?

[offtheblvdrecords]

well i want to send different headphone mixes to different musicians possibly, plus the motu traveler seems to take some of the stress off the cpu (though i admit i don't really understand how this works or if it'll effect me)... i guess i am worried a bit about no midi, everything i have right now is either firewire or usb but i like options. I'm also not sure if it has pre amps and all that other stuff i don't understand.

basically i need something that has as many in and outs as possible that can record simultaneously, thats good enough quality that when i spit a sample of a guitar back over the live guitar it'll sound pretty darn close.