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Pchicago · 12th March 2009

Thought I'd toss this question into a deeper knowledge base.

I write songs with a friend, we've been at it for a long time and have backlog of stuff we'd like to record in a more serious way, something beyond the demo attitude and all..with an eye towards a few albums for small release etc. We play all of the instruments so, for the most part, we are usually doing single tracks at a time..when we track our drums we need 4 inputs.

Been using various Firewire interfaces over the years, most recently Alesis io 14/26 products, which have worked well. I find the conversion to be pretty damn good.

We have a decent collection of mics, our best preamp right now is an Apogee mini mp which I purchased used recently.

Anyhow, I'm wondering what a decent upgrade would be insofar as, making a significant converter upgrade?

I've done well in the used market in Chicago and would not think twice about looking for a pro quality system that has a few years of movement towards "obsolete" on it.

But, it has to represent a significant sonic step..upwards from a late model consumer piece. I'm not against a great sounding Firewire thing either

I've looked at some the various middle of the road to higher end consumer stuff products..and I'm not convinced that I'd be getting much more than the Alesis io14/26 gives us.

Any suggestions? price range..hmm, 900 to 1400 american for a used system with 2 to four ins..outs? I'm realizing now that it would be nice to have more than one stereo pair of outs. Ideally..at least 4 ins is probably key as we do drums.

I'm not a newb to recording but as far as the - low end of the high end range - (used)..no clue.

Iinput appreciated

p.s. I'm intrigued by the Apogee duet as far as conversion but I'm not sure it's enough as far as ins outs.

12th March 2009	#1
Pchicago Gear maniac Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 291 Thread Starter	converter/interface upgrade Thought I'd toss this question into a deeper knowledge base. I write songs with a friend, we've been at it for a long time and have backlog of stuff we'd like to record in a more serious way, something beyond the demo attitude and all..with an eye towards a few albums for small release etc. We play all of the instruments so, for the most part, we are usually doing single tracks at a time..when we track our drums we need 4 inputs. Been using various Firewire interfaces over the years, most recently Alesis io 14/26 products, which have worked well. I find the conversion to be pretty damn good. We have a decent collection of mics, our best preamp right now is an Apogee mini mp which I purchased used recently. Anyhow, I'm wondering what a decent upgrade would be insofar as, making a significant converter upgrade? I've done well in the used market in Chicago and would not think twice about looking for a pro quality system that has a few years of movement towards "obsolete" on it. But, it has to represent a significant sonic step..upwards from a late model consumer piece. I'm not against a great sounding Firewire thing either I've looked at some the various middle of the road to higher end consumer stuff products..and I'm not convinced that I'd be getting much more than the Alesis io14/26 gives us. Any suggestions? price range..hmm, 900 to 1400 american for a used system with 2 to four ins..outs? I'm realizing now that it would be nice to have more than one stereo pair of outs. Ideally..at least 4 ins is probably key as we do drums. I'm not a newb to recording but as far as the - low end of the high end range - (used)..no clue. Iinput appreciated p.s. I'm intrigued by the Apogee duet as far as conversion but I'm not sure it's enough as far as ins outs.